Alyssa Freedman, PsyD

Meet Dr. Alyssa Freedman

I am a licensed clinical psychologist in Rhode Island and Massachusetts, and offer online therapy to individuals residing in both of those states, in addition to my in-person practice in Rhode Island. My areas of interest and specialization include depression, anxiety, stress management, self-esteem, college and graduate student mental health, and values identification/clarification. I have specialized training in a variety of evidence-based treatments such as acceptance and commitment therapy (ACT), cognitive-behavioral therapy (CBT), and dialectical behavior therapy (DBT). My work is also greatly influenced by the strengths-based focus of positive psychology.

I believe it is essential to understand how elements of my clients’ identities intersect and influence their current situation and presenting concerns. From there, I educate my clients on their symptoms and what may be contributing to them. We then identify goals for treatment before moving on to evidence-based interventions. I also frequently check in with my clients to ensure that they are getting what they are looking for from therapy. Through my warm, curious, empathic nature, I strive to create a safe, welcoming space where clients feel comfortable and can work effectively toward their goals in therapy.

My Background

I earned my doctoral degree from Williams James College (formerly Massachusetts School of Professional Psychology). I completed my predoctoral internship at Roger Williams University’s Center for Counseling and Student Development. I especially enjoy working with college and graduate students as these are critical periods in identity development and present a unique opportunity to learn skills to apply for the entirety of one’s life. I went on to join Brown University’s Alpert Medical School Clinical Psychology Training Consortium for my postdoctoral fellowship. During this training experience, I was based at the Providence VA Medical Center, where I split my time between a psychosocial rehabilitation program and a primary care clinic for Veterans experiencing homelessness. I have worked in a variety of settings throughout my career which have taught me how to creatively adapt evidence-based interventions to the individualized needs of my clients.

My Approach & Philosophy

I believe my role as a therapist is primarily a supportive one which enables me to work with my clients in a safe, welcoming space. I consider my clients to be experts in their own experience while I am the expert in intervention, which together allow us to address challenges in a collaborative, thoughtful way. I take an integrative approach to therapy by drawing from the evidence-based interventions in which I am trained to tailor treatment to each individual’s presenting concerns.

I focus a great deal on understanding my clients and their strengths and internal resources. I feel that there is often too much of a focus on everything “wrong” with a person at the expense of all the wonderful qualities they possess. I aim to assist clients in acknowledging and appreciating their unique strengths, and explore how these can best serve living a life in line with their self-identified values. I believe it is an honor to work with my clients and be a part of their journey. I look forward to the opportunity to work with you.