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Thanks for visiting our website. If you are considering psychotherapeutic services please review the information below to see if you feel we could assist you. If you have questions about our practice or about either of our clinicians please call us or send us a message below.
Our approach at Bluestem reflects an attempt to understand and respond effectively to the great diversity of individuals and problem situations that we face. Each individual and the challenges he or she faces are so unique that it is difficult to summarize one approach that we employ in our work. However, that being said, our initial goal is to help the individual understand what is occurring in their life, why it has developed to the point that they feel a need to seek therapeutic services, and to begin identifying what changes may need to occur to allow them to move forward. Sometimes the problems are lifelong struggles born in early life trauma or deprivation. Other times the problems are more immediate and follow from abrupt changes at work, in their relationships, or in their health. Once we feel we have understood the problem sufficiently we begin to explore the types of changes necessary to allow the individual to grow beyond this struggle and either return to or, perhaps for the first time, move into a healthier, less distressing, and more adaptive way of relating to themselves and others. While the length of this process varies considerably, we will be able to provide you a reasonably accurate estimate of the duration of therapy needed to achieve your stated goals. And, if we feel we are not able to provide you the services necessary to achieve your goals, we’ll work with you to try to find alternative resources that may be able to help you.
David G. Sprenkel, Ph.D., is a licensed psychologist who has practiced in Beaver, PA for over ten years. Prior to his work in Beaver, Dr. Sprenkel worked in his native Kansas, in Pittsburgh, PA and in Philadelphia, PA. He received his doctorate from the University of South Dakota, completed his internship at the Palo Alto VAMC in California and his postdoctoral fellowship at the Philadelphia Geriatric Center.
Dr. Sprenkel works with adults and couples and employs a variety of treatment approaches, including Cognitive behavioral therapy (i.e. CBT) and psychodynamic therapy. He is a member of the American Psychological Association, the Pennsylvania Psychological Association, and the Society for Psychotherapy Research.
Susan Preston, LCSW, is a licensed clinical social worker who has been in practice for over 30 years. She is a graduate of Pennsylvania State University and earned her MSW degree at the University of Pittsburgh. In order to provide quality care to children, families, and couples, Sue completed a 2 year post-master’s training program and obtained a certification in marital and family therapy from the University of Pittsburgh. She has worked in a variety of settings throughout her career. Cognitive behavioral therapy is her primary treatment approach, but other modalities are also used based on the specific needs of the individual(s). Sue is an accredited member of the National Association of Social Workers and is licensed to practice in Pennsylvania. Providing quality behavioral health services to adults, adolescents, and children has been her life’s work.