PVD Psychological Associates

We offers 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.

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Supporting LGBTQIA+

Supporting LGBTQIA+ Youth Starts with Listening. 💛

Young people thrive when they have adults who affirm who they are.

Therapy can help children, teens, and families navigate: 🌈 Identity exploration 🌈 School-related stress 🌈 Anxiety and depression 🌈 Communication challenges 🌈 Building resilience and self-esteem

At PVD Psychological Associates, we believe every young person deserves to feel seen, heard, and supported.

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Panic Attack Therapy Near Me

😰💙 Panic Attack Therapy

Panic attacks can feel sudden, intense, and overwhelming — bringing both emotional and physical symptoms that may leave you feeling frightened or out of control. 🌪️

⚠️ During a panic attack, you may experience:

• Rapid heartbeat ❤️ • Shortness of breath • Dizziness or shaking • Intense fear or anxiety • Feeling disconnected or overwhelmed

✨ If you feel a panic attack coming on, these coping strategies may help:

1️⃣ Practice deep breathing 🫁 2️⃣ Remind yourself that it’s a panic attack and it will pass 3️⃣ Close your eyes and reduce outside stimulation 4️⃣ Use mindfulness techniques 🧘 5️⃣ Focus on a calming object or thought 6️⃣ Try muscle relaxation exercises 🌿

🤝 Therapy can also help you better understand panic attacks, reduce triggers, and develop long-term coping skills. You don’t have to face anxiety alone.

🔗 Learn more:

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Mental Health Counseling in Providence

Reminder: Your nervous system wasn't built for constant notifications, endless scrolling, and being available 24/7.

It's okay to step away. It's okay to silence the noise. It's okay to give your mind a moment to rest.

Sometimes the healthiest thing you can do is disconnect for a little while and reconnect with yourself. 🌼

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Mental Health Counselor Associate in Providence Rhode Island

Annelba Melendez, LMHC-A

I am a mental health counselor associate in Rhode Island who works with college students, young adults, and adults navigating life’s challenges and transitions. I provide both in-person and virtual therapy and am especially passionate about supporting young adults as they navigate questions related to identity, relationships, career development, academic stress, and finding their place in the world. I strive to create a warm, affirming, and nonjudgmental space where clients feel comfortable showing up as their authentic selves. I am committed to helping clients move toward a life that feels more meaningful and aligned with their values.

As a first-generation Dominican American and first-generation college student, I understand that culture, family expectations, identity, and systems can shape how we experience ourselves and the world around us. I welcome conversations about race, ethnicity, culture, immigration, belonging, intergenerational experiences, and navigating multiple identities. I strive to create a space where clients feel comfortable exploring these aspects of themselves and the ways they intersect with their mental health and overall well-being.

My Background

I earned my Master of Science in Clinical Mental Health Counseling from Rhode Island College in 2026 and my Bachelor of Arts in Psychology and Spanish from Clark University in 2023. Throughout my education and clinical training, I have had multiple opportunities to work closely with college students facing a wide range of concerns, including anxiety, depression, identity development, relationship challenges, academic stress, and major life transitions. These experiences deepened my appreciation for the unique opportunities and challenges that emerge during young adulthood and reinforced my passion for helping individuals navigate periods of growth and change.

My Approach & Philosophy

I believe that meaningful change occurs when clients feel authentically seen, heard, and understood. My approach is rooted in person-centered and strengths-based principles, with influences from Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT) and Dialectical Behavior Therapy (DBT). I view therapy as a collaborative process and strive to meet clients where they are while helping them build on their existing strengths and resilience.

Seeking therapy can feel vulnerable, and finding the right therapist is an important part of the process. My hope is to provide a space where you feel supported, challenged, and empowered as you move toward the life you want to create. Together, we can explore patterns that may no longer be serving you, develop practical coping skills, and work toward creating lasting change.

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Affirming Therapy

Finding the right therapist is important. Finding one who truly understands and affirms your identity can make all the difference.

For many LGBTQIA+ individuals, therapy isn't just about addressing anxiety, depression, relationship challenges, or life transitions—it's also about having a space where they feel seen, respected, and understood without having to explain or defend who they are.

Affirming therapy recognizes the unique experiences, challenges, and strengths within the LGBTQIA+ community while providing compassionate, evidence-based support. Whether you're exploring your identity, navigating coming out, building a family, managing relationships, or simply seeking support for everyday life, you deserve care that honors your whole self.

At PVD Psychological Associates, we are committed to providing LGBTQIA+ affirming therapy for individuals and families in a safe, welcoming environment.

🏳️‍🌈 You deserve support that celebrates who you are.

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Happy Pride Month!

🌈✨ Happy Pride Month! ✨🌈

This month, we celebrate love, authenticity, diversity, and the strength of the LGBTQIA+ community. 💙

Pride is a time to honor individuality, uplift voices, and continue creating spaces where everyone feels safe, respected, and supported. 🤝

At PVD Psychological Associates, we are proud to provide LGBTQIA+-affirming care and believe that everyone deserves compassionate, inclusive, and high-quality mental health support. 🌿

💖 To all those celebrating Pride — we see you, support you, and celebrate you not only this month, but every day.

🏳️‍🌈 Wishing you a joyful, empowering, and love-filled Pride Month!

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Mindfulness-Based Cognitive Therapy

🧘‍♀️🧠 Mindfulness-Based Cognitive Therapy in Providence, RI

Mindfulness-Based Cognitive Therapy (MBCT) combines the principles of cognitive therapy with mindfulness practices to help individuals better understand and manage their thoughts and emotions. 🌿

✨ Through techniques like mindfulness meditation, MBCT teaches people to become more aware of their thoughts and feelings — without judgment.

💭 This approach can help individuals:

✔️ Reduce stress and anxiety

✔️ Improve emotional awareness

✔️ Break negative thought patterns

✔️ Cultivate calmness and balance

💙 By learning to stay present in the moment, individuals can respond to challenges with greater clarity and self-compassion.

🤝 At PVD Psychological Associates, we provide compassionate, evidence-based therapy tailored to your unique needs and goals.

🔗 Learn more:

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Healthy Relationships Therapy in Providence

Moving on after a breakup is hard enough. But when the cycle of texting, checking in, arguing, or seeking closure continues after the relationship ends, it can shift from difficult… to emotionally draining.

Post-breakup contact can sometimes keep both people stuck — creating confusion, reopening wounds, or making it harder to truly process what happened and move forward.

Sometimes the contact comes from anger. Sometimes from hope. Sometimes from simply missing what felt familiar.

That’s where boundaries matter.

A temporary “no contact” period can be a healthy way to create space, gain clarity, and recognize when a relational dynamic is no longer serving you. It’s not about punishment — it’s about protecting your healing.

And if you do feel ready to reconnect down the line? Taking time to reflect on your intentions first can make all the difference.

Healthy relationships also mean knowing when to step back. 💙

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Gender Affirming Therapy

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.

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Addiction Therapy in Providence RI

Recovery is a journey — and no one has to face it alone. 🌿

Addiction treatment often includes a combination of individual and group therapy designed to help people develop the tools and support needed to achieve and maintain sobriety. 🤝

🧠 Behavioral therapy is one of the most effective approaches used in substance use treatment, helping individuals:

✔️ Understand triggers and unhealthy patterns ✔️ Build healthy coping strategies ✔️ Navigate stress without turning to drugs or alcohol ✔️ Strengthen long-term recovery skills

✨ At PVD Psychological Associates, we provide compassionate, evidence-based care to support individuals on their path toward healing and recovery.

💬 Recovery is possible, and seeking help is a courageous first step.

🔗 Learn more:

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Anger Management Tips

Keeping your temper in check can be challenging. Use simple anger management tips — from taking a timeout to using "I" statements — to stay in control.

1. Think before you speak

In the heat of the moment, it's easy to say something you'll later regret. Take a few moments to collect your thoughts before saying anything — and allow others involved in the situation to do the same.

2. Once you're calm, express your anger

As soon as you're thinking clearly, express your frustration in an assertive but nonconfrontational way. State your concerns and needs clearly and directly, without hurting others or trying to control them.

3. Get some exercise

Physical activity can help reduce stress that can cause you to become angry. If you feel your anger escalating, go for a brisk walk or run, or spend some time doing other enjoyable physical activities.

4. Don't hold a grudge

Forgiveness is a powerful tool. If you allow anger and other negative feelings to crowd out positive feelings, you might find yourself swallowed up by your own bitterness or sense of injustice. But if you can forgive someone who angered you, you might both learn from the situation and strengthen your relationship.

5. Use humor to release tension

Lightening up can help diffuse tension. Use humor to help you face what's making you angry and, possibly, any unrealistic expectations you have for how things should go. Avoid sarcasm, though — it can hurt feelings and make things worse

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Student Mental Health Therapy in Providence RI

In academic environments, pressure can become normalized.

The pressure to perform. To publish. To excel. To manage everything perfectly.

At PVD Psych, we frequently work with adolescents, college students, graduate students, faculty, and others navigating the mental health challenges that can accompany academic life, including anxiety, perfectionism, ADHD, burnout, stress management, and imposter syndrome.

Success and wellbeing shouldn’t have to compete.

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Best Trauma Psychotherapy

💙🌿 Trauma Psychotherapy in Rhode Island

Trauma can leave lasting emotional, mental, and physical effects — impacting the way we think, feel, and connect with others. But healing is possible. 🧠✨

At PVD Psychological Associates, we provide compassionate, evidence-based trauma psychotherapy to help individuals safely process difficult experiences and move toward recovery. 🤝

💭 Trauma therapy can help with:

• Anxiety and overwhelming emotions • Stress and emotional triggers • Relationship difficulties • Feelings of fear, shame, or disconnection

🌱 Through therapy, individuals can build healthier coping strategies, improve emotional resilience, and regain a sense of safety and control in their lives.

💬 Healing takes time, and you don’t have to go through it alone. Our therapists are here to support you every step of the way.

🔗 Learn more:

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Stress Eating

Stress doesn’t just live in the mind — it shows up in the body, too.

When we’re stressed, our bodies release cortisol, a hormone that can increase appetite and cravings for foods high in sugar, fat, or comfort. Over time, reaching for food during stress can become an automatic coping pattern.

This isn’t about “lack of willpower.” It’s about understanding how stress impacts the brain + body — and learning healthier ways to respond with compassion, not shame. 💙

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Loss and Grief Psychotherapy in Rhode Island

💔🌿 Loss & Grief Psychotherapy in Rhode Island

Grief and loss are deeply human experiences that touch all of us at some point in life. Whether it’s the loss of a loved one, illness, life transitions, or emotional wounds carried for years, grief can affect every part of our well-being. 🕊️

💭 Everyone experiences grief differently, and healing begins by allowing yourself the space to feel and process those emotions naturally.

Often, we try to suppress sadness or distract ourselves from pain — but unprocessed grief can continue to impact our emotional health and relationships over time.

🤝 At PVD Psychological Associates, psychotherapy provides a compassionate and supportive space to:

• Process loss and painful emotions • Understand your grief experience • Develop healthy coping strategies • Move toward healing at your own pace 💙

✨ You do not have to navigate grief alone. Support and healing are possible.

🔗 Learn more:

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Online Depression Counseling in Rhode Island

Depression is the leading cause of disability worldwide and one of the most common mental health conditions globally. That’s right: depression can be a serious illness and knows no borders. While we all know what it’s like to feel sad, persistent depression can become severe and can lead to a range of other emotional and physical health issues.

Wondering if it’s just a phase or something more? Take our short online test to find out if you’re living with depression.

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Anxiety Attack Symptoms and Treatment

😰💭 Anxiety Attack Symptoms & Treatment

Anxiety can affect people of all ages — from children and teens to college students and adults. When left untreated, it can impact daily life, relationships, school, and work. 💙

⚠️ Common anxiety attack symptoms may include:

• Rapid heartbeat ❤️ • Trouble breathing • Sweating or shaking • Racing thoughts • Feeling overwhelmed or out of control

✨ The good news? Anxiety is treatable.

At PVD Psychological Associates, our therapists specialize in helping individuals manage anxiety using research-supported Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT) and other evidence-based approaches. 🧠🌿

🤝 We work with children, adolescents, college students, and adults experiencing a variety of anxiety disorders — helping them build healthy coping skills and regain confidence in everyday life.

💬 Support is available, and you don’t have to face anxiety alone.

🔗 Learn more: