Search Results

Dr. Amanda Stanley, Ph.D, L.P. and her staff of clinicians provide in-person and remote diagnostic evaluation & therapy in the Dallas-Fort Worth area and beyond with an office located in Mansfield, Texas. Stanley Psychology treats a variety of conditions for patients of all ages, both individually and in group settings. Psychology Services Stanley Psychology offers a variety of services that are personalized for each patient. DIAGNOSTIC EVALUATION Stanley Psychology provides diagnostic evaluation services for adults, adolescents, and children. Typical evaluations include general mental health, substance abuse, forensic evaluations for licensing boards, bariatric, veteran's benefits, behavioral concerns, learning disabilities, and adult and childhood ADHD. PSYCHOTHERAPY Psychotherapy offers a chance for personal transformation, relief from distress and emotional suffering, and progress towards a better life. At Stanley Psychology, our clinicians are continuously learning and evaluating the best way to serve our patients. A variety of mental health conditions are treated for adults, adolescents, and children, ranging from general adjustment disorders to severe mental illness. Therapy sessions are offered both in person and virtually. MENTAL HEALTH AND CONSULTING INTENSIVES Looking for a focused opportunity to jump-start your healing journey? Or are you a professional or student seeking guidance with private practice start-up or doctoral program applications? Intensive services are provided directly by the psychologist and practice owner and are designed to offer targeted, high-impact support in a condensed format. Intensive services are offered at a flat rate of $1,500, which includes one four-hour intensive session and one additional one-hour follow-up session, to be completed within 60 days of the initial intensive. Intensives are available for the following areas: • Treatment of anxiety disorders and trauma-related conditions, including PTSD • Consultation for early-career psychologists or those transitioning into private practice • Coaching and mentorship for individuals pursuing doctoral-level training who are seeking support with applications and professional development Learn More Areas of Focus See below to view some of the many mental health conditions that we can help you manage. This is not an exclusive list of issues and mental illnesses that w e treat here at Stanley Psychology. Please reach out if you have any questions. TRAUMA, ABUSE, & PTSD Confronting traumatic events like physical or sexual assault, abuse, military warfare, and more. DOMESTIC VIOLANCE AND SEXUAL ASSAULT Helping with the recovery from physical, emotional, and sexual victimization. MOOD & ANXIETY DISORDERS Alleviating mental illnesses like depression, anxiety, OCD, bipolar disorder, phobias, and more. BEHAVIORAL CONCERNS Treating disruptive disorders such as ADHD, aggression, impulse control issues, sleeping issues, and more. TESTING & EVALUATION Conducting psychological tests and assessments, evaluations for licensing boards, and more. MORE QUESTIONS? CONTACT US

Dr. Amanda Stanley, Ph.D, L.P. and her staff of clinicians provide in-person and remote diagnostic evaluation & therapy in the Dallas-Fort Worth area and beyond with an office located in Mansfield, Texas. Stanley Psychology treats a variety of conditions for patients of all ages, both individually and in group settings. IMPORTANT ANNOUNCEMENT: Due to recent practice expansion, there are immediate openings available for new patients. We look forward to connecting with you! Contact Us DIAGNOSTIC EVALUATION // PSYCHOTHERAPY REQUEST AN APPOINTMENT TO STANLEY PSYCHOLOGY welcome Dr. Amanda Stanley, Ph.D, L.P. CLINICAL PSYCHOLOGIST AND OWNER OF STANLEY PSYCHOLOGY I'm Amanda, a Clinical Psychologist and Owner of Stanley Psychology currently serving the Dallas-Fort Worth area and beyond with an office in Mansfield, Texas. I am so glad that you are taking steps toward improving the conditions of your experiences! We are a dedicated team of mental health professionals, each with diverse areas of expertise, committed to helping navigate life’s challenges and improve emotional well-being. We offer evidenced-based, personalized care designed to support your mental and emotional growth. As psychological providers, we have a passion for evaluation; we enjoy putting all the pieces together to assist clients in better understanding their experiences and emotions. We perform a multitude of diagnostic assessments, and also conduct in-person and remote therapy for a variety of conditions. Please contact us today to find the right solution for your wellbeing! LEARN ABOUT MY STORY MISSION STATEMENT To improve the experiences and wellbeing of others through high quality, empirically supported treatment unique to each patient. VALUES Stanley Psychology commits to being... authentic welcoming dedicated I have seen many therapists and nobody has been able to help me...until I found Dr. Amanda Stanley. Dr. Stanley has brought light and hope into my frequently dark world. I finally have hope for a much happier and brighter life.

Dr. Amanda Stanley, Ph.D, L.P. and her staff of clinicians provide in-person and remote diagnostic evaluation & therapy in the Dallas-Fort Worth area and beyond with an office located in Mansfield, Texas. Stanley Psychology treats a variety of conditions for patients of all ages, both individually and in group settings. Join Our Team Stanley Psychology is expanding! We are currently searching for Licensed Clinicians, Provisionally-Licensed Clinicians, and Practicum Clinicians who are passionate about mental health care to join our team. Please see below for more information. Available Positions We are currently accepting inquiries for the following positions: Licensed Clinicians (Psychologists, LPAs, LPCs, etc.) Provisionally-licensed clinicians pursuing full licensure requiring supervision Practicum Clinicians: graduate student clinicians seeking practicum placements Practicum students enrolled in fully online training programs are not eligible for practicum positions at this time. WHAT WE LOOK FOR Commitment and passion for providing mental health care to clients as an empathetic, attentive practitioner Leaders looking to develop as a clinician and meet professional career goals regardless of level of experience or education Willingness to adapt or change treatment plans and communication styles depending on the patient's ne eds Ability to support team members and provide professional guidance or collaboration when applicable WHAT WE OFFER Formal clinical supervision and support from a licensed psychologist and practice owner with 15+ years of experience A professional, well decorated, and clean space for appointments and day-to-day work Independent decision making with your schedule and clients A close knit team of experienced clinicians that will foster clinical growth and provide positive company culture Individual growth opportunities in an expanding practice Interested? Contact Us! First Name Last Name Email Tell us about your education and experience, highest level of degree earned (and when), and how long you have been practicing. Please specify if you are a student and your anticipated date of degree. What licenses and certifications do you have, and which professional organizations do you belong to if any? What are your specific clinical interests, both specialties (such as marriage or behavioral therapy) and population preference (such as age or gender)? Is there anything else you would like to add? Submit Thank you for your interest! You will hear from us soon! Or Apply Here! Join Our Team! Our Office Space LOCATED IN HISTORIC MANSFIELD, TEXAS

Jessica Simonetti, M.S.   We all most likely know someone with a smartphone. We all also most likely know someone who is always on their phone and never seems to have the ability to set it down. They seem to be addicted to being on their phone at all times. Maybe this person is you or maybe it’s someone you know, but one thing is for sure: there is increased research that suggests using a smartphone or other electronic devices can cause symptoms congruent with an addiction and can potentially cause an increase in ADHD in adults. Smartphone addiction, also known as problematic or compulsive smartphone use, refers to excessive and compulsive use of smartphones or other mobile devices, often to the detriment of one's well-being, relationships, and daily functioning. While smartphones offer numerous benefits such as communication, access to information, and entertainment, excessive use can lead to negative consequences. Some signs of addiction to a cell phone include: Preoccupation: Constantly thinking about or feeling the urge to use the phone, even in inappropriate or unsafe situations. Excessive Use: Spending an excessive amount of time on the phone, often at the expense of other activities such as work, school, or socializing. Withdrawal Symptoms: Experiencing anxiety, irritability, or distress when unable to use the phone, such as when the battery dies or there is no internet connection. Loss of Control: Difficulty controlling phone use despite efforts to cut back or limit usage. Negative Impact on Relationships: Neglecting relationships with family and friends or experiencing conflict with loved ones due to excessive phone use. Negative Impact on Health: Physical symptoms such as eyestrain, headaches, neck or back pain, and disrupted sleep patterns due to excessive screen time. Impaired Functioning: Decline in academic or work performance, decreased productivity, or neglect of responsibilities due to excessive phone use. Escapism: Using the phone as a means of escaping from stress, boredom, or negative emotions. Previous research indicates that 15% of young American adults aged 18 to 29 rely heavily on their smartphones for online connectivity, with 46% viewing their smartphones as indispensable (Smith, 2015). Toma et. al (2022) completed a study that looked at the effects of smartphone addiction on adult ADHD symptoms and well-being of the user. They found that in connection with smartphone addiction, there was a moderately adverse correlation with well-being and a significantly positive association with symptoms of adult ADHD. Similar findings have been documented by other researchers investigating the repercussions of excessive or problematic utilization of electronic devices—such as addictive conduct contributing to diminished well-being and mental health complications. This can likely be attributed to some of the key traits of ADHD being linked to addictive and problematic behaviors that can occur with smartphone addiction. Another study done by Panagiotidi and Overton (2020) had a sample comprising of 273 healthy adult volunteers who took assessments using the Adult ADHD Self-Report Scale (ASRS), the Mobile Phone Problem Usage Scale (MPPUS), and the Smartphone Addiction Scale (SAS). A noteworthy positive correlation emerged between the ASRS and both scales. Notably, symptoms of inattention and age emerged as predictors of the propensity for smartphone addiction and problematic mobile phone usage. Their findings indicated a favorable association between traits indicative of ADHD and problematic utilization of mobile phones. As you can see, recent studies have revealed a notable overlap between smartphone addiction and ADHD symptoms in adults. Individuals with ADHD may be more susceptible to excessive smartphone use due to factors such as impulsivity, poor impulse control, and difficulty in maintaining attention. However, both smartphone addiction and ADHD can manifest with similar symptoms, and this overlap can sometimes make it challenging to distinguish between the two conditions. The important thing to note is the co-occurrence of smartphone addiction and ADHD can have detrimental effects on various aspects of adult functioning, including work, relationships, and mental well-being. So what can you do if this all sounds similar to what you are experiencing? A big first step is to first admit that you need help. There is nothing wrong with reaching this point and needing help to work past these issues you are facing.  Treatment requires a comprehensive approach that addresses both the smartphone addiction and ADHD symptoms simultaneously. This may involve things such as cognitive-behavioral therapy (CBT) techniques to modify problematic smartphone use patterns and other interventions to manage ADHD symptoms such as medication, psychoeducation, and skills training. Your therapist will work with you to provide education about the relationship between smartphone addiction and ADHD, as well as teach you coping strategies and alternative ways of managing ADHD symptoms. Mindfulness-based interventions, such as mindfulness meditation and progressive muscle relaxation, can help individuals develop greater self-awareness, reduce stress, and improve attentional control. These techniques can be particularly beneficial for managing impulsivity and regulating emotions. It is also important to establish clear boundaries and limitations around your smartphone use, such as setting specific times for phone-free activities or implementing times where your phone is not on for any reason in certain environments. This can help reduce reliance on smartphones and promote healthier habits. Overall, recognizing the interplay between smartphone addiction and ADHD in adults is essential for providing effective intervention and support. By addressing both conditions concurrently, clinicians can help individuals suffering with symptoms in these areas improve their functioning and quality of life again.   Jessica is accepting new therapy patients. Please reach out to Stanley Psychology to inquire about services! References Panagiotidi, M., & Overton, P. (2020). Attention deficit hyperactivity symptoms predict problematic mobile phone use. Current Psychology, 41(5), 2765–2771. https://doi.org/10.1007/s12144-020-00785-2 Smith, A. (2015, April 1). U.S. smartphone use in 2015. Pew Research Center: Internet, Science & Tech. http://www.pewinternet.org/2015/04/01/us-smartphone-use-in-2015/ Toma, R. A., Anderson, C. A., Matichescu, M., Franţ, A., Almǎjan-Guţă, B., Cândea, A., & Bailey, K. (2022). Effects of media use, smart phone addiction, and adult ADHD symptoms on wellbeing of college students during the COVID-19 lockdown: Dispositional hope as a protective factor. Frontiers in Psychology, 13. https://doi.org/10.3389/fpsyg.2022.1019976

Welcome to Stanley Psychology! I'm Dr. Stanley, but I tend to be informal - most of my patients call me Amanda. I want to welcome you to our practice. I am excited to be establishing our practice in Historic Downtown Mansfield, Texas, to embrace the charm of the area and community culture. We want our practice to feel comfortable for our patients and like a second home, rather than having too much of a medical feel. I truly believe the best healing begins with being comfortable and that starts with the treatment environment. I am also happy to announce we will continue remote services for those who prefer to attend virtual sessions. Many psychology group practices focus on a single area of expertise throughout their clinicians; meaning, that the whole practice has a specific specialty. This works great for some practices. However, when expanding my practice, I wanted to embrace the diversity in specialties for clinicians, leading us to serve a wider range of patients. Individuals who practice in the mental health field tend to be generalists; meaning, they are equipped to treat a wide variety of issues, as we all are here. However, each clinician also brings specialties to the practice. For myself, I specialize in trauma and substance abuse treatment. Morgan Flores, one of our therapists, specializes with couples and families, Christian counseling, and women’s issues. Morgan Brown, one of our other therapists, specializes in treating anxiety, self-esteem concerns, and is our child expert in the practice treating children ages 4+. In addition, as clinicians trained in the science of psychology, we are all experienced in conducting testing or psychological evaluations, which is something unique to our specific field. We are also always looking to hire new clinicians to bring additional specialties to our practice. In our office, each therapist utilizes a base of Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT) with additional modalities utilized depending on clinician and case circumstances. All treatment is supervised by me, allowing each patient to have access to both a psychologist and their treating therapist throughout their mental health journey. We are also excited to be offering group therapy for various concerns- keep an eye out on our social medias and in-office for information! We are delighted you are here- welcome in! Dr. Amanda Stanley

Morgan Brown, M.S. Let’s say you have a child that is, for all intents and purposes, a loose cannon. They are constantly having temper tantrums about who knows what. They are always yelling and crying about seemingly insignificant changes to their schedule. They have a nighttime routine that takes 20 minutes to get through because they must know if the door is locked, the windows are locked, the car is locked, the refrigerator door is closed, the lights are turned off (but not the one in the hallway), and there is a clear path from their room to your room that they could take in the dark in case of emergencies. They come across as difficult, emotionally sensitive, manipulative, and defiant. But, if you think about it for a second, could it be that this child is just feeling overly anxious? It goes without saying, but children and adults are very different. As we grow, we mature in understanding ourselves, our feelings, and how to verbalize that connection. That being said, emotions and their expressions are going to look different between a child and a mature adult or even an adolescent. For example, if an adult is feeling sad, most of the time, they are able to verbalize what has caused them to feel sad (grieving a loss, hurt feelings, disappointment, etc.). However, children may not be able to pinpoint the cause of their sadness; they just know that they feel sad! This also applies to other emotions, including anxiety. A study conducted by Suveg and Zeman (2004) on anxiety in children found that children with anxiety disorders “had difficulty managing worried, sad, and anger experiences, potentially due to their report of experiencing emotions with high intensity and having little confidence in their ability to regulate this arousal.” Not only does high anxiety bring difficulty with regulating emotions, but it also brings low self-esteem and low confidence in the ability to tolerate the anxiety. No wonder anxious children come across as difficult and defiant. There is a lot going on in their young brains and bodies! It has been established that anxiety in children is expressed in different ways, but what are those ways? Here are some common expressions of anxiety and worry in children. Anger Anger is a common expression of anxiety in children, and it makes sense when you think about it. As you most likely know, anxiety is a strong (or big) emotion. Imagine having that anxiety with no idea as to what you are feeling or how to verbalize what you are feeling. It would be frustrating, right? And add to that frustration that you also have authority figures who do not understand what you are experiencing, giving orders or punishments, further increasing that anxiety and feeling of being overwhelmed. That’s when the child becomes extremely frustrated and angry with no obvious cause for anger. Chandeliering Brene Brown (2015) defined chandeliering as being the moment when a seemingly calm person suddenly flies off the handle. This occurs when someone makes an innocent comment or people are simply going about their business when the child erupts in a temper tantrum. What caused it? Anxiety. When children feel unequipped to handle or verbalize their worry or anxiety, they may push it down, but we can only hold so much before we are sent straight through the chandelier. Restlessness Most of us have heard about the Fight or Flight Response to danger, but what happens when we feel afraid as if we are in danger, but we have nothing to fight or run from? Well, we have excess energy with no outlet. This situation can result in hyperactivity or jittery movements. Controlling Behaviors There is fear in uncertainty. When we feel as though we have no control over our situation, in order to ease the fear, we want to take control of it. For children, this may look like they are being demanding, rude, bossy, or aggressive. In reality, they are just trying to gain a sense of safety in their world by taking control of situations that make them feel uncomfortable. Clinginess I think it goes without saying, but we tend to feel the safest with those who provide our needs, which for most of us, is our parents. In children, this may look like stubborn clinginess, but really, it is the child trying to calm their anxiety by going to their safe place. Tummy Aches, Headaches, or Sore Muscles Does your child frequently complain about an upset stomach or headache when they wake up in the morning? It may seem like they are just trying to get out of going to school (and maybe they are), but for some, it is their physical body dealing with anxiety. When we feel that we are in danger, the stress hormone, Cortisol, is released in our bodies. Two places that this hormone is released are in (you guessed it!) the head and the stomach. Nighttime is scary for a lot of kids, so Cortisol might have been settling into their little bodies through the night. Additionally, the body tenses when one is anxious, and when your muscles are tensed for a long time, it creates soreness. Your child might not be lying, they may really not feel good in the mornings! Trouble Sleeping Speaking of nighttime, anxiety tends to increase at night for a lot of children. It’s dark and quiet; the perfect recipe for growing anxiety. When you’re anxious, your mind is reeling, and not wanting to slow down and go to sleep. This leaves your child tossing and turning through the night, or going to bed late/waking up early. Having been the child described at the beginning, I know what helped me process and regulate my anxious behaviors when I was a kid. Here are a few things that you can do to help your anxious child. Create a safe space for emotional expression. Allowing your child to feel the emotions they are experiencing in a safe space and talking to them about those feelings is beneficial for their confidence and emotional maturity. Educate them on different emotions and what they feel like This allows your child to understand what they are feeling in order to verbalize their needs, decreasing their need for meltdowns. If they know how (and are encouraged) to tell you what they are feeling and what they need, they will be less likely to see a tantrum as their only way to bring attention to their needs. Create a fear (or worry) box For a child who has a lot of fears, this is a great tool. Grab an empty box and have your child decorate it however they like. This will be their Fear/Worry Box. Whenever they have a fear or a worry that day, they can write it or draw it on a piece of paper and put it in the box. You can either keep the fear in the box because when it’s in the box, it can’t get back out! Or you can designate a time to go through the box together with your child and talk through all of the fears and worries they have had, providing reassurance and support. Once they have been talked about, they can be ripped up and thrown away because those worries are NOT here to stay! Practice breathing exercises and mindfulness Taking slow deep breaths: In (like you’re smelling a flower) and out (like you’re blowing a bubble) is a good way to calm down when you’re feeling anxious and it’s an exercise that can be done no matter where you’re child is. Simple yoga stretches (downward dog, cow pose, cat pose, child pose, rainbow stretch, etc.) are also a great way of refocusing the mind and slowing down anxious thoughts. Regular therapy Finally, having your child involved in therapy sessions, whether every week, every other week, or once a month would be beneficial to help your child learn healthy coping skills and emotional regulation. It also gives your child a safe space to express and process emotions that they may not feel comfortable talking about with those whom they see every day. Anxiety is a big emotion, but it is not impossible to manage. There is hope for highly anxious children and for your family. Growth is possible! Morgan is currently accepting new patients! If you are interested in services with Morgan, please contact our office and our Patient Care Coordinator will assist you. Citations: Brown, B. (2015). Rising strong. Vermilion. Suveg, C. & Zeman, J. (2004). Emotion regulation in children with anxiety disorders, Journal of Clinical Child & Adolescent Psychology, 33:4, 750-759.