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Welcome to Oakland Psychiatric Associates, PC
OPAPC is a group of behavioral health professionals who have a long tradition for providing behavioral
health services in Oakland County, Michigan for over 30 years. The founding members continue to
practice in the group, providing psychiatric evaluations, medication management, counseling services,
psychological testing, behavioral health care which is being delivered in a variety of settings.
The psychiatrists who practice in the group have privileges to treat patients in the area hospitals
including St Joseph Mercy Oakland Hospital, Crittenton Hospital, and Havenwyck Hospital. They provide
services at their office with a behavior health care team consisting of psychiatrists, psychologists, and
clinical social workers.
Home – About Us Box
Our staff is highly-trained and compassionate, and we always put our patients first. The founding
members continue to practice in the group, providing psychiatric evaluations, medication management,
counseling services, psychological testing, behavioral health care.
About Us
OPAPC is a group of behavioral health professionals who have a long tradition for providing behavioral
health services in Oakland County, Michigan for over 30 years. The founding members continue to
practice in the group, providing psychiatric evaluations, medication management, counseling services,
psychological testing, behavioral health care which is being delivered in a variety of settings.
The psychiatrists who practice in the group have privileges to treat patients in the area hospitals
including St Joseph Mercy Oakland Hospital, Crittenton Hospital, and Havenwyck Hospital. They provide
services at their office with a behavior health care team consisting of Psychiatrists, Nurse Practitioners,
Physicians Assistants, Psychologists, Social Workers and Professional Counselors.
Our Staff
Neel R.Jolepalem, M.D. Child & Adult Psychiatrist
Raj Kanneganti, M.D. Child & Adult Psychiatrist
Andrew Pasternak, M.D. Child & Adult Psychiatrist
Donald E.Deering, Ph.D. - Counselor & Psychologist
Kelly Kling-Selander, Ph.D. - Psychologist
Kelli A. Shaheen, M.A. - Limited Licensed Psychologist
Suzanne E.Meloche, M.A. - Limited Licensed Psychologist
Chris A. Shreve, M.A. - Licensed Professional Counselor
Marieanne Buchanan, A.C.S.W. - Clinical Social Worker
Anne Dunlop, A.C.S.W. - Clinical Social Worker
Marisa Chewning, A.C.S.W. - Clinical Social Worker
David Moore, A.C.S.W., B.C.D. - Clinical Social Worker, Licensed Family Therapist
Office Policies
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Due to the increasing volume of prescription phone requests we ask that you call at least 72
hours prior to running out of medication. Additionally, prescriptions will not be called in on the
weekends.
Please be advised that there may be a charge for any appointment missed or cancelled without
24 hours notice.
Please allow upt o 5 business days for all records requested to be processed.
Please inform us of any changes to your insurance coverage prior to seeing the provider.
The providers of Oakland Psychiatric Associates do not fill out SSI disability paperwork without a
charge.
All co-pays are due at the time of service unless other arrangements have been made with the
billing company or your provider.
Privacy Policy
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Click here to view, download or print a copy of our Office Privacy Policy.
Modality Content
Individual Therapy
Individual psychotherapy is an approach in which all therapists at Oakland Psychiatric Associates, P.C.
are trained in. Individuals receive assistance in addressing issues related to self, family, school and work.
Clients who chose to participate in individual therapy work together with their therapist to gain insight
and increase coping skills in order to improve general mental health.
At Oakland Psychiatric Associates, P.C. the Therapists work closely with the Psychiatrists and Nurse
Practitioners in a therapeutic team approach. This provides a broader viewpoint of existing mental
health issues. When deemed necessary by the mental health professionals at Oakland Psychiatric
Associates, P.C. (in conjunction with the patient), Psychiatric evaluations, medication reviews, group
therapy, family or marital counseling may be undertaken.
The professionals at Oakland Psychiatric Associates, P.C. also encourage clients to take an active role in
participating in their therapy. They may provide psychoeducation through the use of videos,
bibliotherapy and opportunities to attend seminars pertaining to individual mental health issues.
Please see on the "Our Staff" page to view the background information and related interests of a
particular therapist.
Marital and Conjoint Therapy
Oakland Psychiatric Associates, P.C. offers marital and conjoint therapy sessions. Professionals at
Oakland Psychiatric Associates, P.C. first carefully evaluate each member of the couple to ensure that no
other condition is interfering with the marital or familial relationship. From there, individuals are
brought together to begin conjoint therapy. Important steps in therapy include: reducing blame and
negativity within the couple or family; creating common goals toward which individuals can work (both
independently and together); and developing and implementing plans in order to accomplish these
goals.
The therapist may help the couple or family with: communication skills; coping techniques; patterns of
interaction; and any other important areas of stress. Further, therapists will help the individuals to
generalize the skills they have learned in therapy so they are able to apply these techniques to any
future difficulties that may arise.
Oakland Psychiatric Associates, P.C. therapists are highly flexible and willing to adjust the process of
therapy in order to best meet the needs of each couple and family. Confidentiality is priority at Oakland
Psychiatric Associates, P.C., and the therapists work hard to ensure the privacy of everyone involved.
If you are interested in becoming involved in marital or family therapy, please contact us to set up an
appointment.
Cognitive Behavioral Therapy
Oakland Psychiatric Associates, P.C. uses Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT) for the treatment of
anxiety and depressive disorders. This therapy combines behavioral exposure therapy along with
cognitive restructuring to help enable the patient to confront avoidances, correct negative automatic
thoughts, and return to optimal functioning.
CBT is particularly effective for the Anxiety Disorder spectrum, such as Panic Disorder, Post Traumatic
Stress Disorder, Obsessive Compulsive Disorder, Social Anxiety Disorder and Specific Phobias. The
hallmark of CBT is the patient's role in learning and practicing skills outside the session, to maximize the
therapeutic benefit of this therapy. In mood disorders, the patient will learn coping skills to master tasks
often thought too arduous for the depressed patient. The use of CBT with or without medication
management is addressed, and the ultimate decision is made between the patient and the Oakland
Psychiatric Associates, P.C. Professional.
Parenting Techniques
It is not uncommon for Oakland Psychiatric Associates, P.C. clinicians to be faced with overwhelmed
parents, many of whom have attempted to implement a variety of parenting techniques but have not
found success. These failed attempts can lead to feelings of hopelessness and helplessness for these
parents, which often exacerbate the problematic dynamics in the household.
The key elements include consistency and remaining calm, both of which can be difficult during stressful
parenting situations.
Here at Oakland Psychiatric Associates, P.C., our therapists take into consideration the age of the child,
the presenting concerns, and the family dynamics in order to tailor-make a treatment plan. Often,
therapists will use a combination of techniques to meet their needs. These may include education about
special considerations for their child as well as exploration and practicing of parenting techniques. Work
with the child alone, the caregivers alone, and the family together are all integral parts of the treatment
plan.
Women's Group
Womens' support group meets weekly emphasizing goal setting, self love and positive coping skills to a
wide range of issues effecting women on a daily basis including: self esteem, work, depression, anxiety,
intimacy, sex, money, relationships, divorce, aging, grief and addictive behaviors.
Our Psychiatric Services
We are dedicated to improving the quality of life experience for our clients. We combine the treatment
modalities of Cognitive-Behavioral & Client-Centered psychotherapies with medication to help people
lead happier, more productive lives.
See the menu at left for more information on our treatment approaches.
Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD) Treatment
A major emphasis of Oakland Psychiatric Associates, P.C. is the identification and treatment of Attention
Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder throughout the life span. We offer comprehensive screening and
evaluation of this particular disorder. Screening is done through thorough psychiatric interview and the
use of collateral history and symptom checklists. When needed, neuropsychological testing is available.
The staff of Oakland Psychiatric Associates, P.C. possess a great deal of experience in identifying and
treating this particular disorder and associated conditions such as mood disorders, anxiety disorders and
learning disabilities.
Often times, coaching and psychotherapy are essential in the treatment of this condition. The staff of
Oakland Psychiatric Associates, P.C. works together to offer our patients these services.
If you are from out of town or even local and are interested in pursuing a thorough and time-efficient
one-day evaluation* for ADHD, or to learn more about our ADHD Fast TRACK Evaluation please contact
us.
*Note: This evaluation is geared toward individuals who are age 18 and older.
Why hire an ADHD Coach?
ADHD Coaching can be an important part of a comprehensive program for ADHD individuals. ADHD
coaches educate clients regarding ADHD, reframe negative belief systems that inhibit progress, identify
client's learning styles, and develop systems and strategies to overcome challenges. These challenges
include; time management, organization, hyperactivity, impulsivity and procrastination. Coaching is
individualized and action-oriented, so the client is working to build productive habits and systems that
lead to a fulfilling life.
Since most coaching is done via the telephone, coaches and clients can be in different states. As long as
the client is motivated, and the coach is well-trained, the coaching/client partnership can be extremely
beneficial. To find a well-trained ADHD Coach visit the ADD Coach Academy atwww.addca.com.
Dementia Treatment and Cognitive Evaluations
For some patients, it is important to assess cognitive functions such as memory, recall, alertness and
overall aptitude. This is formally done via neuropsychological and psychological testing.
This type of testing can be ordered following medical illness such as stroke or other brain based diseases
such as Parkinson's Disease or Multiple Sclerosis. It is also used to characterize childhood developmental
illness such as autism or Asperger's Syndrome. Psychological testing is also ordered to evaluate
dementia. Dementia is the diminution in cognition and memory, it is associated with the aging process.
The most common type of dementia is of the Alzheimer's Type. These are important diagnoses to make
early on. Some dementias are reversible if caught early. For other types, such as Alzheimer's and
vascular dementias, newer cognitive enhancing medications are available which can improve
functioning and prolong quality of life.
Outpatient Alcohol and Addictions Treatment Program
At Oakland Psychiatric Associates, P.C., we offer an innovative multidisciplinary treatment approach to
recovery. Our program has been developed through years of experience working with addicted clients.
In addition, we have utilized many exciting new discoveries in the field of neurobiology. Recent
discoveries in the field of addiction science have expanded our understanding of addictions and their
impact upon the human brain. We have combined our years of experience with cutting edge discoveries
in neuroscience in order to provide highly effective treatment for our patients. Research has shown that
the combination of medication and therapy has proven most efficacious in treating mental health
conditions. This is the model that we utilize at Oakland Psychiatric Associates, P.C. Substance Abuse &
the Law
Our advice to you:
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Take control of your addiction
Do not wait for the legal system to make treatment mandatory; acknowledge responsibility and
voluntarily seek treatment
Take your addiction seriously. It is a life threatening problem. But remember there is hope. . .
We can help by:
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Communicating with your attorney & the court system, at your request
Ordering laboratory alcohol and drug tests
Providing psychiatric consultation
Offering individualized and family counseling
When appropriate, utilizing cutting edge medications specially developed to help people with
alcohol and substance addictions
Understanding Addictions
Our knowledge about addictions has rapidly grown. Research into the fields of genetics and
neuroscience has produced encouraging new medications, including:
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Campral™ - to help control cravings
Vivitrol™ - a new injectable medication with 30 days of coverage
Antabuse™ - a powerful deterrent to drinking
Suboxone™ - a medication for the treatment of opioid dependence
Chantix™ - a medication used to aid in smoking cessation
Other medications to decrease impulsive choices that can lead to relapse
Did you know that . . .
Many people with addictions also have undiagnosed and untreated mental health conditions such as:
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Depression
Anxiety
ADHD and Learning Problems
Insomnia
Identifying and treating these symptoms can strengthen the recovery process.
Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD) Treatment
Post-traumatic Stress Disorder is an anxiety disorder which occurs after a person has personally
experienced or witnessed a dangerous and life-threatening event. Individuals who are at risk for
developing PTSD include but are not limited to:
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Soldiers who have been in combat
Survivors or witnesses of violent crimes (including rape, kidnapping, robbery, etc.)
Individuals who have lived through a natural disaster
Survivors of accidents or grave illness
These events can cause lasting psychological symptoms, including the following (taken from the National
Institute for Mental Health Website--www.nimh.nih.gov):
1) Re-experiencing symptoms:
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Flashbacks - reliving the trauma over and over, including physical symptoms like a racing heart
or sweating
Bad dreams
Frightening thoughts.
2) Avoidance symptoms:
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Staying away from places, events, or objects that are reminders of the experience
Feeling emotionally numb
Feeling strong guilt, depression, or worry
Losing interest in activities that were enjoyable in the past
Having trouble remembering the dangerous event.
3) Hyperarousal symptoms:
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Being easily started
Feeling tense or “on edge”
Having difficulty sleeping and/or having angry outbursts.
Things that remind a person of the traumatic event can trigger avoidance symptoms. These symptoms
may cause a person to change his or her personal routine. For example, after a bad car accident a
person who usually drives may avoid driving or riding in a car. Hyperarousal symptoms may make it hard
to do daily tasks, such as sleeping, eating, or concentrating. At Oakland Psychiatric Associates, P.C., PTSD
is treated with a combination of cognitive-behavioral therapy and medications (when necessary). This
effective approach can help individuals with PTSD to identify situations that trigger their "fight or flight"
response. Using the cognitive-behavioral techniques of flooding and systematic desensitization, the
therapist and patient can work together to safely reintroduce situations that have become too anxietyprovoking for the patient. Over time, irritability, flashbacks and nightmares will subside and the patient
is able to return to their pre-trauma functionality. Treating PTSD is a rewarding experience for our
clinicians, as long-term success is highly achievable and patient transformation is astounding to watch.
Obsessive Compulsive Disorder (OCD) Treatment
Obsessive Compulsive Disorder is an anxiety disorder which involves both obsessions (thoughts, images,
or impulses that occur over and over again) and compulsions (acts that a person repeatedly performs in
an attempt to make the obsession go away). The brain seems to get “stuck” on a thought or urge and
cannot shake it. Individuals with OCD often have the sense that if that “obsession” continues without
them taking part in any compulsions, the anxiety will become intolerable.
Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT) is an empirically-validated therapeutic intervention that is often
used to help individuals with OCD to manage their symptoms. CBT is a concrete, proactive and goaloriented therapeutic style. With the help of a trained therapist, individuals with OCD can learn to control
and even alleviate their obsessions and compulsions. Individuals will also learn coping strategies such as
relaxation exercises and ways to challenge distorted thinking in an effort to reduce anxiety. Psychotropic
medications may also be a part of the treatment plan for the individual with Obsessive-Compulsive
Disorder.
Grief/Loss/Coping with Illness Issues
Sudden loss of a loved one from a heart attack, stroke, homicide, suicide or accident, often presents
many issues for those left behind. People who experience loss from divorce, chronic or terminal illness
face a different type of grieving. There are also differences in how adults, children, men and women
experience grief and loss.
Oakland Psychiatric Associates, P.C. clinicians are well-trained in helping individuals through the grieving
process, whether grieving the loss of a loved one or coping with their own terminal illness. Some of the
therapeutic interventions used at Oakland Psychiatric Associates, P.C. include techniques in relaxation,
cognitive restructuring, stress management, goal setting, learning new coping skills, improving
communication skills with loved ones as well as with medical personnel, and referral to community
support groups.
Each case is looked at individually and the type of loss is taken into consideration when a treatment plan
is created. Oakland Psychiatric Associates, P.C. also offers the services of our psychiatrist who can
evaluate patients who may need medication as an adjunct to their therapy.
Psychological Screening & Testing
Coming Soon...
Psychiatric Forensic Services
Oakland Psychiatric Associates, P.C. utilizes a team approach in offering the following forensic services:
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Comprehensive custody evaluations.
Geriatric/Competency Evaluations.
AD/HD and other Psychiatric Issues in the Workplace.
Employment Discrimination.
Custody and Divorce Disputes.
Comprehensive Psychiatric Evaluation & Second Opinions
Oakland Psychiatric Associates, P.C. offers independent psychiatric examinations. This can be helpful in
challenging cases where a new diagnostic perspective is necessary. Examinations are performed
regularly. Often other Oakland Psychiatric Associates, P.C. services such as psychological testing or the
Dementia and Cognitive Evaluation Program are helpful in the diagnostic process. If treatment is
needed, a myriad of services are available at Oakland Psychiatric Associates, P.C. such as Individual
therapy, Marital and Conjoint therapy or Cognitive Behavioral Therapy. Contact Oakland Psychiatric
Associates, P.C. to set up an evaluation.
Neuropsychological Screening & Testing
Coming soon...