About

Killian & Associates offers a wide range of professional mental health services:

Psychiatrists
A psychiatrist is a medical doctor who assesses for mental and emotional disorders and who generally prescribe medication to alleviate the symptoms of those disorders, such as anxiety disorders, depression, bipolar disorder and psychotic illnesses. Psychiatrists will have an MD or DO degree.

Psychiatric Nurse Practitioner (PMHNP)
Psychiatric nurse practitioners hold a Master’s of Science in Nursing in addition to the initial nursing education and licensing required for all RNs. They have full license to diagnose and prescribe medication to treat mental illnesses, disorders, or substance abuse problems. Our nurse practitioners work in collaboration with Dr. Killian.

Psychologists
Psychologists have earned a doctorate degree in counseling and/or testing and assessment. They have expertise in the treating of various disorders, such as depression, anxiety, and various problems with coping. They see individuals, couples, and families for counseling and may also do paper and pencil testing for personality, attention problems or other problems. They will have a PhD or PsyD degree.

Licensed Professional Counselors
The Licensed clinical professional counselor (LCPL) has a Master’s degree in counseling or related areas. They use various methods and theories by which they help clients solve their problem issues through counseling. They also have expertise in various areas of interest.

Social Workers
Social workers will have a Masters of Social Work Degree, which is considered the finishing degree in their profession. Social workers differ as to the methods of therapy they use to help clients solve their own problems, yet as the title implies, they are sensitive that the solution also needs to work in the group of which the client is a member. They work with individuals, couples, and families. They will have an LCSW (licensed clinical social worker) license.

Marriage & Family Therapists
Marriage and Family therapists have specific course work and training in the treatment of couples’ issues as well as family issues. They focus upon the interactional system that the client experiences and work to make repetitive patterns that have become rigid make way to more flexible interaction. Marriage and family therapists also see individuals and help clients with unresolved issues out of their families-of-origin. They will have an LMFT (licensed marriage and family therapy) license.

General Psychiatry
Psychiatrists and Psychiatric Nurse Practitioners use a variety of treatments, including psychotherapy, medication, and other treatments. Jordan Mandeville and Erin Shaefer are our Psychiatric Nurse Practitioners here at Killian and Associates.

Psychotherapy is a treatment that involves a talking relationship between a therapist and patient. It can be used to treat a broad variety of mental disorders and emotional difficulties. The goal of psychotherapy is to eliminate or control disabling or troubling symptoms so the patient can function better. Depending on the extent of the problem, treatment may take just a few sessions over a week or two or may take many sessions over a period of years. There are many forms of psychotherapy and it can be done individually, with a family, or in a group.

Medications are used by psychiatrists and psychiatric nurse practitioners in much the same way that medications are used to treat high blood pressure or diabetes. After medical and psychological evaluations, psychiatrists and psychiatric nurse practitioners can prescribe medications to help treat mental disorders. Psychiatric medications can help correct imbalances in brain chemistry that are thought to be involved in some mental disorders. Psychiatrists and psychiatric nurse practitioners often use medications in combination with psychotherapy.