​

Dr. Heidi Pernitz has acquired experience in many different professional and clinical settings. She offers evaluation and therapy for children, adolescents, adults, couples, and families with a variety of mental health concerns. Dr. Pernitz focuses on achieving a balance throughout the therapeutic process so that self-exploration, personal growth, and positive changes occur.  In addition, Dr. Pernitz provides psychological, neuropsychological, and gastric bypass evaluations to clarify diagnoses, understand barriers to progress in therapy, and provide insight into coping effectively.

 

Dr. Pernitz’s work in a community mental health center and substance abuse clinic contributed to an improved quality of care to individuals and their families who are adversely affected by mental illness, addiction, disability, and other psychological factors. She gained skills and knowledge that focus on recovery through treatment to help you develop a sense of hope, empowerment, meaning, and supportive relationships. 

 

Dr. Pernitz also has experience providing evaluation and therapy in residential and inpatient settings with people who suffer from chronic mental illness, morbid obesity, autism, catastrophic injuries and illnesses, brain injuries, neurobehavioral impairments and other complex medical diagnoses and behavioral difficulties. She believes that individualized psychological and neuropsychological evaluations are important in addition to treatment, and she believes that ongoing support and care from the community contribute to recovery.

 

Areas of Expertise

Dr. Pernitz offers evaluation and treatment in the following areas:

 

• Mood and anxiety-related disorders

• Eating disorders

• Personality disorders

• Traumatic brain injury

• Substance abuse

• Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder

• Attention-Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder

• Autism spectrum disorders

• Schizophrenia and other psychotic disorders

• Couples and family therapy

 

Clinical Therapy

Dr. Pernitz’s approach to treatment is evidenced-based and includes a comprehensive look at how thoughts, behaviors, and feelings play a role in everyday lives. She believes that an individualized, strength-based treatment plan and a trustworthy therapeutic relationship will not only lead to understanding areas for personal growth but also to achieving success in treatment. Dr. Pernitz also promotes thorough care by collaborating with any medical, legal or other professionals that may play a role in an individual’s care.

 

Evaluations

Dr. Pernitz performs many different types of evaluations in her practice. The overall purpose of each of her evaluations is to pinpoint difficulties that interfere with an individual’s ability to cope and relate to others successfully. She then focuses on recommendations that will contribute to personal success and well being. Dr. Pernitz also provides therapy services after evaluations.

 

Dr. Pernitz provides specific evaluation services in the following areas:

 

• Psychological and neuropsychological

• Learning disorders

• Gastric bypass

• Functional and behavioral

• Vocational and employment

 

A neuropsychological assessment is one example of the type of evaluations Dr. Pernitz offers. This assessment focuses on identifying your strengths and weaknesses in the areas of intelligence, memory, attention, language, and executive function. Another example involves vocational or employment evaluations, which involve exploration of your interests, values, motivations, and skills to highlight potential success and satisfaction with career options and work environments. During a gastric bypass evaluation, Dr. Pernitz achieves a perspective of psychological history, dieting patterns, eating behaviors, and physical activity to accomplish positive post-operative results.

 

Education

• B.A., University of Wisconsin-Milwaukee, Psychology

• M.A., Cardinal Stritch University, Clinical Psychology

• Psy.D., Wisconsin School of Professional Psychology, Clinical Psychology

​

Memberships

• American Psychological Association, Member