Health Psychology Services
The range of health problems that potentially can be helped by NIH psychologists is extensive. As members of the integrative healthcare team, the psychology staff has experience in addressing the mind-body aspects of many health issues including:
| Conditions Treated | Therapeutic Approaches |
|---|---|
| Pain management | Biofeedback therapy; Relaxation therapy; Hypnotherapy; Cognitive Behavioral Therapy; Acceptance and Commitment Therapy |
| Coping with illness | Cognitive Behavioral Therapy; Guided Imagery and Relaxation Methods; Mindfulness Meditation; Hypnotherapy; Acceptance and Commitment Therapy |
| Headaches | Biofeedback; Cognitive Behavioral Therapy; Relaxation Therapy |
| Gastrointestinal problems | Acceptance and Commitment Therapy; Cognitive Behavioral Therapy; Relaxation Therapy; Mindfulness; Hypnotherapy |
| Sleep disorders | Cognitive Behavioral Therapy for Insomnia; Acceptance and Commitment Therapy; Mindfulness Meditation; Guided Imagery and Relaxation Methods |
| Smoking cessation | Cognitive-behavioral methods |
| Weight management | Cognitive Behavioral Therapy; Acceptance and Commitment Therapy |
| Depression, anxiety, and stress | Cognitive Behavioral Therapy; Acceptance and Commitment Therapy |
| Obsessive/compulsive disorder | Cognitive Behavioral Therapy |
| Grief and loss issues | Cognitive Behavioral Therapy; Acceptance and Commitment Therapy |
| Chronic medical conditions | Cognitive Behavioral Therapy; Acceptance and Commitment Therapy |
| Sexual dysfunction | Relaxation Therapy; Biofeedback Methods; Cognitive Behavioral Therapy; Acceptance and Commitment Therapy |
| Transitional life experiences | Cognitive Behavioral Therapy; Acceptance and Commitment Therapy |
| Attention deficit disorders | Cognitive Behavioral Therapy |
| Divorce adjustment | Cognitive Behavioral Therapy; Acceptance and Commitment Therapy |
| Alcohol, drug, and other addictions | Cognitive Behavioral Therapy; Motivational Interviewing; Motivational Enhancement Therapy; Contingency Management |
Health psychologists use a number of traditional approaches to enhance health and healing as well as the following: biofeedback, hypnosis, cognitive-behavioral methods, guided imagery and relaxation methods, and meditation.
Gastric Bypass Evaluations
NIH provides the mandatory psychological evaluations for individuals who are about to have Gastric Bypass surgery. These evaluations include psychological testing and a clinical interview to assess for specific areas required by insurance.
Pre-Surgical Psychological Evaluations
Psychological and behavioral factors have long been understood to be important in assessing the suitability of patients for implantable devices. In the management of chronic pain patients, spinal cord stimulators, morphine pumps and other devices have been used to alleviate unremitting pain, to increase functional ability, and to allow patients to discontinue or limit the chronic use of narcotic medication. Selecting appropriate patients for the use of such devices is an important process.
Many physicians and surgeons require a psychological evaluation before a patient undergoes pain stimulator implant surgeries. Pre-surgical psychological evaluations before surgery of an implantable device identify psychosocial issues that may complicate outcomes and provide recommendations for the surgeon in how to improve these potential problems. The purpose of the evaluation is to determine if there are any psychological factors that may inhibit the patient's successful recovery or medical regimen adherence after surgery. Problems that could impair a patient's ability to function optimally following surgery include depression, anxiety, personality issues such as rebelliousness, or other psychiatric disorders. The presurgical evaluation is a comprehensive psychological screening to ensure the optimal treatment outcome for the patient. NIH team members have extensive experience in pre-surgical assessments and regularly conduct pre-surgical evaluations for patients.
Medical Chart Reviews
Coming Soon!
Fees & Policies
Fees are based on the amount of time required to complete the evaluation. The average time required for a standard record review is between 1 and 6 hours, and is tracked in decimal equivalents of an hour for billing purposes. In the case of extremely large records (> 600 pages of dense material) the time required may be greater. All files submitted for review will be read and noted, unless otherwise specified. Professional fees for face to face evaluation of the patient or client are billed at the same hourly rate, the fee being determined by the actual amount of my personal time used. Fee information is available by request.
Payment policy: All estimated fees are payable in advance with the time scheduled for deposition or testimony contingent on timely receipt. Scheduled times will be canceled if fees are not received according to schedule. We extend the option of billing for charges after evaluation completion as a courtesy to regular local clients. Any unused retainer is promptly refunded.
Depositions and court testimony usually require substantial (i.e. more than 1 month) advance scheduling notice because of the adjustments required to the office therapy schedule. Fee schedules are available upon request.
Cancellation policy: All IME's require 72 hours notice of cancellation. For depositions and court testimony a full 7 days advance notice of cancellation is required. A formal informational letter is provided to each client outlining office policies at the time of scheduling. In specific instances which are clearly set forth in advance, fees may not be refundable, and these will be set forth in the informational letter.