DR. STEVEN KOVNER

GEORGIA LICENSED PSYCHOLOGIST

TELEPHONE

(770) 312-2319

yourpsychologist@yahoo.com

NORTH CREEK OFFICE CONDOMINIUM

3790 HOLCOMB BRIDGE RD.

SUITE 201

NORCROSS, GA 30092

(Tuesday to Thursday -10AM to 6PM and Saturdays 10AM to 4PM) (Fridays 10AM to 12PM)

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PROFESSIONAL BACKGROUND

I have been providing services in Georgia since 1990. As a doctoral level (Ph.D.) Licensed Psychologist, what sets my training apart from counselors, social workers, therapists and psychiatrists is the emphasis on the Science of Psychology. That knowledge base includes expertise in Personality Development, Abnormal Psychology, Neuro-psychological Science, Learning Disabilities, Mental Retardation; Evidence-based Treatment, Tests and Measurement, Experimental Psychology, Ethology, Psychodynamic Psychotherapy, Marital/Sex Therapy, Behavior Modificaion, Learning and Memory, Motivation, Criminology, Juvenile Delinquency, Mental Health Consultation, and Social Psychology.

SPECIALTIES

I have had specialized training in School and Clinical Psychology so that I may treat individuals throughout the life span. In addition, I have post doctoral training in Marital and Sex Therapy, Sexual Offender Treatment (I am currently only accepting referrals for nonviolent offenders), Psychological Trauma and Victimization (domestic violence, rape, molestation, sexual harrassment, incest, bullying), Mood Disorders (depression, suicidality, bi-polar, and anxiety disorders-GAD, phobias, PTSD, OCD, and panic disorder), Impulse Control Disorders (anger managememnt, alcohol and substance abuse, complulsive shopping, sexual addiction gambling, cluttering, etc.), and Schizophrenic disorders.

TYPE OF TREATMENT

I use a combination of Interpersonal, Collaborative, Cognitive and Behavior Therapies.

Look up Cognitive Therapy at the following link: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Cognitive_therapy,

Look up Transactional Analysis at the following link: http://www.ericberne.com/transactional_analysis_description.htm,

Look up Reality Therapy at the following link: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/William_Glasser,

Look up Dynamic-Psychotherapy at the following link: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Intensive_short-term_dynamic_psychotherapy,

Look up Emotionally-Focused Psychotherapy at the following link: http://www.apa.org/videos/4310755a.html,

Look up Collaborative Couple's Therapy (Dan Wile's work) at the following link: http://www.danwile.com,

I apply the scientific work of Paul Ekman, Ph.D. (the study of emotions and the facial recognition of emotions). See the following link: http://www.paulekman.com,

Are You Ready To Change?

Take the test. Click on this link, "Stages of Change" and see just where your level of motivation is and what you can do to improve your motivation to change.


Quick Assessment for Depression

Participate in this screening. Download the Depression Research Inventory and and bring it to your first session. Click on this link.

Depression Research Screening.



HOW I WORK WITH COUPLES

Having received training at the Gottman Institute in Seatle, Washington, I primarily apply the Gottman method in marital therapy. The therapy I use with couples is based on over 25 years of research in what makes marriages succeed or fail. The therapy focuses on the "nuts and bolts" approach to improving your relationship. In our work together with this method, you will learn specific tools to deepen friendship and intimacy in your relationship. To help you productively manage conflicts, you will be given methods to solve solvable problems and to dialogue about grid-locked, perpetual (unresolvable) issues. We will also work togther to help you appreciate your relationships strengths and to gently navigate through its vulnerabilities.

The therapy will consist of five parts: assessment, treatment, phasing out of therapy, termination, and outcome evaluation. Early in the assessment phase, you will be given some written materials to complete that will help me to understand your relationship, areas of concern, and your goals for treatment.

In the next session, I will meet with each of you individually to learn your personal history and to give you an opportunity to share your thoughts, feelings and perceptions. In the final session of assessment, I will share with you my recommendations for treatment, and we will work to define mutually agreed upon goals for your therapy.

Most of our work will involve sessions where you are seen together. However, there may be times when individual sessions may be recommended. You may also be given suggested exercises to practice between sessions.

The length of our therapy together will be determined by your specific needs and goals. In the course of our work together we will establish points at which to evaluate your satisfaction and progress. Also, please feel free to raise any questions or concerns you have about your therapy at any time you wish. In the latter stage of therapy, we will phase out, or meet less frequently in order for you to test out your new relationship skills, in preparation for termination. Although you may terminate your therapy whenever you wish, it is most helpful to have at least one session together to summarize your progress, define the work that remains, and to say good-bye.

In the outcome phase, we will plan for four follow-up sessions: one after six months, one after twelve months, one after eighteen months, and one after two years. These sessions have been shown through research to significantly decrease the chances of relapse into previous, unhelpful patterns. Also, it will be possible to fine tuneď any of your relationship skills if needed, and to evaluate the effectiveness of the therapy you received.

It is important that you understand that counseling has both benefits and risks. You may experience uncomfortable levels of feelings like sadness, guilt, anxiety, anger, loneliness, and helplessness. Your therapy may also involve recalling unpleasant aspects of your history. Additionally, difficulties with people important to you may occur, family secrets may be disclosed, and despite our best efforts, therapy may not work out well.

Psychotherapy has also been shown to have benefits for people who undertake it. It often leads to a significant reduction of feelings of distress, and better relationship resolutions of specific problems. I can make no guarantees about how the therapy process will be for you specifically.

CONFIDENTIALITY

As a Psychologist, I keep a record of the health care services I provide to each client. You may ask to see and/or copy your record by making an appointment specifically for that purpose. You may also ask me to correct your record. The information in your record is confidential, and will be disclosed to no one without your written consent, unless the law allows otherwise.

In addition, when clients enter couples or family therapy, their right to confidentiality from each other is waived. It is not advisable for the therapist and one partner or family member to hold confidential information from the other partner or family members. This does not mean that information will automatically be shared. However, clients will be strongly encouraged to share pertinent information as necessary to augment the therapy process. A culture of secrecy disrupts the effectiveness of couples and family therapy. Thus, if you choose to have a partner or family member participate in therapy, either individually or conjointly, you will be voluntarily waiving the right to confidentiality with them. Do not tell me anything you wish kept secret from your partner or family members, as I reserve the right, at my discretion, to share any information I deem helpful to the therapy.

Clients seen in marriage counseling do not hold the confidentiality privilege individually since the couple is the client. Therefore, any waiver of the privilege must be given by both the husband and wife.

Anything discussed in therapy, and all information obtained from any source, including the fact that you are my client, is confidential. However, confidentiality is not absolute and there are circumstances in which information can or must be released.

Under certain circumstances certain information may or must be revealed or released to others. The following are examples of exceptions that may apply:

1. If the client, (or a dependent child), is in immediate danger to himself or others the law demands that the therapist acts to protect the life of the client and/or dependent child. This may require notification of family or other appropriate persons.

2. If the client threatens harm to another person, and there is a possibility of injury or death, the law demands that the therapist acts to protect the lives of potential victims. This may require various appropriate interventions, including informing the police and the potential victims.

3. If the client reports his/her behavior or action against a child, elder, or other dependent adult which is considered abuse, including physical violence, neglect, and/or sexual molestation, or if the client reports such acts by another, the law mandates that the therapist must make a report of suspected abuse to the legal authorities.

4. If the client is involved in legal action where he/she places his/her psychological condition before the court, the client forfeits his/her right to confidentiality in matters before the court. In such cases, the therapist will attempt to discuss the situation with you in order to clarify and seek alternatives.

5. You should always be aware that most insurance agreements require you to authorize me to provide a clinical diagnosis to the insurance company. Sometimes additional information such as a treatment plan or summary, or in rare cases, a copy of an entire record, may be requested. This information will become part of the information required to be released to the court.

6. If your psychologist is subpoenaed and ordered to testify in a court of law and their objections are overruled. This happens in very few instances and typically occurs in legal proceedings involving child custody, law suits in which services you received are considered to be evidence in a court of law, or charges involving certain types of criminal behavior.

7. If you request that your counselor or therapist communicate with someone, you will normally be asked to sign a "Release of Information" and to specify what can be communicated and for how long the release will remain in effect.

8. If during a medical emergency your therapist or counselor needs to reveal information that is necessary to protect or insure your health and safety. They can only release that information necessary to protect or insure you health and safety.

9. If your therapist or counselor must take action to collect a debt incurred for services, your name and the amount of your debt may be revealed to a collection agent.

10. If you are told that you are not a client or patient or if the professional tells you that your communication if not confidential.

11. If you are a minor, or a minor that is not emancipated, a therapist or counselor may be required to advise or involve your parents or guardian in your treatment. There are circumstance in which a psychotherapist is not required to notify the parents of a minor.

CURRENT PROGRAMS

I will be presenting weekend "retreats" for couples in need of relationship therapy. I will provide instruction, inform couples of techniques and inform them about how to build a sound relationship. Further developments will be announced later.

TRAINING AND EXPERIENCE

Doctoral degree in School Psychology with cross-training in the Clinical Psychology program at the University of South Carolina.

Doctoral dissertation research on Dyslexia.

South Carolina School for the Deaf and Blind with sensory impaired and emotionally disturbed children and adolescents.

Aiken-Barnwell, and later, Lexington County Community Mental Health Centers in South Carolina, providing psychological services to families, children, adolescents and adults.

SC State Hospital- Hospital-wide behavioral consultant, supervisor for psychologists and mental health technicians on the four wards of the Maintainence Unit.

Charleston Navy Hospital- Treated dependent families of active duty Navy servicemen, as well as providing forensic psychological evaluations at the county correctional facility.

PROFESSIONAL MEMBERSHIPS

I am a member in good standing of the American Psychological Association, Past Secretary of the Georgia Association for the Treatment of Sexual Abusers and National Association for the Treatment of Sexual Abusers.

INSURANCE ACCEPTED

BCBS, Magellan, United Healthcare, MHN (Mental Health Networks), United Behavioral Health, Aetna (check which products), PHCS managed companies ( Fortis, World Insurance, Pro Net, Cost Care), Tricare, State Health Plan Benefits, Medicaid.

PSYCHOLOGICAL TESTING

ASSESSMENT TYPES:

CHILD, ADOLESCENT AND ADULT ADD, INATTENTIVE, IMPULSIVE OR MIXED TYPES

LEARNING DISABILTY

PERSONALITY ASSESSMENT

ACHIEVEMENT TESTING

MEMORY AND COGNITION

FITNESS FOR DUTY

CUSTODY EVALUATION (Minimally, both parents and each child must be evaluated to render an opinion to the court)

FILE DOWNLOADS

New Patients: Please download the following three files, fill them out completely and bring them to your first session:

Patient Information Form.pdf file.
HIPPA Consent Form.pdf file.
Office Policies.pdf file.

Other Patient Files
1.pdf file.
2.pdf file.

3.pdf file.
The Four Horsemen.pdf file.
Relaxation Exercise file.
25 Reasons for Not Doing the Self-Help Exercises file.

Please note that the Adobe Acrobat Reader is needed to read the Assessment and Intervention files. Download the free reader

RECOMMENDED READING

The Seven Principles for Making Marriage Work, by John Gottman, by Ph.D.
Why Marriages Succeed or Fail... And How You Can Make Yours Last, by John Gottman, Ph.D.
When Men Batter Women: New Insights into Ending Abusive Relationships, by Neil Jacobson and John Gottman Ph.D.
Woulda, Coulda, Shoulda : Overcoming Regrets, Mistakes, and Missed Opportunities, by Arthur Freeman, Rose Dewolf, Aaron Beck
Feeling Good, by David Burns, M.D.

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