Mental health has finally risen to the surface of the conversation. Over the years, misconceptions and stigmas have led people to suffer in silence. As awareness regarding diagnoses, treatments, and research improves, people with mental health issues—and those wondering if they should explore treatment—are finally able to find the support they need.
Dr. Jessica McCarthy and her team at Elements Psychological Services provide individualized approaches to compassionate and empowered mental health care for clients of all ages. Their spacious office on Summit Avenue in Montvale offers a team of doctoral-level psychologists who provide neuropsychological assessments and cognitive behavioral therapies. The practice has recently expanded to provide psychotherapy for children as young as two, and they are equipped to assess patients for ADHD and autism and provide families with full support.
When a child is experiencing a learning or behavioral challenge, Jessica and her clinicians administer a full assessment to cover areas such as attention, memory, language, and executive functions to make proactive recommendations for improving the quality of life at home, school, and in social settings.
“We provide a combination of psychotherapy and coaching,” says Jessica. “Once we deliver the results to the patients and their families, we work alongside the parents to show them how to encourage their kids to be more independent while developing the necessary skills in things like language, expression, reasoning, and problem solving.”
Jessica’s additional training in neuropsychology is vital in helping her determine how different brain structures can cause the brain to function and learn differently. For example, ADHD diagnosis requires understanding how the brain works because it impacts how one learns and processes information. “This knowledge equips us to provide strategies for young people with an ADHD or autism diagnosis to use their brains effectively,” says Jessica. “For example, some kids may need extended time for testing or a break to stand up and walk around. Our goal is to provide clarity and achievable steps along with the support and empowerment to take those steps.”
“Our job is to help create a collaborative support team for the child in order to facilitate learning,” says Jessica, who is also a certified school psychologist. We give three to four recommendations to follow that are easy to manage and not overwhelming.”
Elements also provide therapeutic services for anxiety, depression, conflict resolution, parenting, relationships, and more. “People come to us at a loss—incredibly overwhelmed—with everything going on in the world,” states Jessica. “Many are dealing with questions and fearing the unknown.“
Elements offers a safe space for patients to feel comfortable and supported. “The first step is often the hardest, but people can walk in regardless of the issue and feel that the weight has been lifted off of their shoulders because of the quality of care they receive from the moment we connect. Our ability to build relationships is what keeps people entrusting us with their care—and referring their friends,” says Jessica.
Jessica remarks that many people refer to conversations with friends as “therapy.” However, she quickly notes that working with a doctoral-level psychologist is much more effective than pouring your heart out to your bestie. “We’re not your friends,” she notes. “It is our job to have the difficult conversations with you that friends will not have because that’s not their role.”
A professional psychologist can make an accurate diagnosis and provide a plan to help the patient work through their specific issues. “It’s our job to help in a digestible, helpful, and compassionate way,” says Jessica. “A friend can be there in the storm. Our job is to help you navigate it.”
elementspsych.com
"Our ability to build relationships is what keeps people entrusting us with their care."
“A friend can be there in the storm. Our job is to help you navigate it.”