PVD Psychological Associates

  Tips to Achieve Self-Awareness Strive for emotional awareness—understand what you are feeling and what is being triggered within so you can appropriately assess what is occurring and how to respond in an effective way/space that voids previously negative responses and patterns. Recognize negative and damaging thoughts/cognitions so you can censor them. Recognize your behavior tendencies and possible patterns to make appropriate adjustments prior to negative actions and/or outbursts. Come to terms and learn about your expectations, beliefs, and assumptions which affect the path and actions you choose. Regardless of past events and patterns, accept responsibility for your actions and the role you played in the outcome. https://pvdpsych.com/

  Being a parent means facing a host of common parenting issues. Children have their own exclusive personalities, challenges, and behaviors; therefore, there isn’t a single rulebook for dealing with challenging parenting issues. Let this information guide you with general knowledge that you can tailor to your own children and the difficulties and concerns they present to you along your parenting journey. https://pvdpsych.com/team/

  In the method of treating panic through psychoeducation, the therapist provides information to help correct the client’s misconceptions about panic attacks and anxiety and to normalize the situation for him, which are effective for treating panic. https://pvdpsych.com/team/

  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/

  Some of our therapists do not take insurance and are private pay only. Their fee schedule is the same as is disclosed above. Some clients elect to pay privately and avoid using insurance for their therapy or reimbursement of its costs in order to protect their confidentiality and prevent mental health diagnoses/treatment from being released to their insurance company. If you feel strongly about keeping your permanent medical record separate from your psychiatric care, but finances are a barrier, please feel free to contact us to discuss private pay, sliding scale fee options. https://pvdpsych.com/fees-insurance/

  Body image includes both the perception of and attitude toward one’s body. Negative body image can lead to emotional issues such as reduced self-esteem. It can also cause mental health issues such as body dysmorphia. https://pvdpsych.com/eating-disorders-and-body-image-concerns/

  Play therapy is a form of therapy used primarily for children. That’s because children may not be able to process their own emotions or articulate problems to parents or other adults. While it may look like an ordinary playtime, play therapy can be much more than that. https://pvdpsych.com/

  Couples frequently seek treatment at PVD Psychological Associates to work on improving communication, conflict resolution, financial difficulties, and sexual issues. Depending on their goals for therapy, treatment will be more exploratory in nature and focused on understanding root causes of difficulties or will be more directive and draw from cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT) or dialectical behavior therapy (DBT). https://pvdpsych.com/relationship-difficulties/

  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  they may be struggling with. We see children, adolescents, college students, and adults with various forms of mood disorders. https://pvdpsych.com/mood-disorders/

  Some ways to manage anxiety disorders include learning about anxiety, mindfulness, relaxation techniques, correct breathing techniques, dietary adjustments, exercise, learning to be assertive, building self-esteem, cognitive therapy, exposure therapy, structured problem solving, medication and support groups. https://pvdpsych.com/

  Family therapists recognize that changing a family system (usually) means disrupting existing relationship patterns and interpersonal communications. https://pvdpsych.com/about/

Smiling depression is a way of coping with the myriad of issues living with depression can bring - whether it's conscious or subconscious. This performative behavior can help a person navigate society, and it's easy to miss the subtle signs of depression because of this. According to Mental Health America ( MHA ), 15% of 12-17-year-olds experienced a major depressive disorder in 2022, while 10.6% live with a severe, persistent depressive disorder. https://pvdpsych.com/what-we-treat/

  As is the case with many behaviors that have an addictive pattern, workaholism is reinforcing, and so you may feel you benefit from the behavior and have difficulty recognizing that it is problematic. Especially in our society, where achievement, independence (as opposed to a relational focus), and work success are very highly valued, success at work, being a high achiever, and taking no breaks… aka workaholism, can be particularly difficult to recognize and/or want to change because the behavior and results of it are, in many ways rewarding, and positive. However, workaholism can lead to problems in relationships, negative physical health consequences, and mental health problems such as increased anxiety and irritability. Often, you may not recognize that you are behaving as such or that it is problematic. 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 awa...

  The therapists at PVD Psychological Associates have expertise working with LGBTQIA+  identified individuals and their families. We may work with these individuals on issues non-specific to their sexual orientation or gender identity, such as an eating disorder or relationship problems, or therapy might focus on very specific issues such as exploring one’s gender identity or coming out. Whether the topic of therapy is specific to an LGBTQIA+ identified individual or not, many of our clients have told us they find it to be important and helpful that their therapist is knowledgeable about the LGBTQIA+ community and is affirming in their approach. https://pvdpsych.com/lgbtqia-affirming-services/

  Who can benefit from marriage counseling? Most marriages and other relationships aren't perfect. Each person brings his or her own ideas, values, opinions and personal history into a relationship, and they don't always match their partner's. Those differences don't necessarily mean your relationship is bound for conflict. To the contrary, differences can be complementary — you know the saying about opposites attracting. These differences can also help people understand, respect and accept opposing views and cultures. But relationships can be tested. Differences or habits that you once found endearing may grate on your nerves after time together. Sometimes specific issues, such as an extramarital affair or loss of sexual attraction, trigger problems in a relationship. Other times, there's a gradual disintegration of communication and caring. https://pvdpsych.com/services/

  As individuals, we often represent ourselves as a spectrum of those around us. We hide our innermost neglect, shame, powerlessness and isolation with a few façades to conceal our true self. Counseling creates a safe space for individuals to breakout of these carefully chosen veneers and embrace themselves for who they are. https://pvdpsych.com/

  Self-awareness is defined as "conscious knowledge of one's own character, feelings, motives, and desires," according to Oxford Language. https://pvdpsych.com/

  No Contact Rules With Exes It can be difficult enough to move on after a breakup, but when there is an established dynamic of continuing to contact your partner (and vice versa) after the relationship ends, this can turn from difficult to toxic. These types of contact can be hurtful and confusing, and ultimately prevent you and your ex from being able to process the break up and move on. In some instances, when there is repeated contact post-breakup, one or both of you may be fishing for some sort of reaction. For example, you might text your ex because you are still angry and trying to provoke them and continue to argue. Another instance might be repeated bids to get your ex to reconsider the break up. If this type of thing is happening, establishing a “no contact” rule for a period of time whether mutually agreed upon or not may be helpful. It is healthy to be able to recognize when a relational dynamic is unproductive or harmful and to set boundaries in response to that. Somet...

  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/

  By addressing dysfunctional thought patterns through mindfulness based therapy , people can help ensure successful recovery from addiction or mental health disorders. https://pvdpsych.com/services/