Psychologists open office on Savannah Road

Psychologists at Appel, Wilson and Vaughn said they opened their newest office, on Savannah Road in Lewes, to respond to the growing need for psychological care in Sussex County.

Business partner and Licensed Psychologist Ted Wilson, who holds a doctorate, said the firm has been open in Dover since 2000.

Psychologist and partner Mary Vaughn, who holds a doctorate in psychology, has been part of the practice since 2010. "There has just been so much publicity about a need for psychologists in Sussex," Vaughn said. "That was a big part of opening the office here – to meet that need."

Licensed psychologists at the new office, including Eddie Oliver, Psy.D, treat people struggling with a wide range of problems, from learning disorders to bereavement.

Wilson's practice often involves the court system, he said. Testifying in custody cases and about competency issues are among the ways he practices what he calls therapeutic jurisprudence.

"We have a deep level of training as far as development," he said. "Child, adolescent and adult development, personality structure and personality theory as well as psychopathology or mental illness. We are treating from a background of personality and development."

Vaughn said the office provides educational testing and counseling as well as general psychotherapy. "I think there's a perception that you only go to a psychologist if you are mentally ill, but people come for a variety of issues that are situational or dealing with change," she said.

Oliver, who has specialized training in dyslexia and attention problems, treats children, adolescents and adults who are dealing with educational and relational implications of these problems. He said he also sees clients dealing with grandparenting and family issues.

"One thing that sets us apart is we have up-to-date tools that are helping us to make sound recommendations," Oliver said. "Personality tests, cognitive ability tests and educational testing inform, and we have the training to use and interpret these scores."

For more information, contact Appel, Wilson and Vaughn at 1305 B., Savannah Road, 302-678-0213.