History
Initially incorporated in 1988, Stocki & Neil Counseling Associates, P.C. was founded as a Florida Corporation by Dr. Stephanie Stocki and Dr. John Neil. Returning to Dr. Neil’s roots in 1996, the couple moved their practice to the Williamsport area. Their general outpatient mental health practice steadily grew since its relocation, building ties within the medical community. More recently, the practice has become licensed to provide drug and alcohol treatment in an effort to provide more comprehensive services to the community.
Mission
Stocki & Neil Counseling Associates, P.C. recognizes our mission as one which assists at improving the quality of life of individuals and families in a compassionate and confidential environment.
Philosophy
As a fully licensed mental health and drug and alcohol agency, Stocki & Neil Counseling Associates, P.C. is in a unique position in our community to provide mental health treatment and addictions recovery. Three broad services are being offered: mental health counseling to children, adults, and families, drug and alcohol treatment for adolescents, adults, and families, and a co-occurring program for those with a combination of emotional and addictions issues. We tailor an individualized plan based on each person’s specific needs and utilize a comprehensive, multi-disciplinary treatment approach to assist individuals in enhancing their quality of life. The treatment plan is developed in collaboration with the client and a professional, with specific expertise in differentiating issues.
Programs
Mental Health: A typical client referred to the mental health program is someone who does not have any drug and alcohol related problems, but who struggles with anxiety and/or depression and with life stressors such as divorce, self-esteem, and grief. When one calls to make an appointment, every attempt is made to match the individual with a professional who specializes in their specific issue. While providing an individualized treatment plan, therapists typically utilize an eclectic approach to meeting a client’s needs. Treatment is often brief and the focus is on problem solving and improved coping. We pride ourselves on providing quality service, insuring that all professionals are individually licensed by the state of Pennsylvania as a Psychologist or Licensed Clinical Social Worker and maintain their continuing education.
Drug and Alcohol: A typical client referred to the drug and alcohol program is someone whose primary area of concern is related to their substance use. The program consists of licensed professionals and/or professionals who are certified by the Pennsylvania Certification Board as Certified Addictions Counselors and/or Certified Co-Occurring Disorder Professionals. The purpose of treatment is to assist individuals and their families in their recovery process and to effectively address areas that have been impacted by addiction. The program offers individualized, comprehensive services at all stages of addictions and supports the use of 12-step programs and abstinence through recovery.
Co-Occurring: A typical client referred to the Co-Occurring program is someone who is struggling with mental health issues such as depression, anxiety, or life stressors and who is also abusing drugs and alcohol as a means to self-medicate. We have the expertise to differentiate between what is primarily mental health, substance abuse or that which is co-existing. Our professionals are those who are licensed/certified by the state of Pennsylvania to address co-occurring issues. The program provides a dual treatment focus and utilizes a treatment approach that is collaborative in nature to effectively address the co-occurring issues.
Services
v Drug and alcohol evaluations
v One on one counseling for the individual, family members and concerned others
v Family Counseling
v Couples Counseling
v Group Counseling
v Intensive outpatient programming
v Intervention Education
v Relapse Prevention
v Individualized Treatment Plans
v Aftercare planning and Follow-up
Staff
Stephanie Stocki, Psy.D., MSW, LCSW
Mary Ann Crouse-Novak, MSW, LCSW
Channon Cunningham, MSW, LCSW, CAC/CCDP Diplomate
Tawny Dietrick, Office Manager
Candie Williamson, Adminstrative Assistant
Our Location
1500 Sycamore Road
Suite330
Montoursville, PA 17754
Phone: 570-322-5051
Fax: 570-322-6788
Forms
Mental Health Child Consent for Treatment
Mental Health Adult Consent for Treatment
Mental Health Contracts and Policies
Drug and Alcohol Client Rights
Drug and Alcohol Confidential Patient Information
Drug and Alcohol Contracts and Policies
Drug and Alcohol Pennsylvania Notice Form
Links
American Psychological Association
Treatment programs
Narcotics Anonymous Meeting List
http://portaltools.na.org/portaltools/MeetingLOC/
Alcoholic Anonymous Meeting List
www.district43.com/Page5.htmlCentre and Clinton County
http://www.geocities.com/HotSprings/Villa/65041(Williamsport)
Alanon/Alateen Meeting List
www.geocities.com/HotSprings/Villa/65041
Adult Children of Alcoholics Meeting List
www.12stepforums.net/acoa.html - online meeting
Eating Disorders
www.mirror-mirror.org www.aedweb.org
www.edin-ga.org www.edreferral.com
www.theelisaproject.org www.hedc.org
www.heedfoundation.org www.iaedp.com
www.medainc.org www.nationaleatingdisorders.org
www.mentalhealthscreening.org www.oa.org
Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder
Frequently Asked Questions
Does it mean I am crazy or weak if I decide to seek mental health treatment?
Death, divorce, job loss, financial stress, and chronic illness all bring both stress and distress into your life. Even daily stressors, especially in today’s fast-paced world filled with the daily threats of disaster and war, can overwhelm you and throw your life out of balance. In the past, there has been a tremendous negative stigma associated with mental health treatment with people often referring to those in treatment as “crazy” or “weak”. More recent research has demonstrated that mental health treatment can support increased resilience to life’s stressors, improved health, and improved quality of life, overall. We agree that seeking treatment is actually a sign of strength and courage and we understand that a willingness to face issues and to initiate and follow through with treatment is an extremely difficult thing to do.
What is the difference between a social worker, psychologist, and psychiatrist?
A psychiatrist is a medical doctor
whose primary treatment modality is prescribing and managing psychiatric
medications. Rarely, some psychiatrists provide psychotherapy as well.
We do not have a psychiatrist on staff, but, as the standard of care for
the treatment of some psychiatric disorders is psychotherapy and medication, we
often collaborate with psychiatrists to insure the best possible treatment.
The difference between a social worker and a psychologist is a bit more
confusing, as their roles are often very similar.
A social worker, as defined by the
I think I or my child has ADHD, what do I need to do next?
Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD) is a complicated diagnosis that many people do not understand. Usually the school will inform the parent that the child is hyperactive or easily distractible and should be tested for ADHD. Also, a child’s primary care physician may request that a child be tested. The referral for “testing” is often misleading, as there is no test that actually measures ADHD. There are some psychological or neuropsychological tests that are associated with ADHD, but they are not perfect. Because there are different subtypes of ADHD, some people with ADHD do well on these tests and others without it do poorly. In children and adults, but especially in children since they are unable to decide if they want to take medication, I think of ADHD as a clinical diagnosis and work to understand how the person functions in their daily lives. I work to put myself into their shoes and determine factors that are interfering with their progress. I recommend that other diagnoses be excluded such as vision or hearing impairments, learning disabilities, intellectual deficits, lead exposure, etc. before providing a diagnosis. In children, this may require psychological testing or a referral to other specialists. I also work with the school to collect information including prior testing, academic records, questionnaires from teachers, and behavioral observations. In adults, psychological testing is usually not necessary. A clinical interview and completion of a questionnaire to identify significant symptoms is usually sufficient to make a diagnosis. In the end, all information is considered and a diagnosis, if appropriate it provided. I will then work with the family, school, and primary care physician to develop a treatment plan that may include medication and/or a structured behavioral plan.
Will information be held confidential?
Our providers, whether social workers or psychologists, are all bound by a code of ethics that requires them to maintain the highest level of confidentiality. Additionally, there are state and federal laws that insure that information will be held confidential (i.e., information discussed during treatment will be held between the client and the therapist). This means that, without a written consent, we will not reveal any information, even to your spouse or close relative. There are some exceptions to this rule, though. At the outset of treatment, if you have and plan to utilize your insurance benefits, we require that you sign a release for us to forward confidential information for the purpose of submitting an insurance claim on your behalf. In so doing, we always release the minimum necessary information to receive a claim which usually includes a diagnosis code and date of service. Although the limits of confidentiality are discussed more fully in the Contracts and Policies, it is important for you to know that we are legally required to break confidentiality for your protection, if you are believed to be an imminent threat to self or others or if we suspect child or elder abuse. Confidentiality with minor children is a big more complicated and will be defined during the initial session with the parents.
Once I have decided to seek treatment, what can I expect upon making the phone call to schedule?
After you decide to seek treatment, we would ask that you call to speak with our office staff, usually Tawny Dietrich or Dawn McConnell. They will collect background information, mainly your name, date of birth, address, and insurance information. They will also ask you to briefly state your reason for seeking treatment. This is for the sole purpose of determining the best match for a therapist. It is not meant to be intrusive and it is not expected that you will go into great detail. The best match will be based upon the therapeutic issues and insurance carrier (i.e., unless you specifically request a therapist, then you will be matched with someone who accepts your insurance). Once the information is collected, you will be entered into our system and scheduled for the initial appointment. Then, the office staff will verify your insurance benefits and call you back with your benefits, as we are informed by your insurance company. There are a number of forms for you to complete prior to your first visit. You can print them out on this web site, complete them, and bring them to your first visit. Or you can arrive 15 minutes early to your first session and we will provide you with the forms for you to complete. The initial session is a get-to-know-you session during which a thorough history will be collected and goals will be established. Assuming outpatient treatment is the correct method of treatment and you and your therapist are a good match, you will work together to make the significant changes in your life that are required to increase your mood, self-esteem, and, overall quality of life. The duration of treatment varies depending on the individual and therapeutic issue. Usually, the therapist can provide a rough estimate of how long you can expect to be in treatment at the end of the initial session.
What will I have to pay?
That depends on whether you have insurance or not. If you do not have insurance, you will be expected to pay our rate as listed in the contracts and policies. We will be happy to provide you with a receipt of payment for tax purposes. If you have insurance, we will verify your benefits prior to your first visit and inform you in advance of what you can expect to pay. Most insurances require you to pay a copayment which is a portion of their allowable rate. If we are a participating provider, we will verify, submit, and follow through with obtaining any required authorizations for treatment. If we become aware of any changes, we will notify you as soon as we become aware of them or before your next session. Either way, you will know in advance of what you are expected to pay. In every case, payment is due at the time of service in the form of a personal check or cash. At this time, we do not accept credit or debit cards.