Psychological Services

Psychological Services clinicians function as part of the rehabilitation team to assist clients to achieve their optimal level of independence in community living. The department is staffed by licensed clinical psychologists and licensed professional counselors.

Clients may be referred or refer themselves to Psychological Services for an evaluation or treatment. Services offered include:

Psychological evaluations for Center residents, day students, and outpatients:

• To determine feasibility for a service at the Center.
• To determine rehabilitation, post-secondary and worksite needs related to a cognitive, chemical, and/or emotional disorder.
• To identify appropriate accommodations for work, post-secondary, school, or standardized examinations such as the GED or SAT.

Intervention and treatment for individuals participating in a vocational, medical, or a living skills program at the Center:

• Individual psychotherapy
• Group counseling
• Crisis intervention
• Monitoring and support
• Family and staff consultation
• Psycho-educational classes and support groups
• Substance abuse prevention and relapse prevention services
• Provide opportunity to participate in community 12-step programs
• Individualized intervention plans
• Peer Mediation Program services

Other services

• Staff training
• Program evaluation & applied clinical research

Neuropsychological assessment is a systematic clinical diagnostic procedure used to determine the extent of any possible behavioral deficits following diagnosed or suspected brain injury. Such assessments would be helpful for patients having, or suspected of having, various brain disorders that result in problems with memory, intelligence and cognitive functioning, activities of daily living, or behavior and emotions. Such conditions include head trauma, stroke, epilepsy, brain tumor, toxic or other encephalopathies, dementia, developmental and learning disabilities, and other neurological disorders.

Neuropsychological assessment is helpful in determining the differential contribution of neurologic and psychiatric factors in a patient's presenting problems, and in the specification of the patient's psychological and behavioral strengths and weaknesses related to neurological dysfunction.

Information is provided that can contribute to decisions about:

• differential diagnosis;
• prognosis;
• rehabilitation potential;
• return to work;
• ability to function independently;
• specialized school placement;
• forensic issues.

The evaluation involves the comprehensive assessment of higher cognitive skills, intelligence, academic abilities, problem-solving skills, abstraction, memory, visual-motor skills and related abilities. Sensorimotor functioning and psychological/emotional status are also assessed.

The Psychology Department offers two types of evaluation service for individuals with a suspected learning disability (LD) that may present an impediment to employment or post-secondary educational goals. The evaluations are tailored to individual needs and consist of an interview, diagnostic testing, and oral feedback along with a written report that outlines strengths, weaknesses, accommodations, and recommendations to address individual needs. These services are typically considered to be not medically necessary by most insurance companies. Consequently, payment will be expected to be made by the consumer or by the referring agency. If you would like to seek reimbursement through an insurance carrier, WWRC will provide documentation with appropriate written consent. The referring party (with information from the consumer) may choose the service most appropriate for the needs of the consumer.

Further information or consultation with the department Director, Fred Capps, Ed.D., may be of help in choosing the most appropriate service for a consumer. A brief description of the two LD evaluation services follows:

CPT 96100F (37107) Standard Battery

The Standard Battery is used for suspected learning disability when there is a significant concern with work and/or school performance and the problem is not due to brain injury or disease. The focus is on diagnosis and general recommendations with less emphasis on learning style and instructional strategies. It is used to determine diagnosis, strengths, limitations, prognosis, treatment and/or rehabilitation needs. It may also used to recommend accommodations for standardized tests such as the GED or SAT.

The Standard Battery includes a diagnostic interview (90801) with up to four (4) units of psychological testing (96100) including measures of intelligence, achievement, attention, and an appropriate personality/behavioral screening. A written report will be produced as well as a face-to-face interpretive session offered to the consumer (or through telecommunications if clinically appropriate).

Fee: $577.00

CPT 96100G (37108) Standard Battery + Neuropsychological / Information Processing

This extended Battery is used for a suspected learning disability when there is a significant problem with work and/or school performance and the problem is not due to brain injury or disease. The focus is to determine diagnosis, strengths, limitations, prognosis, learning style, treatment, rehabilitation, and/or instructional needs. It may also be used to recommend accommodations for standardized tests such as the GED or SAT.

This Battery includes a diagnostic interview (90801) with up to five (5) units of psychological testing (96100) including measures of intelligence, achievement, attention, information processing, and an appropriate personality/behavioral screening. A written report will be produced as well as a face-to-face interpretive session offered to the consumer (or through telecommunications if clinically appropriate).

Fee: $662.00

Mediation is a voluntary process that encourages people to resolve their own disputes in a structured meeting rather than letting resentments build or allowing a third party to make the decisions for them. Mediation does not try to determine fault or blame and mediators do not take sides. The mediators guide disputants through a structured conflict resolution process. The disputants control the outcome of mediation.

Peer Mediation is characterized by mediators and disputants having equal status. Two student disputants will mediate with two student mediators. The same process applies to staff who desire to utilize mediation. If a staff and a student have a dispute, a staff and a student mediator will guide the mediation. Additionally, every effort possible is made to create balance for the characteristics of gender, age, and race.

Peer Mediation benefits the students, staff, and the Center by:

• Settling conflicts that interfere with the rehabilitation process;
• Fostering cooperation in Center community;
• Influencing the environment by lessening anger and stress;
• Building client involvement, self-worth and leadership;
• Developing life skills; and improving student/staff performances;
• Allowing students to use Peer Mediation training and experience as a part of their resume when applying for jobs in the community.

• If both disputants agree to submit their dispute to mediation, the ground rules are reviewed and the disputants must agree to follow the rules to make a good faith effort to settle the conflict in order for the mediation process to proceed;
• The mediators will ask each disputant to tell their side of the story while the mediators listen and ask questions to clarify the problem;
• After the problem has been identified, the mediators assist the disputants in finding solutions acceptable to both parties;
• When a mutually agreed upon resolution has been reached, it will be written as an agreement which each disputant signs.

Students and Staff who:

• Have successfully completed the two-day WWRC Mediation Training;
• Are able to remain objective;
• Are able to demonstrate communication skills and be good listeners.

Fill out the Peer Mediation Referral Form and place it in the marked green Peer Mediation boxes located in various places around the campus (e.g., Student Health, Recreation Hall, Counseling Department, Barnett Hall, etc.).

Fill out the Peer Mediation Nomination Form and place it in the green Peer Mediation box or submit it as an attachment in an e-mail to the program coordinator. The student will be interviewed and if selected will be asked to participate in the periodic two-day training sessions.

Contact the program coordinator Ginny Crolius, LPC, or (540) 332-7101.

Mission

Relapse and Prevention Services (RAPS) at WWRC are designed to facilitate individuals in recovery to remain substance free and build on their recovery plan. The needs of individuals at risk for developing substance use problems are also addressed to facilitate their ability to have a substance free lifestyle.

Services

Relapse and prevention services are available to individuals involved in a medical or vocational program at WWRC. Individuals with a substance use diagnosis receive a psychological evaluation which may address cognitive skills, learning styles, academic achievement, emotional status, recovery, personality style and vocational fit. The results of the evaluation are used to help determine appropriate supports and accommodations at WWRC and/or in the community. The results are also used in refining individual recovery plans. Individuals who do not have a substance use diagnosis, but exhibit at risk behavior may participate in prevention services. RAPS services include:

• Diagnostic evaluations
• Individual psychotherapy
• Supportive group counseling
• Relapse prevention group
• 12-Step meetings on and off campus
• Community re-entry activities
• Substance abuse education
• Leisure skills

Staffing

• 2 Licensed Clinical Psychologists
• 2 Licensed Professional Counselors; one who is a Certified Addictions Counselor
• A Case Manager Certified as a Rehabilitation Counselor
• A Substance Abuse Specialist

For additional information contact the director, Fred Capps, Ed.D.

Psychological Services

Fred Capps, Ed.D.
Psychological Services Director
(540) 332-7151

Neuropsychology

Gerald Showalter, PsyD.
Neuropsychology Supervisor
(540) 332-7044