Therapy and Trauma
Whether you have experienced Big T's (known abuse or victimization, natural disaster, etc.) or Little T's (moving, harsh discipline), we develop hard-wiring in our brain and nervous system to adapt. Substance use, chronic pain, relational problems, behavioral addictions, depression, anxiety/panic, negative thinking patterns and uncontrollable moods can be your nervous system's maladaptive way of coping with what has happened to you. When you engage in psychotherapy with us, you will have access to treatments that have been research-based and reach your core of what's perpetuating your symptoms. Here, we practice trauma-informed and trauma-specific treatments such as EMDR, Internal Family Systems, ego-state, Hearth Math (bio feedback), Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT), Cognitive Processing Therapy (CPT), Dialectical Behavioral Therapy (DBT). What are these treatments?? No worries if this sounds like different language. Your therapist will work with you and education you about what might be right for you.
Substance Use Evaluations
Has the court, probation or another entity requested you participate in a Substance Use and/or Mental Health Evaluation? Please know that if you choose to do your evaluation through us, you will be treated with dignity and respect. If the court is only requesting information specific to substance use, we will focus on that, likewise for mental health. If there is no specific designation, we will integrate substance use and mental health assessment, knowing that they are closely intertwined.
WHAT TO EXPECT: Plan for two hours to spend with the clinician for the clinical interview. You will also need to spend 15-30 minutes before your appointment filling out paperwork online. The clinician will ask you many questions regarding current and past issues, as well as family history. The clinician will also likely have you participate in structured screens. In some cases, you will be asked to provide a urinalysis at a local lab. After all of this, the clinician will digest all of this information to generate a diagnosis and treatment recommendations. The clinician will then write and prepare a report to be provided to the requesting entity (e.g, probation), with your written consent. Please expect the report to be generated 2-7 days after you meet. So plan ahead!
Why are evaluations so expensive? Typically insurance companies do not pay for your evaluation. The fee covers the amount of time spent during the clinical interview, the time spent synthesizing your information and the time spent to write a report. All in all, this could take nearly six hours of your clinician's time. We want to be thoughtful about you and your recommendations, which takes time and energy. Please use this "request an appointment" link to schedule! If the availability is not to your satisfaction, you may also email us through the CONTACT button on the website to explore other options.
Therapist Professional Development
Hillary provides licensure supervision for LCSW, LPC & CAS/CAT/LAC candidates. Having supportive, trauma-informed clinical supervision is just as, if not more, important than accruing the hours you need for your credentials. Hillary offers individual and group options for supervision.
Hillary is also an EMDR consultant-in-training who can support you and guide you through the EMDR basic training and certification processes. Groups and individual options are available for consultation. Click "request appointment" to schedule a free consultation to see if I'd be a good fit for you!
Hillary Sunderland
LCSW, LAC, Clinical Supervisor and EMDR Consultant