WMU Department of Psychology

The applied behavior analysis and human service facilities with which the department affiliates enable you to apply the information learned in the classroom to practical problems within the community. These sites offer opportunities for you to serve as a research assistant, instructional aide, care giver, or therapist.

The Croyden Avenue School - a day care program for educating the multiply handicapped and develpmentally disabled child. Undergraduate and Graduate students serve as behavior change therapists.

The Psychology Clinic
The Psychology Clinic is an independent mental health facility operated by the Department of Psychology Clinical Training Program in the College of Arts and Sciences at Western Michigan University. The primary function of the Psychology Clinic is to provide doctoral students with opportunities for practicum and specialized training in clinical and research skills. The clinic also functions as a provider of psychological services to the university and the general community.

HOURS OF OPERATION
The Psychology clinic is open during the entire year. Day and evening sessions are available by appointment. The clinic is closed on university holidays and whenever classes are not in session.

THE STAFF
The clinic is staffed by doctoral level graduate students in Clinical Psychology under direct supervision of licensed clinical psychologists. All student therapists have had training in assessment and therapy and receive individual and group supervision during their work in the clinic.

SERVICES PROVIDED
The Psychology Clinic is a general oupatient facility designed to provide a wide range of assessment and treatment services to infants, children, adolescents and adults. If it is determined that the nature of the client's problem is not appropriate for services offered at the clinic, referrals are made to appropriate agencies in the community.

ASSESSMENT
Psychological assessments are conducted for a variety of purposes including disability evaluations, guardianship determination and neuropsychological evaluations. Evaluations are also conducted to aid in educational and institutional decisions.

TREATMENT
Individual, couple, and family therapy are provided at the clinic. Groups may be formed periodically for specific purposes such as stress management, parent training, couples communication training, and assertiveness training.

Examples of infant and child problems typically seen at the clinic include behavioral, school-related, social and emotional issues, eating disorders, and parent training.

Examples of adult problems treated at the clinic include depression, generalized anxiety and phobias, post-traumatic stress disorder, stress-related problems, obesity and eating disorders, relationship discord and sexual problems.

APPOINTMENTS
An initial session is scheduled with the prospective client for about 30 to 45 minutes. This is called an intake appointment. This appointment serves to inform the client of the procedures of the clinic and also to obtain more information regarding the client's specific concern.

WAIT LIST
Because of the training nature of the clinic, the wait list is not on a first-come, first-served basis. Guarantees are not offered as to when your case will be assigned to a therapist. However, you will be kept informed of your status on the waiting list. We make every effort to serve as many as we can.

SESSIONS
Clients and their therapists determine the number of sessions and how often. Generally, sessions are 45-50 minutes in length. Payment is expected at the end of each session. Current fees are $20 per session. Fee revisions are made based on demonstration of need. Please be sure to bring the exact amount or a check with you to your appointment, as we cannot make change. If you have scheduled an appointment and need to cancel, please do so 24 hours in advance so that your account is not charged for the unheld session.

CONFIDENTIALITY
Everything discussed in the clinic is regarded as confidential information. This means that the therapist and supervising psychologist are bound to confidentiality and cannot discuss the client's case with anyone outside the clinic such as a doctor, without prior written consent of the client. Confidentiality may only be breached when a client indicates a potential for harm to themselves or to others, or if the information was court ordered.

INSURANCE
The Psychology Clinic does not accept insurance or Medicaid. Clients are expected to pay for each session. They may request reimbursement through an insurance company. At the end of each month, if requested, clients are sent a billing statement which then can be submitted to an insurance company. Due to confidentiality policy, we can provide information to an insurance company only with written permission.

QUESTIONS

If you have any questions, please feel free to call.

The Clinic Associate can be reached at (269) 387-8302.

Western Michigan University
Medical Health Sciences Center
1000 Oakland Drive
3rd Floor
Kalamazoo, MI 49008
Phone: 269 387-8302