What We Specialize In | Clinical Center | SIU

Specialty Services

The SIU Clinical Center provides services to children, adolescents, and adults in the community. We offer several specialty services (described below) based on the expertise of our faculty supervisors. However, our services are not limited to the following. 

Child/Adolescent Behavior Problems

Our faculty and students are well-trained in evidence-based methods for improving behavior problems in children and adolescents. Treated behaviors may range from temper tantrums in young children to delinquent behaviors in adolescents. Graduate students and faculty receive extensive training in behavioral and cognitive-behavioral methods that have been supported as treatment for these behavior problems.

Fear and Anxiety Disorders

Faculty and their supervised graduate students receive training in the management of anxiety and related symptoms. Services may begin in childhood and extend into adulthood. Faculty and students are well-versed in evidence-based approaches that have been supported for the treatment of fear, anxiety, and related disorders. Problems treated may include Generalized Anxiety Disorder, Social Anxiety Disorder, Separation Anxiety Disorder, Adjustment Disorder, or even just mild anxiety.

Anxiety and Obsessive-Compulsive Disorders

The SIU Clinical Center offers specialized services for adolescents and adults struggling with anxiety, obsessive-compulsive disorder, or related concerns. Evidence-based treatments, specifically cognitive behavior therapy (CBT) and acceptance and commitment therapy (ACT) are methods that help people rethink and make room for difficult thoughts and emotions while emphasizing personal values and meaningful action to improve their quality of life. These methods have been shown to be beneficial for a wide range of problems including: generalized anxiety, social anxiety, phobias, panic attacks, obsessive compulsive disorder, hair-pulling or skin-picking, and problematic perfectionism.

Pediatric Psychology

The SIU Clinical Center offers services in pediatric psychology, a branch of clinical practice and research that focuses on medical and health related concerns and well-being in children. Specifically, this specialization provides treatment and support for children with various medical conditions and health-related concerns. Treatment can address adjustment, adherence concerns, socioemotional or behavioral issues affiliated with medical conditions, and concerns related to behavioral health and quality of life. Some of the more common medical conditions treated include diabetes, epilepsy, asthma, gastrointestinal issues, chronic pain and illness, and cancer, among others. Pediatric psychology can also address sleep, toileting, picky eating, needle phobia, and emotional or behavioral issues related to medical conditions. Dr. Karla Fehr is a pediatric psychologist who supervises a team of graduate level clinicians in their training and treatment delivery in this area of specialization. Dr. Fehr is a licensed clinical psychologist. She trained at Case Western Reserve University in Cleveland, Ohio. She completed her internship at Nemours/A.I. duPont Hospital for Children in Wilmington, Delaware and her postdoctoral fellowship at the Minnesota Epilepsy Group in St. Paul.

Neurodevelopmental Disorders

Neurodevelopmental disorders encompass a wide range of diagnoses, including Attention-Deficit/Hyperactivity Disorder, Autism Spectrum Disorder, and Learning Disorders. Assessment for determination of neurodevelopmental disorders, as well as treatment, are available. Practical concerns (e.g., organization, behavior in the classroom, behavior at home) often accompany these disorders, as well as emotional concerns (e.g., anxiety, depression) related to stresses that come with inherent difficulties. Faculty and staff are equipped to provide evidence-based treatment to aassist in both realms.

Teens and Adolescents

Our clinic offers several group therapy services to address common concerns of adolescents and their parents. Focus of teen groups may include healthy relationships, support for teens who are members of the LGBTQIA+ communities, grief support, managing stress and anxiety, building independence, adoption, and Acceptance and Commitment Therapy principles. Groups are also available for parents of teens and include services related to LGBTQIA+ youth and first-generation parents.

Specialty Teams 

Cognitive-Behavioral Therapy

Cognitive-Behavioral Therapy is an approach that has been well-supported for a large range of concerns, including anxiety, depression, and trauma. This approach involves assisting clients in changing negative thought patterns in exchange for more realistic, positive thinking patterns, as well as changing behaviors to promote a more positive and adaptive pattern of behaviors.

Acceptance and Commitment Therapy

Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT) is a form of therapy that emphasizes mindfulness skills to treat a wide range of psychological problems including anxiety and depression. ACT involves assisting individuals in identifying their personal values and helping them to behave in ways that are consistent with these values. This approach also promotes psychological flexibility to help individuals who find themselves frequently “stuck” on negative or irrational thoughts.

Assessment Clinic

Assessment services are available to determine diagnoses and recommendations for all age ranges. Assessments are available for determination of learning disabilities, Attention-Deficit/Hyperactivity Disorder, Autism Spectrum Disorder, memory concerns, language concerns, cognitive functioning, executive functioning, giftedness, cognitive problems, attention/concentration, emotional concerns, and more.