ASHLEY GEMBERLING, PSYD, ABPP

Sometimes everyday life can leave us feeling stressed and depleted. Sometimes we go through difficult or traumatic experiences that seem to take away our joy and leave us isolated and without a sense of meaning or purpose. Sometimes we get tangled up in our thoughts and forget to live in the here and now. Does any of this sound familiar? Do you want to find peace and learn to enjoy the little things life has to offer? I want to guide you on that journey. I am a licensed clinical psychologist with more than 15 years of experience conducting psychotherapy and psychological evaluations. I completed my training in the greater Los Angeles area, working with diverse cultures and presenting problems within a variety of settings. I earned a Master of Arts in Marriage and Family Therapy and a Doctor of Psychology in Clinical Psychology from Pepperdine University. I am Board Certified in Clinical Psychology through the American Board of Professional Psychology, where I also serve as an examiner, and I hold a certificate in Heart Rate Variability (HRV) Biofeedback. PROFESSIONAL COUNSELING ~Cognitive Behavioral Therapy~ Cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT) has been demonstrated to be effective for a range of problems including depression, anxiety disorders, relationship problems, and severe mental illness. Research has demonstrated CBT to be as effective as, or more effective than, other forms of psychotherapy or psychiatric medications. Interventions focus on identifying unhelpful thoughts and behaviors that contribute to mental health problems and making efforts to learn new skills, adapt behaviors, and identify alternative perspectives. Specific interventions and length of treatment are tailored to the individual needs of the client. ~Prolonged Exposure Therapy~ Prolonged Exposure (PE) is an evidence-based treatment for posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD) that teaches clients how to gain control by facing their fears. Treatment is preceded by a comprehensive PTSD evaluation, followed by weekly 90-minute sessions for approximately three months. ~HRV Biofeedback~ Heart-rate variability (HRV) biofeedback is an evidence-based technique that provides real-time feedback on heart rate and respiration changes while breathing at low frequencies. HRV training can be used to decrease anxiety, improve sleep, increase focus and attention, improve mood, and enhance sports performance. PSYCHOLOGICAL EVALUATIONS ~Gifted Testing and IQ Testing~ While local public schools can provide gifted evaluations, teachers must first recommend the child for testing and it may take a long time for the testing to be performed. Private gifted testing reduces wait times and allows the parent or guardian to control what day and time of day the testing occurs so their child can perform their best. It also allows the parent or guardian to decide whether the gifted evaluation becomes part of the child's academic records. In Pennsylvania, schools are required to consider independent evaluations when identifying gifted students, developing individualized education plans, and determining placement in gifted programs. ~ADHD Assessment~ While pediatricians and psychiatrists often rely on parents and teachers to complete self-report questionnaires to aid in ADHD diagnosis, these alone cannot accurately diagnose ADHD. A psychological examination is the only way to really know if a child meets criteria. In fact, about 20% of children currently identified as having ADHD likely have been misdiagnosed, leading to use of unnecessary medications while more appropriate interventions are overlooked. Testing provides information about type of ADHD (hyperactive, inattentive, both), severity, strengths and weaknesses, and recommendations for treatment. This information can be used by medical providers to determine need for medication or other intervention. Additionally, an ADHD evaluation can help educators develop a 504 or individualized education plan (IEP) that meets a child's specific needs so grades and/or behaviors improve. ~Learning Disability Assessment~ Learning disability evaluations determine strengths and weaknesses in academic subjects, learning style, visual and auditory attention, processing, concentration, and memory. These evaluations help to determine whether academic difficulty is related to a learning disability or another mental health condition and provides recommendations that can be used to assist in the development of 504 or individualized education plans (IEP). Learning disability assessments are not only for children. Often, advanced high school students, college and graduate students, and professionals struggle with undiagnosed learning disabilities, which can make taking high stakes standardized exams (e.g., FSAs, EOCs, PSAT, SAT, ACT, AP/IB/Cambridge exams, LSAT, MCAT, GMAT, GRE, professional licensure board examinations) arduous and discouraging. Identifying learning disabilities can help secure extended time on these exams in order for applicants to perform their best.