PVD Psychological Associates

  In many ways, psychotherapy with lesbian, gay, bisexual, and transgender (LGBT) patients does not differ from psychotherapy for heterosexual, gender conforming, and cisgender patients. Additionally, concepts and considerations that arise in psychotherapy with LGBT patients can parallel issues that arise in psychotherapy with patients of other stigmatized minority groups. In this article, the authors discuss the concept of minority stress and its relationship with mental health conditions and review specific issues that may arise with this heterogeneous patient population, including being in the closet, coming out of the closet, the psychotherapeutic search for “causes” of sexual orientation and gender identity, and therapist self-disclosure. https://pvdpsych.com/lgbtqia-affirming-services/

  The therapists at PVD Psychological Associates specialize in working with individuals with depression and bipolar disorders and implement research-supported, cognitive-behavioral therapy (CBT) for specific  mood disorders  disorders they may be struggling with. We see children, adolescents, college students, and adults with various forms of mood disorders.  Bipolar Disorder Bipolar Disorder is characterized by having episodes of depression or low mood as well as manic episodes that involve an improvement in mood and/or irritability. Manic episodes are also characterized by an increase in energy, self-esteem, racing thoughts, a decrease in sleep, and impulsive behaviors. In addition, during mania, individuals may experience dramatically improved mood or elation which can be pleasant and contribute to productivity. The short-term positive outcomes (i.e. being more productive, feeling more creative, being more social, etc.) of a manic episode as well as fre...

  Meet Dr. Katherine Lenger I am a licensed clinical psychologist in Rhode Island and North Carolina, and I also have the Authority to Practice Interjurisdictional Telepsychology in  PSYPACTparticipating states  (#14458)*.  and offer online therapy to clients located in both of those states.. 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 obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD) and other anxiety disorders, trauma- and stressor-related disorders, relationship distress, infidelity, intimacy concerns, transition to parenthood/parenting stress, and other relationship challenges. I also specialize in working with LGBTQIA-identifying individuals. https://pvdpsych.com/katie-lenger-phd/

  Guilt is an emotion that relates to a person’s sense of right and wrong. Most people experience guilt after making a mistake or doing something they regret. If feelings of guilt have a negative effect on your life, and you are struggling to work through them alone, a compassionate counselor can offer help and support . https://pvdpsych.com/teams/

  Even the seasoned parent needs a little help dealing with common parenting issues. We've got a great go-to guide full of tips and advice for all those challenging situations. https://pvdpsych.com/

  Grief counseling can help people of all ages work through sorrow and other emotions that are part of a normal reaction to losing someone. However, you may benefit from other forms of therapy if your grief is overwhelming and you are finding it difficult to cope with. https://pvdpsych.com/

  Counseling is a very broad term and there are a number of factors that need to be considered when we talk about career counseling. Guidance related to ones’ career and counseling students requires a conversation between the student and the career counselor; who has to have a high level of skill, knowledge and expertise about the job openings, future prospects and opportunities that are available in the job market in order to effectively communicate with the student who is looking for guidance and counseling. On the other hand, people who are doing a job and want to change a job, they already possess some kind of personality traits, skills, expertise in a particular field, therefore, it is important for the counselors to make sure they guide them accordingly. Career guidance and decision making are one of the crucial areas in ones’ life and have gained importance in all educational institutions, in higher education institutes. In fact, there are proper counseling centers in thes...

  Your therapist will encourage you to talk about your thoughts and feelings and what's troubling you. Don't worry if you find it hard to open up about your feelings. Your therapist can help you gain more confidence and comfort. CBT generally focuses on specific problems, using a goal-oriented approach. As you go through the therapy process, your therapist may ask you to do homework — activities, reading or practices that build on what you learn during your regular therapy sessions — and encourage you to apply what you're learning in your daily life. Your therapist's approach will depend on your particular situation and preferences. Your therapist may combine CBT with another therapeutic approach — for example, interpersonal therapy, which focuses on your relationships with other people. https://pvdpsych.com/therapy/

  Meet Dr. Jonathan Dator I am a licensed clinical psychologist in Rhode Island and am a bilingual (English and Spanish) and bicultural therapist . I provide individual online 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/

  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. Types of Therapy Offered at PVD Psychological Asso...

  If your family is going through a tough time -- whether it's from stress, anger, or grief -- family therapy can make a difference. It can help couples, children, or members of an extended family learn to communicate better and work through conflicts. Sessions are led by a specialist called a family therapist. https://pvdpsych.com/teams/

  Post-traumatic stress disorder treatment can help you regain a sense of control over your life. The primary treatment is psychotherapy , but can also include medication. https://pvdpsych.com/

  Can Children Really Have Depression? Yes.  Childhood depression  is different from the normal "blues" and everyday emotions that children go through as they develop. Just because a child seems sad doesn't necessarily mean they have significant depression. But if the sadness becomes persistent or interferes with normal social activities, interests, schoolwork, or family life, it may mean they have a depressive illness. Keep in mind that while depression is a serious illness, it’s also a treatable one. https://pvdpsych.com/services/

  Meet Elizabeth Kirkpatrick, LICSW 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 specialize in working with survivors of trauma and domestic violence, as well as those coping with loss. I also particularly enjoy working with those struggling with anxiety, depression, stress management, and a variety of challenges in relationships. https://pvdpsych.com/elizabeth-kirkpatrick-licsw/

  Many teens find ways to cope with the high anxiety they feel. It's important to recognize your emotions, to know what you're feeling and why you're feeling that way. It's also important to find healthy ways of coping with anxiety. Recognizing the types of situations that cause your anxiety is helpful. Sometimes just admitting that a situation is stressful and being prepared to deal with it can reduce your anxiety. If you try these simple measures and still have too much anxiety, getting treatment from a health care professional or therapist is the next step. https://pvdpsych.com/student-mental-health/

  ​PVD Psychological Associates offers individual and family therapy across the lifespan for a range of issues. We have specific specializations in college mental health, anxiety, depression, eating disorders, trauma, LGBTQIA+ issues, and relationship difficulties and we also see clients for a range of other issues The most important aspect of a positive and effective therapy experience is finding the right fit. 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. This treatment plan will integrate the most appropriate, research-supported interventions for you. Our therapists utilize cutting edge, evidence-based therapy techniques such as  cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT), dialectical behavior therapy (DBT), psych...

  Family and systemic psychotherapists work with groups and families to assess and treat a wide range of psychological and relationship problems affecting emotional, mental and physical health. https://pvdpsych.com/services/

  Marriage therapy focuses on relationships and marriages. It’s also commonly referred to as couples therapy or marriage therapy. Marriage therapists are trained and certified to help couples diagnose relationship problems and develop practical solutions. https://pvdpsych.com/teams/

  Meet Dr. Sandy Muraoka I am a licensed clinical psychologist in Rhode Island provide individual online therapy to adults located in RI and am also licensed to provide telehealth to those in Florida. I provide individual therapy to college students and adults of all ages. My areas of interest and specialization include life transitions, identity related concerns, acculturative stress, minority stress, depression, anxiety, and aging. https://pvdpsych.com/sandy-muraoka-phd/

  Counseling is typically thought of as one-on-one encounters between a counselor and a client, which is a bit of a misconception. Group counseling structures are just as frequent a therapeutic setting as individual counseling sessions. They also represent an entirely different setting than individual therapy, requiring separate skills and knowledge. https://pvdpsych.com/

  Many people who have given birth will experience mild mood changes after having a baby, known as the "baby blues". This is normal and usually only lasts for a few days. But postpartum psychosis is very different from the "baby blues". It's a serious mental illness and should be treated as a medical emergency. Psychological therapy As you move forward with your recovery, you may benefit from seeing a therapist for  cognitive behavioural therapy (CBT). CBT is a talking therapy that can help you manage your problems by changing the way you think and behave. https://pvdpsych.com/services/

  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 local resources such as AA...

  Matthew Mooers, M.A. Postdoctoral Fellow Meet Matthew Mooers Starting in late August, I will be joining PVD Psychological Associates as a Postdoctoral Fellow. I offer online and in-person individual therapy to adults of all ages. With a theoretical foundation based primarily in learning theory, I heavily incorporate third-wave cognitive behavioral therapies into my practice, includingAcceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT), Dialectical Behavior Therapy (DBT), and Functional Analytic Psychotherapy (FAP). The services that I provide are grounded in my strong value of the relationship between therapist and client, and I often integrate key concepts from humanistic, existential, and psychodynamic theories. Having previously trained in university counseling centers, community mental health centers, and private practice, I have experience working with clients with a range of mood, anxiety, body image, and trauma-related concerns. I have also particularly enjoyed supporting clients who ...