PVD Psychological Associates

How to Tell if Your Partner Resents You, and What to Do — Nicole Issa, PsyD Resentment in a relationship can destroy positive feelings, respect, and warmth your partner otherwise felt toward you. Instead of being your cheerleader and biggest fan, they may start to hold you back from opportunities or activities you enjoy. Once a relationship turns competitive, it is in dark territory. Since resentment can be so detrimental to relationships, it is essential to develop an awareness of whether you are starting to feel resentful of your partner or detect if they are starting to feel resentment toward you. Often, resentment can creep up on people in an insidious way and quietly build until there’s an explosion, of sorts, and that is why it is so important to catch it early. Some early signs your partner resents you: They have the same or similar complaints repeatedly. If your partner notes that you are always staying late at work and they feel lonely, but nothing changes, resentme...

Around the world, people are under attack for who they love, how they dress, and ultimately for who they are. In too many countries, being lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender or intersex (LGBTI) means living with daily discrimination. This discrimination could be based on your sexual orientation (who you’re attracted to); gender identity (how you define yourself, irrespective of your biological sex), gender expression (how you express your gender through your clothing, hair or make-up), or sex characteristics (for example, your genitals, chromosomes, reproductive organs, or hormone levels.) For any support contact to  PVD Psychological Associates www.pvdpsych.com

“10 Tips for Parents with Eating Disorder Histories to Avoid ‘Passing it On’ to Their Children” Eating disorders and body image concern are unfortunately very frequently intergenerational, or passed from one generation to the other. We can presume that some of this is due to biological factors that predispose someone to having an eating disorder due to certain personality traits like being overly conscientious or perfectionistic or being more impulsive or more anxious. However, an eating disorders is in very large part determined by environment and learning history, and these are also the only aspects a parent can control when it comes to helping their child avoid developing an eating disorder. According to the cognitive behavioral theory of an eating disorder’s development, it is brought about by an internalization of a thin ideal, perfectionistic standards, and the idea of having more control over one’s body size and shape than may actually be the case. Much of this is shaped ...

“Myths About Therapy For Anxiety” — Nicole Issa, Psy.D. The best treatments for anxiety focus on increasing insight into the anxiety that people are experiencing. Through establishing an understanding of the connection between thoughts, feelings, and behaviors, people can begin the process of interrupting the cycle of anxiety. In cognitive behavior therapy (CBT) which is the gold standard treatment for anxiety disorders, individuals learn how to break the cycle of anxiety at each level. They learn how their thoughts can become more accurate instead of catastrophic or worry focused. They also learn what behaviors promote anxiety, such as avoidance. Lastly, they learn about the way their feelings and the physiological experience of them like a racing heart or sweating can lead to more anxiety because many people become anxious about their anxiety or believe they are in physical danger. This phenomenon is called interoceptive sensitivity. In treatment for panic disorder, for exampl...

“5 Ways That Negativity Affects Brain Chemistry, and What to Do” — Nicole Issa, PsyD Our thoughts have a profound impact on our brain chemistry and basic physiology. Our bodies are programmed to respond in certain ways to different situations. Based on your appraisal of, or thought about, a given situation, your brain will have a specific chemical reaction which communicates to your body how to respond. For example, when you are faced with danger, your thought process might be “there is danger and now I need to run,” but more likely than not, the process happens more instantaneously because you have a thought about danger and your brain then takes over. Here are some specific ways that negativity can affect your brain and body: Negative thinking can lead to decreased cognitive functioning. When you have emotionally charged thoughts, most often negative ones, your limbic system (the reptilian brain — the part that is not as evolved) takes over and your prefrontal cortex which i...

Julie Herzlinger, LICSW Licensed Independent Clinical Social Worker I earned my bachelors degree in Sociology from the University of Pennsylvania. Following several years working in NYC, I then obtained my masters degree in social work from New York University in 2007. I have worked in a variety of clinical settings including community mental health centers, youth programs in under-resourced communities, nursing homes, clinical programs for individuals with dementia, and private practice. I provide individual therapy to college students, adults, aging adults, and individuals of any life stage experiencing caregiver stress. My areas of specialization and focus include working with those struggling to navigate life transitions, feeling “stuck,” experiencing relationship and intimacy problems, self-esteem issues, adjustment to illness/caregiver stress, as well as grief and loss. I also have extensive experience working with individuals with trauma histories and PTSD, anxiety diso...

Insurance Coverage ​PVD Psychological Associates greatly values improving access to quality care to our community, and we are proud to be “in-network” with Blue Cross, and accept UnitedHealth Student Resources. Prior to your initial session, we recommend that you contact your insurance provider to inquire about your “in-network” and “out-of-network” mental health benefits. This will ensure that you are aware of your financial obligation for each session and what your insurance provider will cover prior to beginning therapy. Please check the following service codes: 90791 Intake Appointment 90834 Individual Therapy 90847 Family/Couples Therapy ​Private Pay Some clients prefer not to use insurance for therapy in order to protect their confidentiality and prevent mental health diagnoses/treatment from being included in their medical record. If you feel strongly about keeping your permanent medical record separate from your therapy, but finances are a barrier, please feel free...

Nicole Issa, PsyD Founder and Licensed Psychologist I earned my doctoral degree from the Massachusetts School of Professional Psychology (William James College). I went on to receive additional training and experience at Worcester State Hospital/The University of Massachusetts Medical School and Connecticut College, as a psychology intern. I then joined a private practice in the greater Boston area as a post-doctoral fellow and then staff psychologist. After going into private practice on my own, I co-founded a group therapy practice in Boston and then one in New York, before founding  PVD Psych . I provide individual and couples and family therapy for college students, adolescents and adults. I am a licensed clinical psychologist in Rhode Island, New York and Massachusetts, with advanced training in psychodynamic therapy for adolescents, college students, and adults. My areas of specialization and interest include: women’s issues, depression, anxiety, stress management, a...

“So You Think You’re a Workaholic? Now What?” — Nicole Issa, PsyD As is the case with many behaviors that have an addictive pattern, workaholism is reinforcing, and so you may feel you benefit from the behavior and have difficulty recognizing that it is problematic. Especially in our society, where achievement, independence (as opposed to a relational focus), and work success are very highly valued, success at work, being a high achiever, and taking no breaks… aka workaholism, can be particularly difficult to recognize and/or want to change because the behavior and results of it are, in many ways rewarding, and positive. However, workaholism can lead to problems in relationships, negative physical health consequences, and mental health problems such as increased anxiety and irritability. Often, you may not recognize that you are behaving as such or that it is problematic. Once you realize you are a workaholic, it is important to try to find more balance in your life. Perhaps t...

“No Contact Rules With Exes” — Nicole Issa, PsyD It can be difficult enough to move on after a breakup, but when there is an established dynamic of continuing to contact your partner (and vice versa) after the relationship ends, this can turn from difficult to toxic. These types of contact can be hurtful and confusing, and ultimately prevent you and your ex from being able to process the break up and move on. In some instances, when there is repeated contact post-breakup, one or both of you may be fishing for some sort of reaction. For example, you might text your ex because you are still angry and trying to provoke them and continue to argue. Another instance might be repeated bids to get your ex to reconsider the break up. If this type of thing is happening, establishing a “no contact” rule for a period of time whether mutually agreed upon or not may be helpful. It is healthy to be able to recognize when a relational dynamic is unproductive or harmful and to set boundaries in ...

Jolie Weingeroff, PhD Licensed Psychologist I earned my Ph.D. in Clinical Psychology from Boston University, and received additional training and experience at Albert Einstein College of Medicine/Montefiore Medical Center, as a pre-doctoral intern. After my internship, I completed my postdoctoral fellowship at CBT/DBT Associates in NYC, and worked in a variety of treatment settings as a Dialectical Behavior Therapy (DBT) Therapist and Staff Psychologist. I previously held Faculty Appointments at Boston University and Harvard Medical School. I have also published and presented my research on eating disorders treatment and the course of borderline personality disorder (BPD) and comorbid disorders in peer-reviewed journals and at national and international conferences. ​ I provide individual therapy to adolescents, college students, and adults. I have advanced training in Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT) for anxiety, mood, and eating disorders. I also am intensively trained in DB...