Specializing in Psychotherapy,
Psychological Testing, and Coping with Illness
Psychotherapy
We provide individual and family psychotherapy for clients ranging in age from early childhood through young adulthood. BCBH is committed to providing evidence-based treatments. All therapy will begin with an in-depth intake session where we will gather information regarding presenting problems and concerns and discuss our approach to treatment. When working with a child or adolescent in individual therapy, we often include adjunctive parent and/or family based sessions that will allow a parent to give input on current challenges, provide a forum for developing and integrating parent- and family-based strategies into clinical work, and allow for feedback and monitoring of progress. we draw upon our experience with a broad range of evidence-based practices to tailor treatment to each individual client's needs, goals, and preferences. The setting of therapeutic goals is collaborative, with continual monitoring and tracking of progress towards these mutually-agreed upon goals. Our approaches are designed to be time limited, with the goal to empower youth and their families with tools for lasting change.
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We offer therapy services both in person or via telehealth using a secure online platform. We will work with you to determine whether your goals are best achieved by meeting in office, via telehealth, or a combination. Both Dr. Craig and Dr. Blalock hold the authority to practice interjurisdictional telepsychology (APIT) under PSYPACT to individuals physically located in PSYPACT Participating States.
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Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT) focuses on the development of coping strategies that target current problems by identifying and changing unhelpful patterns in cognitions (e.g., thoughts, beliefs, and attitudes), behaviors, and emotional regulation. This technique involves gathering a thorough understanding of how problems unfold in the moment, and then working with an individual to develop and implement coping skills that are tailored to both the individual and to problem situations. Under the umbrella of CBT, we are also experienced in behavioral techniques including Exposure and Response Prevention (ERP) for anxiety disorders and obsessive-compulsive disorders.
Mindfulness-based psychotherapy techniques include mindfulness-based cognitive therapy, dialectical behavioral therapy, mindfulness-based stress reduction, and acceptance and commitment therapy. Designed to deliberately focus a person’s attention on the present experience in a way that is non-judgmental, mindfulness-based interventions seek to increase awareness and control of one’s own cognitive and emotional responses even when there may be other aspects of their lives or experiences that are not under their control.
Relaxation Training includes instruction in techniques that helps a person to relax; to attain a state of increased calmness; or otherwise reduce levels of pain, anxiety, stress or anger. These techniques can involve training in breathing, progressive muscle relaxation, and guided imagery.
Biofeedback (Dr. Craig only) is a technique that helps a person control their body's functions, such as heart rate, breathing, or muscle tension. With biofeedback, you're connected to passive electrical sensors that help you receive information (feedback) about your body (bio). This biofeedback helps you focus on making subtle changes in your body, such as relaxing certain muscles, to achieve the results you want, such as reducing pain or anxiety. In essence, biofeedback gives you the power to use your thoughts to control your body, often to improve a health condition or physical performance. Dr. Craig is experienced in multimodal biofeedback, involving various forms of physical input (e.g., breathing, heart rate, hand temperature, skin conductance, muscle tension, brain waves), which are tailored to a client’s presenting concerns and goals.
Testing
Testing (also known as psychological, psycho-educational, neuropsychological, and developmental assessment) is a way to evaluate an individual’s strengths and weaknesses with regard to their cognitive abilities (e.g., information progressing, problem-solving), social abilities, and adaptive abilities (e.g., degree of age-appropriate independence). The goals of testing are to develop personally tailored strategies for improving success across home and school/work environments.
*Note that all testing services are conducted in person in our office. Feedback sessions may be provided via telehealth upon request.
As psychologists, we firmly believe that thorough, thoughtful assessments provide powerful tools for affecting change. Across intake and testing sessions we work with a family to develop a comprehensive understanding of key problems and challenges. All testing includes a thorough initial review of history (including developmental, medical, and educational records) and detailed assessment of current social, emotional, and behavioral functioning, gathered during an intake interview which may be aided by surveys to be completed by the individual, their parents/caregiver, and/or teachers. Based on this information, we generate an individually-tailored testing plan to provide specific data that will help answer the referral question and inform recommendations for addressing concerns.
Next, we work one-on-one with the individual to conduct testing in our office. Testing may be conducted in one visit, or spread out over several visits depending on the scope of the referral question and stamina of the individual. Results of testing will be summarized in an integrated report that is shared with the individual/family during an in-person feedback session. The report will include a summary of the testing, how we arrived at specific conclusions, and a list of extensive recommendations. During feedback sessions individuals/families will have the opportunity for additional clarification regarding diagnostic impressions and any recommendations for intervention or follow-up. If desired, further communication with an individual’s school, workplace, medical or psychosocial provider can be coordinated. We strive to connect individuals and families with appropriate professionals in their local community who can ensure recommendations are put in place.
Developmental Testing (Dr. Craig only) assesses a child’s development relative to their broader peer group. It can provide an estimate of whether a child is on target with expected milestones in the areas of language, motor skills, social/emotional functioning, and adaptive behaviors including everyday life skills and behaviors such as toileting and self-care. Developmental testing is typically appropriate for children ranging in age from infancy through age 5, although older children who are experiencing delays or plateaus in their development may also benefit.
Neuropsychological Testing utilizes tasks that have been designed to measure specific aspects of cognition and behavior, including examining the effects of any brain injury or medical illness that a person may have experienced. Aspects of cognitive functioning that may be assessed include (but are not limited to): learning, reasoning, memory, intelligence, language, visual spatial abilities, executive functioning, processing speed, and attention.
Psycho-Educational Testing provides an assessment of an individual’s innate ability to learn, alongside an assessment of their specific learning and performance in an educational setting (i.e., school). It is a means to better understand an individual’s ability to acquire academically based knowledge, and may provide information about specific learning deficits or barriers to academic achievement in the school setting. This testing typically includes assessment of an individual’s intelligence/learning potential and their educational achievement. Additional testing exploring memory, auditory processing, visual perceptual skills, processing speed/fluency, and attention, as well as parent and educator surveys to evaluate emotional and behavioral functioning may be included.
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Attention-Deficit/Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD) Evaluations assess for the presence of ADHD symptoms. If ADHD is a primary concern, we can provide abbreviated testing that is targeted specifically to evaluate the symptoms of ADHD. If other concerns are identified through this testing, additional neuropsychological or psycho-educational testing may be recommended.
At this time, BCBH does not provide evaluations for Autism Spectrum Disorders.
Coping with Illness
Mental health can be severely impacted by both acute and chronic illness. Dealing with an illness can interfere with an individual's ability to live fully. There may be disruptions in routine and schooling/work related to medical visits or to the illness itself. Physical symptoms and side effects of medications (e.g., pain, nausea, fatigue, sleep disturbances), as well as emotional challenges such as stress, anxiety, and depression, create unique challenges for which an individual may be unequipped. As psychologists with extensive experience working with patients with serious physical illness, we offer a range of services to help individuals navigate these challenges. Testing services can help illuminate the unique impact of an illness on an individual's cognitive, social, and emotional functioning. Therapy services can equip an individual with new tools to increase control over their lives and reduce interference from health-related issues. Consultation with schools can increase understanding of an illness and the way it may impact an individual's ability to participate in their schooling. This can improve communication around illness-related concerns and increase access to educational resources and support. Family therapy sessions can provide a supportive and structured forum for processing the impact of an individual's illness on the family system, and improve family members abilities to discuss challenging topics in a caring and constructive way. In helping individuals cope with illness, we provide short-term consultation and/or ongoing therapy designed to support individuals and their families as they navigate these challenges.
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Insurance and Fees
Insurance accepted: Blue Cross Blue Shield (BCBS), Duke Student Health Insurance, Aetna
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We are considered out of network providers for other insurance carriers. As a courtesy, we will provide you with statements that have all the necessary information required to file a claim with your insurance carrier. We strongly encourage you to check your policy and contact your insurance carrier directly with any questions about your benefits and limitations.
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Please download our practice agreement below for detailed information on the cost for our services.
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GOOD FAITH ESTIMATE NOTICE
You have the right to receive a “Good Faith Estimate” explaining how much your medical care will cost. Under the law, health care providers need to give patients who don’t have insurance or who are not using insurance an estimate of the bill for medical items and services. You have the right to receive a Good Faith Estimate for the total expected cost of any non-emergency items or services. This includes related costs like medical tests, prescription drugs, equipment, and hospital fees. Make sure your health care provider gives you a Good Faith Estimate in writing at least 1 business day before your medical service or item. You can also ask your health care provider, and any other provider you choose, for a Good Faith Estimate before you schedule an item or service. If you receive a bill that is at least $400 more than your Good Faith Estimate, you can dispute the bill. Make sure to save a copy or picture of your Good Faith Estimate. For questions or more information about your right to a Good Faith Estimate, visit www.cms.gov/nosurprises or call the No Surprises Help Desk at 1-800-985-3059.
Practice Agreement
HIPAA Privacy Information
Detailed information regarding
policies, fees, confidentiality, and billing/insurance.