Contact

Address:
Waggoner Hall 116
1 University Circle
Macomb, IL 61455-1390
Phone: (309) 298-1919
Fax: (309) 298-2179
Email: psychologyclinic@wiu.edu

Hours

• Monday-Thursday: 8:00 a.m.-5:00 p.m.
• Friday: 8:00 a.m.-12:00 p.m.
• Or, by a limited number of appointments outside these regular hours

Parking

Waggoner Hall is located on the corner of N. Western Ave. and W. University Dr.

Parking areas for the clinic are Waggoner Hall lot: F5 (located on the east side of the building) or Q-lot on the (east side of Western Hall). Please refer to WIU's Official Parking Map. There is also one spot in the Waggoner lot designated for the clinic. You are welcome to park there, if it is open.

Parking passes will be mailed to each client prior to each month. Anyone who doesn't get their pass on time, can obtain a parking pass in the clinic office.

Therapy

Our clinic provides the following therapy:

• Individual psychotherapy for children and adults
• Family therapy
• Marital/Couples therapy

Individual Psychotherapy for Children and Adults

Individual psychotherapy is the most frequently requested service in the Clinic. This treatment modality is used at the client's request or when deemed most suitable by the therapist. It is most common when the person brings concerns about self-image, values, distressing emotions, and problem behaviors.

Family Therapy

Family therapy is the second most requested service in the Psychology Clinic. It is typically initiated when a child in the family is experiencing behavioral or emotional difficulties. This form of therapy is relied upon in these situations because it is generally the case that the problem the child manifests can be dealt with effectively by helping the family to help the child. Depending upon the circumstances, all family members may be seen together, or particular subsets of family members such as just the parents, or only the males, for example, may be seen. More rarely family members may come to some sessions individually as a part of family treatment.

Marital/Couples Therapy

This type of therapy in which partners in a close relationship meet together with a therapist, is used to work on problems that are central to the relationship, and not in instances where individual mental health issues of are primary concern. If necessary, however, this form of treatment can be used in conjunction with individual treatment for one or both of the partners.

Assessment Services

The WIU Psychology Clinic provides low cost, discounted Psychological Assessment services to individuals ages 17 and older and Psychoeducational Assessment to younger individuals. Assessments are conducted for the following common purposes:

Psychoeducational (under 17)

• Determine the presence of a learning disability
• Determine presence of an Attention-Deficit/hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD)
• Diagnoses of functioning and intellectual impairments
• Screen for Autism Spectrum Disorder

Assessment Package - $500

• Initial consultation to verify needs for assessment, generate referral questions, and estimate services necessary to complete assessments
• Personal interview with collateral contact interviews as needed
• Comprehensive review of available records
• Administration of formal testing, such as intellectual, achievement, and/or personality measures, and disorder specific tests (e.g., ADHD or Trauma issues)
• Written summary of testing with conclusions and recommendations
• Personal feedback session to review assessment results

Payment

Half of the service fee is required prior to beginning the assessment process (typically paid on the client’s first in person visit). The remaining service fee is required prior to receiving the written summary and feedback regarding the results of the assessment. We will accept cash, check, cashier’s check, or money order as methods of payment. Payments returned due to insufficient funds will be charged a $25 fee and must be replaced with a cashier’s check or money order.

Insurance: The Psychology Clinic does not accept insurance as most insurance providers do not extend coverage for training clinics.

Limitation of Psychological Assessment Services

Note: outside referrals can be provided.

All requests for Psychological and Psychoeducational Assessments are determined on a case by case basis after a Licensed Psychologist or School Psychologist conducts a free consultation. Factors affecting acceptance of a psychological assessment case can include (but are not limited to):

• Training and competence of Clinic staff in the assessment measure(s) needed
• Necessary assessment measures available to the Clinic
• Staff scheduling and availability/case loads

The Psychology Clinic does NOT provide Psychological Assessments for court-related issues and service providers do NOT provide testimony.

Treatment Participation

What is it like to be a client?

Therapy is a collaborative process. Unlike what often happens when a person visits a physician or a dentist who diagnoses the problem and assigns a treatment procedure, therapy is a mutual process in which the client and therapist work together to assist the client to use his/her abilities to deal more effectively with the concerns that the client brings. It should be noted that change in therapy takes time and effort on the part of the client as well as the therapist.

If you choose to become a client

• When inquiring about services you will be asked basic information (e.g., a contact phone number, description of the problem, etc.).
• If an appointment can be arranged with a therapist who has the expertise to assist you with your particular problem, you will be contacted and informed of the therapist's available times.
• Sessions are typically scheduled for once a week, although the actual frequency is decided by you and your therapist.
• During sessions the therapist invites you to discuss your concerns that have led you to seek assistance.
• The therapist may ask questions to assist you in giving a full description of the issues you are struggling with.
• The therapist may inquire about your personal understanding of some situations, ask you about emotional responses, or about particular hopes and fears.
• The process of internal exploration inherent in therapy may arouse feelings such as hurt, fear or anger that can be difficult to deal with. The emergence of these feelings is a typical aspect of the therapy process.
• When special activities or exercises may be useful in therapy, you and your therapist will discuss them and mutually decide whether they should be used.
• If such activities are used, you and your therapist will review what was achieved and discuss what steps should be taken next.
• Change usually happens in small steps and is not easy to recognize at first.
• Changes that you accomplish affect not only yourself but others around you.
• To get the most out of therapy, you should be active and open in sharing your thoughts and feelings.
• It is quite important that you express to your therapist any concerns or dissatisfactions that you may have about therapy.

Clinic Faculty

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Rights/Confidentiality

Your Rights as a Client

You have a right to know the therapist's credentials, educational background, and experience.

You have a right not to be discriminated against because of race, color, creed, gender, religion, nationality, or disability. No therapist is knowledgeable in all religious, ethnic varieties and national customs to the extent that he or she can understand the impact of that background and put it into perspective. Therefore, a therapist may make a referral if a lack of understanding is interfering with treatment.

You have a right to be informed of the nature of treatment being offered, alternative treatments available, risks involved in treatment (e.g., parties in marital therapy may get a divorce) and risks of foregoing treatment, anticipated length of therapy, and your option to refuse treatment at any time.

You have a right to know the agency's "no-show" and cancellation policies and the consequences of violating such policies. For example in the Psychology Clinic failure to call prior to or immediately following a missed appointment could result in your being placed back on the waiting list.

You have a right to be involved in the treatment process to the greatest extent you desire, including discussing the treatment plan, diagnosis, prognosis, use of exercises in session or "homework assignments" outside of session. The more you participate in the treatment process, the greater the opportunity for treatment to succeed.

You have the right not to be exploited by the therapist, who has a duty to refrain from blurring professional boundaries, to respect professional distances, and to refrain from any act that suggests or implies a dual relationship of any type: social, business, intellectual, personal, sexual, or artistic. Your therapist is your therapist only, not your friend, and any attempt to create any other relationship is unfair, unwise, and unethical. Therapists should not attend a client's family events, religious ceremonies, or parties; nor should they participate in any other function that might in any way affect clinical objectivity. Therapists should not accept gifts, tickets, or invitations. The therapist's relationship with you should be limited to the therapeutic treatment.

Children and adolescents have a right to be respected and have the confidentiality of their communications maintained, except where breaches are legally required. Once a child realizes a parent or guardian is receiving such information from the therapist, trust evaporates. Most children want to tell the therapist what they do not tell their parents, and if the therapist violates this trust, frank and honest communication comes to an abrupt halt.

You have a right to terminate treatment, unless it is court ordered, at any time. Your therapist also has a duty to terminate treatment when progress is not being achieved or all goals have been reached.

You have a right to know what to do should a provider prove to be incompetent or unethical, including the right to report the therapist to the state board, national organizations, or bring legal action against the therapist. You may choose not to pursue these options; however, you should be aware of your rights to do so. (Adapted from Bernstein & Hartsell, 2000)

Confidentiality Policy

All information provided by a client or a prospective client in the course of contacts with the Psychology Clinic is confidential in accord with the ethical standards of the American Psychological Association and the Mental Health and Developmental Disabilities Confidentiality Act of 1979. This means that no information regarding the person, including the fact that he or she has had contact with the Clinic will be divulged orally or in writing to anyone not on the Clinic staff without the express written consent of the client. Legal and ethical standards require breaking confidentiality in instances where an individual presents a danger to self or others and in instances where the welfare of a child or elder is in question.

You should be aware that graduate students are involved in some way in almost all services provided through the Psychology Clinic. When students are involved in providing services the sessions they conduct are routinely video- or audio-recorded for purposes of supervision of their work and will be viewed by the student's faculty supervisor and may be viewed by other Clinic staff. A condition of receiving services in this facility is acceptance of the recording and/or observation of sessions. Clients are always informed when a session will be recorded or observed. In addition, we are HIPPA compliant regarding storage and sharing of client records.

Emotional Support Animals

Letters of Emotional Support Animal (ESA)

Please note an ESA is distinguishable from a Service Animal. For information regarding service animals, as defined by the ADAAA, please see the WIU Service Animal Policy.

Definitions

An emotional support animal is a companion animal that provides therapeutic benefit to an individual with a mental or psychiatric disability.

The animal is part of the treatment plan for a person who meets the definition of a disability under the Americans with Disabilities Act, the Fair Housing Act, Air Carrier Access Act, and the Rehabilitation Act of 1973.

The animal would address specific functional limitations to allow the person to live independently.

Students living in Western Illinois University housing wishing to have an ESA should review WIU’s Emotional Support Animal Policy and Guidelines.

Policy

While many of our staff love animals and are pet owners, and we understand that an animal can be an important source of support during stressful times for many individuals, clinicians at the WIU Psychology Clinic do not provide assessments to document the need for an emotional support animal. There is increasing recognition that some expertise is needed to assess whether the animal’s temperament and behavior allow it to be emotionally or physically therapeutic. An ESA must be well-behaved and not cause harm or a disturbance at home or on an airplane. To find a mental health professional in our area to help you meet this need, a good place to start is to contact your health insurance provider.

FAQs

Where is the Clinic located?

The Psychology Clinic is located in Room 116 of Waggoner Hall on the campus of Western Illinois University. Phone: (309) 298-1919

How much will it cost to receive therapy?

There is no charge for therapy in the Psychology Clinic. Fees are charged only for psychological assessment. Fees for testing are charged on a sliding scale.

How do I set up an appointment with the Clinic?

To request services call the Clinic at (309) 298-1919. You will be asked for a brief description of your concerns and a telephone number where you can be reached. We will contact you within a week to inform you about the availability of services.

Are evening appointments available?

Appointments are scheduled Monday-Thursday between 8:00 a.m. and 5:00 p.m. or Friday between 8:00 a.m. and 12:00 p.m. A limited number of 5:00 p.m. appointments are also available.

Are services available for children and adolescents?

Yes. Person's under the age of 18 must have the consent of a parent or guardian to receive services unless they are registered students at Western Illinois University. For individuals under the age of 18, an adult must stay in the building during services.

Is child care available for person's attending sessions in the Clinic?

The Clinic is not able to provide child care during a parent's sessions. Parents will need to make other arrangements for the care of their children while attending therapy sessions.

What if I need immediate services and am on a waiting list at the Clinic?

If your need for services is pressing, please let us know and if we cannot provide you with an appointment, we will give you the names and telephone numbers of other service providers who may be able to assist you more quickly.

What happens if I have to miss an appointment?

It is important to keep your scheduled appointments. However, if you must miss a session, please contact the Clinic at least 24 hours in advance. If you miss more than two sessions without notifying the Clinic, your appointment time will be assigned to someone else.

How long are sessions?

Sessions with individuals are typically scheduled for 50 minutes, whereas sessions with couples or families may be 90 minutes in length.

How often do sessions take place?

Sessions are usually scheduled for once a week, but frequency of sessions with any person is determined by the individual and his/her therapist.

How long will therapy last?

The duration of therapy depends on each individual's particular needs and preferences. Most commonly, persons are seen in the Clinic for between 5 and 30 sessions.

What if I just want a brief consultation for a few sessions?

Your expectations and preferences concerning the duration of treatment should be discussed with your therapist. Generally, your preference for duration will be honored.

What if I want to end treatment?

You may terminate treatment at any time. It is a good idea to discuss your decision to terminate with your therapist. At the very least it is important to call and inform him/her of your decision.

Can I bring other people to my sessions?

The therapy session is the client's time, and she/he is welcome to bring other persons. After the initial session, however, the decision to involve other persons in one or more meetings should be discussed with your therapist.

Who will be my therapist?

Persons requesting services are assigned to the first staff person with the necessary expertise to help and who has an opening in her/his schedule that fits with the person's preferred times.

What if I know my therapist?

If it should happen that you know or have regular contact in other settings with the person with whom you have been scheduled to work, every effort will be made to arrange an appointment with a different member of the Clinic staff.

What happens if I don't like my therapist?

In instances in which a client (or therapist) is consistently uncomfortable with the person with whom she/he is working, it is wise to discontinue treatment. Should this happen, we will attempt to connect you with another therapist either on our staff or in another agency.

How much training do the student therapists have?

The students who conduct treatment in the Clinic are all second year graduate students in the Department of Psychology at Western Illinois University. They are at the beginning of their clinical training, and all student work is closely supervised by clinical program faculty.

Will other people have access to my personal information?

Except in cases where there is a clear danger to the client or someone else, no one has access to information regarding your work in therapy unless you have given specific, written consent for a particular person to be informed. For details, please view the tab on the page labeled Rights/Confidentiality.