Clinical Services

Bill R. Arnold, Ph.D., ABPP, PC

Specializing in the Treatment of Anxiety Disorders
Cognitive behavioral approaches to treatment of anxiety disorders usually involve somatic control techniques, cognitive restructuring, and behavior management strategies to promote alleviation of maladaptive anxiety.  Cognitive behavioral treatment of most anxiety disorders focuses on exposure and response prevention make responses to anxiety rational and adaptive. Cognitive restructuring involves education and reframing of anxiety symptoms in a manner that will often significantly decrease their disturbing quality, making the symptoms rational, predictable, and manageable. Somatic control techniques typically involve progressive relaxation or thermal biofeedback.

• Panic Disorder
• Obsessive Compulsive Disorder
• Generalized Anxiety Disorder
• Post Traumatic Stress Disorder
• Acute Stress Disorder
• Social Anxiety Disorder

Also Specializing in Psychological and Neuropsychological Evaluations
Psychological evaluations involve collecting background history, observations and interview impressions, integrating these data sources with results of objective personality or neuropsychological testing to answer the referral question and provide relevant diagnostic information and recommendations.  Objective tests frequently used by Dr. Arnold include the PAI, the MMPI-2, the 16 PF, the Millon Clinical & Behavioral Medicine Inventories, the Anger Disorders Scale, the Post Traumatic Stress Diagnostic Scale, the Parenting Stress Scale, the Conner’s ADHD Inventory and Continuous Performance Test-II, the Wechsler Intelligence, Memory and Achievement Scales, the Reynolds Intellectual Assessment Scale, and the Halstead-Reitan Neuropsychological Battery. Test batteries are tailored to address individual referral questions, frequently associated with:

• Evaluations of Traumatic Brain Injury or other Neurological Impairment
• Dementia Evaluations
• ADHD & Learning Disability Assessment for Adults
• Alcohol & Substance Abuse Evaluations
• Anger Evaluations
• Parenting Evaluations
• Clinical & Personality Evaluations, including Psychopathy
• Pre-surgical Evaluations
• Psychosocial Evaluation of Pain
• Vocational Disability Evaluations
• Evaluations for Differential Diagnosis and Treatment Planning
• Evaluations to Rule Out Factitious Disorder or Malingering
• Evaluations for Violence Risk to Self or Others

With Additional Expertise in:

Male Sexual Dysfunction
Cognitive behavioral approaches to treating sexual dysfunction are used, along with the relationship building and verbal/nonverbal communication skills training first introduced by Masters and Johnson, all accomplished both individually and in the context of a couple’s approach.

Depression
Cognitive behavior therapy for depression, adjustment and caregiver issues typically include activity scheduling and cognitive restructuring by challenging distortions and supporting rational beliefs, with the assistance of journaling.  A Socratic dialogue, therapist coaching and modeling are typically part of this process.  Assertive communication may also become important to assist improvement of depressive symptoms, self esteem, and self confidence.

Chronic Insomnia
Psychological approaches that were evaluated as beneficial by the American Academy of Sleep Medicine include a sleep diary and cognitive procedures combined  with sleep hygiene and individually tailored interventions such as relaxation training, stimulus control techniques, paradoxical intention, sleep restriction and cognitive therapy.