PVD Psychological Associates

  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. I have obtained advanced training in several evidence-based treatments for trauma, such as Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing (EMDR), Sensorimotor Therapy, Internal Family Systems Therapy (IFS), and mindfulness based approaches. I also incorporate elements of Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT), and Narrative therapies into my work as indicated. I take a holistic approach to working with clients, helping individuals improve their mind-body connection and resolve emotional difficulti...

  Dialectical Behavior Therapy (DBT) is a type of cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT) developed by Dr. Marsha Linehan to help individuals who have difficulty managing their emotions, handling “crisis situations” of peak distress without engaging in impulsive and self-destructive behaviors, and navigating relationships effectively. In order to achieve best results, individuals will participate in both individual DBT and group skills training. Radically Open DBT (RO DBT) is a type of DBT that was developed by Dr. Thomas Lynch to treat individuals with disorders of over control. RO DBT is appropriate for some clients with eating disorders, treatment resistant depression, obsessive compulsive personality disorder (OCPD), perfectionism, and difficulty connecting with others. Too much self control can backfire and RO DBT helps clients learn how to be more open to new experiences, less rigid, and better able to connect with others. https://pvdpsych.com/dialectical-behavior-therapy-pvdpsyc...

  Cognitive Behavioral Therapy focuses on the here and now and understanding the relationships between thoughts, feelings, and behavior. In CBT, you will work with your therapist to understand what is maintaining your symptoms and develop new behaviors. You will learn how to change unhelpful thought patterns. Lastly, you will develop a willingness to approach rather than avoid emotions. https://pvdpsych.com/therapy/

  Exceptional Therapy and Testing in PVD PVD Psychological Associates (PVD Psych) is a private psychology practice with two offices on the East Side of Providence , Rhode Island . Our original office is in the College Hill neighborhood, right on Thayer Street, and the other is centrally located with all the shops and restaurants in Wayland Square. We specialize in providing evidence based treatment and neuropsychological testing for depression, anxiety, ADHD, eating disorders, college and graduate student mental health, trauma, and relationship difficulties. We are a BCBSRI certified LGBTQ Safe Zone practice and offer LGBTQIA Affirming and Gender Affirming Therapy. We strongly believe that everyone has the right to safe, respectful, and affirming, high quality care. https://pvdpsych.com/

  Therapy provides the individual with education regarding their addiction, relapse, and the recovery processes, and helps them learn about healthy coping and communication skills, as well as how to build and establish a supportive recovery network. Treatment can help heal shame and guilt, and build trust and a positive self-image.  Furthermore, it helps the patient explore motives, triggers, and warning signs for substance abuse they may not have been aware of. By uncovering the root of addiction, patients can better understand the value of getting treated in a supportive facility. https://pvdpsych.com/substance-use-problems/

  Sandy Martinez Muraoka, PhD I am a RI-based Clinical Psychologist providing teletherapy to adults located in RI and Florida. I provide therapy in English and Spanish to college students and adults of all ages. Although I am a generalist, my areas of interest and specialization include cultural identity concerns, minority stress, depression, anxiety, aging, women’s issues, and general stress management. As a first-generation Cuban-American, political refugee, and first-generation college graduate, I enjoy working with members of marginalized and oppressed groups to explore the intersection of ethnicity, gender, and socioeconomic class. As a parent to biracial children I am also sensitive to the challenges faced by mixed race individuals. https://pvdpsych.com/sandy-muraoka-phd/

  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. ​Depression is characterized by low mood more days than not for two weeks or more. When someone is depressed they may also experience loss of interest in things they once found enjoyable, a decrease in self-esteem, unjustified feelings of guilt, changes in sleep and/or appetite, and sometimes thoughts of self-harm and suicide. CBT for depression will focus on working to change thought patterns that are perpetuating low mood and hopelessness and making behavioral changes to improve energy and increase opportunities for pleasant experiences as well as changes to increase connection with others. https://pvdpsych.com/team/

  ​ 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 frequent lack of insight into what is happening contribute to problems with medication compliance. In therapy , individuals with bipolar disorder will focus on increasing motivation to achieve mood stability, understanding and managing behavioral triggers to changes in mood, and improving medication compliance. https://pvdpsych.com/mood-disorders/

  A panic attack is usually a very scary experience during which someone may feel shortness of breath, dizziness, heart palpitations, nausea, chills and/or sweating, a fear of dying or a fear of losing control, among other symptoms. Panic Disorder is characterized by recurrent, unexpected panic attacks and a fear of experiencing more panic attacks. CBT for Panic Disorder will focus on teaching individuals about panic attacks, their causes, and how to respond to them without perpetuating these symptoms. In more extreme cases, individuals may fear leaving their home or going out in public because they worry they will have a panic attack and not be able to cope with it or will end up trapped. https://pvdpsych.com/anxiety-disorders/

  ​ Obsessive Compulsive Disorder (OCD) is marked by intrusive, obsessive thoughts accompanied by compulsions, or behaviors people engage in the lessen these thoughts or neutralize them. In many cases, these thoughts can be disturbing to people and seem foreign to them. Therapy is cognitive behavioral in nature and will focus on identifying the obsessions and compulsions someone may be struggling with and then using Exposure and Response Prevention (ERP), a research supported therapy for OCD. https://pvdpsych.com/anxiety-disorders/

  Jill Wolff, LICSW I am a licensed independent social worker in Rhode Island and California and offer online therapy to clients in Rhode Island and California, in addition to my in-person practice in Barrington, Rhode Island. I offer therapy services to children, teens, young adults, and adults. I utilize an eclectic approach to therapy, drawing from Psychodynamic, Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT), Play Therapy, including Sand Tray, and Sensorimotor Psychotherapy approaches. My priority is to provide a nonjudgmental and safe environment for clients to explore their thoughts and to feel heard. My areas of interest include anxiety, depression, attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD), those touched by adoption and/or foster care, and issues regarding loss and grief. My Background I earned my MSW degree from The University of Southern California, with a concentration in children and families. Following graduation, I attended a 2-year fellowship at the Reiss-Davis Child Study...

  Generalized Anxiety Disorder (GAD) is defined by pervasive, difficult to control worry about a number of areas in one’s life. Those struggling with GAD often describe worry about the personal safety and health of themselves and their loved ones, often jumping to the worst case scenario if they cannot reach someone, for example. They also may worry about finances or school/work performance. This worry is often accompanied by symptoms of physical stress such as frequent headaches and muscle tension. CBT will focus on addressing these specific worries, helping individuals learn strategies to manage them, and also teaching relaxation strategies. https://pvdpsych.com/anxiety-disorders/

  Skin picking and hair pulling are two of the most common body focused repetitive behaviors we see in therapy . Another example of a body focused repetitive behavior that is nail biting. Body focused repetitive behaviors result in a sense of release of tension. CBT is used to treat these behaviors by helping individuals understand their triggers and then engage in different behaviors instead, often ones that are more healthy or adaptive. https://pvdpsych.com/anxiety-disorders/

  Mental Health Support PVD Psychological Associates provides professional and confidential services, to students needing assistance to meet their personal, social and academic goals. Services include consultation, referral, groups and workshops, as well as brief,  mental health counseling . https://pvdpsych.com/student-mental-health/

  ​Individuals with orthorexia have a preoccupation, or obsession, with being healthy and restrict their food intake to only a few types of food. Unlike other eating disorders that may immediately come to mind, those with orthorexia are more focused on eating the perfect foods than on an ideal body weight or shape. https://pvdpsych.com/eating-disorders-and-body-image-concerns/

  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 . ​ We may work with these individuals on issues non-specific to their sexual orientation or gender identity or expression, 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 being LGBTQIA+ identified 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/

  Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT) and Dialectical Behavior Therapy (DBT) are both evidence-based psychotherapies used to treat a variety of mental health conditions . While they share similarities, they differ in focus, techniques, and the types of conditions they target. 1. Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT) Core Principle: CBT is based on the idea that thoughts, feelings, and behaviors are interconnected. By identifying and changing negative or distorted thinking patterns, individuals can alter their emotional responses and behaviors. Key Features: Focus: Emphasizes identifying and challenging distorted cognitive patterns (e.g., negative or irrational thoughts) and replacing them with more realistic, positive thoughts. Techniques: Cognitive restructuring, thought records, behavioral experiments, exposure therapy, and problem-solving strategies. Commonly Used For: Depression, anxiety, PTSD, phobias, OCD, and general stress management. Structure: Goal-oriented and typically ...

  Individual therapy can help people with mental illnesses learn how to deal with negative emotions, thoughts, and feelings. A therapist can help you learn healthy coping skills and come up with a plan to effectively manage triggers. Individual therapy can help you gain a better understanding of yourself, identify underlying causes of the mental health problems you are dealing with, and facilitate lifestyle changes. A therapist can help you analyze your thoughts and emotions and cultivate self-awareness. A self-aware person is confident, communicates effectively, and makes better decisions. Mental and physical health go hand in hand. People grappling with mental health problems are at higher risk for physical health problems. You can apply the skills you learn in therapy to manage your symptoms. As your symptoms subside, both your mental and physical health improve. Your therapist will help you work on your existing skills. They will teach you ways to maintain your emotional and ...

  Being a parent can be the most rewarding experience you go through, but can also be the most taxing. After teaching your child how to walk, talk, and even go to the toilet, you then move on to teaching them life skills like how to hold a conversation, or how to manage conflict. With the number of parenting books available (each claiming to have found the  one  perfect way to raise your child), it is easy to become overwhelmed. Parent counseling is a service that aims to provide you with knowledge, guidance, tools, and emotional support, all without judgment or bias. Different from family counseling which has its own set of benefits, parent counseling focuses on how you as the parent affect the dynamics of your family. https://pvdpsych.com/services/

  There are no specific treatments for stress. But there are treatments for some of the signs and symptoms of stress. Talking therapy Talking with a trained professional could help you find ways to deal with stress. And it can help you become more aware of your own thoughts and feelings. You might also find talking therapies helpful if your stress has caused other mental health problems. https://pvdpsych.com/team/

  Julie Herzlinger, LICSW I provide individual therapy to college students, adults, aging adults, and individuals of any life stage experiencing caregiver stress. My areas of specialization and focus include working with those struggling to navigate life transitions, feeling “stuck,” experiencing relationship and intimacy problems, self-esteem issues, adjustment to illness/caregiver stress, as well as grief and loss. I also have extensive experience working with individuals with trauma histories and PTSD, anxiety disorders, and mood disorders. I am primarily a psychodynamic therapist. I draw from my training in various types of therapy, including relational and strengths-based approaches, cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT), and acceptance and commitment therapy (ACT), to most effectively meet the needs of the individual. https://pvdpsych.com/julie-herzlinger-licsw/