The Center for Collaborative Psychology and Psychiatry is an association of independent practitioners dedicated to research and teaching about psychological and psychiatric assessment and treatment. Center procedures have been developed in accordance with the Collaborative Treatment Method elaborated in Steve Frankel's four books, the most recent of which is Evidence from Within: A New Paradigm for Clinical Practice (2008, Rowman and Littlefield). This work is ordinarily organized into comprehensive procedures that include a treatment plan that is progressively revised as the patient's requirements change, a formal diagnostic evaluation, the use of psychological instruments to monitor progress, and the input of consultants, as needed.

Steven A. Frankel, M.D. directs the Center. He is a psychiatrist who is board certified in both general and child psychiatry. He also is available independently to provide the clinical assessment and treatment services described below and in the following pages. Center Co-Director Diane Engelman, Ph.D. is a neuropsychologist and seasoned psychotherapist. Our associates are Philip Erdberg, Ph.D., a psychologist specializing in personality assessment, Paul Gilbert, M.D., a psychiatrist who is board certified in General and Child Psychiatry, and J. Richard Mendius, M.D., a board certified Neurologist. The members of our group teach courses, and lead or participate in consultation groups about our methods. The directors and associates of the Center for Collaborative Psychology and Psychiatry meet regularly to participate in the development of protocols for the collaborative treatment of emotional and cognitive disorders. This work is always conducted according to our collaborative, results-oriented treatment method. We often write together, and jointly plan and teach in our educational programs. The model of treatment developed at The Center for Collaborative Psychology and Psychiatry consists of a uniquely practical and effective approach to psychological and psychiatric assessment and treatment. According to this model, three minds -- the therapist, a psychologist-assessor, and patient -- join in a thorough evaluation of the patient's needs, capabilities, and resources. The result is a clear account of the patient's therapeutic requirements, with a detailed plan for achieving these. All members of the treatment team, with the patient as an equal participant, rely on one another to identify biases, and renew and revise perspective as they come to understand the patient. The three are full collaborators in a quest for the most profound and effective solutions to the patient's difficulties.

Recommendations resulting from these evaluations often include psychotherapy that is focused and time-limited, or ongoing. When this is the case, modalities, such as cognitive and behavioral remediation, medication, neurological as well as other medical assessments and treatment, and educational or vocational services are incorporated as required. Progress is formally reevaluated by the psychologist-assessor who participated in the initial evaluation and the treating therapist. In brief, the objectives identified in the comprehensive assessment are translated into concrete goals and procedures for achieving these. Progress is monitored until treatment stops and then throughout the followup period. While the cost of this careful evaluation and followup may at first exceed that of traditional psychotherapy, it invariably leads to a more efficient, effective, and ultimately less costly procedure than when such measures are omitted.

In the model of treatment developed at Center for Collaborative Psychology and Psychiatry, other professionals with relevant areas of expertise, are engaged as needed. These, for example, may include physicians, occupational therapists, or speech therapists. Family members are incorporated when appropriate to enrich the evaluation and treatment process. The aim is always to enhance the objectivity and practicality of a therapeutic process that is usually embedded with subjectivity and from which outside measures of change are typically omitted.

The protocols we have developed at the Center consist of a comprehensive psychiatric, neurological, and psychological or neuropsychological evaluation followed by:

• Time-limited or open-ended therapeutic treatment conducted in a collaborative manner and monitored for effectiveness through self-report and self-assessment measures, as well as, periodic consultations with a psychologist. The treatment modality selected often, but not always, includes psychotherapy.
• Referral, as relevant, for specialized treatment of cognitive disorders.
• Referral for further medical or neurological evaluation and treatment.

While the independent practitioners associated with the Center are available privately for assessment, treatment, and consultation, the Center itself can provide:

• Trainings for therapists and for allied professionals, such as educators
• Ongoing biweekly consultation groups led by Steven A. Frankel, M.D. and Phil Erdberg, or Steve Frankel separately, all of which earn continuing education units for Psychologists (A.P.A. Provider #1754), or L.C.S.W.s and M.F.T.s (California Provider #3239)

According to our method, client and therapist, in an interpersonal partnership:

• Strategize personal change in an effort that is systematic and goal-oriented.
• Identify problems and collaboratively evolve solutions.
• Make use of a broad-based approach to problems, often involving disciplines beyond psychology and psychiatry.

We hope you will find our website informative, and look forward to your inquiries about our services and publications.