Frequently Asked Questions

A proper group will have a clear definition of its structure, rules, and goals. A support group may have people talking about their feelings or sharing learned resources whereas a skills group may have members talking about how they have applied specific new skills learned in the group in their personal life.

First, pat yourself on the back, as many people shy away from the idea of attending a group, despite their great effectiveness. We can all be a bit nervous about sharing with folks we do not know. But be aware that almost everyone there feels the same way. Come with a spirit of curiosity, cooperation, respect, and support for others. Most groups do not require you to share personal information, or even talk if you do not want to. Just listening can be immensely helpful. Plan to maintain confidentiality, as this is a critical factor in group cohesion and effectiveness. Play the rules that are discussed at the beginning. Allow the facilitator to do their job in keeping the group moving forward and staying balanced in sharing. Plan to treat your group members as you would want to be treated. And bring your boundaries, don’t share things that are overly personal until you trust your group.

The groups that we co-facilitate at FPA are skills-based. We learn skills to be applied to life situations, then allow members to discuss how the skills apply to their particular situation if they choose to share. We support each other through the time-limited process, forming bonds and gaining cheerleaders. Many of our group graduates report that in addition to new skills, the main thing that they gain is feeling less alone in their desire for change and growth. They often say they were surprised and relieved that others shared their issues. This feeling of “universality” can take the pain out of a struggle and allow one to just focus on improvement.

• Combines information from observations, reports, and results of specific assessment measures to understand someone’s areas of strengths and weaknesses
• Clarifies diagnosis which helps treatment planning and makes mental health treatment more targeted and efficient
• Can provide important information to answer questions from other health professionals, schools, courts, and social agencies
• A psychological evaluation session will be scheduled for 3 hours
• A follow-up feedback session will be scheduled for 50 minutes, a month after your evaluation session
  • This session is to discuss the results of your evaluation and treatment recommendations
  • A feedback session will be scheduled as a telehealth session in which you can participate virtually in a private location that is convenient to you
• Health insurance typically covers needed psychological evaluations.  You can reach out to your insurance with any concerns or questions you have about insurance coverage

Evaluation measures will be sent to the email address on file the week before your appointment.  Please complete them no later than 2 days before your appointment to avoid cancellation. Please take all medications as prescribed on the day of your evaluation. Parents of children undergoing a psychological evaluation are required to stay on-site through the entire testing session and will be asked to provide important information

Pretreatment evaluation: Often the goal of a pretreatment assessment is to describe current functioning, confirm or refute clinical impressions, identify treatment needs, suggest appropriate treatments, or aid in careful diagnosis. Pretreatment assessment is likely to yield the greatest overall benefit for clients when (a) there are a variety of treatment approaches to choose from and there is a body of knowledge linking treatment methods to patient characteristics, (b) the client has had limited success in prior treatment, or (c) the client has complex problems calling for treatment goals to be prioritized.

Evaluation of outcomes: Because clients may have difficulty describing changes in their functioning over time, evaluation of treatment outcomes supplements the client's subjective reports with formal measures of current functioning. Psychological test data gathered at the beginning, end, and at various points throughout the treatment can accurately measure progress and treatment effectiveness.

Stalled treatment: When treatment efforts have stalled, psychological assessment may be used to review and modify treatment plans. Psychological assessment can identify the factors impeding therapeutic progress.

Brief treatment: When clients are in great emotional distress but are reluctant or unable to engage in more lengthy treatments, psychological assessment approaches called Therapeutic Assessment or Collaborative Assessment can serve as a very effective brief therapy. These treatment models have been shown to decrease distressing symptoms, restore hope, and increase cooperation with other treatments. In settings where treatment demands are high and professional resources are limited, psychological assessment can be an efficient and effective form of brief therapy.  

Our psychiatrist completes an intake assessment, then a diagnosis is made if the client meets the criteria. If medication would be helpful in the client’s life, our psychiatrist discusses medication options, uses, and side effects. Together, our psychiatrist and client agree on the best treatment option. Monthly, they meet to monitor the success of the medication. This determines if the current medication is meeting the goals of the psychiatrist and client. Every psychiatric medication reacts differently with every individual. This is the reason why we require monthly appointments with our psychiatrist. Through careful monitoring and ongoing discussion, we will find the right medication and treatment plan to improve the client’s mental health.

Forensic psychology is the application of psychology to the legal system. Specifically, forensic psychologists are called upon to apply psychological principles, theory, research, and data to answer legal questions.

Forensic assessment is used when a psychologist is hired to answer a specific legal question (i.e. competency, insanity, etc.). Depending on the specific question, the psychologist will conduct a clinical interview, collateral interviews (e.g. with witnesses, family, friends, attorneys, police officers, etc.), review records (i.e. medical, psychological, criminal, school, etc.), administer psychological tests and form an opinion to answer the legal question.

Forensic assessment is not the same as clinical (or therapeutic) assessment. When a client is referred for clinical assessment, he or she is often posing questions regarding treatment, diagnosis, progress, etc. In forensic evaluations, the client can be court-ordered or referred by their attorney to assist in their legal case. Therefore, forensic assessment can sometimes create an adversarial relationship between the psychologist and the client, as opposed to a therapeutic one. Other differences include:

• A narrow focus to answer the specific legal question
• The psychologist does not act in a therapeutic or "helping" role, as the goal of the evaluation is not to provide therapeutic feedback
• A focus on the client's accurate portrayal of information (rather than his or her perspective)
• A lack of guidance or autonomy on behalf of the client to answer his or her questions
• The possibility of the client's distortion or inaccurate portrayal of information
• The setting of a forensic evaluation does not always take place in a psychologist's office but can take place in a jail or other correctional setting
• Can be limited by time restraints

Clients are referred for a forensic evaluation when their attorney believes it may be beneficial to their legal case or when the judge orders someone to participate in such an evaluation. Some common legal questions that forensic psychologists are required to answer are:

• Insanity (mental condition of the defendant at the time of the commission of the crime)
• Competency (mental condition of the defendant at the time of the trial)
• Sentencing recommendations
• Violence risk assessment
• Sex offender risk assessment
• Juvenile delinquency
• Mental disability (inability to work due to a psychological disorder)
• Civil Court (Personal Injury Evaluations, IME Second Opinion Evaluations, Assessment of Emotional Factors in Sexual Harassment and Discrimination, Worker's Compensation Evaluations, Civil Competency Evaluations, and Psychological Autopsies)
• Criminal Court (Evaluations of Juveniles accused of criminal acts, Juvenile Pre-sentencing Evaluations, Juvenile Probation Evaluations, Juvenile Waiver Evaluations, Evaluating the Credibility of Child Witnesses, Assessment of Juvenile and Adult Sexual Offenders, Competency and Diminished Capacity Evaluations, and Adult Pre-sentencing Evaluations)
• Family Court (Child Custody Evaluations, Visitation Risk Assessments, Grandparent Visitation Evaluations, Mediation of Parental Conflicts about Children, Child Abuse Evaluations, Adoption Readiness Evaluations, Development of Family Reunification Plans, and Evaluations to Assess Termination of Parental Rights)

• Anxiety and Depression
• Couples and Relationships
• Teen Counseling
• Sexual Abuse and Treatment
• Anger Management
• Healing from abuse, trauma, and/or loss (utilizing Trauma-Focused Cognitive Behavioral Therapy if appropriate)
• Recovery from addiction
• Responses to trauma and extreme stress among military personnel, first responders, and community members
• Sleep difficulties
• Attention and concentration problems
• Risk-taking and impulsive behaviors
• Coping with family conflict and transitions
• Social difficulties (i.e., trouble making and keeping friends, bullying)
• Parenting concerns and practices
• Poor body image and/or self-esteem 
  

A portion of our practice is dedicated to assessing and treating clients with sexual behavior problems, including those who have been molested. While most of these individuals are adolescents and children, we also work with adults.

People commit sexual offenses for various reasons. A thorough assessment helps identify the underlying causes of their behavior. It’s a common misconception that all children who act out sexually have themselves been abused. Most minors who commit sexual offenses are not predators, and re-offense rates for those who complete appropriate treatment are less than 10%.

A comprehensive assessment typically includes a review of relevant case materials, psychological testing, and extensive clinical interviews with both the client and their parents or caregivers. It may also involve consultations with other professionals if necessary. This process helps us develop an appropriate treatment plan.

There is often concern that abused children may go on to abuse others. While it’s true that children who have been molested are more likely to engage in sexually inappropriate behavior, many do not. Proper assessment and intervention can help minimize this risk and support healthier outcomes.

Effective treatment begins with a comprehensive assessment to understand the individual's needs. Treatment plans are then developed based on the assessment findings, aiming to address and reduce the risk of future inappropriate behavior while supporting overall well-being.

We employ a range of approaches and therapies tailored to the individual needs of each teen. These include Cognitive-Behavioral Therapy (CBT), Family Therapy, and Interpersonal Therapy.

The goals include helping teens set boundaries, replace negative self-talk with realistic self-talk, develop good communication skills, control their behaviors, and manage their emotions without feeling overwhelmed.

We address a variety of issues such as anxiety and depression, defiance and power struggles, anger, and lack of respect. Our counseling also supports teens in coping with death, abuse, relocation, trauma, illness, and family dynamics including divorce, stepparent issues, and blended family problems.

Couples often seek therapy for concerns such as repetitive arguments, poor communication, conflicts over parenting, finances, extended families, or intimacy issues. They may also seek help to cope with the aftermath of an affair or less specific problems like diminished feelings of closeness or settling into a routine.

When dealing with the aftermath of an affair, therapy is tailored to help rebuild trust and address the complexities of the situation. The goal is to work through the betrayal and determine the future of the relationship.

In couples therapy, the therapist creates a respectful and active environment for both partners. They listen carefully, facilitate productive discussions, and work to resolve issues rather than allowing familiar arguments to dominate the sessions.

Pre-marital counseling can be valuable for addressing specific concerns and preparing for marriage. While workshops and courses can be helpful, professional couples therapy can provide personalized support and prevent future difficulties.