The Saint Louis University Psychological Services Center provides therapy and psychological evaluations for various cognitive, educational, emotional, and behavioral difficulties for children and adults.
Therapy
Our SLU clinicians use evidence-based treatments while engaging with clients warmly and collaboratively. Some of the treatments we use include cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT), acceptance and commitment therapy (ACT), interpersonal psychotherapy (IPT), and dialectical behavior therapy (DBT).
Common concerns we treat include:
- Anxiety, depression and other mood difficulties
- Post-traumatic stress disorder
- Relationship concerns
- Challenges in daily life related to ADHD and autism spectrum disorder
- Sleep challenges
- Grief and loss
- Health behavior change
- Eating disorders, including anorexia nervosa, bulimia nervosa, and binge-eating disorder (if deemed appropriate for the outpatient level of care)
- Chronic pain and stress from health problems
- Challenges with big life changes
- Stressors associated with social injustice and the lived experience of marginalization (including race-based stress and stressors experienced by LGBTQ+ individuals)
- Sport performance challenges
Therapy is tailored to the individual, but, in general, the process includes the following:
- An initial intake appointment (via phone) to ensure we can provide the services you need.
- Weekly or bi-weekly therapy appointments that last 45-50 minutes.
- A typical course of therapy lasts between 10-20 sessions, but you and your clinician can discuss your treatment goals and the right timeline for you.
Psychological Evaluations
Some of the types of evaluations we provide include:
- Attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder (ADHD)
- Learning disorders
- IQ and giftedness
- Psychological disorders
- Neuropsychological evaluation
- Comprehensive evaluation/diagnostic clarification
Benefits of Psychological Evaluation
Psychological evaluations provide a structured, organized, and succinct description of an individual's current psychological functioning, including cognitive, behavioral, and emotional strengths and challenges. The evaluation includes a written report with recommendations for improvement or accommodations when appropriate. We also provide verbal feedback about the results to explain findings and allow you to ask questions.
Evaluations are tailored to the individual, but, in general, the process includes the following:
- An initial intake appointment (via phone) to ensure we can provide the services you need.
- One to four appointments lasting two to eight hours each depending on the individual's age and nature of the assessment question. We can make scheduling accommodations for individuals who are out of state or have a lengthy commute to the center.
- A clinical interview and an assessment that includes a range of psychological tests depending on the specific nature of the presenting issues or referral questions.
- An integrated report within three to four weeks of your final assessment session. This report includes findings and helpful and practical recommendations, including suggestions for accommodations, as appropriate.
- A feedback session where the clinician reviews results with you and allows you to ask questions.
We may ask you to fill out forms ahead of time and/or bring school or medical records to the appointment.
Sport Psychology
SLU Sport Psychology Services provides athletic performance optimization for individual athletes and teams at Saint Louis University's Department of Athletics and to athletes and teams across the St. Louis region.
Individual services involve one-on-one meetings between an athlete and a sport psychology consultant (SPC). The length of time in sport psychological training varies and largely depends on the athlete’s goals. The mindfulness-acceptance-commitment (MAC) protocol consists of about seven sessions of broad mental-skills training and is typically used for most athletes seeking to improve their mental performance in a sport. However, athletes may schedule one to two sessions focusing on specific skill development (e.g., confidence, relaxation, developing a mental warm-up). Student-athletes seek these services with a variety of goals and/or areas of development in mind. Some simply want to increase their mental toughness during sports, decrease the effect of negative self-talk, and improve their ability to reach a flow state (“Get into the Zone”). Other athletes may be experiencing barriers to performance such as anxiety, difficulties adjusting to a new team, a lack of confidence, concerns regarding motivation, or difficulties related to injury. These services are available to all SLU student-athletes.
To learn more or to request an appointment with one of SLU’s sport psych consultants, please contact sportpsych@health.slu.edu. Sport Psychology Services offices are in the O’Loughlin Family Champions Center and in the Department of Psychology's Morrissey Hall, room 2805.