Cura Psychology

"What a man can be, he must be. This need we call self-actualization"
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-Abraham Maslow
Services
Providing Everything You Need

Psychological Testing
We offer testing for:
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Neurodevelopmental Disorders (ADHD/Autism)
Schizophrenia Spectrum
Bipolar and Related Disorders
Depressive Disorders
Anxiety Disorders
Obsessive-Compulsive and Related Disorders
Trauma and Stressor-Related Disorders
Dissociative Disorders
Somatic Symptom and Related Disorders
Feeding and Eating Disorders
Elimination Disorders
Sleep-Wake Disorders
Disruptive, Impulse-Control, and Conduct Disorders
Substance-Related and Addictive Disorders
Personality Disorders
Individual Therapy
We offer:
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Cognitive Behavioral Therapy/Motivational Interviewing
Person-Centered Therapy
Emotion-Focused Therapy
Eye-Movement Desensitization Reprocessing (EMDR)
Trauma-Informed Interventions

What To Expect During A Psychological Evaluation
A psychological evaluation is a comprehensive assessment of an individual's psychological, emotional, and behavioral functioning. The process typically involves several key steps:
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Intake Interview:
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Personal History: The psychologist collects detailed information about the individual's medical, psychological, and social history.
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Current Concerns: Discussion of current symptoms, issues, or problems that prompted the evaluation.
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Behavioral Observations: The psychologist notes the individual's behavior, mood, and interaction style during the interview.
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Psychological Testing:
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Standardized Tests: These may include intelligence tests (e.g., WAIS-IV, WISC-V), personality assessments (e.g., MMPI-2, PAI), and specific diagnostic tools (e.g., Beck Depression Inventory, Autism Diagnostic Observation Schedule).
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Questionnaires and Inventories: Self-report measures that assess symptoms, behaviors, and attitudes.
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Performance-Based Tests: Tasks or activities that measure cognitive abilities, problem-solving skills, memory, and attention.
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Collateral Information:
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Interviews with Family or Teachers: Gathering information from people who know the individual well to provide additional context and perspectives.
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Review of Records: Examination of medical, educational, or employment records to gather comprehensive background information.
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Behavioral Observations:
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Naturalistic Observation: Observing the individual in natural settings, such as at home or school, to see how they behave in different environments.
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Structured Observation: Observing the individual in a controlled setting, such as a clinic, to assess specific behaviors.
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Formulation and Diagnosis:
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Data Integration: Combining information from interviews, tests, observations, and records to form a comprehensive picture of the individual’s psychological functioning.
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Diagnostic Criteria: Applying criteria from diagnostic manuals like the DSM-5 or ICD-10 to determine if the individual meets the criteria for any psychological disorders.
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Report Writing:
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Comprehensive Report: Writing a detailed report that includes background information, assessment methods, findings, diagnoses, and recommendations.
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Distribution: Sharing the report with relevant parties, such as healthcare providers, educators, or the individual themselves.
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Feedback Session:
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Results Discussion: The psychologist meets with the individual (and often their family) to explain the results of the evaluation.
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Recommendations: Providing suggestions for treatment, interventions, or accommodations based on the findings.
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Clarifications: Answering any questions the individual or family may have about the evaluation and results.​
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What To Expect in Therapy
The process of therapy, also known as psychotherapy or counseling, involves several stages designed to help individuals address psychological, emotional, and behavioral issues. The exact process can vary depending on the therapeutic approach used (e.g., cognitive-behavioral therapy, psychodynamic therapy, humanistic therapy), but the general steps are as follows:
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Initial Contact and Assessment:
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Initial Consultation: A preliminary meeting or phone call to discuss the individual’s reasons for seeking therapy, the therapist’s approach, and practical details such as fees and scheduling.
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Assessment: During the first few sessions, the therapist gathers comprehensive information about the individual’s history, current issues, and goals. This may involve structured interviews, questionnaires, or other assessment tools.
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Establishing Rapport and Building Trust:
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Therapeutic Alliance: Developing a strong, trusting relationship between the therapist and the individual is crucial. This involves creating a safe and supportive environment where the individual feels comfortable sharing personal information.
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Setting Goals: Collaboratively setting specific, measurable, achievable, relevant, and time-bound (SMART) goals for therapy based on the individual’s needs and desires.
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Developing a Treatment Plan:
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Personalized Plan: Creating a tailored treatment plan that outlines the therapeutic strategies and interventions to be used, as well as the frequency and duration of sessions.
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Explaining the Approach: The therapist explains their therapeutic approach and methods, ensuring the individual understands and agrees with the plan.
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Therapeutic Interventions:
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Implementing Techniques: Using various therapeutic techniques and interventions to address the individual’s issues. This can include cognitive restructuring, exposure therapy, mindfulness exercises, behavioral experiments, or exploring past experiences and emotions.
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Homework Assignments: Assigning tasks or exercises to be completed between sessions to reinforce what was discussed in therapy and encourage the application of new skills.
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Building Skills and Strategies:
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Skill Development: Helping the individual develop coping skills, problem-solving strategies, and healthier ways of thinking and behaving.
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Empowerment: Empowering the individual to make positive changes in their life and manage their symptoms more effectively.
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Addressing Challenges:
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Handling Obstacles: Working through any setbacks or challenges that arise during therapy, such as resistance, lack of motivation, or new stressors.
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Crisis Management: Providing support and strategies for managing crises or acute episodes of distress.
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Termination and Maintenance:
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Preparing for Termination: Discussing the end of therapy when goals have been met or when the individual feels ready. This includes reviewing progress, consolidating gains, and planning for the future.
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Follow-up Sessions: Scheduling occasional follow-up sessions to monitor ongoing progress and address any new issues that may arise.
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Relapse Prevention: Developing a plan for maintaining improvements and managing potential relapses.
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