PVD Psychological Associates

  DBT treatment typically consists of individual therapy sessions and DBT skills groups. Individual therapy sessions consist of one-on-one contact with a trained therapist, ensuring that all therapeutic needs are being addressed. The individual therapist will help the patient stay motivated, apply the DBT skills within daily life, and address obstacles that might arise over the course of treatment. DBT skills group participants learn and practice skills alongside others. Members of the group are encouraged to share their experiences and provide mutual support. Groups are led by one trained therapist teaching skills and leading exercises. DBT can be delivered by therapists in many ways. https://pvdpsych.com/dialectical-behavior-therapy-pvdpsych/

  The importance of managing stress If you’re living with high levels of stress, you’re putting your entire well-being at risk. Stress wreaks havoc on your emotional equilibrium, as well as your physical health. It narrows your ability to think clearly, function effectively, and enjoy life. It may seem like there’s nothing you can do about stress. The bills won’t stop coming, there will never be more hours in the day, and your work and family responsibilities will always be demanding. But you have a lot more control than you might think. Effective stress management helps you break the hold stress has on your life, so you can be happier, healthier, and more productive. The ultimate goal is a balanced life , with time for work, relationships, relaxation, and fun—and the resilience to hold up under pressure and meet challenges head on. But stress management is not one-size-fits-all. That’s why it’s important to experiment and find out what works best for you. https://pvdpsyc...

  Some people think depression is petty and not a genuine health condition. They are wrong – it is a real illness with real symptoms. Depression is not a sign of weakness or something you can "snap out of" by "pulling yourself together".  The good news is that with the right treatment and support, most people with depression can make a full recovery. Here, at PVD Psychological Associates we provide you with best counseling (Cognitive Behavioural therapy) along with some spiritual practices that can help overcome depression and lead a more meaningful life. https://pvdpsych.com/

  Counseling for student mental health problems Mental health problems are as common among students as they are in the general population. But it's not just students with a diagnosed mental health condition who can benefit from counseling. Anyone who has new challenges as a student could benefit from talking to someone. This includes if you have: friend, family or relationship issues low mood or losing interest in things you enjoy stress or anxiety about your work or anything else Counseling can help you understand these issues and suggest strategies for dealing with your feelings. https://pvdpsych.com/student-mental-health/

  Individual trauma results from an event, series of events, or set of circumstances experienced by an individual as physically or emotionally harmful or life-threatening with lasting adverse effects on the individual’s functioning and mental, physical, social, emotional, or spiritual well-being. In the United States, 61 percent of men and 51 percent of women report exposure to at least one lifetime traumatic event, and 90 percent of clients in public behavioral health care settings have experienced trauma. If trauma goes unaddressed, people with mental illnesses and addictions will have poor physical health outcomes and ignoring trauma can hinder recovery. To ensure the best possible health outcomes, all care — in all health settings — must address trauma in a safe and sensitive way. Our therapists  at  PVD Psychological Associates  are ready to support your therapy process! https://pvdpsych.com/

  Everyone has the capacity for anxiety. It is a survival instinct that’s necessary for us to protect ourselves and to keep from suffering. The issue is that some people’s anxiety reflexes kick in at inappropriate times or won’t shut off once they kick on. This can cause serious issues in relationships, work, and general well-being. Anyone who’s dealt with an anxiety disorder has likely wondered: Why is this happening to me? If this describes you, it’s important to work with a mental health professional who can help you get your anxiety under control again. Anxiety therapists can help you understand where your anxiety might stem from, what type of anxiety it is, and how you can manage it on a day to day basis. https://pvdpsych.com/jolie-weingeroff-phd/

  Family counseling brings parents, siblings and extended family members such as aunts, uncles and grandparents into the treatment process. The family system has its own structure and patterns of communication, which may be defined by parenting style, personalities and other influences. Family counseling is often short term. It may include all family members or just those able or willing to participate.  Family counseling  sessions can teach you skills to deepen family connections and get through stressful times, even after you’re done going to therapy sessions. https://pvdpsych.com/

  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 to con...

  Couples Therapy and Marriage Counseling in Providence, RI Is there a rift between you and your partner? Is stress at home sapping your happiness? These matters aren’t uncommon in relationships, but that doesn’t mean they’re easy to deal with. If you’d like to pursue couples therapy or marriage counseling, you’re in the right place.  PVD Psychological Associates  in Providence, RI  has a team of dedicated relationship counselors who can lead you and your partner in the right direction, based on your specific needs and goals for your relationship. https://pvdpsych.com/relationship-difficulties/

  How Does Individual Counseling Help? Individual counseling involves a client to talk about their feelings, thoughts, and behaviours and things that are troubling them. For e.g. If a person is getting negative thoughts about himself that he is of no use and he has no meaning in life or feeling of low self-esteem, then in that case therapist helps them to come out of that negative pattern of thoughts. They might spend time talking about their relationships with others, the things they are good at and the things they would like to be different. The counselor or therapist works with them to set goals or identify the things they would like to accomplish together. They will help the client to develop different strategies which may help to reach the goals. In some cases, this could mean helping the client to change patterns of thinking, learning new skills, changing behaviours, or shifting the way they feel and express emotions. For e.g. The client may be asked to listen to songs ...

  Meet Alix Stockwood, LICSW I am a licensed independent clinical social worker in Rhode Island and Massachusetts, and provide online individual therapy to adults residing in both of those states. I have 30 years of clinical experience working with individual adults, couples, families, and groups. I have extensive experience and specialized training in the treatment of trauma, anxiety, depression, women’s issues, grief and loss, work issues, relationship issues, HIV/AIDS, chronic illness, and working with LGBTQIA+ identified individuals. I integrate a variety of approaches to healing and personal growth. Some of these approaches include trauma informed, cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT), solution-focused and strength- based, psycho-educational, insight oriented and relaxation techniques. I am a Reiki Master and I believe in the close connection between mind, body and spirit. My Background I earned a bachelors degree with a double major in Psychology and Theater from Rhode Island ...

  Striving to Offer the Best Therapy Experience​ ​PVD Psychological Associates offers individual, couples, and family therapy across the lifespan for a range of issues. Depending on your personal preference, therapy history, and what brings you to treatment now, dynamic, behavioral, or another type of therapy may be most appropriate for you. We will work with you to understand why you are seeking therapy, and collaboratively construct a treatment plan. While we specialize in women’s issues, eating disorders, school/career concerns, adolescent issues, relationship difficulties, perinatal mental health, and working with LGBTQIA individuals, we regularly see clients for a range of other issues. ​Whether it be a long term problem or temporary life circumstance prompting someone to seek therapy, we understand that every individual client, session, and situation is unique. Our therapists have expertise in specific modalities of therapy and utilize cutting edge, evidence-based therap...

  Some therapists are more comfortable addressing the immediate problem, while others want to focus on the deeper issue. Which are you? ​All of the clinicians at  PVD Psych  have training in cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT), and other research supported therapies, including psychodynamic therapy. Each clinician also has different areas of specialization. Our priority at PVD Psych is to focus on creating the best therapy experience for each client and working together to develop a shared understanding of what brings you to therapy and how best to help. Depending on your personal preference, therapy history, and what brings you to therapy at this time, dynamic, behavioral, or another type of therapy may be most appropriate for you. With regard to whether we focus on past or present, this depends on the approach that is indicated. Dynamic Therapy aims to  improve relationships , increase self-awareness, and promote a sense of general happiness by addressing the root c...

Stress is a normal part of modern life, but if you’re often faced with stressful situations and feel panicked or overwhelmed trying to deal with them, you may benefit from learning some coping strategies that can help you to stay calm. Pressure can put the body into “fight or flight” mode – an evolutionary tactic that releases hormones designed to get you ready to either fight or run from danger. In modern times, stress triggers these hormones but they’re not so helpful when the “danger” comes from giving a presentation at work rather than being faced with a wild animal. If you frequently find yourself  feeling anxious, or panicked , your fight or flight mode is probably being triggered too easily and it’s helpful to learn how to calm yourself down when you’re entering this state. 1. Take a Deep Breath 2. Focus on the Positives 3. Get Plenty of Sleep 4. Go for a Walk 5. Meditate 6. Surround yourself with positive people https://pvdpsych.com/

  Shame  is the feeling that a person is, at their core, bad or wrong. A person might feel shame for no reason at all, or long after they have made amends for a misdeed. Shame can lead to a host of mental health challenges, including depression and anxiety. It may also make it difficult to get close to others. Some people are so paralyzed by shame that they are unable to be productive at work or school. Shame researcher Brené Brown argues that guilt serves an important social purpose. It can drive people to apologize to others and avoid doing harm. Shame, Brown says, serves no purpose. It’s simply a source of suffering.  Therapy can help  people understand why they feel ashamed and work to break free from shame. https://pvdpsych.com/

  If therapy on your time and in your own space sounds appealing, you’re not alone. While not the right solution for everyone, online therapy (telehealth) is quickly becoming one of the top ways people seek mental health services. Online therapy allows for effective therapy sessions that are convenient, safe, and private. https://pvdpsych.com/online-therapy/

  Mindfulness-Based Cognitive Therapy Mindfulness-Based Cognitive Therapy  (MBCT) is a modified form of cognitive therapy that incorporates mindfulness practices such as meditation and breathing exercises. Using these tools, MBCT therapists teach clients how to break away from negative thought patterns that can cause a downward spiral into a depressed state so they will be able to fight off depression before it takes hold. https://pvdpsych.com/dialectical-behavior-therapy-pvdpsych/

  The relationship seems to be developing at warp speed and while the intensity may seem exciting, if you really step back to think about it, it does not quite make sense. Often times, unhealthy relationships start out too quickly and this should give you pause to consider how whether you are setting the foundation for a healthy relationship dynamic. They want to spend all their time with you and ignore boundaries you try to set. At the other extreme, they may always put their friends and interests ahead of you. The bottom line is that time spent in a relationship should be mutually negotiated and it can be very unhealthy if you find your partner wanting to call all the shots. It is great if your partner can encourage you to grow and evolve as an individual but if you notice them consistently pointing out areas for you to improve, this may be crossing a line into an unhealthy dynamic. You and your partner ideally will respect and treat each other as equals. They say that they love ...

Eating disorders are problems with the way people eat. They can harm a person's health, emotions, and relationships.  Common types of eating disorders are anorexia, bulimia, binge eating, and avoidant/restrictive food intake disorder (ARFID). There's no single cause for eating disorders. Genes, environment, and stressful events all play a role. Some things can increase a person's chance of having an eating disorder, such as: poor body image too much focus on weight or looks dieting at a young age having a family member with an eating disorder mental health problems such as anxiety, depression, or OCD Eating disorders are best treated by a team that includes a doctor, dietitian, and  therapist . Treatment includes nutrition counseling, medical care, and talk therapy (individual, group, and family therapy). The doctor might prescribe medicine to treat binge eating, anxiety, depression, or other mental health concerns. The details of the treatment depend on the type of eating ...

  In order to be diagnosed with a personality disorder , a person seeking help must display the pattern of thinking and  behavior  characteristic of that condition, across multiple contexts and for a specific period of time. This pattern is often consistent throughout life, which separates a personality disorder diagnosis from diagnoses such as anxiety or depression. Traits indicating the presence of an emotional concern or disturbance must be distinct from specific situational stressors or other mental health issues, although it is often the case that conditions co-occur . https://pvdpsych.com/

  Substance Use Problems ​ There are a variety of reasons that individuals may seek therapy for issues related to substance use. Whether they are confronting that they have a substance use disorder, an unhealthy relationship with alcohol, or problems in their relationships because of their substance use, clinicians at  PVD Psychological Associates provide therapy  that will help them explore these difficulties in a nonjudgmental way, achieve a better understanding of the function of the behaviors, and come up with alternative strategies to cope. Therapy for substance use disorders will usually focus on abstinence, but we meet our clients where they are and their identified goals, and may focus instead on moderation. ​Clinicians at PVD Psychological Associates are well versed in working with these problems using cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT), dialectical behavior therapy (DBT) strategies, motivational interviewing (MI), and dynamic therapy. We are also familiar with l...