Psychotherapy: Psychotherapy is sometimes called the "talking cure". These interventions cover a wide variety of practices where the client and psychotherapist have guided, constructive, and deliberate conversations in an office setting about specific difficulties the client has set out to resolve. This is most often a collaborative effort examining daily difficulties, working together to understand why things happen the way they do, and jointly developing action plans for client to implement in his/her daily life and assess.
Initially psychotherapy sessions are scheduled weekly and may become less frequent as treatment progresses. Individual sessions are most often 45 minutes in length. It is not unusual to feel awkward at first. As therapy proceeds most persons become comfortable. Overall length of treatment varies from a few sessions to several months or more. I work with the client to help decide when therapy goals have been met.
The purpose of psychotherapy to help the client solve some problem or achieve some goal in moving toward a more healthy psychological self. Discussing goals and revising goals at the beginning of treatment and as treatment proceeds to is important.
Psychological Testing/Assessment: When specific psychological information is needed for diagnosis and treatment use of various tests can be useful. Neuro-psychological testing can be useful in helping diagnose cognitive or neurological conditions. Personality testing is used to better understand mental functioning in his/her daily life. Other assessment tools are used to investigate specific aspects of a problem, such as anxiety.
Central to the purpose of psychological testing and assessment is that results are often stated in comparison to the general population and represent a starting point for treatment. Findings are examined in light of how a person sees him/herself doing in life, what problems are present, and what personal resources are available.
Testing is sometimes covered by insurance but pre-authorization is required
