Detailed descriptions of services provided and related fees are available at the links shown above.

Midtown Psychological Services, Inc., has continued to meet the highest standards of excellence during the organization’s 17-year history of providing a full range of mental health services to residents of the Kansas City metropolitan area. The high quality of services provided is reflected by the “Preferred Provider” status that Midtown therapists have earned from Blue Cross/Blue Shield and other major insurance companies.

PSYCHOLOGICAL TESTING AND ASSESSMENTS

Psychological testing involves the use of various measures to help assess intellectual, academic, emotional, behavioral and personality functioning. It helps facilitate accurate diagnosis and comprehensive treatment recommendations. Testing may be required in the following situations:

Adjunct to Medical or Psychiatric Care:

Midtown psychologists are trained to administer and interpret psychological tests as a means of validating diagnoses related to  more than 500 diagnoses listed in the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders.

Court Ordered (Forensic) Evaluations:

Judicial authorities request Midtown psychologists to perform a number of psychological tests related to:  (1) competency evaluations; (2) a child’s readiness for adoption; (3) parental fitness and other custody issues; and (4) the mental condition and potential for rehabilitation of suspected and/or convicted criminals.

Disability Determinations:

Various government officials request Midtown psychologists to administer and interpret tests to validate disability claims and identify situations where individuals may be “malingering,” or pretending to have symptoms.

Fitness for Duty:

Throughout the industrial, governmental, and services work environment, there is increasing sensitivity to the need for ensuring that employees are psychologically fit to perform their duties.  Differential diagnosis and psychological testing are essential tools for use in determining fitness for duty as defined by employers
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Learning Disorders:

Disorders such as Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder, and Depressive Disorders or Social Anxiety Disorders may affect school work.  Psychological testing identifies the presence of emotional or behavior disorders that interfere with a child’s ability to function academically.  Identification of such problems enables the parents to obtain the help needed to assure the child’s success.

Fee Structure:

 
Fees vary depending upon the tests selected and amount of time needed for administration and scoring.   Some insurance companies pay for “medically necessary” testing, but not for court appearances.  A typical test battery will cost $900.00, plus an additional $120.00 per hour for court time.

INDIVIDUAL COUNSELING

Depression (feelings of hopelessness/despaid, difficulty falling asleep, or too such sleeping; low energy level; frequent crying; problems with concentration) Spousal or Child Abuse (physical and/or emotional) Marriage Problems (individual symptoms and mood swings) Posttraumatic Stress and other Anxiety Disorders (panic attacks, social anxiety, obsessive compulsive disorders) Adjustment Disorders (divorce, illness, death of a loved one) Substance Abuse (alcohol, drugs, medication abuse, sexual addiction) Eating Disorders (anorexia, bulimia) Sexual Disorders (sexual arousal disorder, gender identity disorder) Adult Attention Deficit Disorder

Our professional staff assure comfort and confidentiality beginning with the first contact by telephone and throughout the therapeutic process

Fee Structure:

$120.00 per 50 minute individual therapy session (rates may vary depending upon pre-arranged insurance benefits or plans)Midtown Psychological Services is a preferred provider for Blue Cross-Blue Shield, United Health Care, Aetna, Magellan and other insurance companies

Marital Counseling and Marriage Revitalization

Therapy for couples, like individuals, must consider the premise “change is inevitable, growth is optional.”  In other words, the partners who comprise the “couple” each undergo developmental stages that occur over time.  Problems arise when the partners do not  grow and gestate at the same rate.  Nothing remains static—marriages are no exception.  According to Dr. Harville Hendrix, founder of Imago Relationship Therapy, the stages of a marriage move from the romantic stage, to the power struggle, to conscious relating.    Most people need tools to help them negotiate these stages effectively.  The President of Midtown Psychological Services, Helen Weiser, personally oversees the marital counseling program.  She is a licensed psychologist and a certified IMAGO relationship therapist with 25 years experience helping revitalize dysfunctional relationships (see testimonial references).

Problems addressed by Marital Counseling and Marriage Revitalization: •Breakdown in communications •Difficulty expressing feelings •Boredom, apathy •Emotional hostility •Sexual dissatisfaction •Financial disagreements

Midtown therapists educate, counsel, and equip couples to “get the love they want” through the use of the latest tools and techniques from a method known as “Imago Relationship Therapy.” Tools include: (1)improved communication through the intentional dialog; (2) anger container; (3)re-structuring frustrations; (4) re-romaticizing; (5) re-visioning goals; and (6) behavior change requests. Both members of the couple learn the skills and how to use them throughout the relationship—there is no therapist dependence; couples learn to “heal one another.”

Fee Structure:

180.00 per 90 minute individual therapy session (rates may vary depending upon pre-arranged insurance benefits or plans). Midtown is a preferred provider for Blue Cross-Blue Shield, United Health Care, Aetna, Magellan and other insurance companies.

CHILD/ADOLESCENT/FAMILY COUNSELING  

The most prominent need of young people and children who experience emotional and behavioral problems is to have the support of their family.  To assist families in carrying out their support role to their children, Midtown provides assessment, testing, and individual/family counseling services.  Based on the test results, Midtown therapists will provide an accurate diagnosis and treatment plan for children.   In addition, our therapists will work closely with schools to develop Individualized Education Plans, and we provide test results to psychiatrists for Medication Management, if needed.  Midtown also works with attorneys providing expert testimony if needed.

Symptoms that may indicate the need for therapy include:  extreme worry, fear, or anxiety; depressed, irritable, withdrawn; difficulty making or keeping friends; display poor impulse control; unable to concentrate; perform poorly at school; become oppositional or defiant toward parents or teachers; have trouble with the law; and show signs of substance abuse (any sudden change in behavior should be a red flag).

Examples of disorders treated:

1. Attention Deficit, Hyperactivity Disorder  
2. Learning Disorders
3. Mild Mental Retardation
4. Autistic Spectrum Disorders
5. Depression or Anxiety

Our professional staff provides family therapy to create an environment of open discussion among all members of the family—Midtown assures the utmost in personal comfort and confidentiality throughout the therapeutic process.

Fee Structure:
$120.00 per 50 minute individual therapy session (rates may vary depending upon pre-arranged insurance benefits or plans).  Most insurance companies will authorize family therapy, and for some diagnoses, they actually insist upon family involvement

MOTIVATIONAL COACHING

Empower yourself to accomplish whatever personal and/or business goals that you aspire to achieve. How? By gaining the confidence and attitude through the motivational tools and techniques offered by Midtown’s dynamic coaching team. Multiple books, articles and course studies are available on the subject of motivation coaching— written and/or endorsed by the kingpins of both industry and academia—authorities like Tony Robbins, Jack Welch, Sam Walton, and a raft of others. Midtown Psychological Services has developed its own proprietary program that draws from the best of the best as well as from our own extensive track record of success in this area. Heading Midtown’s team of motivational coaches is our own Dr. Mary Richardson, a coach and a forensic psychologist. She believes that every individual’s capability to have a happy and fulfilled life at home and at work depends on that individual’s attitude and the motivation to do what it takes to achieve success.

Quoting from Zig Ziglar, “It’s your attitude, not your aptitude that determines your altitude.” Midtown will teach you how to make it happen. Our coaching is tailored to fit each individual and/ or group. Coaching can help you:

I. Create a new self image
II. Have more fun while getting things done
III. Balance your work life with family life
IV. Give you confidence and social skills

Conjure up the guts and determination to accomplish goals you thought were unachievable

“Success starts with a single step”

Fee Structure: 

The hourly rate for Motivational Coaching is $120.

GROUP THERAPY

Midtown offers the group method of counseling and training.   Parent education groups are offered on a regular basis, and additional groups are offered on an as-needed basis.  Group therapy provides an opportunity to receive psychological services at a reduced cost.  It gives an individual the added advantage of gaining peer support, and the opportunity to build a support network outside of the therapeutic setting. Examples of group counseling provided, on an as-needed basis, include: Addictions/Co-dependency Depression Bipolar Disorder Social Anxiety Disorder Sexual Abuse Anger Management Women’s issues

Our therapy sessions are designed to reduce stress and offer the use of holistic healing techniques to include  relaxation, guided imagery, and meditation training.  We also offer links to alternative healing sources to supplement the more traditional methods.   

Fee Structure: 

Cost is $30 per 60-minute session.


SUPPLEMENTARY SERVICES

Midtown offers parent training and mentoring services to supplement psychological and professional counseling.  Our mentors and parent aides are trained professionals dedicated to improving the lives of children and their families in need of parenting and/or mentoring services. Mentors have proven especially helpful to single parent households where both sexes are not concurrently available to serve as role models for children.  Mentors encourage responsible behavior by involving themselves in appropriate activities.  They help children  develop special skills and competencies such as the use of internet and libraries to enhance academic skills.  Research has proven that children with positive role models are more likely to avoid undesirable activities like promiscuous sexual behaviors or abuse of drugs and/or alcohol.   The influence of even one key person can hold that guiding light for a troubled child.  Midtown mentors hold that light.

Parent Training:   Midtown’s parent aides teach parents how to use the latest tools and techniques to raise healthy, responsible, and loving children.  They work one-on-one with each parent, beginning with a screening device known as the Adult Adolescent Parenting Inventory.  Parents “graduate” when their scores in all categories are above average.  There are 5 categories known to be essential to effective parenting, to include: age-appropriate developmental expectations empathy for child’s feelings alternatives to corporal punishment                     appropriate parent child roles                             support of child’s power and independence   Parent Education Groups:  Parent training is also offered in group format, and Midtown’s LifeLine group is facilitated by licensed clinicians who provide therapeutic as well as educational support. Fee Structure:  Most referrals for supplementary services initiate from the Children’s Division; private referrals are accepted on a case-by-case basis at the rate of $27.00 per hour.