Theoretical orientation

At OAPS, we use evidence-based interventions, such as cognitive-behavioral therapy (CBT), motivational interviewing, dialectical-behavior therapy (DBT), acceptance and commitment therapy (ACT), and other evidence-based practices (EBP). We welcome clients with all backgrounds include diverse identities related to sexuality, gender, race/ethnicity, immigration, religion, neurodiversity, and all other important identities. Therapy is available for a broad range of concerns, including:

• Depression
• Anxiety (panic, social anxiety, phobias)
• OCD
• Trauma/ PTSD
• Substance use problems
• Grief
• ADHD
• Personality disorders
• Adjustment difficulties
• Relationship issues.

OAPS is a training clinic, staffed by student clinicians, thus there are certain presenting concerns that we are unable to adequately treat here. These include, but are not limited to:

• Suicidal intent (or acting on suicidal thoughts in the past three years)
• Active psychosis
• Detoxification from substance use
• Court-referred cases
• Difficulties resulting from a traumatic brain injury
• Diagnosing or treating autism spectrum disorder that requires more comprehensive care

If you are struggling with any of these issues, we will do our best to provide you with referrals to clinics that would be a better fit for your care.

Note to current UIC psychology graduate students:

Given the small community of the psychology training clinic and the likelihood that clinical students and supervisors will come into contact with other psychology graduate students, we will not be able to provide therapy or assessment services to graduate students in the psychology department. Ethically, we want students and supervisors to avoid engaging in a dual role with clients. If a student feels very strongly about being seen at OAPS, please reach out to the clinic director, and we will assess circumstances on a case by case basis.