NEW PSC SERVICES

SECURE ONLINE PAYMENT OPTION

Online payment can be made via QuickPAY or by scanning our PayPal QR code

A STATEMENT FROM THE CLINIC DIRECTOR REGARDING OPERATIONS DURING COVID-19

During the Fall semester 2022 the PSC will function at full capacity.  We will provide face-to-face care.  Masks will be required at all times.  If a client is experiencing symptoms of COVID our student therapists will use computers that are maintained by UMass IT to ensure security, and can conduct therapy remotely until such time as the client is well enough to return to in-person.  We abide by the highest standards of confidentiality and protection of client privacy.  While nearly all sessions will be conducted in person, when a session is conducted remotely, we ask that clients fully engage in Zoom sessions, from a quiet room with limited distractions.  It is our privilege to continue to offer support and psychological services to the Amherst and UMass community as we continue to navigate through changing health situations.

What to expect when receiving services provided in a training clinic

As the training clinic for doctoral students in psychology, we provide evidence-based care.  Our student therapists receive didactic training, and close supervision by licensed psychologists who are experts in their fields.  All sessions are video-recorded in order to ensure that supervisors may regularly observe students conducting treatment.  While obtaining therapy through a training clinic is an excellent option for low cost, exceptional care; there are a few limitations.  Emergency crisis management is not offered, and with the exception of our DBT team, communications with therapists off-hours is rarely possible.  Also, students have limited openings for clients, and only work in the PSC during a few years of their doctoral training.  Clients will not be able to work long term with the same therapist, and are usually encouraged to find a longer term therapist in the community after transferring more than two times from one student to another.

AFFIRMING AND WELCOMING DIVERSITY

As stated by the American Psychological Association Ethical Principles for Psychologists and Code of Ethics:  https://www.apa.org/ethics/code/ethics-code-2017.pdf

“Psychologists respect the dignity and worth of all people, and the rights of individuals to privacy, confidentiality, and self-determination. Psychologists are aware that special safeguards may be necessary to protect the rights and welfare of persons or communities whose vulnerabilities impair autonomous decision making. Psychologists are aware of and respect cultural, individual, and role differences, including those based on age, gender, gender identity, race, ethnicity, culture, national origin, religion, sexual orientation, disability, language, and socioeconomic status, and consider these factors when working with members of such groups. Psychologists try to eliminate the effect on their work of biases based on those factors, and they do not knowingly participate in or condone activities of others based upon such prejudices.”

We take our ethical responsibility seriously, and we strive to make the PSC a welcoming, safe and affirming place for our clients, students, staff and faculty.

 

Assessment

Low-Fee Psychological Assessment Program

Individual completing a test

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. Our specialized assessment clinical team can conduct full psychological assessment batteries, 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.

Therapy

General Adult Psychotherapy

Adult individual therapyWe provide both short- and longer-term psychotherapy on an outpatient basis (see statement above about long-term transfers).  We work with the full range of mental health conditions with the exception of individuals who require acute or emergency interventions.  Our specialties include a behavioral activation/cognitive-behavioral treatment for depression and other problems.  PSC clinicians may also utilize 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 difficulties, couples issues, as well as general mental health problems and issues of life stress. Our Adult Therapy clinic team is headed by Dr. Christopher Martell.  

Child and Adolescent Psychotherapy

Children in uniforms

We provide child and adolescent 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.  Our Child Therapy clinic team is headed by Dr. Rebecca Stowe.