About: Joshua Newman, M.A., LPC

ABOUT
Joshua A. Newman

Biography

Josh was born in Salida, Colorado and raised in Tulsa, Oklahoma. A second generation therapist, his father, Patrick A. Newman, Ph.D. is a counseling psychologist in Tulsa. After graduating from Booker T. Washington High School in 1995, Joshua moved to Conway, Arkansas to pursue a bachelor's degree at Hendrix College, graduating Cum Laude with distinction. Following college, Joshua took a two year hiatus from his studies to work, travel, and pursue photography and meditation. During this time, Josh fell in love with the town of Fayetteville, Arkansas where he later returned after completing a Master's Degree in Counseling at Southwestern College in Santa Fe, New Mexico. Josh has made his home in Arkansas for 15 years, and is married to Sarah Lehnen. In addition to working in private practice, Josh offers meditation instruction.

Credentials and Experience

Licensed Professional Counselor by the Arkansas State Board of Examiners in Counseling

Master of Arts in Counseling, Southwestern College, 2003

Bachelor of Arts in Psychology and Religion, Hendrix College, 1999

Extensive training and supervision with senior therapist, William F. Symes, M. Div., LPC

Extensive training in addictions, bipolar disorder, couples counseling, recovery from abuse and trauma, personality disorders, solution-oriented therapy, psychology of religion, spiritual development, and more.

Instructor, Behavioral Sciences, NWACC, Spring 2009

Outpatient Therapist, Ozark Guidance Center, June 2003 - December 2008

Extensive work with dreams and meditation 1996 - Present

Understanding Mental Health Credentials:

psychiatry and psychotherapy

Choosing a mental health professional can be made easier by understanding some important distinctions. Psychotherapy or 'talk therapy' can be performed by a counselor, social worker, marriage and family therapist, psychologist, or psychiatrist. During the time of Sigmund Freud, patients were seen by psychiatrists (medical doctors with special training in mental disorders) for lengthy psychoanalysis. Currently, the majority of psychiatrists focus primarily on assessment of mental disorders, acute care, and medication management, although there are some who still provide psychotherapy.

counselors, social workers, and psychologists

During the latter half of the 20th century, psychologists (practitioners with a Ph.D. or Psy.D. in psychology) had the lion's share of the therapy market. Today many psychologists continue to provide psychotherapy, however, the percentage of master's level therapists has greatly increased. Individuals with master's degrees (counselors, social workers, and marriage and family therapists) provide diagnosis and treatment for mental disorders and adjustment difficulties. Master's level clinicians receive years of supervision after completing a 60 hour accredited graduate degree. All technical distinctions aside, the choice of therapist ultimately depends upon finding someone whose personality, expertise, and theory of change are compatible with your own.

Scope of Practice

I serve adolescents, adults, individuals, couples, families and organizations. I offer short-term, solution-oriented counseling as well as long-term psychotherapy. I work with relationship problems, self-esteem issues, stress management, trauma recovery, anxiety, depression, bipolar disorder, personality disorders, addictions (including 12 step work), anger problems, gender issues and more. I also frequently address religious and spiritual concerns. LGBT friendly.