Our Psychology Services in Stow, OH
Clinical Services for Individuals
Therapy for the individual is designed to help that person work towards solving a specific problem or problems. Psychotherapy for these issues is usually covered by health insurance.
- Anxiety disorders
- Mood disorders
- Chronic anxiety
- Worry
- Fears and phobias
- Traumatic stress
- Obsessive thoughts
- Compulsive rituals
- Panic attacks
- Chronic depression
- Major depression
- Mood swings
- Bipolar disorder
- Suicidal thoughts or plans
- Chronic anger and irritability
- Behavior disorders
- Adjustment disorders
- Eating disorders
- Substance abuse or dependence
- Impulsive shopping or gambling
- Violent behavior/anger
- Pornography
- Internet addictions
- Sleep disorders
- Losses
- Illness
- Disability
- Divorce
- Job loss
- Relocation
- Financial or legal stressors
Adult Assessment & Psychological Testing
Adults may be referred for testing to clarify diagnoses, coping ability, intellectual functioning, readiness for psychotherapy or for medical procedures, and risks. We receive requests for testing from these sources:
- Therapists for treatment planning
- Families worried about an elderly relative's ability to live alone
- Doctors who have questions about medical issues
- Hospitals with questions about readiness for surgery
- Courts with questions about appropriate disposition of cases
- Bariatric (weight loss) surgery programs
- Psychiatrists wanting a differential diagnosis
- Neurologists questioning cognitive impairment after brain injury
Tests are chosen based on the questions to be answered. We have:
- Personality tests
- Intellectual tests
- Geriatric tests for competency
- Career interest/aptitude tests
- Coping skills assessments
- Neuropsychological tests
Types of Therapy
Cognitive-behavior therapy
There are many different protocols and procedures that have names as specific therapies. Most, but not all, fall in the general heading of Cognitive-Behavior Therapy. Some of the specific approaches include:
- Anxiety Management
- Assertion Training
- Cognitive Reappraisal/Restructuring
- Coping Skills Training
- Exposure & Response Prevention
- Anger Management/Reduction
- Contingency Management
- Behavior Management
- Stress Inoculation
- Biofeedback
- Relaxation training
Acceptance and commitment therapy (ACT)
This novel approach has been well-researched for over twenty years. The operative word here is "acceptance". Instead of learning to challenge and replace negative thoughts or feelings, clients are taught to accept them for the moment and refocus on values.
Psychodynamic therapies
There are new versions of psychodynamic therapies that are short-term and more focused than the original five days a week psychoanalysis that is characterized in movies. Most of these approaches look at dysfunctional patterns of behavior, especially repeated problems in relationships with people. Some types of dynamic therapy which have been researched and shown to be effective are:
- Adlerian therapy
- Interpersonal therapy
- Brief Dynamic therapy
- Functional analytic therapy
Experiential Therapies
These therapies are designed to help you identify and resolve confusing thoughts and feelings.
- Awareness training
- Gestalt therapy
- Person-centered therapy
- Mindfulness meditation
Eye Movement Desensitization & Reprocessing (EMDR)
This method was originally developed for traumatic stress disorders. It involves identifying core negative thoughts about the self and associated negative life experiences while experiencing rhythmic left-right stimulation by sounds or eye movements
Telehealth Services
We are happy to accommodate our clients with telehealth services. Now you can speak with one of our licensed psychologists virtually but still receive the same care as you would in person. We offer over-the-phone and video conference sessions. To schedule your telehealth session, call us at 330-650-5338.
Family & Relationship Therapy
Family Therapy
Family therapy deals with issues that involve the family as a unit. Counseling is focused on behavior or communication problems involving parents and children or adolescents. The aim is to change habitual ineffective interactions. Specific problems may include:
- Family conflict
- Family communication deficits
- Parenting skills
- Adjusting to step/blended families
- Drug and alcohol abuse
- Elder care
- Health crises
- Financial crises
- Relationship enhancement
- Old resentments
- Behavior disorders
- Verbal/physical abuse
- Adjusting to divorce
Marital and Relationship Counseling
In couples' counseling, the relationship rather than the individual is the focus of therapy. For this reason, medical insurance may not cover this service. It is useful to couples contemplating marriage, new marriages under stress, healing damaged relationships and strengthening good relationships. Counseling for relationships includes:
- Communication skills
- Dual career issues
- Separation and Divorce
- Premarital counseling
- Problem solving
- Recovery from infidelity
- Parenting conflicts
- Sexual dysfunction
Adult Clinical Issues
Our psychologists are trained and experienced in a range of treatment types; hence we may use several different techniques, depending on your issue. Both you and the psychologist discuss and agree to a treatment plan in the first few sessions. However, that plan may be altered and refined to fit changing circumstances. If you don't understand something, feel free to ask questions.
Many of the psychologists at Western Reserve Psychological Associates, Inc. have special interests or expertise with certain age groups or conditions. Our receptionists are trained to know the interests of each psychologist. They will match you with the most appropriate psychologist for your issue.
Your psychologist will tell you if a given approach has been shown by research to be effective for your condition. Most therapies require some reading, record keeping, and between-session practice. While no procedure can be guaranteed to be effective, you should be able to tell in a short time whether a given approach is working for you.
Child & Adolescent Clinical Services
Issues
Children, as well as adults, can have emotional, behavioral and mental health problems. Western Reserve Psychological Associates, Inc. provides assessment and counseling for a wide variety of problems seen in children and adolescents, including:
- ADD(Attention Deficit Disorder), AD/HD(Attention Deficit/Hyperactivity)
- Behavior problems at home and/or school
- Substance abuse/chemical dependency
- Depression
- Eating Disorders
- Anxiety
- School phobia
- Learning difficulties
- Adjustment problems resulting from adoption, divorce, death and other losses
- Traumatic stress
- Poor self-esteem and lack of social skills
- Psychosomatic difficulties
- Parent/child conflict
- Obsessive/Compulsive Disorder
- Developmental disabilities
Child and Adolescent Assessment
The psychologists that participate in the "Academic Assessment Center" are experienced and trained to provide intelligence and achievement testing services. If the child has attention problems, we also assess for ADHD and emotional problems.
Reasons for assessment include:
- Declining grades
- Underachievement
- Motivational Problems
- Boredom in a bright child
- Test and performance anxiety
- Placement issues, including gifted programs and special classes
- Academic decisions: courses, college, career
Child and Adolescent Therapy
Parents, clinicians and the child must all collaborate when the client is a minor child. The child's parent or guardian is informed of and signs the treatment plan. The non-custodial parent has a legal right to review the child's record. Depending on the child's age and issues, either individual sessions with parent consults or conjoint family session may be suggested. In either case, the parent has a right to regular progress reports. Specific interventions may include play therapy or adult therapy techniques.
- Anxiety management
- Anger management
- Learning impulse control
- Improving moods
- Relating to peers
Wellbeing & Life Enhancement
These services are intended to increase health and well-being and enhance performance for high-functioning people. These services may be covered by health insurance.
Stress Management
Stress management training assists individuals in making lifestyle changes to manage stress more effectively. Such training is often helpful in managing stress-related disorders such as headaches, muscular disorders, gastrointestinal disorders and anxiety or panic attacks. Individuals learn to cope with the emotional and physical effects of stress. Stress management services include:
- Relaxation training
- Visual image training
- Hypnosis
- Coping skills training
- Acceptance and Commitment Therapy
- Mindfulness training
Habit Change
- Smoking cessation consultation
- Weight loss guidance
- Modifying nervous habits
Communication Skills
- Assertion training
- Conflict management
- Conversational confidence
Life Planning
- Life review
- Personal growth plans
- Self-esteem work
Positive Psychology
The new movement to research "positive psychology" is a step on the road to helping people "learn happiness". Instead of focusing on fixing problems, the therapist shares findings about increasing life satisfaction, and explores personal values and goals to incorporate these practices into your life.
Sport Psychology
Sport psychologists study the factors that influence participation and performance improvement in sports and exercise. Athletes and exercise enthusiasts often consult with a psychologist to lessen performance anxiety at competitions, improve focus and enhance performance. Therapists may also work with coaches to increase motivations in their athletes, improve compliance with training, further rehabilitation after injuries, and enhance communication and leadership styles. Sport psychologists may work with amateurs or professionals, individuals or teams.
Special Populations
Women
A variety of individual and group psychotherapy services are offered for women. Western Reserve Psychological Associates, Inc. employs psychologists skilled in dealing with issues of vital interest to women. These issues include: infertility, pregnancy loss, history of rape or abuse, balancing work and home, relationship problems.
Elderly
Our services for the elderly help individuals adjust to the physical and emotional problems of aging. Issues addressed include retirement, loss of spouse, and coping with physical handicaps. We can also provide services for family members of the elderly.
Medically Compromised/Health Psychology
Health psychology involves the application of behavioral science to the diagnosis and treatment of physical problems such as weight management, smoking cessation and adjustment to chronic disease. WRPA provides evaluation and treatment for chronic pain conditions utilizing cognitive-behavioral therapy, hypnosis and bio-feedback. For traumatic stress following accidents, injuries, assault or abuse we can provide eye movement desensitization and reprocessing (EMDR), a new therapy modality.
Call (330) 650-5338 to schedule an appointment.