Pioneer Psychological Associates, LLC
Daniel J. Wachtel, Psy.D.
Daniel J. Wachtel, Psy.D.
Licensed Clinical Psychologist
Geropsychologist
Education/Training
I received my undergraduate degree in Psychology from Boston University. I began my work in the mental health field in Miami, Florida at Mt. Sinai St. Francis Nursing and Rehabilitation Center. My work at a nursing home was the start of a life-long interest in working with older adults and within the area of geropsychology (Geropsychologist).
I received my Masters degree in Social Work (MSW), with a specialty in geriatrics at Florida International University. I obtained both my Masters degree (MA) in Psychology and my Doctorate of Psychology (Psy.D.) in clinical psychology from the Georgia School of Professional Psychology in Atlanta, GA.
I have worked as a licensed clinical psychologist and geropsychologist in a variety of settings including prisons, psychiatric hospitals, medical settings, community mental health centers, and university counseling centers. Over the course of my career I have served as Clinical Faculty and Crisis Coordinator at Georgia State University Counseling Center, Clinical Psychologist at Georgia Regional Hospital, and Clinical Psychologist/Geropsychologist at the Veteran Affairs Medical Center in Decatur, GA.
In addition to my private practice, I am currently employed by the Department of Veteran Affairs as a clinical psychologist/geropsychologist at the VA Medical Center. I provide a wide range of mental health services for our veterans and continue to value the opportunity to assist veterans, their family members, and their loved ones.
I typically work from an interpersonal orientation. The aim of therapy is to assist clients to understand how patterns in living and relating with others impact their lives. I also utilize and integrate cognitive-behavioral and meditative interventions into therapy to assist with symptom relief, or utilizing more effective coping strategies and enhance adaptive functioning.
Advance training includes Emotional Focused Therapy (EFT) for Couples, Eye Movement Desensitization Reprocessing (EMDR), and Cognitive Behavioral Therapy for Insomnia (CBT-I). Please see Links page for more in formation on mentioned therapies.
Education
- Bachelors of Arts (BA), Boston University
- Masters of Social Work (MSW), Florida International University
- Masters of Arts (MA), Clinical Psychology, Georgia School of. Professional Psychology
- Doctor of Psychology (Psy.D.), Georgia School of Professional. Psychology
Professional Psychology Experiences
- Mt. Sinai St. Francis Nursing and Rehabilitation Center, Miami, FL
- Wein Center for Alzheimer's Disease & Memory Disorders, Miami, FL
- Phipps State Prison, Buford, GA
- Oxford College at Emory University Counseling Center, Oxford, GA
- Texas State University Counseling Center, San Marcos, TX
- Georgia State University Counseling Center, Atlanta, GA
- Georgia Regional Hospital Atlanta, Decatur, GA
- Department of Veterans Affairs: Atlanta VA Medical Center, Decatur, GA
- Morehouse School of Medicine: Department of Psychiatry and Behavioral Sciences