Clinical psychologists are doctoral-level psychotherapists who spend a minimum of 5 years in advanced level graduate coursework and training in therapeutic intervention.

This includes a minimum of two years of part-time clinical placements and one year of full-time clinical training under close supervision from licensed doctoral-level psychologists. Before graduating with a doctorate, a psychologist must complete a doctoral thesis (a comprehensive research project/study) that must be successfully defended before a committee of psychologists.

After graduating, a clinical psychologist must complete the equivalent of one full-time year of specialized post-doctoral training before sitting for a comprehensive licensing exam to become an independent licensed clinician. Over the course of training, we learn and practice a wide range of approaches to psychology and become experts in assessment, diagnosis, and targeted intervention.

Many psychologists (including us) continue to receive ongoing clinical supervision for many additional years to continue the growth and learning process that is necessary to become a highly-skilled clinician. 

Clinical psychologists are prepared to establish therapeutic relationships through which to help people suffering from both long and short-term problems that are interfering with their ability to live life as desired.

Some common presenting concerns include depression, anxiety, addiction, relationship difficulties, career dissatisfaction, life transitions, overwhelming stress, and grief or loss. Clinical psychologists may see individuals, couples, families, or groups. We will typically spend time garnering a clear and thorough understanding of how any problem manifests itself within the specific clients’ lives and will then select a customized treatment approach that is most likely to be helpful.

Clinical psychologists utilize interventions from various treatment modalities, most common of which are cognitive-behavioral, psychodynamic, relational, and humanistic, and often, we combine techniques from more than one. We are also committed to upholding ethical standards and to maintaining confidentiality.

Sometimes, therapy works best when paired with medication. Psychologists do not prescribe medication, but will make referrals when warranted to psychiatrists/physicians who can prescribe medications.

If we determine from our evaluation that someone will benefit from medication, because a) they are suffering in their daily functioning and/or b) their symptoms may interfere with their ability to make progress in therapy, we will then initiate an open discussion with clients about providing a referral to a psychiatrist/physician and will explain what they can expect from that process.

Clinical psychologists are highly trained professionals who specifically specialize in psychotherapy to help people overcome obstacles and achieve greater life satisfaction.

We work to approach each client and situation with warmth, sensitivity, openness, and respect so as to create a productive therapeutic environment through which our clients may ultimately experience positive change, growth, and emotional well-being.