Welcome to my Clinic

I feel that I was raised with a passion for discovering what motivates people's behaviors and elicits their emotions in hopes of helping them find peace and hope in living to their fullest potential daily.  While obtaining my Masters in School Psychology and Doctorate in Clinical Psychology, I had the opportunity to work in multiple settings which has provided me with a broad foundation.

I have trained and worked in an adult group home and an adolescent psychiatric hospital in New York, a school district (elementary through high school) in California, the university classroom, in patient (neurological, adolescent psychiatric) and outpatient (eating disorders, sexual abuse, developmental delays/syndromes, ADD/ADHD) clinics in Alabama, youth detention centers and prisons in Georgia.  Throughout the years, I have also received additional training in working with difficult adolescents, forensic testing and social history evaluations, and family and couples therapy.  

I consider being a Clinical Psychologist a privilege because it is both my occupation and my passion.  I am honored to be invited on the life journeys of others.   

PSYCHOLOGICAL SERVICES                                                                                                       

Psychotherapy is not easily described in general statements.  It varies depending on the personalities of the psychologist and Client, and the particular problems you bring forward.  There are many different methods I may use to deal with the problems that you hope to address.  Psychotherapy is not like a medical doctor visit.  Instead, it calls for a very active effort on your part.  In order for the therapy to be most successful, you will have to work on issues we talk about both during our sessions and throughout your day to day life.

Psychotherapy can have benefits and risks.  Since therapy often involves discussing unpleasant aspects of your life, you may experience uncomfortable feelings like sadness, guilt, anger, frustration, loneliness, and helplessness as a result of the therapy.  On the other hand, psychotherapy has also been shown to have benefits for people who go through these uncomfortable feelings.  Therapy often leads to better relationships, solutions to specific problems, and significant reductions in feelings of distress.  But there are no guarantees of what you will experience.

Our first couple of sessions will involve an evaluation of your needs.  By the end of the evaluation, I will be able to offer you some first impressions of what our work will include and a plan to follow if you decide to continue with therapy.  You should evaluate this information along with your own opinions of whether you feel comfortable working with me.  Therapy involves a large commitment of time, money, and energy, so you should be very careful about the therapist you select.  If you have questions about any of my procedures, we should discuss them whenever they arise.  If your doubts persist, I will be happy to help you set up a meeting with another mental health professional for a second opinion.

MEETINGS

I normally conduct an evaluation that will last up to 2 sessions.  During this time, we can both decide if I am the best person to provide the services you need in order to meet your treatment goals.  If psychotherapy is begun, I will usually schedule one 50-minute session (one appointment hour of 50 minutes duration) per week at a time we agree on, although some sessions may be longer or more frequent.   

CONTACTING ME

I am often not immediately available by telephone due to my work schedule.  My telephone is answered by either voicemail or by the office manager.  I will make every effort to return your call within 24 hours. In the case of an emergency, if you are unable to reach me immediately and feel that you cannot wait for me to return your call, please call Mobile Crisis Response Services at 1-800-715-4225 or locally at 313-4065. If I will be unavailable for an extended time, I will provide you with the name of a colleague to contact, if necessary.  You may e-mail me anytime for updates regarding your sessions and I will make every effort to respond to your e-mail within 24 hours.

Jane F. Weilenman, PhD.