We are very pleased to announce that in mid February, 2007, Dr. Deborah Hughes will be joining our professional staff. Trained at the Chicago School of Professional Psychology in areas of evaluation and treatment, Dr. Hughes has recently acquired additional in-depth experience working at the Mendota Mental Health Institute.

Types of clients: Children, adolescents, adults, and families

Treatment Specialties: Deborah has a strong interest and in working with the gay, lesbian, bisexual, and transgender population. She has experience in working with individuals that suffer from chronic mental illness such as Schizophrenia and Bipolar disorder and the families that help support them. Deborah has also worked with adults and children that have been diagnosed with Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD) and has worked with adults and children that have been involved with the legal system, including sexual offenders. She has experience working with those that have Mental Retardation and/or Developmental Disabilities. Also, Deborah has worked with victims of physical and sexual abuse.

Testing and Evaluation: Deborah does psychological testing and clinical evaluations to help develop appropriate intervention strategies for children, teens and adults. Testing and evaluation are done to answer specific questions about the person. Thus every battery that is conducted is designed to fit the person and question that is brought to the clinic.

Training/Experience: Deborah received her Psy.D. from the Chicago School of Professional Psychology with a concentration in working with children and adolescents. She received a certificate from the Center on Halsted located in Chicago, IL after completing additional training to work with the gay, lesbian, bisexual, and transgender community. Deborah has also completed part one of Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing (EMDR) training, a strategy used with good success in the treatment of post traumatic conditions.

Techniques: Cognitive-restructuring, schema work, solution and insight focused treatment, interpersonal therapy, psychoeducation, EMDR, behavioral interventions, and parent training.