Services

Psychotherapy

EXPECTATIONS OF YOUR FIRST VISIT

Discussion of your concerns: The therapist will ask you about the problems that led you to seek therapy, including any symptoms you may be experiencing. They may ask you to provide specific examples and details about your concerns.

Mental health history: The therapist will also ask you questions about your mental health history, including past diagnoses, treatments, and hospitalizations. They may also ask about any family history of mental health issues.

Goals for therapy: The therapist will ask you about your goals for therapy and what you hope to achieve. They may also ask about any barriers you anticipate to achieving your goals.

Discussion of therapy approach: The therapist may discuss their approach to therapy and what you can expect from the therapy process. They may also answer any questions you have about therapy.

Building rapport: Finally, the therapist will work to build a rapport with you and establish a safe, supportive environment for therapy.

Overall, the initial therapy appointment is an opportunity for you to share your concerns and goals for therapy, and for the therapist to assess your needs and determine the best approach for your treatment. It's important to be honest and open during this appointment to help ensure that you receive the most effective treatment possible.

During follow-up therapy appointments, you can expect to review progress, discuss current concerns, build coping strategies, potentially adjust treatment, and evaluate treatment goals. These appointments are meant to help you continue working towards your therapy goals with the support of your therapist. Initial and subsequent therapy appointments usually last a little under an hour in length.

Our Mental Health Providers are committed to assisting children, teens, and adults in various stage of life, development, and transition. Some of the common life disruptions that our skilled and experienced clinical staff treat include:

Eye Movement Desensitization & Reprocessing (EMDR)
Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT)
Medication Therapy
Exposure Therapy
Interpersonal Therapy
Dialectic Behavioral Therapy (DBT)
Mindfulness Therapy
Acceptance and Commitment Therapy
Motivational Interviewing
Couples Counseling
Family Therapy
Addictions Therapy
Virtual Reality Therapy
Ketamine Therapy
Neuroplasticity Therapy

For an explanation of the different therapies visit psychologytoday.com/us/types-of-therapy

Psychological Testing

ADHD Testing: To evaluate ADHD, we are using the QBcheck and QBtest, which offer objective criteria. The QBcheck is convenient as it can be conducted your home, while the QBtest is available at our Downtown and Plainfield locations. While the QBcheck offers greater convenience, it solely assesses inattention and impulsivity. In contrast, the QBtest evaluates all three aspects of ADHD including hyperactivity. When compared to alternative assessments, the QBtest demonstrates exceptional sensitivity (88%) and specificity (93%).

The BASC-3 gives us insight into the feelings and behaviors of children and adolescents. The test utilizes information provided by the patient’s teacher (or equivalent), parent, and the patient.

The MMPI-2, a 567 true-false assessment, is the cornerstone of psychological testing since 1943, used by mental health professionals to diagnose mental health and personality disorders. Despite its effectiveness, you must be honest and frank to yield accurate results. However, the test has invalidating parameters to protect its legitimacy, and if invalidated, patients are offered a redo at a discounted price.

The Career Assessment Inventory is designed to “survey an individual’s interest in a variety of areas and then provides information on how those interests match up with the interests of people in over 100 occupations”.

Ketamine Therapy

Learn more on our Ketamine Therapy page.

Medications

Learn more on our Medications page.

Mental Health Treatment

EXPECTATIONS OF YOUR FIRST VISIT TO YOUR PSYCHIATRIC NURSE PRACTITIONER OR PSYCHIATRIST

Your first appointment with a psychiatrist may vary depending on your unique circumstances and the reason for seeking help. However, in general, you can expect the following:

Intake assessment: The psychiatrist will conduct an initial assessment to gather information about your medical and mental health history, symptoms, and any previous treatments you may have received.
Discussion of symptoms: You will have an opportunity to discuss your current symptoms, including any physical or emotional discomfort you are experiencing.

Treatment options: Based on your symptoms, the psychiatrist will discuss possible treatment options with you, including medication, therapy, or a combination of both.

Initial evaluation will be 45 to 60 minutes

Follow-up plan: Your psychiatrist will develop a follow-up plan with you, including scheduling additional appointments and determining the frequency of those appointments.
It's essential to be honest with your psychiatrist about your symptoms, feelings, and concerns, as this will help them develop an accurate diagnosis and effective treatment plan. Remember that seeking help is a sign of strength, and your psychiatrist is there to support you on your journey to improved mental health.

Subsequent Appointments: In follow-up visits with your psychiatrist, you can expect to discuss your symptoms, receive medication management, receive therapy or counseling referrals, learn coping strategies, and have your treatment progress evaluated. Open communication is essential to developing a personalized treatment plan. These appointments are generally 15 to 20 minutes in length.

Psychiatric medication management involves the evaluation, prescription, and monitoring of medications used to treat mental health conditions. This may include medications such as antidepressants, mood stabilizers, antipsychotics, anxiolytics, and stimulants, among others.

During psychiatric medication management, a psychiatrist will assess your symptoms and determine the most appropriate medication and dosage for your individual needs. They will monitor your response to medication and adjust as necessary to ensure optimal treatment outcomes.

Psychiatric medication management also involves educating patients about their medications, including potential side effects and risks. Patients are encouraged to communicate any concerns or changes in symptoms to their psychiatrist during the medication management process. Overall, medication management is an important aspect of mental health treatment that can help improve symptoms and quality of life.

During your initial therapy appointment, you can expect the therapist to focus on understanding your current concerns and mental health history, as well as your goals for therapy.

HERE ARE SOME THINGS TO EXPECT

Discussion of your concerns: The therapist will ask you about the problems that led you to seek therapy, including any symptoms you may be experiencing. They may ask you to provide specific examples and details about your concerns.

Mental health history: The therapist will also ask you questions about your mental health history, including past diagnoses, treatments, and hospitalizations. They may also ask about any family history of mental health issues.

Goals for therapy: The therapist will ask you about your goals for therapy and what you hope to achieve. They may also ask about any barriers you anticipate to achieving your goals.

Discussion of therapy approach: The therapist may discuss their approach to therapy and what you can expect from the therapy process. They may also answer any questions you have about therapy.

Building rapport: Finally, the therapist will work to build a rapport with you and establish a safe, supportive environment for therapy.

Overall, the initial therapy appointment is an opportunity for you to share your concerns and goals for therapy, and for the therapist to assess your needs and determine the best approach for your treatment. It's important to be honest and open during this appointment to help ensure that you receive the most effective treatment possible.

During follow-up therapy appointments, you can expect to review progress, discuss current concerns, build coping strategies, potentially adjust treatment, and evaluate treatment goals. These appointments are meant to help you continue working towards your therapy goals with the support of your therapist. Initial and subsequent therapy appointments usually last a little under an hour in length.

HOW DO I KNOW MY MENTAL HEALTH TREATMENT IS EFFECTIVE?

Determining the effectiveness of your therapist, Psychiatric Nurse Practitioner, or Psychiatrist can be accomplished through assessing the strength of your therapeutic alliance. Building a solid therapeutic alliance requires a harmonious partnership between you and your clinician, enabling you to achieve your objectives. Your clinician must be non-judgmental and supportive of you, demonstrating honesty and trustworthiness while exhibiting a keen understanding of your emotions. Furthermore, they should grasp your expectations and be capable of identifying and addressing any roadblocks that may hinder your advancement.

Common goals of therapy:

  1. Relief from psychiatric symptoms

  2. Positive thoughts

  3. Better relationships

  4. Appropriate expression of emotion

  5. Positive life changes

It’s time to live your life.