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What We Do

Good mental health is one of the pillars of overall health, well-being, and happiness. At Psychology & Counseling Associates, our team is committed to helping people across Northwest Arkansas identify and work through the barriers that affect their mental and physical health.

We offer three core services under one roof: therapy and counseling, psychiatric medication management, and psychological testing. Our clinicians care for children, teens, adults, couples, and families at our Fayetteville and Rogers offices, with telehealth available from many providers. Use this page to find the service or condition that fits what you or your family needs.

Request an Appointment
Call (479) 443-5575

Therapy and Counseling Services

Our therapy services are provided by licensed professionals, including psychologists, licensed clinical social workers (LCSW), and licensed professional counselors (LPC). Each clinician brings different training and approaches, and all of them can diagnose and treat mental, emotional, and behavioral health conditions. Therapy with us can be individual, couples, or family based. Depending on your goals and your clinician, sessions may draw on approaches such as cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT), mindfulness-based practices, exposure and response prevention (ERP), Jungian therapy, and play therapy for younger children. Specialized therapy options include:

Psychiatric Medication Management

Our medication management services are provided by psychiatrists (medical doctors who specialize in psychiatry) and psychiatric mental health nurse practitioners (APRN, PMHNP). Your provider starts with a careful assessment of your symptoms and medical history to decide whether a psychiatric medication could help. If so, they prescribe, monitor for side effects, and track your progress over time.

Medication management is available for adults and children, and many follow-up appointments can be completed by telehealth when clinically appropriate. When you also see a therapist here, your prescriber can coordinate with them so your care stays connected. For some patients, your provider may recommend pharmacogenetic testing, a genetic test that offers information about how your body may process certain psychiatric medications. It is one tool your provider can use when choosing or adjusting a medication.

Psychological Testing and Evaluation

Diagnostic testing and evaluation may be recommended if you or your child are having difficulties related to specific conditions such as ADHD, autism spectrum disorder, or learning disabilities. Our psychologists and psychological examiners provide assessments of intelligence, personality, mood, cognitive functioning, and specific conditions. A clear diagnosis can guide treatment, school accommodations, and next steps for your family. Common evaluation types include:
  1. Psychological evaluations to identify or rule out conditions such as ADHD, autism, mood, or anxiety disorders
  2. Psychoeducational evaluations that look at academic achievement and cognitive abilities for school-age children and college students
  3. Developmental evaluations for infants, toddlers, and preschoolers to check whether development is on track
  4. Neuropsychological evaluations that connect learning and behavior with how the brain is functioning
See our guide to the differences between evaluation types, or read about ADHD testing and treatment. Coverage for testing varies by insurance plan, so we recommend checking with your insurer about your benefits.
New Patient Appointment Request
PHARMACOGENETIC TESTING INFO

Conditions We Treat

Our clinicians treat many mental health conditions for children, teens, and adults. Select a condition to see how we can help.
PCA NWA mental health services - A woman sits barefoot on a windowsill with her knees up, gazing outside through a large window. She appears lost in thought, as if reflecting after an EMDR Therapy session. Lush trees are visible in the background.

Anxiety

Therapy and medication support for worry, panic, and social anxiety
PCA NWA mental health services - A person in a lavender hoodie sits cross-legged on a bed, head down and hands covering their face, in a softly lit room, evoking the quiet introspection often experienced after EMDR Therapy.

Depression

Care for persistent low mood, loss of interest, and low energy
PCA NWA mental health services - A man in a white shirt sits with his head in his hands, appearing stressed or frustrated, possibly contemplating EMDR Therapy for relief.

Bipolar Disorder

Treatment for shifts in mood, energy, and behavior
PCA NWA mental health services - A person sits at a desk with their hand on their forehead, eyes closed, surrounded by open books and papers, appearing stressed or tired while studying—feelings that EMDR Therapy may help address.

Obsessive Compulsive Disorder (OCD)

Therapy, including ERP, for intrusive thoughts and compulsions
PCA NWA mental health services - A woman with short red hair in a black dress stands against a gray wall, resting her head on her hand and appearing thoughtful or distressed, as if reflecting on her EMDR Therapy sessions.

Post-traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD)

Trauma-focused care, including EMD
PCA NWA mental health services - A woman sits beside a man, offering comfort as he bows his head and holds her hand, appearing distressed—an intimate moment that captures the support often found during EMDR Therapy.

Grief and Loss

Support after the death of a loved one or another major loss
PCA NWA mental health services - Two women sit facing each other in an office. One takes notes on a clipboard, while the other gestures as she discusses EMDR Therapy. A laptop, globe, and plant are on a desk in the background.

ADHD and Learning Difficulties

Testing and treatment for children and adults
PCA NWA mental health services - A pair of beige canvas shoes stands inside a black circle on a textured, sunlit surface, evoking the sense of grounding often explored in EMDR Therapy.

Autism Spectrum Disorder

Evaluation and support for communication and social skills
PCA NWA mental health services - A woman with long blonde hair looks uncertainly at a plate of pasta while holding a fork, her expression hinting at the inner conflicts she’s working through in EMDR Therapy.

Eating Disorders

Care for disordered eating and body image concerns
PCA NWA mental health services - A woman sits at a bar with her hand resting on a glass of drink, looking down with a thoughtful expression in a softly lit room, as if reflecting on memories explored during EMDR Therapy.

Alcohol Use Disorder

Support for changing your relationship with alcohol

Care for Every Stage of Life

Our multigenerational practice sees clients from early childhood through adulthood, so families can often find care for more than one person in the same place.

  • Children: play therapy, family therapy, developmental and psychological testing, and child psychiatry
  • Teens: individual therapy, family therapy, psychoeducational testing, and adolescent psychiatry
  • Adults: individual therapy, medication management, psychological testing, and specialized care such as EMDR
  • Couples and families: couples counseling, marital therapy, sexual health counseling, and family therapy

How to Get Started

Starting care takes two steps, and our team matches you with a provider who fits your needs.

  1. Request an appointment. Complete our online new patient appointment request. Your information goes to our Intake Coordinator.
  2. Complete your paperwork when contacted. Our team reaches out to schedule your first visit and sends a link to paperwork for your assigned provider. Please wait until you are contacted before completing it.

You can review the full new patient process before you begin. Healthcare providers can send a patient referral directly to our team.

Your Local Multidisciplinary, Multigenerational Clinic

Founded in Fayetteville in 1996 by Susan Shackelford, Ph.D., Psychology & Counseling Associates, P.A. of Northwest Arkansas is an independent, private practice offering a full range of mental and behavioral health services for the greater Northwest Arkansas region.

Our multigenerational practice sees clients from early childhood through adulthood, so families can often find care for more than one person in the same place.

  • Children: play therapy, family therapy, developmental and psychological testing, and child psychiatry
  • Teens: individual therapy, family therapy, psychoeducational testing, and adolescent psychiatry
  • Adults: individual therapy, medication management, psychological testing, and specialized care such as EMDR
  • Couples and families: couples counseling, marital therapy, sexual health counseling, and family therapy

PCA CARES: How We Care for You

Every visit with our team is guided by five values:
Compassion
C
Attention

A

Respect

R

Empathy

E

Support

S

Frequently Asked Questions

Therapy focuses on talking through challenges and building coping skills with a licensed psychologist, social worker, or counselor. Medication management is provided by a psychiatrist or psychiatric nurse practitioner who evaluates whether medication could help and then monitors how it works for you. Many clients benefit from both, and our providers can coordinate care when you see more than one of us.

Yes. Several of our providers offer telehealth, and some see clients by telehealth only. Many medication management appointments can also be completed by telehealth when clinically appropriate. Psychological testing may be done remotely in some cases, depending on the specific tests and your situation.

Session costs vary depending on your insurance plan. Coverage for psychological testing also varies by plan and by the tests involved. We recommend checking with your insurance provider about your benefits and any out-of-pocket costs before your first visit.

Our clinic is not an acute care facility and cannot provide emergency care. If you are in crisis, call or text 988 to reach the 988 Suicide and Crisis Lifeline, call 911, or go to the nearest emergency room. You can also find more options on our crisis resources page.

Find the Right Care for You or Your Family

Whether you are looking for a therapist, a psychiatric provider, or a clear answer through testing, our team is ready to help you take the next step.
Request an Appointment
or
Call (479) 443-5575
PCA NWA mental health services - A graphic titled "PCA CARES" displays five pillars: Compassion, Attention, Respect, Empathy, and Support, each highlighted in separate blue-toned columns.