Licensed Mental Health Counselor

 


Meet Dr. Kristina Schrag

I am a licensed mental health counselor in Rhode Island and also hold a doctorate in educational psychology. I specialize in several areas related to educational psychology, giftedness, and neurodivergence. Specifically, I have expertise in issues experienced by college students, adolescents, and adults with high IQ, as well as ADHD and autism spectrum disorder. I work with my clients to address issues such as impostor syndrome, perfectionism, and feelings of being overwhelmed caused by overscheduling or demanding work/school/life commitments. I am well-versed in the stressors of the highly competitive college admissions process, studying at elite institutions, and the demands of academia. In addition to these areas of specialization, I also work with adolescents, college students, and adults with anxiety, depression, and relationship problems.

My Background

I earned my doctorate in educational psychology, as well as a master’s degree in human services/counseling psychology from Capella University. I have worked previously as a clinician and an educational consultant to individuals with giftedness. In both types of work, I have developed and employed strategies designed to quickly determine the nature and scope of each client’s problems, and to help formulate a treatment/action plan that is simultaneously efficient and comfortable for that individual.

My Approach & Philosophy

I seek to help my clients learn to validate and normalize their perceptions and emotions. High-achieving individuals tend to downplay or dismiss their feelings of unhappiness or dissatisfaction as unjustified, due to the level of functionality they enjoy. However, relationship, workplace, and educational difficulties may be caused by the intensities and worries that often plague strong performers, even as they seem to others to “have it all figured out.” I can help you examine these issues, develop perspective, and determine the best ways to make effective change in your life. I believe that YOU are the expert on your own experience, and I can assist you in developing insight into your situation and creating an appropriate plan for personal growth.

I have discovered that highly intelligent clients benefit from a dual-pronged approach to assessing and addressing their difficulties; it is important both to understand the psychological reasons behind our actions and reactions, and to develop strategies to begin changing our habits and responses to the people in our lives and events in the greater world around us. This allows for an immediate focus on practical solutions, while still honoring the need we have to better understand ourselves. I draw heavily from Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT) in my approach, and many clients enjoy the educational aspects of my collaborative therapy style. I look forward to working with you!


https://pvdpsych.com/dr-kristina-schrag/


Location: United States

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