Dr. Rosenberg’s Practice:  I am a clinical psychologist and school psychologist who has been practicing in the Portland area for more than 30 years. My expertise is with child and adolescent behavior, emotional, and learning problems. I am able to provide effective therapeutic counseling, evaluations, and consultation to families, school staff, and directly to children and teens. I spend much of my daytime hours working for school districts in Clackamas County, and I reserve time in the late afternoon and evenings to see children and families. In addition, I’m an adjunct professor for Lewis & Clark College’s Graduate School of Education and Counseling.

Background and Training:  My training includes an undergraduate degree with a major in honors psychology at the University of Michigan, followed by a year of working in a residential treatment center for children. I then attended Emory University in Atlanta, Georgia, where I earned my masters and Ph.D. in clinical psychology. Originally from Detroit, Michigan, I moved to Portland, Oregon, in 1978 for my clinical internship at the Morrison Center, an innovator in child and family treatment. I then worked at Edgefield Children’s Center in Troutdale for five years, doing family therapy, evaluations, and supervising other therapists. Although I’d been working in schools since 1983, I went to Lewis & Clark College to gain my school psychologist credentials in 2010. I have attended numerous workshops and trainings over the years to keep up on my skills in the field.

What is a psychologist?  As a clinical psychologist, I have earned a doctoral degree in the study and treatment of behavior—specializing in children, adolescents, and families. I can provide psychotherapy (counseling), psychological evaluations (testing), and training to students or interns. I am not able to prescribe psychiatric medication, but I often work with medical providers if such medication is being considered.

Which kinds of problems does Dr. Rosenberg work with?   Families today face a wide range of challenges, from setting effective limits for behavior, managing homework, keeping teens away from drugs and alcohol, and deciding how to manage electronic devices. Whether due to the demands of school or their own neuro-behavioral make-up, children and adolescents may struggle with anxiety, depression, social relationships, and self-regulation of behavior. I enjoy working together with families to help solve these problems, by providing skills, strategies, or referrals to other professionals who can help. My vast experience with special education students at public and private schools also enables me to help families navigate the complexities of the entire IEP process.

What about psychological evaluations?  An assessment is done with every new client, including a review of developmental information, current school performance, medical information, etc. Some children and adolescents require more extensive assessment, including psychological testing. Such tests can provide information about how a student learns, the extent of emotional or behavioral difficulties, and help determine an appropriate treatment plan. I can also provide a second opinion to a school-based evaluation.

What can I expect when I call Dr. Rosenberg?  When you call me (503-402-1802), you will likely get my voicemail. I return calls myself, usually responding within a few hours. I will answer questions and schedule an appointment, often within a week or two, depending on my availability. I will provide you with information and directions to my office, and send a background questionnaire for you to complete about your child, adolescent, or family. You can bring this questionnaire to your first appointment.

What can I expect when I come to my first appointment?  I often meet with the parents and child or teen together in the first appointment. It’s an opportunity for me to learn about your concerns, the history and scope of the problem, and learn what you’ve already tried to do to improve things. The first meeting also gives you an opportunity to decide if I’m a good match for you. I will sometimes set aside time to meet alone with the child or the parents, depending on circumstances. Some families prefer to come to a first appointment without the child. After that, we will decide on a schedule of meetings (usually every week or two), and develop a treatment plan for addressing the concerns presented in the first meeting. I will often ask to speak with your child’s teacher, doctor, or previous counselor.

How do I pay for this?  I am on the provider list for most insurance companies. Unfortunately, I am unable to see people whose insurance is through the Oregon Health Plan. Although my fees are often higher than what insurance companies will cover, I cannot charge you the additional amount. You will only be responsible for co-payments, deductibles, or uncovered expenses (such as extended phone consultations). If you wish to pay “out-of-pocket” for any reason, I am willing to negotiate down somewhat from my stated fees.

Does this work?  I utilize evidence-based methods, such as cognitive-behavioral strategies, collaborative problem solving, and other effective strategies. There is no guarantee of success, of course, but I’ve found that I can help nearly all families gain some skills and see a level of improvement in the psychological and behavioral problems they are presenting.