PVD Psychological Associates

  Everything we do is designed to give you the best therapy experience. Our mission is to provide exceptional therapy that is personalized and results driven. We offer cutting edge, evidence-based treatment by a team of highly trained therapists to address anxiety, eating disorders, college and graduate student mental health, trauma, relationship difficulties, and many other concerns. https://pvdpsych.com/about/

  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. https://pvdpsych.com/therapy/

  The therapists at PVD Psychological Associates specialized strategies for common issues of young adulthood, including school and career stressors, support around healthy relationships, existential concerns, drug or alcohol issues, eating disorders, and anxiety and/or depression. https://pvdpsych.com/student-mental-health/

  A thought disorder is when someone has trouble creating logical sentences through speech and/or writing. Thought disorders are often symptoms of other mental health disorders, most commonly schizophrenia or psychotic disorders, among others. A person suffering from this disorder will often require formal  mental health treatment  to see improvement. There are many different types of thought disorders and they vary in severity. Some people may be incomprehensible entirely. https://pvdpsych.com/

  How common is substance use disorder? Substance use disorder and alcohol use disorder are the leading causes of preventable illness and early death. Research has shown that about 1 in 9 Americans uses illicit drugs (about 11% of the population). The most commonly misused drugs are marijuana and prescription medications. Several therapies exist for treating substance use disorder. Cognitive behavioral therapy  or other psychotherapy (talk therapy) can help deal with addiction’s cause. Therapy also helps build self-esteem and teaches healthy coping mechanisms. https://pvdpsych.com/

  First and foremost, let’s not get guilt and shame confused. Lucky you, you’re in the right place for that clarity! First of all, our team is pretty dang awesome with both guilt and shame and, suffice it to say, they’re areas where we’re very comfortable doing individual counseling and therapy . Is it cheesy to say we feel lucky? Fortunate? Blessed, even? It probably is cheesy, but realistically, we still feel all of the above. Our point is that we’re happy you’re here, we’re not scared off by guilt and shame, and we also recognize how intense and defeating they can feel. https://pvdpsych.com/contact/

  What is OCD? Obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD) is a chronic mental health condition that involves obsessions, compulsions, or both. In the United States, around 2 to 3 percent of people have this condition, according to the American Psychiatric Association. People living with OCD typically experience obsessions, or repetitive unwanted thoughts that prompt an extreme urge to repeat a specific behavior. They then act out that urge, or compulsion, to help relieve the obsessive thought. Plenty of people double-check to make sure they’ve locked the front door or turned off the stove. It’s also very common to have a superstition or two, like knocking on wood or wearing your team’s jersey when they play. These habits might help you feel more secure, but they don’t automatically suggest OCD. If you experience obsessions or compulsions, a trained mental health professional can help you get a diagnosis and explore the best treatment options. https://pvdpsych.com/about/

  Everyday life is a roller coaster of emotions. You may feel on top of the world one day because of a high-profile promotion or an awesome grade on a test. Another day, you may feel down in the dumps due to relationship problems, financial troubles, or because you got a flat tire on the way to work. These are normal fluctuations in mood that come and go. When your mood starts to have an impact on your daily activities and in your social, educational, and vocational relationships, you may be suffering from a mood disorder. Mood disorders are treated primarily through medications and psychotherapy . Even with treatment though, it is not uncommon for mood disorders to persist throughout a lifetime or to come and go on occasion. Education about mood disorders help individuals suffering from these conditions recognize patterns of behavior and thought that are indicative of a mood disorder resurfacing – and prompt them to seek additional treatment. https://pvdpsych.com/

  Therapy can be one place to learn about mindfulness. Finding a therapist who uses mindfulness in their work can be helpful — below you’ll learn about some specific types of therapy that use mindfulness to help you reduce anxiety and improve general emotional health. Therapy that incorporates mindfulness is not necessarily better than therapy that doesn’t — mindfulness is not the best solution to every problem. However, its benefits are wide-ranging for both mind and body. https://pvdpsych.com/therapy/

  How individuals and families cope with dying, death, grief, loss, and bereavement is as unique as a fingerprint. The response to the death of a family member, relative, or close friend places one in the category of "bereaved." Those who are bereaved experience grief, a person's response or reaction to loss, which encompasses physical, psychological, social, and spiritual components. How one copes with other life events and adapts to one's present and future is also part of the grieving process.  Grief counseling is used not only by individuals and families, but in many situations by schools, agencies, and organizations, and in some cases by entire communities affected by death. https://pvdpsych.com/

  Emotional abuse (also called psychological abuse ) is a type of abuse where someone tries to use emotions to manipulate, embarrass, shame, blame, criticise, or otherwise try and gain control and power over someone else. Emotional abuse can be incredibly damaging to your mental health and if not dealt with, can have far-reaching effects. Some people may be hesitant about using the phrase ‘emotional abuse’ when describing how they are being treated. However, any behaviour that makes you feel controlled, small, unable to talk or seek help, is abusive. https://pvdpsych.com/

  The mindfulness module is at the core of dialectical behavior therapy (DBT) treatment.  Mindfulness  is the ability to observe thoughts, feelings, or physical sensations without judging or changing them. This involves describing these inner experiences and labeling them as they come into your awareness. For example, you might notice you are sad and just let yourself feel sad without doing anything to cheer yourself up. This is an important skill in DBT because it teaches an individual with BPD that it is possible to tolerate strong emotions or self loathing thoughts without resorting to self-harm. https://pvdpsych.com/dialectical-behavior-therapy-pvdpsych/

  PVD Psychological Associates offers individual 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. We provide a welcoming and calming space in which our clients feel comfortable and can accomplish their goals for therapy. Call us or fill out the form for more information or to make an appointment. https://pvdpsych.com/therapy/

  Child Mental Health , the complete well-being and optimal development of a child in the emotional, behavioral, social, and cognitive domains. Children’s mental health is often defined as different from adult mental health and more multifaceted because of the unique developmental milestones that children experience. Characteristics of the child (e.g., gender, genetics) are important determinants of that child’s well-being. However, child mental health also includes those conditions that directly affect or modify mental health, including aspects of a child’s family , community, and broader society. https://pvdpsych.com/about/

  Cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT) is a common type of talk therapy (psychotherapy). You work with a mental health counselor (psychotherapist or therapist) in a structured way, attending a limited number of sessions. CBT helps you become aware of inaccurate or negative thinking so you can view challenging situations more clearly and respond to them in a more effective way. CBT can be a very helpful tool ― either alone or in combination with other therapies ― in treating mental health disorders, such as depression, post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) or an eating disorder. But not everyone who benefits from CBT has a mental health condition. CBT can be an effective tool to help anyone learn how to better manage stressful life situations. https://pvdpsych.com/

  What is panic disorder? Panic disorder is a condition in which a person has episodes of intense fear or anxiety that occur suddenly, often without warning. Suppose one day you’re getting out of your car to go to work. Suddenly, your chest feels tight. Your heart races. You begin to feel dizzy and faint. You start to choke. You feel as if you could be dying. Was it all in your head? No. Most likely, you had a panic attack. https://pvdpsych.com/

  Stress disorder is characterized by acute stress reactions that may occur in the initial month after a person is exposed to a traumatic event. The disorder includes symptoms of intrusion, dissociation, negative mood, avoidance, and arousal. Some patients who experience ASD go on to experience posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD), which is diagnosed only after four weeks following exposure to trauma. We suggest trauma-focused cognitive-behavioral therapy (CBT) as first-line treatment of patients with acute stress disorder (ASD) rather than other psychotherapies or medication. https://pvdpsych.com/

Cognitive-behavioral therapy (CBT) can improve your sleep by changing your behavior before bedtime as well as changing the ways of thinking that keep you from falling asleep. It also focuses on improving relaxation skills and changing lifestyle habits that impact your sleeping patterns. Since sleep disorders can be both caused by and trigger emotional health problems such as anxiety, stress, and depression, therapy is an effective way of treating the underlying problem rather than just the symptoms, helping you develop healthy sleeping patterns for life. If you’re suffering from a sleep disorder, therapy may be able to relax your mind, change your outlook, improve your daytime habits, and set you up for a good night’s sleep. https://pvdpsych.com/therapy/

Once you realize you are a workaholic, it is important to try to find more balance in your life. Perhaps there is a reason you are a workaholic, like you are trying to get away from an unhappy home situation, or you are lonely, or you do not pursue other interests so this is the only way to feel worthwhile. It can be helpful to see a therapist for help understanding what is driving the behavior and how to work on the underlying issue(s). Signs You May Be a Workaholic 1. Your relationships outside of work are suffering because you find yourself putting work first. Often this is not because you care more about it, but the anxiety you may experience when you have a task overhanging, can be unbearably uncomfortable. 2. You find yourself constantly thinking about work. You are preoccupied with work and never get a break. 3. You engage in checking behaviors. You check your work email excessively to see if that customer has responded or if you get an email from your boss, for example, you fee...

  Traumatic experiences can leave a deep imprint on the body and mind. The impact may show up immediately or years later, affecting your mood, relationships, and even your sense of self. But there are effective treatments to help you heal from trauma. https://pvdpsych.com/

 Addiction recovery is as much about physical abstinence as it is about making positive mental and behavioral changes. The way we think impacts the way we behave, so naturally, therapy and counseling are an important aspect of addiction treatment in rehab and the recovery process. Cognitive behavioral therapy is founded on the core principle that psychological problems like addiction are based (in part) on harmful thinking patterns, negative learned behaviors, and unhelpful coping techniques. Dialectical behavior therapy is a type of cognitive behavioral therapy to treat people who were suffering from severe suicidal ideation. The Matrix Model is used to help stimulant abusers overcome their addictions to drugs like methamphetamine, cocaine, and prescription stimulants. This method addresses a wide scope of contributing factors for addiction and uses cognitive behavioral therapy and family therapy (among other evidence-based methods) to focus on positi...