Hillis Psychological Services, LLC.

Psychosis and complex mental health concerns can feel confusing, isolating, or frightening. Many people describe feeling disconnected from themselves, overwhelmed by their thoughts, or uncertain about how to move forward. You may feel unsure how to talk about what’s happening, or you may worry that others won’t understand. I specialize in supporting adults navigating psychosis and complex mental health challenges, offering a collaborative space where your experiences are taken seriously, treated with respect, and never dismissed. My work is focused on long‑term recovery, identity development, and helping you rebuild a sense of coherence and connection — at your pace, without pressure or judgment. ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- My Approach ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- People experiencing psychosis or complex mental health concerns often feel misunderstood — even in therapy. Many have worked with therapists who are kind and well‑meaning, but whose approaches were originally created for anxiety or depression, not for the confusion, disconnection, or identity shifts that are common among individuals who have experiences of complex mental health challenges. My approach is different because I use one of the only therapies specifically designed for psychosis and complex mental health experiences — not a model adapted from something else. It’s called Metacognitive Reflection and Insight Therapy (MERIT) —an evidence‑based approach designed specifically for psychosis. MERIT was built from the ground up for people who struggle to put their experiences into words, feel unsure how to make sense of what’s happening inside, or feel disconnected from themselves or others. I am a certified MERIT therapist, and I was trained directly by Dr. Paul Lysaker, the founder of the MERIT model and Institute. MERIT focuses on strengthening the abilities that psychosis can disrupt — like understanding your thoughts, emotions, relationships, and sense of self. Instead of telling you what to think or trying to “correct” your experiences, we explore them together at your own pace. This helps you reconnect with your identity, understand your emotions more clearly, and feel more grounded in your relationships and daily life. In addition, my background includes years of specialized work in a variety of settings, including psychosocial rehabilitation programs, inpatient and residential units, a university counseling center, and with an early psychosis intervention coordination team — all focused-on adults navigating psychosis, trauma, and serious mental health concerns. I spent the last nine years working at the Chillicothe VA Medical Center serving Veterans who presented with a variety of difficulties. I’ve also trained and supervised psychology students in MERIT and recovery‑oriented care, and I’ve published research on psychosis, lived experience of psychotherapy, trauma, and metacognition and am an active member of the MERIT Institute. This work reflects my long‑standing commitment to supporting people whose experiences are often misunderstood or oversimplified. In therapy, I offer a steady and non‑judgmental space where nothing is “too strange,” “too confusing,” or “too much.” We slow things down, explore what feels overwhelming, and help you build a clearer, more coherent sense of yourself. My goal is not just symptom relief — it’s long‑term recovery, meaning‑making, and helping you feel more connected to who you are and who you want to become. ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- How MERIT helps ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- MERIT is used to help you understand your thoughts, emotions, and relationships with more clarity. It is especially helpful for adults navigating psychosis‑related experiences, trauma, substance use concerns, or relational disconnection. MERIT helps to support recovery by strengthening identity, deepening insight, and improving your ability to understand yourself and others. This reflective approach leads to a deeper understanding of difficulties and supports more effective ways of addressing them. As you gain clarity about yourself, you naturally become better able to understand others — leading to healthier communication, stronger boundaries, and more meaningful connection. If you’d like to learn more about the MERIT model and its research foundation, you can visit: www.meritinstitute.org ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Common Experiences I Support: ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- - Hearing voices or internal experiences - Paranoia, fear, or mistrust - Feeling watched - Confusion or difficulty concentrating - Unusual beliefs or meaning‑making challenges - Feeling disconnected from identity - Trauma and overwhelming life events - Emotion regulation challenges - Relationship strain or disconnection - Identity exploration - Bipolar and other mood-related experiences - Schizophrenia‑spectrum experiences - Substance or alcohol use concerns - Recovery after crisis or hospitalization ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- What You Can Expect ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- - A calm, steady therapeutic space - Respect for your lived experience - Support that honors your pace - Clearer understanding of thoughts and emotions - Insight-driven conservations without pressure or judgment - More flexible, compassionate ways of relating - A stronger, more coherent sense of identity - Meaning‑making and coherence in your life story - A focus on long‑term growth and connection ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Why Private‑Pay Care Matters ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- As a private‑pay practice, I offer the flexibility, privacy, and depth of care that many clients prefer when they’re ready to prioritize their mental health on their own terms. Your goals — not insurance limitations — guide the work we do together. Although I am not in-network with insurance, I can provide documentation (known as a superbill) for clients to use out-of-network benefits. Payments can also be made from HSA and FSA accounts. ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Begin Recovery-Oriented Therapy ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- If your experiences are confusing, isolating, or hard to explain, you’re not broken — you are finding your way and trying to reconnect with the parts of yourself that might feel lost. You don’t have to navigate that process alone. If you are seeking a therapist, I’m here to support you when you are ready take your next step toward recovery. I offer in‑person therapy in Columbus, Ohio, and secure telehealth for adults anywhere in Ohio. - Schedule a free 15-minute consultation - Share your goals, concerns, and questions - Begin therapy at a pace that feels right for you - Choose in-person in Columbus, OH or telehealth appointments