Frequently Asked Questions

  • What services do you offer?

    We provide evidence-based health psychology services to help individuals manage the emotional, behavioral, and psychological aspects of health conditions. Our goal is to help you improve your well-being, cope more effectively with health challenges, and make meaningful changes that support your physical and mental health.

    Services may include:

    • Health and wellness counseling to support healthy lifestyle changes and improve overall well-being

    • Chronic pain management, including strategies for coping with conditions such as fibromyalgia, migraines, back pain, and other persistent pain conditions

    • Support for chronic health conditions, including adjusting to diagnoses, managing symptoms, and improving quality of life

    • Stress management and resilience training to reduce the impact of stress on health and daily functioning

    • Sleep improvement interventions for insomnia and other sleep-related concerns

    • Behavior change support for goals related to physical activity, nutrition, medication adherence, and other health behaviors

    • Coping with medical treatments and procedures, including preparation for surgery and adjustment to ongoing medical care

    • Anxiety, depression, and emotional well-being support when these concerns are affecting health or quality of life

    • Mind-body approaches that help strengthen the connection between psychological and physical health

    We work collaboratively with clients to develop practical skills and strategies that promote lasting improvements in both physical and emotional well-being.

    If you are unsure whether health psychology services are right for you, we encourage you to contact us for a complimentary consultation. We would be happy to discuss your concerns and determine how we can best support you.

  • Exceptional care starts with a conversation. We invite you to reach out by phone, email, or through our contact form to schedule a complimentary 20-minute consultation. This initial conversation provides an opportunity to discuss your concerns, goals, and what you are looking for in treatment, while also allowing us to determine whether our practice is the right fit for your needs.

    Should we decide to move forward together, we will schedule a comprehensive initial appointment designed to develop a deeper understanding of your health history, current challenges, strengths, and goals. From there, we will create a treatment plan tailored to your unique circumstances and priorities.

    At McLean Health Psychology Specialists, we intentionally maintain a limited caseload to ensure that every client receives individualized attention, thoughtful care, and an exceptional treatment experience.

    We believe meaningful change begins with the right partnership. Contact us today to explore how we can support your journey toward greater health, resilience, and well-being.

  • At McLean Health Psychology Specialists, we believe exceptional care begins with truly understanding the connection between physical health and emotional well-being. Our practice was intentionally designed around a model that emphasizes a person-centered approach, clinical excellence, and a thoughtful, collaborative approach to care.

    Specialized Expertise in Health Psychology

    Health psychologists receive advanced training in the relationship between the mind and body, helping individuals navigate the emotional, behavioral, and physiological challenges associated with chronic medical conditions, pain, sleep difficulties, weight management, women's health concerns, and lifestyle change that impact health outcomes. While many psychologists provide general mental health treatment, health psychologists focus specifically on the psychological aspects of physical health and work closely with medical providers to support whole-person wellness.

    Treatment Experience Designed Around You

    Unlike larger practices that often prioritize volume, our model allows us to provide person-centered care. We intentionally maintain a limited caseload so that each client receives the time, attention, and continuity they deserve. Appointments are never rushed, treatment plans are designed to meet your unique goals, and care is delivered with warmth, discretion, and respect.

    Our approach is relationship-centered rather than transactional. We value accessibility, collaboration, and creating a calm, welcoming experience that reflects the level of care our clients expect.

    Board-Certified Expertise You Can Trust

    Dr. DeBoer is board certified in Clinical Health Psychology by the American Board of Professional Psychology (ABPP), the highest specialty credential available to psychologists in the United States. Board certification signifies advanced competence beyond licensure and requires rigorous peer review, work sample evaluation, and examination by nationally recognized experts in the specialty.

    While all licensed psychologists meet professional standards for practice, only a small percentage pursue and achieve ABPP board certification. For clients seeking highly specialized, evidence-based care, board certification provides an additional level of assurance that they are working with a psychologist who has demonstrated advanced expertise and a commitment to the highest standards of clinical excellence.

  • We strive to make connecting with our practice simple, convenient, and responsive. You may reach us by phone, secure online contact form, or email. Whether you are interested in scheduling an appointment, have questions about our services, or would like to explore whether our practice is the right fit for your needs, we are happy to help.

    Because we intentionally maintain a concierge-style practice with a limited caseload, we are often with clients during business hours and may be unable to answer calls immediately. However, every inquiry is personally reviewed, and we make every effort to respond promptly.

    For those considering treatment, we offer a complimentary 20-minute consultation to discuss your goals, answer questions, and determine whether our services align with your needs. We believe that finding the right therapeutic relationship is important, and we are committed to making the process welcoming, thoughtful, and seamless from your very first contact.

    Please note that email and website inquiries should not be used for urgent or emergency situations. If you are experiencing a medical or psychiatric emergency, please call 911 or go to your nearest emergency department.

  • McLean Health Psychology Specialists is a private, self-pay practice. We have intentionally chosen not to participate with insurance networks so that we can provide evidence-based care without the limitations often imposed by third-party payers.

    Our fee-for-service model allows us to focus on quality rather than volume. Sessions are tailored to your individual needs, and treatment recommendations are guided by clinical expertise rather than insurance requirements or predetermined visit limits. This approach also provides an added level of privacy and discretion, as your personal health information is not routinely shared with insurance companies.

    Payment is due at the time of service, and fees vary depending on the type and length of the appointment. We are committed to transparency and will gladly discuss our fees with you before scheduling so that you can make informed decisions about your care.

    For clients with out-of-network benefits, we are happy to provide a superbill upon request. While reimbursement cannot be guaranteed, many insurance plans offer partial reimbursement for services received from licensed psychologists.

    Our clients value the flexibility that a self-pay model affords.

  • We intentionally maintain a limited caseload so that we can provide thoughtful, attentive care tailored to your unique needs and goals. Sessions are never rushed, and treatment is guided by evidence-based approaches while remaining flexible enough to address the complexities of real life.

    Working with us is an active and collaborative process. Rather than simply treating symptoms, we strive to understand the whole person—your medical history, lifestyle, stressors, values, and aspirations—and develop a treatment plan that reflects what matters most to you. Whether you are managing a chronic health condition, navigating a major life transition, improving sleep, or pursuing long-term wellness goals, we work together to create sustainable, meaningful change.

    Clients often describe our style as compassionate, approachable, and practical. We value warmth and authenticity, while also bringing the expertise and clinical rigor expected from a board-certified health psychologist. You can expect a relationship built on trust, respect, and genuine partnership—one that empowers you to live with greater health, resilience, and well-being.

    Above all, we believe that exceptional care should feel both highly professional and deeply human. From your first consultation to every step of your journey, our goal is to provide an experience that is thoughtful, supportive, and centered entirely around you.

  • Medical hypnosis is an evidence-based clinical intervention that uses focused attention and guided therapeutic techniques to help individuals influence the relationship between the mind and body. Contrary to common misconceptions, hypnosis is not mind control or unconsciousness. Rather, it is a natural state of heightened concentration that allows individuals to access their own capacity for learning, relaxation, and positive change.

    When provided by a licensed psychologist with specialized training, medical hypnosis is integrated with established psychological treatments and tailored to each individual's needs. Throughout the process, you remain aware, in control, and able to stop at any time. Most people experience hypnosis as a deeply relaxing and calming experience.

    Medical hypnosis has been supported by decades of research and is commonly used as part of a comprehensive treatment plan for a variety of health conditions, including:

    • Chronic pain conditions, including fibromyalgia, migraines, headaches, arthritis, and back pain

    • Irritable bowel syndrome and other disorders of gut-brain interaction

    • Sleep difficulties and insomnia

    • Anxiety, stress-related symptoms, and adjustment to chronic illness

    • Weight management and health behavior change

    • Smoking cessation and other health habits

    • Preparation for surgery and recovery from medical procedures

    • Cancer-related symptoms, including pain, nausea, and fatigue*

    • Hot flashes and other women's health concerns

    • Functional neurological symptoms and psychophysiological conditions

    Medical hypnosis is not intended to replace medical care, but rather to complement it by addressing the powerful connections between the mind and body. Many clients find that hypnosis enhances their ability to manage symptoms, reduce stress, improve sleep, and cultivate greater resilience in the face of health challenges.

    At McLean Health Psychology Specialists, hypnosis is delivered within the context of comprehensive, evidence-based care by a board-certified health psychologist.

    *Hypnosis is not a cure for cancer or any other medical condition.

  • Fibromyalgia is a complex condition that affects both physical and emotional functioning. Many individuals with fibromyalgia struggle with widespread pain, fatigue, unrefreshing sleep, "fibro fog," stress sensitivity, difficulties with physical activity, and the frustration of feeling misunderstood or dismissed. Over time, these symptoms can affect relationships, work, mood, and overall quality of life.

    At McLean Health Psychology Specialists, we view fibromyalgia through a whole-person lens. Rather than focusing on a single symptom, our goal is to help you develop a comprehensive self-management program that empowers you to take an active role in your health and improve day-to-day functioning. Treatment is designed to address the interconnected factors that influence pain and symptom severity.

    Working together, we develop practical strategies to help you:

    • Manage pain and flare-ups more effectively

    • Improve sleep quality and restore energy

    • Reduce stress and calm an overactive nervous system

    • Address "fibro fog" and cognitive difficulties

    • Pace activities and avoid the boom-and-bust cycle

    • Increase physical activity in a sustainable way

    • Strengthen coping skills and emotional resilience

    • Improve communication with loved ones and healthcare providers

    • Reclaim meaningful activities and enhance quality of life

    Treatment often incorporates evidence-based approaches such as cognitive behavioral therapy, medical hypnosis, relaxation training, biofeedback, behavioral medicine, and lifestyle interventions. Rather than offering temporary fixes, we focus on helping you build lifelong skills that support health, resilience, and symptom management.

  • No. As licensed psychologists, we do not prescribe medication. Our expertise lies in the assessment and treatment of the behavioral, emotional, and physiological factors that influence health and well-being.