PVD Psychological Associates

Couples counseling, also called couples therapy, is a type of psychotherapy. Couples counseling helps couples of all types recognize and resolve conflicts and improve their relationships. Through counseling, you can make thoughtful decisions about rebuilding and strengthening your relationship or going your separate ways. Counseling is often short term. Couples counseling typically includes both partners, but sometimes one partner chooses to work with a therapist alone. The specific treatment plan depends on the situation. https://pvdpsych.com/what-we-treat/

  Group therapy is a form of psychotherapy that involves one or more therapists working with several people at the same time. Group therapy is sometimes used alone, but it is also commonly integrated into a comprehensive treatment plan that also includes individual therapy. https://pvdpsych.com/about/

  I am a licensed psychologist in Rhode Island. My areas of interest and specialization include evidence-based treatments for anxiety, depression, and behavioral difficulties. I also have experience working with children, adolescents, and families dealing with trauma, relationship issues, and school challenges. I incorporate Mindfulness, Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT), Dialectical Behavior Therapy (DBT), and Motivational Interviewing (MI), using a warm, supportive, and nonjudgmental approach. I also conduct comprehensive clinical and psychological assessments to understand a child or individual’s strengths and weaknesses and assist with recommendations for treatments and services needed. In addition to my outpatient work, I serve as a staff psychologist at a therapuetic school, where I provide clinical services and special education support to youth with emotional, behavioral, and developmental needs. In this role, I also help parents, guardians, and families to support their ...

  I am a licensed clinical psychologist in Rhode Island and Massachusetts, and offer online therapy to individuals residing in both of those states, in addition to my in-person practice in Rhode Island. My areas of interest and specialization include depression, anxiety, stress management, self-esteem, college and graduate student mental health, and values identification/clarification. I have specialized training in a variety of evidence-based treatments such as acceptance and commitment therapy (ACT), cognitive-behavioral therapy (CBT), and dialectical behavior therapy (DBT). My work is also greatly influenced by the strengths-based focus of positive psychology . I believe it is essential to understand how elements of my clients’ identities intersect and influence their current situation and presenting concerns. From there, I educate my clients on their symptoms and what may be contributing to them. We then identify goals for treatment before moving on to evidence-based interventi...

  I am a licensed clinical psychologist in Rhode Island and am a bilingual (English and Spanish) and bicultural therapist. I provide individual therapy to older adolescents and adults. I have focused my clinical work on providing care to disenfranchised, marginalized, and underserved groups. I take an integrative approach to therapy, bringing together my training in interpersonal therapy (IPT) and cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT), within an overarching social justice framework. I specialize in multicultural counseling, student mental health, anxiety, depression, relationship difficulties, and working with the LGBTQIA community as well as individuals with disabilities and chronic health conditions. In addition to my work as a therapist at PVD Psychological Associates , I am the Associate Director of Training at the Personal Counseling Center at Providence College. I have worked in numerous college and university counseling centers and completed both my predoctoral internship and p...

  I am a licensed independent clinical social worker in Rhode Island and Massachusetts, and offer online therapy to individuals residing in both of these states, in addition to my in-person practice in Rhode Island. I take a holistic approach to working with clients, helping individuals improve their mind-body connection and resolve emotional difficulties that may be manifesting as physical pain or discomfort. In addition to the specialized work I do with survivors of trauma, I particularly enjoy working with those struggling with anxiety, depression, stress management, and a variety of challenges in relationships. https://pvdpsych.com/elizabeth-kirkpatrick-licsw/

  5 Ways That Negativity Affects Brain Chemistry, and What to Do 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 is used for cognitive func...

  I am a licensed clinical psychologist in Rhode Island providing individual therapy for college students and adults of all ages. My areas of interest and specialization include women’s issues, life transitions, multicultural issues, depression, anxiety, and aging. ​ As a bilingual and bicultural therapist, I have a special interest in working with members of marginalized and oppressed groups to explore the intersection of ethnicity, gender, society, and socioeconomic class. I am also personally familiar with the challenges of assimilating into a new country and culture, as an immigrant from Cuba. I remain fluent in Spanish and hope that my office can be a safe space for those in the midst of transition. https://pvdpsych.com/sandy-muraoka-phd/

What used to be called marriage guidance is now called   couples counselling   or relationship counselling and has its own distinctive training; it can be very effective in helping with relationship difficulties. Usually both members of the couple will attend, though sometimes they may also see the counsellor or therapist individually. If there has been violence, the therapist will help you work out the best way forwards.  Seeking counselling or psychotherapy for problems in your long-term relationship does not mean it is doomed to failure. Learning better ways to talk to each other, to share parenting and to live together in a mutually beneficial way is well worth the time and emotional effort it will take to work problems through. https://pvdpsych.com/blog/

Anxiety or depression can also cause sleep issues. Without treatment, both conditions may worsen. There are numerous causes for sleep disturbances. Therapy is an often helpful solution. It may allow people to work through the cause and effects of sleep issues, depending on whether the cause is known. Therapy for sleep-wake disorders generally focuses on: Changing behaviors Setting and achieving goals Becoming more self-aware Learning relaxation skills Mental health professionals may help uncover the root cause of a sleep disorder. Therapists may then support people in developing skills to change unwanted sleep patterns. https://pvdpsych.com/

  I am a licensed clinical psychologist and am a bicultural and bilingual therapist (native fluency in Spanish). I provide individual therapy to college students, adolescents, and adults. I have advanced psychodynamic training and practice within a psychodynamic-interpersonal framework, though I often use strategies from cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT), dialectical behavior therapy (DBT), mindfulness, compassion based techniques, and narrative approaches. I specialize in the areas of complex traumas, identity development, depressive disorders, eating disorders, anxiety disorders, relationship issues, and working with LGBTQIA-identified individuals. ​In addition to clinical work, I involve myself in other parts of the field of Psychology, including resiliency studies, suicide prevention programs and social justice efforts within the LGBTQIA community. I like to continue to challenge myself within the field and continue to grow, personally and professionally. https://pvdpsych.com...

Depression doesn’t simply affect the individual—it can also impact that person’s loved ones. Supporting a person with depression can be difficult. The person may not accept comfort, claiming they do not deserve love. Symptoms of lethargy or irritability can put further strain on a relationship. Loved ones may feel frustrated or confused when their support does not “cure” the depression. A therapist can help loved ones learn how to best support the individual with depression.   Individual therapy   can be a safe space for loved ones to privately sort through their own feelings. Romantic partners may consider   couples counseling . Parents and children can try   family therapy .  https://pvdpsych.com/

  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 disorders, and mood disorders. I am primarily a psychodynamic therapist. I draw from my training in various types of therapy, including relational and strengths-based approaches, cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT), and acceptance and commitment therapy (ACT), to most effectively meet the needs of the individual. My Approach & Philosophy My integrative approach and my warm nature allow me to work collaboratively to address clients’ distinct histories, needs and goals. I work with clients to h...

  I am a licensed clinical psychologist in Rhode Island and New York and offer online therapy to individuals in both of those states, in addition to my in-person practice in Rhode Island. I have advanced training in Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT) and am intensively trained in Dialectical Behavior Therapy (DBT) for older adolescents and adults. I also incorporate strategies from Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT), Mindfulness, and Behavioral Therapy. My areas of specialization include anxiety, eating disorders, working with  college students and individuals in academia , relationship issues, and providing LGBTQIA+ Affirming Therapy. https://pvdpsych.com/jolie-weingeroff-phd/

Anxiety often happens because there is something we cannot bear to think about or to feel, perhaps to suffer. Anxiety acts like a blanket covering over our experience so that we cannot focus on what makes us uncomfortable. It is a psychological avoidance device. The limitation of these approaches is that they do not gain an understanding of why someone gets anxious in the first place, what causes anxiety . This is where psychotherapy can be effective and also help to prevent anxiety returning down the track. https://pvdpsych.com/

  I am a licensed clinical psychologist in Rhode Island, New York and Massachusetts and offer online therapy to individuals residing in all three of these states, in addition to my in-person practice in Rhode Island. I have advanced training in psychodynamic therapy and I provide individual, couples, and family therapy to college students, adolescents and adults. My areas of specialization and interest include: women’s issues, depression, anxiety, stress management, and working with LGBTQIA-identified individuals and family members. I practice primarily from a relational-dynamic perspective, though I also incorporate techniques from cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT), dialectical behavior therapy (DBT), and narrative approaches to address and tailor treatment to the unique and individual needs of each client. https://pvdpsych.com/nicole-issa-phd/

  Psychological testing refers to the comprehensive evaluation of an individual’s functioning in the areas of cognition, learning, memory, behavior, social skills, mood and anxiety. Results from a psychological evaluation can provide detailed information about an individual’s cognitive functioning and academic skills, including strengths and weaknesses. Additionally, it can help to provide clinical information to assist in making an accurate diagnosis and facilitate treatment planning and recommendations. PVD Psychological Associates offers comprehensive psychological and clinical diagnostic testing and assessment for youth (ages 6-18) and adults (ages 19 & up). https://pvdpsych.com/psychological-testing/

  PVD Psychological Associates offers online therapy/teletherapy to clients in Rhode Island, Massachusetts, and New York . We offer confidential video therapy to you in the privacy of your own home, office, or other private location of your choosing. This has always been an option for therapy for clients with very busy schedules, those who had barriers to getting to sessions in person, or to individuals wanting to work with a specialist at PVD Psych while living too far away to come in to our office. We now are offering online therapy to all clients so that you can stay safe during this time. https://pvdpsych.com/online-therapy/

  Therapy with those in academic settings often focuses on managing anxiety, perfectionism, imposter syndrome, general stress management, burn out, publishing pressure, time management, dissertation stress, navigating relationships with advisors, and over-identifying with one’s achievements.  All of the therapists at PVD Psychological Associates have expertise and a special interest in working with children, older adolescents, and adults at various stages in their education and/or careers in academia. https://pvdpsych.com/student-mental-health/

  We’ve supported thousands of LGBT families over the years and we are here for you, too. Our programs are designed to help LGBT families establish healthy relationships and community connections, and to provide information and support to help you reach your social, emotional and financial goals. We offer Counseling for families with LGBTQ youth . https://pvdpsych.com/lgbtqia-affirming-services/

  Individual DBT We offer individual DBT sessions that are grounded in the DBT treatment philosophy of dialectics and integrates change-focused strategies from CBT with acceptance based strategies from Zen philosophy and Buddhism. We also offer individual RO DBT sessions. https://pvdpsych.com/dialectical-behavior-therapy-pvdpsych/

  Mindfulness Based Techniques A variety of cognitive behavioral interventions integrate aspects of mindfulness practices such as breathing exercises, meditation, and other ways to bring one’s awareness to the present moment. Mindfulness might be integrated into your therapy in order to help you break free of depressive thoughts patterns and worries by redirecting your attention, you also may use mindfulness as a way to become more accepting of situations and develop compassion for yourself. https://pvdpsych.com/therapy/

Student therapists who receive regular feedback from supervisors may be just as effective as licensed therapists at treating patients with anxiety disorders, depression, trauma and other diagnoses. https://pvdpsych.com/student-mental-health/