Psychotherapy

Psychotherapy can be very helpful for people who are experiencing emotional distress, or unpleasant thoughts and feelings that are not getting better on their own, such as excessive and chronic worry, anxiety, anger or sadness.  It can also help those who are simply going through a challenging life situation or a period of adjustment.  Many individuals have found  psychotherapy to be helpful in providing them with a new perspective  on a difficult problem, offering insights and possible solutions not previously considered. Depending on your particular needs and circumstances, therapy services may be best provided in the form of individual, couples, or family sessions. 

While psychotherapy is commonly sought by those who are in acute distress, it is also appropriate for individuals who are simply seeking greater self-understanding or self-acceptance, as well as by those who want to enhance their lives and relationships in positive ways. 

If you are considering psychotherapy and are interested in learning more about me and my pratice, we would schedule one or more evaluation sessions.  This time is used to answer any questions you may have about my professional background, as well as discuss fees, scheduling, and other policies and procedures. During your first couple of appointments, I will also gather the information I need to more fully understand the problem or situation you are seeking help with, make recommendations, and determine if my practice is appropriate for your needs. I may also be able to provide you with the names of other therapists who are competent in your area of concern.

Psychological Testing

Psychological testing is a formal method of assessment that can be useful in a number of ways.  Psychologists make decisions as to what specific test(s) to administer based on the "referral question" or the nature of the problems/ concerns to be addressed by testing. While there are several specialized areas of psychological assessment, the two most  basic categories of testing are personality testing and cognitive testing.

Personality testing can enhance your self-understanding by providing insight into both the adaptive and less effective ways you respond to problems, cope with stress, interact with others, and think and feel about yourself and the world around you.  This type of testing can uncover information that may not be obvious to you and can be especially helpful for individuals who have only a vague sense of their problem areas.  If you are in therapy, it may also help your therapist to better understand the nature of the difficulties you are seeking help with.  In some situations, problems that can be understood more clearly at the beginning of therapy may allow therapy to progress more quickly  by helping your therapist to better focus your treatment.

Cognitive testing can provide important information about such things as learning style, how a person goes about solving problems, and specific areas of strength or weakness, all of which can be relevant to how one functions in the every day world ( on the job, in school, etc.).  This type of evaluation may also include screening for problems that could have a neurological basis.   In particular, people who seem to be experiencing attention and concentration problems, memory difficulties, learning struggles, or impulse control problems can benefit from this type of preliminary screen.  If problems are detected, a referral may be made for a more in depth assessment. This can help identify more clearly the nature and extent of such problems, and aid in the understanding of how to best treat them.

As with psychotherapy, it is recommended that individuals considering psychological testing come in for an initial consultation to clarify what the areas of concern are, and help determine if testing can be of assistance.

Consultation

There are times when people wish to consult with a psychologist in order to obtain information on a specific mental health issue, seek general direction on how to go about solving a particular problem, or acquire insight and guidance concerning other people in their lives.  For example, consultation may be sought by a parent who is having problems with a child at home or in school, an employee who is struggling with a supervisor at work, or a person who simply desires more insight about a significant relationship in his/ her life.  

While consultation sometimes results in a person's later decision to pursue a psychotherapeutic relationship, it is not the same as psychotherapy.  Unlike psychotherapy, it tends to be more educational in focus, is typically of briefer duration, and the issues of concern may or may not directly involve oneself.  For example, consultation can also involve providing assistance to other mental health professionals in areas of expertise or specialized knowledge.   

To schedule an appointment call (802) 786-4900

MVP * BC/BS * CIGNA * Medicaid * Medicare * Self Pay

Patricia McCullagh, Psy.D.

121 West Street, Suite 203, Rutland, VT 05701