Who i am
My Psychology Practice
My 45+ years of experience enables me to offer effective psychological consultation. I have treated about every type of mental health disorders and can offer guidance and recommendations to help. I have worked extensively with all ages from preschoolers, children, adolescents, adults and the elderly.
I have consulted with industry, business and nonprofit organizations and schools from preschool through Universities and professional schools.. In addition, I have worked extensively with the courts (Forensic Psychology) in all manners of civil, criminal and family law.
psychological expertise
Dr. Frank Cushing is a Licensed Clinical Psychologist & Certified School Psychologist who has provided quality mental health services to the Rockford area for 40+ years. He has evaluated and treated thousands of children, adolescents and adults for emotional, behavioral and learning problems. He evaluates and treats conditions such as ADHD, learning disabilities, Autism, & mood disorders, such as depression and bipolar disorder, as well as anxiety disorders including post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD). Dr. Cushing has also conducted hundreds of child custody evaluations.
Dr. Cushing is a veteran of the United States Air Force, where he served honorably in Air Force Intelligence as a Russian Language Specialist during the Vietnam War. After his military service, he earned a bachelor's degree in psychology from Emporia State University, a master's degree in school psychology from The Ohio State University and his doctorate in psychology from Northern Illinois University. He also completed a post-doctoral fellowship through the Wisconsin Sex Offender Treatment Network, where he was trained in the evaluation and treatment of all types of sex offenders.
In addition to his private practice, Dr. Cushing has taught various psychology courses at the University of Illinois College of Medicine, Northern Illinois University and Illinois State University. He has lectured on anger management and forensic psychology to thousands of psychiatrists, psychologists, social workers and attorneys throughout the United States. Dr. Cushing has spoken to schools, PTO's and other local parent and teacher groups about a wide range of psychological topics during the course of his career.
Dr. Cushing welcomes questions from children, adolescents and adults about any mental health issues. Students, parents, teachers or employers can also submit their questions about personal or work problems, school difficulties or behavior concerns to: fecdlc@gmail.com
FORENSIC PSYCHOLOGY
FORENSIC (COURT ORDERED) EVALUATIONS
Forensic psychology is the interface between psychology and the law. Dr. Frank Cushing has considerable training and experience in forensic evaluations and expert witness testimony. he has worked with prosecutors and defense attorneys in both the state and federal systems. He has testified in the following states: Illinois, Wisconsin, Indiana, Ohio, Michigan, and New York.
Dr. Frank Cushing has performed hundreds of forensic evaluations assessing issues such as:
Criminal
- Competency to Stand Trial
- Competency to Waive Miranda (i.e., Competency to Confess)
- Mental State at the Time of the Offense (e.g., Criminal Responsibility/Not Guilty by Reason of Insanity)
- Diminished Capacity (mens rea)
- Violence Risk Assessment
- Sexual Dangerousness
- Sex Offender Evaluation (treatment needs)
- Juvenile Waiver to Adult Court (i.e., trying a juvenile as an adult)
Civil
- Child Custody and/or 604(b) Evaluations
- Personal-Psychological Injury (e.g., PTSD)
- Psychological Autopsy
- Competency to Execute a Will or Testamentary Capacity
- Parenting Assessments/Guardianship
- Workers' Compensation
- Fitness for Duty
- Social Security Disability
- FOID Card Evaluation Mental Health Certification
- Educational Hearings (e.g., IEP/disability issues, manifestation hearings)
In addition, Dr. Frank Cushing provides timely and well-written reports that specifically answer the questions of the court and/or attorney. His expert witness testimony is highly professional, easily understood by judges and juries, and based on well-researched clinical information as it relates to specific state and federal statutes.
For more information about about forensic evaluations, please contact Dr. Cushing by phone or email
Site Content
Why I don't accept insurance for services
I do not accept any health insurance for my services. My practice is not compatible with the insurance industry. In that psychologists or other mental health professionals are required to provide a psychiatric (mental illness) diagnosis, symptoms, behaviors and treatment plans to get paid, I have found that often such information prevents some clients from pursuing certain career paths (government jobs, military, aviation industry , law-enforcement, and others) that require background checks. In addition, one might be required to share their diagnosis in future job interviews or on college and professional graduate school applications. Getting a FOID card to legally possess firearms can also be negatively affected by a mental health diagnosis. In addition, insurance companies can and often do require treatment notes which presents issues with confidentiality. Also, when it comes time to renew insurance, switch plans, or if young adults seek insurance on their own policy instead of their parents’, the client may be charged higher premiums or denied coverage of certain problems due to “pre-existing conditions.“
Also, the time, energy, effort, and control over the number of sessions as well as the often extensive paperwork and reduced fees from insurance companies are not things I care to deal with at the stage of my career.
Announce coming events
Having a big sale, on-site celebrity, or other event? Be sure to announce it so everybody knows and gets excited about it.
Display real testimonials
Are your customers raving about you on social media? Share their great stories to help turn potential customers into loyal ones.
Promote current deals
Running a holiday sale or weekly special? Definitely promote it here to get customers excited about getting a sweet deal.
Share the big news
Have you opened a new location, redesigned your shop, or added a new product or service? Don't keep it to yourself, let folks know.
Display their FAQs
Customers have questions, you have answers. Display the most frequently asked questions, so everybody benefits.