Couples therapy focuses on identifying the conflict within the relationship and deciding what changes are needed in the relationship and in the behavior of each partner, for both parties to feel satisfied with the relationship.

Couples therapy involves learning how to communicate more effectively and how to listen more closely.

Couples learn how to avoid competing with each other and to identify common life goals and how to share responsibilities within their relationship.

Electroconvulsive therapy (ECT) is a procedure in which small electric currents are passed through the brain in order to trigger changes in brain chemistry that can substantially improve symptoms of certain mental illnesses like treatment-resistant depression, severe mania, psychosis and catatonia. This is done under general anesthesia.

ECT often works when other treatments are unsuccessful but it may not work for everyone.

ECT has been extensively studied and is endorsed as a safe and effective treatment by the National Institute of Mental Health, the American Psychiatric Association and the U.S. Surgeon General.

At Marshfield Clinic Health System, our team has extensive experience and advanced training in administering ECT that patients can rely on. Each year, the experienced physicians in the Department of Psychiatry treat hundreds of patients with ECT.

Family therapy is a type of psychotherapy for patients and their families. As the name suggests, several family members may attend therapy visits, not just one patient.

Family therapy can be helpful for treating many serious problems such as depression, marital problems, anxiety and child-parent problems.

Family therapy examines how a person’s behavior is affected by, and affects, the family. The focus may be on relationships and issues within the family.

A goal is to understand how problems are part the family system. Treatment plans often include suggestions for all family members, not just the identified patient.

Gender-affirming care is a supportive form of health care. It consists an array of services for transgender and non-binary people.
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We offer geriatric mental health services in the clinic setting and through outreach services at area nursing homes.

Patients are assessed regarding behavioral problems such as depression, anxiety and cognitive decline, and associated problems such as acting out.

Our geriatric services take into consideration the unique health problems and medications used by older adults.

Group therapy is intended to help people who would like to improve their ability to cope with difficulties and problems in their lives. The focus is on interpersonal interactions.

Because relationship problems are addressed well in a group, this therapy takes place with a group of patients and a therapist.

The aim is to help solve emotional difficulties and to encourage the personal development of the participants in the group.

Members of the group share personal issues they are facing. Others in the group can provide feedback, encouragement, support or criticism, or share their thoughts and feelings.

Group members need to feel that they are not alone and that others feel the same. The group can become a source of support and strength in times of stress.

Psychotherapy is a process used to diagnose and treat a variety of behavioral health problems including depression and anxiety, relationship problems, grief counseling and personality disorders.

Psychotherapy can help people change behaviors, emotions and thinking in a way desirable for them. We offer several kinds of psychotherapy that can be used alone or with other treatments, such as medication.

Most psychotherapy approaches rely on the relationship between you and your provider. This is a professional, therapeutic relationship to treat symptoms and support constructive personal growth.

Our clinical social workers and clinical psychologists provide most psychotherapy, but psychiatrists may also use it.

All psychotherapists are licensed professionals, who have completed educational requirements and supervised practical training to work safely and successfully with patients.

Our behavioral health services for new and returning patients start with a diagnostic evaluation.

A diagnostic evaluation is an in depth interview that starts to identify your condition. The evaluation includes information about the your personal, medical and behavioral health history.

Your provider also will do a mental status exam, a series of questions to find out about your current condition. Our behavioral health psychiatrists, psychologists, advanced practice nurses, clinical social workers and physician assistants can perform this evaluation.

History and mental health status examination lead to an assessment and treatment recommendations. These may include medication, psychotherapy (counseling), psychological testing, lab work or referral to another specialty care department.

Our Integrative Medicine team is committed to giving you both conventional and complimentary methods to provide you the best outcome possible. Our providers promote both health and the prevention of illness by focusing on sleeping well, moving well, eating well, avoiding toxins and having a purpose.
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To help with problems such as depression and anxiety, sometimes medications are necessary. If after an evaluation by a psychiatrist, medications are recommended, options are discussed.

Education regarding the reason for recommending medication, its side effects, dosage instructions and expected results, is done by your psychiatrist or registered nurse.

A psychiatric registered nurse, who has experience dealing with psychotropic medications, is available to answer questions you may have.

Depression and anxiety are the most common health complications during pregnancy. Our Perinatal Mental Health Clinic is a specialized service that helps mothers and expecting mothers manage these illnesses.

Our behavioral health team is integrated into your child’s care. We provide behavioral health services including annual screenings during your child’s annual visit with their primary doctor and same-day, 15-minute consults to answer behavioral health questions. We also offer behavioral health services to help children and parents when dealing with a serious health condition. Learn more.

Psychological tests are written, visual or verbal evaluations that assess the mental and emotional functioning of children and adults.

The tests are used to assess a variety of mental abilities and attributes including achievement and ability, personality and neurological functioning.

For children, academic achievement, ability and intelligence tests may be used as a tool in school placement, in determining the presence of a learning disability or a developmental delay, identifying giftedness or for tracking intellectual development.

Intelligence testing may be used with adults to determine vocational ability (similar to career counseling) or to assess adult intellectual ability in the classroom.

Personality tests are done to diagnose psychopathology (personality disorder or depressive disorder) or to screen job candidates.

They may be used in an educational or vocational setting to determine personality strengths and weaknesses, or in the legal system to evaluate parolees.