PVD Psychological Associates

  Mental illness treatment can take place in a  variety of settings  and typically involves a multidisciplinary team of providers such as counselors, psychologists, psychiatrists, nurses, mental health aides, and peer support professionals. https://pvdpsych.com/team/

For people who have just given birth, it’s common to experience symptoms of both PPD(postpartum depression) and PPA(postpartum anxiety). In fact, research shows that two in three people diagnosed with PPD also display symptoms of postnatal anxiety in the first seven months following childbirth. It is critically important to  seek treatment  for these postnatal mental health conditions. Living with PPD and PPA affects your quality of life, daily functioning and overall well-being. Additionally, if left untreated, these conditions may have negative impacts on your child’s development and interfere with breastfeeding. https://pvdpsych.com/pregnancy-and-postpartum-issues/

Neuropsychological testing refers to a number of tests that healthcare providers use to get information about how your brain works. Specially trained psychologists — neuropsychologists   — look at the results to better understand the relationship between your brain health and behavior, and mood and thinking (cognition). PVD Psychological Associates offers neuropsychological, psychological, and achievement testing for individuals ages 7 and older. https://pvdpsych.com/psychological-testing/

  Seeking therapy after a loss can help you overcome anxiety and depression by processing your experience at your own pace. Each mental health expert may utilize a different approach to help patients tackle grief, and cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT) and acceptance and commitment therapy (ACT) are two methods often used for bereavement. https://pvdpsych.com/

  The therapists at PVD Psychological Associates specialize in working with individuals with eating disorders and body image concerns. We implement research-supported, cognitive-behavioral therapy (CBT). We see children, adolescents, college students, and adults with eating disorders. https://pvdpsych.com/eating-disorders-and-body-image-concerns/

  One category of psychotherapy , cognitive behavior therapies (CBT), is very effective. Cognitive processing therapy, prolonged exposure therapy and stress inoculation therapy are among the types of CBT used to treat PTSD. https://pvdpsych.com/team/

  People with anxiety disorders, negative ways of thinking fuel the negative emotions of anxiety and fear. The goal of cognitive behavioral therapy for anxiety is to identify and correct these negative thoughts and beliefs. The idea is that if you change the way you think, you can change the way you feel. https://pvdpsych.com/therapy/

  10 Tips for Parents with Eating Disorder Histories to Avoid ‘Passing it On’ to Their Children Eating disorders and body image concern are unfortunately very frequently intergenerational, or passed from one generation to the other. We can presume that some of this is due to biological factors that predispose someone to having an eating disorder due to certain personality traits like being overly conscientious or perfectionistic or being more impulsive or more anxious. However, an eating disorders is in very large part determined by environment and learning history, and these are also the only aspects a parent can control when it comes to helping their child avoid developing an eating disorder.  According to the cognitive behavioral theory of an eating disorder’s development, it is brought about by an internalization of a thin ideal, perfectionistic standards, and the idea of having more control over one’s body size and shape than may actually be the case. Much of this is...

  Seasonal depression, also called seasonal affective disorder (SAD), is a type of depression. It’s triggered by the change of seasons and most commonly begins in late fall. Symptoms include feelings of sadness, lack of energy, loss of interest in usual activities, oversleeping and weight gain. Treatments include light therapy, talk therapy and antidepressants. https://pvdpsych.com/

  PVD Psychological Associates is a recognized BCBSRI LGBTQ Safe Zone. The therapists at PVD Psychological Associates have expertise working with LGBTQIA+ identified individuals and their families. We offer LGBTQIA+ Affirming and Gender Affirming Therapy. https://pvdpsych.com/lgbtqia-affirming-services/

  Group therapy, as the name implies, is a type of psychological therapy that is conducted with a group of people, rather than between an individual and mental health professional . Usually, people in the group are facing similar issues, like anxiety or addiction. https://pvdpsych.com/

  College students most frequently come to therapy to work through the adjustment to college, homesickness, navigating roommate conflict, identity development, impression management, imposter syndrome, time management, stress management, perfectionism, eating disorders, substance use, and relationship difficulties. https://pvdpsych.com/student-mental-health/

  Subtle, and Not So Subtle Red Flags 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...

  The terms “ family therapy ” and “ family counseling ” are often interchangeable. Both usually involve talking to help individuals and families work through conflicts, barriers, or mental health issues. https://pvdpsych.com/

  Whether you're looking to keep a new romantic relationship strong or repair a relationship that's on the rocks, contact to one of our therapist that can help you feel loved and connected to your partner. https://pvdpsych.com/team/

  EFFECTIVENESS OF INDIVIDUAL THERAPY Even if therapy cannot cure a condition, it can help people develop healthy coping skills. Determination to be active in therapy and heal is essential for meeting therapeutic goals and fostering a positive therapeutic relationship. Finding the right therapist is also crucial to the treatment process. https://pvdpsych.com/team/

  Parenting can be full of ups and downs, no matter your child's age. While happy moments may make you love your role as a caretaker, challenging times may lead to stress and questioning your ability to care for your children adequately. Parenting can be especially challenging for single or divorced parents, as they may face additional personal issues and struggles in managing their families. Many may look for advice on what makes a good parent. This range of emotions can be natural and something every parent experiences. However, it may still be challenging to navigate. Professional parent counseling can be one way parents seek help for themselves and their children. https://pvdpsych.com/team/

  There is certainly not a ‘one size fits all’ approach to anxiety management. It is important to be open to trying many different types of strategies, even if they sound odd or silly. It is also very important to know that you need to learn exactly how to use the tools in the right way as if you unintentionally modify it a little, you may end up subtly doing something that perpetuates your anxiety. Here are a few ideas that you can try on your own to help with anxiety management. https://pvdpsych.com/surprising-but-effective-ways-to-manage-anxiety/

  Psychotherapy , also called talk therapy, is considered an effective first choice treatment for panic attacks and panic disorder. Psychotherapy can help you understand panic attacks and panic disorder and learn how to cope with them. https://pvdpsych.com/

  When should I see my healthcare provider about OCD? If you or your child have received an obsessive-compulsive disorder diagnosis, you’ll likely need to see your healthcare provider and/or mental health professional regularly to make sure your treatment is working. If you’re taking medication for OCD and notice any unpleasant side effects, talk to your healthcare provider. https://pvdpsych.com/therapy/

  MOOD DISORDER THERAPY TREATMENT Before we begin discussing possible therapy methods for mood disorders, let’s discuss what mood disorders are and how they manifest. Mood disorders categorize a bunch of mental health conditions which have to do primarily with an individual’s mood and their inability to manage them. The inability to control this excess of mood upheavals strains a person’s daily functioning and performance and even hampers their quality of life. Mood disorders can nevertheless be treated by the timely intervention of counselors and therapists. The mood disorders most commonly diagnosed by therapists are – depressive disorders , bipolar disorders , and substance-induced mood disorders. A surprising number of young adults suffer from mood disorders. Also, women are more prone to developing mood disorders than men. https://pvdpsych.com/mood-disorders/

  Different types of professionals may provide mindfulness therapy, including psychologists and therapists. Other health professionals , such as licensed professional counselors and licensed clinical social workers, may also incorporate mindfulness. https://pvdpsych.com/team/

  Meet Dr. Nicole Issa I am a licensed clinical psychologist and the Founder of PVD Psychological Associates . I am licensed in Rhode Island, New York and Massachusetts, and offer online sessions to individuals in all three of these states. I provide individual therapy to older adolescents, college students, and adults. I have advanced training in psychodynamic therapy as well as cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT). My areas of specialization and interest include: anxiety, depression, perinatal mental health, college student mental health, and working with LGBTQIA-identified individuals. I also specialize in executive coaching and work with individuals in leadership positions at high power corporations who are seeking help with work-life balance, imposter syndrome, perfectionism, and burn out. I view therapy as a collaborative and egalitarian process that allows both therapist and client to grow and change. My relationship with each client is something I greatly value and focus on ...