Serving Western New York 585-356-1323
Our Counseling Services
Seek Counseling with a Licensed Psychologist
Find Help with Your Stress, Depression, Anger, and More
Everyone has to deal with anxiety, depression, anger, stress, work pressure, and other problems or conflicts. When these challenges begin to overwhelm your natural coping resources and exhaust your natural support networks, it may be time to seek help from a professional counselor.
David W. Sprague, Ph.D. is a licensed psychologist with over 30 years of experience in serving the needs of patients in Western New York. Through counseling, David W. Sprague, Ph.D. can assist you in making the necessary changes in your life that will help you cope with difficulties.
Know the Risks and Benefits of Psychotherapy
Dr. Sprague encourages you to learn more about the procedures, goals, and possible side effects of psychotherapy in order to receive the maximum benefit from his services. While psychotherapy may be beneficial to some patients, for others it can carry risks such as:
- Experiencing intense and unwanted feelings (sadness, anger, fear, guilt, or anxiety)
- Recalling unpleasant life experiences
- Facing unpleasant thoughts and beliefs
- Increased awareness of feelings, values, and experiences
- Alteration of your ability or desire to effectively deal with others in relationships
The success of this joint endeavor is dependent on your sustained commitment, flexibility, and courage to make new choices and changes in your life. You may find that change is difficult and experience ambivalence and resistance. During this relationship, you may experience periods of internal distress as you work through issues. You may also feel moments of frustration, anxiety, self-doubt, and conflict. These feelings are to be expected during the process of counseling. You may decide during these initial difficulties that you are not ready for this kind of change at this time. This is natural as people arrive at counseling at different stages of readiness for change. You may end the counseling relationship at any time you wish.
During your therapy, major life choices may be made depending on your goals and issues. These decisions may include separation within families, developing new relationships, changing employment settings, and changing your lifestyle. These decisions are legitimate outcomes from the therapy experience and may involve calling into question many of your beliefs and values. Rest assured knowing Dr. Sprague will never challenge your religious beliefs, though they may vary from his own. As your therapist, Dr. Sprague is available to discuss any of your assumptions, problems, or possible negative side effects of the collaborative psychotherapy process with you.
Dr. Sprague's Other Counseling Services Include:
- Psychological assessment and diagnosis
- Mediation
- Facilitation and problem solving in emotionally charged situations such as divorce and child custody
- Consultation to individuals with questions and concerns about family members and friends
- Collaborating with your primary physician or psychiatrist on issues of hospitalization, medication, or second options
- Counseling for children and adolescents
Protecting Your Confidentiality for All Services
Dr. Sprague is dedicated to protecting your confidentiality by following the guidelines set forth in the HIPPA law passed in 2003. See the HIPPA Statement of Confidentiality for more information by clicking here.
If you would like your information to be shared with an outside source such as your doctor or school, you will need to sign a release and specify what type of information is to be shared and with whom. Click here
to obtain a release form to print out and give to Dr. Sprague to allow him to talk to an outside source. Click here to download a form for two-way authorization for the release of protected health information.
Most Health Insurance Plans Accepted
Dr. Sprague is committed to helping individuals get the counseling and psychotherapy they need. That's why we accept most insurance plans, including:
- Blue Choice
- Preferred Care
- Excellus
- Fidelis (Centene 2018)
- Blue Cross and Blue Shield Plans
- Univera
- GHI
- Cigna
- Value Options
- Beacon Health Strategies
- And many private plans
Please check with your insurance provider or primary care physician if preauthorization is required to see a specialist for mental health services. If preauthorization is necessary and obtained, you will only be required to pay the remaining annual deductible (if there is one) and a per session copayment for an outpatient mental health office visit.