Kalina Brabeck, PhD

Meet Dr. Brabeck

I am a licensed Counseling Psychologist and a Professor of Clinical Mental Health Counseling at Rhode Island College. I integrate evidence-based interventions within a trauma-informed, social justice framework in my work with adults (ages 18+) and couples struggling with anxiety, depression, posttraumatic stress disorder, complex trauma and attachment issues, relational stress, and personality challenges. I primarily practice Dialectical Behavior Therapy (DBT) and Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT) and have been trained in, and utilize, Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing (EMDR). I am also recently trained in Emotionally-Focused Therapy for Couples (EFT-C), which integrates humanistic approaches with the science of attachment, and is regarded as the gold standard of evidence-based approaches for couples work. Finally, I am Spanish/English bilingual and have many years of experience working with immigrants from Latin America in English and Spanish.

My Background

I was awarded a Masters in Educational Psychology and maPhD in Counseling Psychology from The University of Texas at Austin. I completed my predoctoral internship at NYU Langone Medical School/ Bellevue Hospital Center, where I began learning DBT in the Intensive Personality Disorder Program and also worked in the Bilingual Treatment Clinic with Spanish-speaking patients. I also have a background in psychological assessment. I have trained primarily in DBT, ACT, CPT, EMDR, and EFT-C. In addition to my clinical work at PVD Psychological Associates, I am a tenured professor of Clinical Mental Health Counseling at Rhode Island College, where I teach and supervise future LMHCs.

My Approach & Philosophy

I believe that a strong, genuine therapeutic relationship is foundational to effective psychotherapy. I frequently check in with my clients to inquire about the therapeutic relationship and to obtain feedback on how therapy is working for them.I strive to be welcoming, nonjudgmental, genuine, curious, and compassionate.

I utilize evidence-based frameworks and interventions, and also understand that each individual is unique. Therefore I seek to adapt my interventions to meet the preferences,style, identities, and contexts of the individual or couple I’m working with. I employ a non-pathologizing framework and seek to balance validating the protective function of myclients’ behaviors while also supporting them to choose more flexible and more effective patterns of behavior that are in line with their lives worth living. I believe that creating new change requires practice and commitment, and therefore I typically integrate practice or “homework” into my therapeutic work, so that clients can generalize what they are learning in therapy to their lives outside. I work with my clients to accept themselves and their experiences, and to re-author their stories in ways that are affirming, balanced, and effective in moving toward values and goals. In all my work, I center trauma informed principles (safety, trust, collaboration, transparency) and cultural humility.