Lia Richards-Palmiter, Ph.D., LCSW
We specialize in kids, teens and couples; we also see individuals.
Psychotherapy for kids and teens
Our psychotherapy services for youth are tailored to address the specific needs and concerns of kids and teens. We provide a supportive space for teens to navigate through the complexities of childhood and adolescence and develop healthy coping mechanisms. We begin with a comprehensive evaluation that includes the following:
• A 90-minute family interview
• An hour individual interview/play session with the child or teen
• The completion of a battery of parent, teacher and self-report rating scales
• A review of school and treatment records
• A one hour feedback session that includes the youth's strengths, problems, diagnostic formulation and recommended interventions.
We then collaborate on a science based intervention plan that is tailored to each family's unique values, needs and hopes for their child. This plan may include behaviorally oriented family therapy, individual cognitive-behavioral therapy, play therapy or other evidence based interventions. Available treatments include an 8-session protocol for curing defiant children ages 12 and younger.
Couples Therapy
Couples therapy is a specialized area of our practice, aimed at helping couples strengthen their bond and navigate through challenges. We offer a safe and non-judgmental space for couples to communicate effectively and work towards a healthier relationship. Our initial evaluation includes the following:
• A 90-minute couple interview
• The completion of the Gottman Institutes recommended battery of measures for couples as well as our own battery of rating scales that assess each person's individual wellness.
• A review of relevant records
• A one hour feedback session that includes the couple's strengths, problems, diagnostic formulation and recommended interventions.
We then collaborate on a science-based intervnetion plan that is tailored to each couple's unique values, needs and hopes for their relationship. This plan usually includes evidence based interventions from behaviorally oriented couples therapy and emotionally focused couples therapy.
Individual Adult Therapy
We also serve adult clients. Our most commonly requested services are for anxiety, depression, trauma, ADHD and a general sense that life is not nearly as meaningful or joyful as it could be. Our initial evaluation includes the following:
• A 90-minute individual interview
• The completion of a battery of rating scales
• A review of relevant records; in the case of ADHD evals this would include school, treatment and employment records.
• A one hour feedback session that includes the person's strengths, problems, diagnostic formulation and recommended interventions.
We then collaborate on a science-based intervnetion plan that is tailored to each person's unique values, needs and hopes for their relationship. This is not merely about aleviating pain but is also about growing experiences of meaning and joy. This plan usually includes evidence based interventions such as cognitive-behavioral therapy (with and without a trauma focus), interpersonal therapy, interventions from positive psychology and various kinds of insight-oriented therapy (e.g., psychodynamic therapy). Many of our clients report feeling like they have been reborn after the work is finished.
ADHD
ADHD is one of the most misunderstood neurodiversities. We have extensive experience in all aspects of providing understanding, support, education, advocacy and treatment for people diagnosed with ADHD across the lifespan. We begin with a cost-effective and evidence based evaluation, followed by a collaborative, caring and science-informed treatment protocol to maximize healing and self-actualization.
Anxiety
Anxiety disorders are the most prevalent mental health diagnoses in America. In our practice we have extensive experience with Generalized Anxiety Disorder, Panic, OCD, Social Phobia, and Agoraphobia. Our treatment approach, which is CBT based, includes two major phases: skill building and exposures. In the skill building phase clients develop specific and effective strategies for relieving anxiety in the second treatment session. We continue to build an assortment of skills (e.g., coping thoughts, thought testing, use of gratitude, problem solving and others) to expand relief. In the exposure phase clients then gain mastery over those situations that have evoked anxiety, creating new freedoms and expansion of choices. When clients suffer from OCD we add response preention in the CBT protocol.
Trauma
PTSD is a unique anxiety disorder in which trauma shatters a person's basic assumptions about safety. We offer specialized support for individuals who have experienced trauma, providing a compassionate and understanding approach to healing. Our trauma-focused therapy, called CBT-TF, aims to help individuals regain a sense of control and security in their lives.
Depression
Depression convinces it's host of three primary distortions: (1) everything sucks, (2) it's the person's fault and (3) it can't be changed. When a person believes these lies for long enough suicide can start to seem like a reasonable choice, especially when those thoughts leave a person feeling like they are worthless and a burden to others. Depending on the results of the evaluation we may offer CBT, Interpersonal Therapy or Psychodynamic Therapy, each of which has significant scientific support for it's use.
Diversity Issues
Being power-down in our culture–by virtue of one's race, sexual orientation, gender, religious affiliation and disability status–can cause or complicate just about every mental health condition. We pride ourselves on our ability weaving this awareness into all aspects of our clinical services and helping our clients to understand and to overcome implicit bias and explicit isms.
Educational Services
We are both university professors who hold dear the importance of offering public education. Please see our about us pages for more information about the educational services we provide.