Welcome!

Welcome to my website! I am a clinical psychologist in Houston, and I have been providing psychological services for teens (ages 15 and older) and adults for 17 years. My specialty areas include ADHD, anxiety, depression, and psychological evaluations.

I earned a bachelor’s degree from Harvard University and a master’s and PhD from the University of Houston. Prior to being a psychologist, I was a police officer for 24 years and I am a U.S. Army veteran.

If you would like more information to help you decide if I’m the best choice for your needs, please call me. I return all calls personally.

Psychotherapy

Individual Therapy

Individual therapy (sometimes called psychotherapy or counseling) is a process where people work one-on-one with a therapist to identify aspects of their lives that they would like to change. It includes setting personal goals and working toward the desired change. People seek therapy for many reasons. Stress from life challenges, dealing with depression or anxiety, self-esteem issues, and relationship problems are a few.

Many of the problems occur because of negative thinking habits. Your thoughts and beliefs play an important role in creating your emotions which lead to behavior choices. An important goal of therapy is to teach you that while you cannot control everything in your life, you can take control of how you think about and deal with things that happen. Learning to recognize negative thought patterns and replacing them with healthier ways of thinking can lead to improved mood and more effective ways of coping with life’s stress.

Psychological Evaluations

Emotional Problems and Personality Functioning

I use psychological evaluations for the same reason that medical doctors use tests like x-rays or MRI’s. They help me understand what is causing the problem and how to offer help. There are various reasons why testing might be beneficial. For example, if a person is having problems in personal relationships, psychological evaluations can help clarify whether he or she might be having trouble managing emotions or have poor relationship skills. Sometimes personality traits cause difficulties, and psychological tests can help identify them. Other tests show whether individuals are experiencing anxiety or depression.

Testing for ADHD/ADD

ADHD/ADD stands for Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder, and it is a condition that can cause problems in many areas of life. The symptoms may be different from one person to the next, because not everyone with ADHD has all the symptoms. While children with ADHD are often overactive and have trouble paying attention, adults with ADHD may have trouble with things like managing time, being organized, and keeping a job. Adults may also have problems with relationships, self-esteem, and addiction. There are other conditions that can cause some of these symptoms such as depression and anxiety. Psychological testing will help determine if ADHD is the cause.

Consultation

You may be uncertain whether psychotherapy or psychological testing are the right choices for you. To help clarify this, I offer one-time consultation sessions to address these issues. During this appointment, we will discuss your concerns and talk about what options are available to you. I will offer my recommendations, but you decide whether you will begin therapy, participate in psychological testing, or pursue another option that might be better suited to your needs. There is no obligation to commit to any future sessions.

Paul Clear PhD

Clinical Psychologist 14090 Southwest Fwy, Suite 300 Sugar Land, TX 77478