NEW PROGRAMS!

PTSD Treatment, scientifically supported treatment for police, military and people with experience in high-risk environments.

12.5% of returning veterans experience symptoms of Post Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD).  The Psychological Services Center (PSC) at the University of Massachusetts Amherst is now offering services to all survivors of traumatic events, or those with experience living or working in high-risk environments. Symptoms of PTSD begin after the experience of a traumatic event.  The survivor may persistently experience thoughts or images of the event in their mind, may avoid reminders of the event and may have become hyper vigilant, consistently anxious or easily startled since the event. The PSC at UMass Amherst now offers research-based interventions to treat PTSD. PSC services are unique to other clinics in the area because they are provided by a number of clinicians with police and military experience. PSC Clinician Dr. Frank Gallo, a retired member of the police force of 15 years, understands the challenges faced with treating PTSD in military and police populations, especially those who have worked in high-risk environments such as police, military or firefighting. 

Changing Challenging Behaviors, a group for parents of school-aged children with ADHD and/or difficult behaviors.

Attention Deficit/Hyperactivity Disorder and other disruptive behaviors are among the most common problems in school-aged children. Due to their difficulty paying attention and regulating their behavior, these children often have trouble obeying their parents, learning in school, and playing with peers. While medications can often be effective in improving children’s attention, they do not treat misbehavior. We are offering a parenting group for parents with school-aged children who have been diagnosed with ADHD, or who are struggling with behavior problems. We will use a proven method for teaching parents effective strategies to increase positive behaviors and reduce problem behaviors in their children. Parents will learn how to encourage positive child behavior through the use of play, positive attention, and rewards, and will learn to set effective limits and implement effective consequences for misbehavior.  View or download a FLIER, a copy of the PRESS RELEASE or the HAMPSHIRE GAZETTE ARTICLE.

GENERAL CLINICAL SERVICES

General Adult Psychotherapy

We provide both short- and long-term psychotherapy on an outpatient basis. We work with the full range of mental health conditions with the exception of individuals who require acute or emergency interventions. Our specialties include cognitive-behavioral, psychodynamic/interpersonal, and integrative approaches to psychotherapy. We serve clients who experience anxiety symptoms (e.g., social anxiety, obsessive-compulsive disorder, obsessive hoarding/cluttering, panic disorder, generalized anxiety, and post-traumatic stress disorder), depressive symptoms (depression, bipolar disorder, seasonal depression), relationship or family difficulties, couples issues, as well as general mental health problems and issues of life-stress.

Child, Adolescent & Family Psychotherapy

We provide child, adolescent, and family therapy. Our services can focus on individual psychotherapy for children and adolescents, parenting support counseling and parenting training, school consultations, family therapy, or an integration of any of the above. We serve children who suffer from depression, behavioral difficulties, attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder, and anxiety symptoms. We also can help with parenting issues, parent-child / parent-adolescent conflict, difficulties with peers, difficulties at school, difficulties coping with stressful events, self-esteem issues, family problems/conflict, bereavement, toileting problems, and Tourette Syndrome.

Low-Fee Psychological Assessment Program

We have a low-fee assessment program that provides reduced cost psychological assessments to members of the campus and off-campus community who meet income eligibility criteria. A member of our specialized assessment clinical team can conduct full psychological assessment batteries (cognitive, emotional, and projective testing), neuropsychological testing, learning disability assessments, and attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) assessments. We can consult with parents and schools about educational accommodations and coping with academic difficulties. Clients who are not eligible for our low-fee program still receive services at rates 40% lower than those charged in the private sector.

Organizational Consultations and Continuing Education

Our staff and faculty are available for a wide range of professional consultations. With specialties covering broad topics such as early intervention, classroom management, issues in mental health, parent and teacher trainings, the development of clinical interventions, and specialized treatment protocols.  PSC clinicians and faculty can consult with your school, mental health organization, or parent/teacher group. For more information, contact Christopher E. Overtree, Ph.D. at psc@psych.umass.edu or (413) 545-0041.

CONTACT US FOR INFORMATION ON ANY OF THESE PROGRAMS

View or download our PRIVACY PRACTICES here