PVD Psychological Associates

Most new moms experience postpartum "baby blues" after childbirth, which commonly include mood swings, crying spells, anxiety and difficulty sleeping. Baby blues typically begin within the first two to three days after delivery, and may last for up to two weeks. But some new moms experience a more severe, long-lasting form of depression known as postpartum depression. Postpartum depression isn't a character flaw or a weakness. Sometimes it's simply a complication of giving birth. If you have postpartum depression, prompt treatment can help you manage your symptoms and help you bond with your baby. https://pvdpsych.com/pregnancy-and-postpartum-issues/

  Our location in College Hill puts us right in the middle of many high schools and universities. 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. Some adolescents we see are struggling to manage their symptoms of ADHD and associated frustration while others are navigating a high pressure private preparatory school experience and need help with perfectionism, anxiety, stress management, and being achievement-oriented at the expense of all else. We also work with college students and graduate students, as well as with faculty in academia. https://pvdpsych.com/student-mental-health/

  I take an integrative and evidence-based approach to my clinical practice. I draw from a variety of specialized cognitive behavioral and psychodynamic treatments to provide couples and individual therapy to adults. My areas of specialization and interest include relationship/marital distress, infidelity, intimacy concerns, transition to parenthood/parenting stress, and other relationship challenges. In my work with individuals I specialize in treating obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD) and other anxiety disorders, depression, and trauma- and stressor-related disorders. I also specialize in working with LGBTQIA-identifying individuals and couples. https://pvdpsych.com/katie-lenger-phd/

Emotional and psychological trauma is the result of extraordinarily stressful events that shattered your teenager’s sense of security, making them feel helpless in a dangerous world. Traumatic experiences often involve a threat to life or safety, but any situation that leaves an individual feeling overwhelmed and isolated can be traumatic, even if it doesn’t involve physical harm.  Teenagers are more likely to experience trauma if they experienced any from of childhood trauma such as being in an unstable or unsafe environment, being separated from a parent, having a serious childhood illness or undergoing any form of childhood abuse including neglect, physical, verbal and sexual abuse. The following are signs and symptoms associated with emotional and psychological trauma: Shock or denial Difficulty concentration or declining academic performance Irritability and mood swings Guilt and shame Social withdrawal Feeling sad or hopeless Aches and pains Muscle tension Insomnia or nightm...

  Psychodynamic Therapy is the most common example of “talk therapy,” and has a long history with its roots in Psychoanalytic Therapy. Psychodynamic Therapy emphasizes the importance of developing insight into one’s experience and uncovering unconscious processes that have played a role in past problems and may be contributing to current distress. https://pvdpsych.com/therapy/

  I take an evidence-based and multicultural approach to my clinical practice. I draw from psychodynamic and cognitive behavioral therapy approaches to provide individual therapy to young adults and adults with anxiety, depression, trauma, identity related concerns, acculturative stress, minority stress, and other mental health concerns . I have a particular interest in working with individuals who identify as members of the LGBTQIA+ community, racial/ethnic minorities, individuals with other marginalized identities, and those living at the intersection of possessing multiple socially stigmatized identities. Furthermore, I am a bilingual (fluent in Spanish) and bicultural therapist. I grew up in Nicaragua and Guatemala and am therefore familiar with the process of immigration, acculturation, and assimilation. https://pvdpsych.com/david-zelaya-phd/

  Relational Therapy is a type of Psychodynamic Therapy that focuses on the principle that relationships are most central to one’s wellbeing. In relational therapy you will likely spend a great deal of time working to understand relationships and relational models from your past as they relate to your current experience. https://pvdpsych.com/therapy/

  I am a licensed clinical psychologist in Rhode Island and offer online and in-person therapy to individuals located in the state. I conduct individual therapy most frequently with college students and other young adults. However, I also sometimes work with children, adolescents, and adults within my areas of focus. My areas of interest and specialization include: working with the LGBTQIA+ community , and exploring other intersecting aspects of identity, culture, and experiences of prejudice and oppression, anxiety, depression, trauma, perfectionism, self-esteem issues, identity development, and relationship issues,. I work to ensure that therapy is tailored to the needs of each client by incorporating evidence-based practices such as Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT), mindfulness, and trauma-informed approaches into a Humanistic foundation that uses a warm, collaborative, supportive, and nonjudgmental approach. https://pvdpsych.com/samantha-gauvin-psyd/

  Interpersonal Therapy is an evidence-based, structured treatment for mood disorders and a variety of other difficulties. It is less directive than CBT and instead of focusing on addressing all thoughts and behaviors, it delves deeply into relationship problems such as isolation, transitions, or grief. The goal of IPT is to improve relationships with others and your relationship with yourself. In IPT, you will work with your therapist to focus on general relationship improvement and addressing any relationship issue that caused or has exacerbated the problem for which you are seeking therapy. https://pvdpsych.com/therapy/

  I am a licensed clinical psychologist in Rhode Island and provide online and in-person individual therapy to adolescents and adults. My areas of specialization and interest include anxiety, depression, gender affirming therapy, exploring the relationship between masculinity norms and depression, navigating interpersonal struggles, college student mental health, developmental transitions, developing a healthy and authentic identity, and relationship difficulties. I strive to be an integrative therapist, combining components of cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT), dialectical behavior therapy (DBT), short-term psychodynamic therapy, mindfulness, and interpersonal psychotherapy (IPT) to meet the unique needs of my clients. https://pvdpsych.com/christopher-dewey-psyd/

  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/

  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. https://pvdpsych.com/jonathan-dator-phd/

  Exposure and Response Prevention Therapy which is sometimes simply referred to as Exposure Therapy is most often used to treat OCD and Specific Phobias. In ERP, you will work with your therapist to slowly and carefully confront feared situations so that you can learn that your anxiety will inevitably decrease if you do not interfere with it and you will eventually habituate to your anxiety. https://pvdpsych.com/therapy/

  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/

A traumatized person can feel a range of emotions both immediately after the event and in the long term. They may feel overwhelmed, helpless, shocked, or have difficulty processing their experiences. Trauma can also cause physical symptoms. Trauma can have long-term effects on the person’s well-being. If symptoms persist and do not decrease in severity, it can indicate that the trauma has developed into a  mental health  disorder called  post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD ) . Therapy is a first-line treatment for trauma. Ideally, an individual will work with a trauma informed or trauma focused therapist.  Some therapists use somatic or body-based techniques to help the mind and the body process trauma. https://pvdpsych.com/therapy/

  I am a licensed clinical psychologist in Rhode Island and Florida and provide individual online therapy to adults in both of those states. I provide individual therapy to college students and adults of all ages. My areas of interest and specialization include women’s issues, life transitions, identity related concerns, acculturative stress, minority stress, depression, anxiety, and aging. https://pvdpsych.com/sandy-muraoka-phd/

  Acceptance and Commitment Therapy is a type of CBT that focuses on the concept of experiential avoidance as the most problematic maintaining factor of symptoms and teaches clients to learn new ways to relate to their thoughts and emotions that are based on acceptance rather than correcting thoughts, for example, Another core feature of ACT is its focus on moving toward identified goals and values rather than moving away from distress. https://pvdpsych.com/therapy/

  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. https://pvdpsych.com/julie-herzlinger-licsw/

  Dialectical Behavior Therapy is a type of CBT developed to treat difficulties with emotion regulation, unstable relationships, communication difficulties, impulsive behaviors, and difficulty tolerating intense distress. It is a skills based therapy that involves learning many different coping skills to address all of these difficulties which makes it a helpful approach for many clients. https://pvdpsych.com/therapy/

  I am a licensed clinical psychologist in Rhode Island and offer online therapy to individuals residing within the state, in addition to my in-person practice in Rhode Island. I provide individual and family therapy to children, adolescents, young adults, and adults of all ages. My areas of interest and specialization include anxiety, depression, trauma, self-esteem issues, relationship issues, academic and behavioral challenges, management of ADHD, and parenting difficulties. I incorporate evidence-based practices such Mindfulness, Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT), Dialectical Behavior Therapy (DBT), and Motivational Interviewing (MI), using a warm, supportive, and nonjudgmental approach. https://pvdpsych.com/sarah-johnson-phd/

  Cognitive Behavioral Therapy focuses on the here and now and understanding the relationships between thoughts, feelings, and behavior. In CBT, you will work with your therapist to understand what is maintaining your symptoms and develop new behaviors. You will learn how to change unhelpful thought patterns. Lastly, you will develop a willingness to approach rather than avoid emotions. https://pvdpsych.com/therapy/

  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. https://pvdpsych.com/alyssa-freedman-phd/

  The therapists at PVD Psychological Associates have extensive training and experience in a variety of evidence based treatments. We will work with you to develop an understanding of  what brought you to therapy  and collaboratively develop a treatment plan. Your therapist will continue to maintain an open dialogue with you about what is working in therapy and how it can better address your goals. We specialize in anxiety, eating disorders, depression, college and graduate student mental health, trauma, and providing LGBTQIA and Gender Affirming therapy, though we also see individuals for many other reasons. Our therapists offer individual, couples, and family therapy for individuals across the lifespan. Therapy is offered at varying frequencies, depending on what you and your therapist decide works best, but is most often once weekly. We also offer group therapy and currently are enrolling members for our DBT Skills Training group. https://pvdpsych.com/therapy/