Clinicians

Subcategories

• Licensed Clinicians

  Licensed Clinicians include clinical psychologists and social workers.

  • Ben Johnson, Ph.D., ABPP

    

    Dr. Johnson is Director of RICBT, a clinical psychologist, Clinical Assistant Professor at Brown University in the Department of Psychiatry and Human Behavior, and runs the Cognitive Behavioral Therapy team at the University of Rhode Island's doctoral program in Clinical Psychology.

    Dr. Johnson also maintains a separate website about his professional activities.

  • Charles Boisvert, Ph.D.

    Dr. Boisvert received his B.S. from Le Moyne College, his M.A. from Rhode Island College, and his Ph.D. in Clinical Psychology from the University of Rhode Island. He completed an internship in Clinical Psychology at the Edith Nourse Rogers Memorial VA Medical Center in Bedford, Massachusetts, and a two-year postdoctoral fellowship in the Department of Psychiatry and Behavioral Medicine at the Lahey Clinic Medical Center. In addition to his work at RICBT, Dr. Boisvert is an Associate Professor in the Department of Counseling, Educational Leadership, and School Psychology at Rhode Island College. He has particular clinical interests in cognitive-behavioral treatments for anxiety and stress, anger management, and psychoeducation.

  • Patricia Engler, Ph.D.
  • Joseph A. Grillo, Psy.D.

    Dr. Grillo treats a wide range of late adolescents and adults. He specializes in helping individuals with mood, anxiety, anger, and relationship issues. He is particularly interested in the relationship between existential issues and cognitive-behavioral therapy.

  • Aaron Kaiser, Ph.D.

    Aaron Kaiser, Ph.D. specializes in the assessment and cognitive behavioral treatment (CBT) of anxiety, trauma, and other general mental health issues.  Most recently, he completed a two year postdoctoral fellowship at Boston University as an assessor and therapist for The Center for Anxiety and Related Disorders.  He received his Master’s Degree and Ph.D. in Clinical Psychology from Central Michigan University.  He completed his pre-doctoral internship at the Iowa City VA Medical Center, focusing on the assessment and treatment of PTSD and general psychopathology.  His approach to treatment involves careful re-evaluation of problematic thoughts and progressive exposure to feared situations in the context of a supportive relationship.

  • Kristin Maki, Ph.D.

    Dr. Maki received her B.A. from Trinity College and her doctorate in clinical psychology from the University of Maine. She completed her internship and postdoctoral training in clinical psychology at Brown University. Dr. Maki is a specialist in anxiety disorders and has been heavily involved in researching anxiety disorders at Brown, before joining RICBT.

  • Meredith McElroy, Psy.D.

    Dr. McElroy received her B.S. from Northeastern University, her MA from Loyola College, Maryland, and her doctorate in clinical psychology from Argosy University-American School of Professional Psychology. Before joining RICBT, she completed an internship at the Forest Institute of Professional Psychology and worked as a postdoctoral clinician at the North Charles Institute for Addictions in Cambridge, Massachusetts. Dr. McElroy has worked in a wide range of settings and conducts individual, couple, and group therapy. She currently holds an appointment as Adjunct Assistant Professor, Argosy University-American School of Professional Psychology. She conducts a workshop at RICBT on Taming Intense Emotions, which teaches patients the skills of Dialectical Behavior Therapy (DBT).

  • Joseph McGlinchey, Ph.D.

    Dr. McGlinchey received his B.A. from Boston College, magna cum laude, and his doctorate in clinical psychology from the University of Washington. He completed his internship at the Veteran's Administration Mental Health Care System of Maryland. He completed his postdoctoral training in clinical psychology at Brown University. He is currently Clinical Assistant Professor in the Department of Psychiatry and Behavior at Brown University. He joined RICBT, Inc. after several years as a staff psychologist at Rhode Island Hospital. Dr. McGlinchey specializes in treating depression and anxiety disorders, and has tremendous experience in diagnostic assessment. He is an incredibly warm and passionate clinician.

  • Selene MacKinnon, Psy.D.

    

    Dr. MacKinnon received her B.S. from Rhode Island College, and her MS and doctorate in Clinical Psychology from Indiana State University.  Her post graduate training was at Brown University’s Center for Alcohol and Addiction Studies where she received the Sharon Chauncey Award, given to the postdoctoral fellow who most exemplified devotion and dedication to the training program.  Dr. MacKinnon was a Clinical Assistant Professor in the Department of Psychiatry and Human Behavior at Brown for several years, and has held a variety of research, clinical and administrative positions at Brown and the Providence VA Medical Center.  She treats a wide range of adult patients and has particular expertise in anxiety, depression, grief and loss, sleep issues, the demands of being a caregiver, work stress, and substance abuse.  People find Dr. MacKinnon to be wonderfully caring and organized in her approach to treatment.

  • Ethan Moitra, Ph.D.
    

    Dr. Moitra received his B.A. from the University of Virginia and his doctorate in clinical psychology from Drexel University. He completed his internship at West Virginia University Medical Center. He completed his postdoctoral training in clinical psychology at Brown University where he is currently Assistant Professor (Research) in the Department of Psychiatry and Human Behavior.  Dr. Moitra specializes in cognitive behavioral therapies, including acceptance- and mindfulness-based interventions. He has a wealth of experience in treating mood and anxiety disorders, as well as eating disorders, substance abuse, and challenges associated with living with chronic illnesses.
  • Claire Nicogossian, Psy.D.

    Dr. Nicogossian received her doctorate in clinical psychology from the American Schools of Professional Psychology-Argosy University. She completed her clinical psychology internship at Virginia Tech University and her post-doctoral fellowship at RICBT. Dr. Nicogossian treats a wide range of individuals from adolescence to adulthood and specializes in treating women across the lifespan with a special focus on infertility, parenting, relationships, well-being and self-care. Dr. Nicogossian conducts individual, couples, and group therapy.

  • Wendy Ossman, Psy.D., MBA

    Dr. Ossman received her B.S. and M.B.A. from the Rochester Institute of Technology and obtained her Doctorate in Psychology from the University of Denver. She completed an internship in clinical psychology at the University of Rochester Medical Center and her postdoctoral training in the Department of Psychiatry and Human Behavior at Brown University. Dr. Ossman is well-versed in traditional behavioral psychotherapy and Dialectical Behavior Therapy (DBT), but most closely affiliates with a type of behavior therapy called Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT). ACT approaches psychological problems from the perspectives of acceptance, willingness, and values. It promotes the idea that the struggles people encounter frequently result from an unwillingness to approach difficult emotions or thoughts. The resulting escape and avoidance prevents individuals from identifying and/or pursuing their core values thereby creating a less vital life. Dr. Ossman specializes in treating anxiety disorders, impulse control disorders and weight loss.

  • Julie Pearson, LICSW

    Julie received her BSW from the University of Vermont and her MSW from Boston College. Julie has worked with a great variety of adult and family mental health issues at every level of care (from outpatient to inpatient). She conducts two groups at RICBT: a Mind Over Mood workshop that teaches participants how to use cognitive therapy strategies to manage their moods and an ongoing follow-up group to support individuals as they continue to work to improve their lives.

  • Mary Previte, LICSW

    Mary received her B.A. from the University of Rhode Island and her MSW from Rhode Island College. She formerly worked at Rhode Island Hospital's Day Hospital Program and has much experience helping individuals cope with extremely difficult situations and emotional crises. At RICBT she helps a wide range of individuals and couples struggling with issues including anxiety, depression, and relationship problems.

  • Ronald Thebarge, Ph.D.

    

    Dr. Thebarge worked at the Miriam Hospital for many years before joining RICBT.  He specializes in the treatment of chronic pain, weight problems, and a range of behavioral medicine issues. He also works with depression and anxiety, balancing careful listening with more directive strategies.

  • Kristin Stone, Ph.D.

    Dr. Stone received her Ph.D. in clinical psychology, with a subspecialty in behavioral medicine, from The University of Memphis and completed her clinical psychology internship as well as a postdoctoral fellowship at Brown University. Dr. Stone treats individuals and couples with psychological problems stemming from health conditions, addiction, and other life events. She specializes in treating individuals across the lifespan with insomnia and other sleep disorders. Dr. Stone also conducts research at Women and Infants Hospital, and is currently investigating postpartum sleep as well as possible links between sleep and relapse to smoking and other substances. Dr. Stone relies on research to inform her work with patients and finds that her work with patients helps her ask the right questions in her research.

  • Sabine Schmid, Ph.D.

    Dr. Schmid obtained her doctorate in clinical psychology at Vanderbilt University, completed her clinical internship at the University of Chicago, and performed a post-doctoral research fellowship with Aaron T. Beck at the University of Pennsylvania. She started her academic career as Assistant Professor in the Mood and Anxiety Program of the University of Illinois at Chicago Department of Psychiatry, where she integrated scientific research with clinical practice. She is also devoted to teaching, supervising, and mentoring trainees and colleagues in cognitive behavioral therapy.  Dr. Schmid is board-certified by the Academy of Cognitive Therapy and specializes in the treatment of anxiety including obsessive compulsive disorder, stress and depression. She enjoys integrating Cognitive Behavioral Therapy with mindfulness-based therapies such as Acceptance and Commitment Therapy. Her therapeutic mission is to collaboratively work through challenges while creating a life you value.

  • Sharon Younkin, LICSW

    Sharon received her BA from Swarthmore College and her MSW from Rhode Island College. She completed part of her training at Rhode Island Hospital in the Partial Hospitalization Program. For the last seven years, she was actively involved in an intensive DBT program providing individual therapy and conducting skills groups serving individuals in a community mental health program. Prior to her clinical work as a therapist, she developed strong diagnostic skills working in psychiatric research for a variety of academic settings. She enjoys working collaboratively with clients to help them problem solve, learn coping skills and build a better life.

• Graduate Student Psychotherapists and Postdoctoral Fellows
  • Cerissa Blaney, M.A.

    

     

    Cerissa is an advanced graduate student in the doctoral program in clinical psychology at the University of Rhode Island. She is working as a therapist under supervision during an externship at RICBT.

  • Julie Braciszewski, Ph.D.

    Julie Braciszewski, Ph.D. (or Dr. Julie B., as she is sometimes called) is a postdoctoral fellow at Brown University in the Center for Early Child Clinical Research.  She is currently seeing patients at RICBT part-time, but will join full-time in February, 2012.  She specializes in treating children and adolescents with a wide range of difficulties including depression and anxiety.  She also helps parents learn to manage their children's behavior more effectively using powerful behavior therapy techniques.  Julie received her Ph.D. from Wayne State University.

  • Elise Clerkin, Ph.D.

    Dr. Clerkin obtained her masters and doctorate in clinical psychology at The University of Virginia, completed her clinical internship at the University of Illinois at Chicago, and is currently working on her postdoctoral research fellowship through Brown University's  Center for Alcohol & Addiction Studies. Dr. Clerkin is working under the supervision of Dr. Sabine Schmid to treat a wide range of problems including anxiety, obsessive compulsive disorder, stress, and depression. She strives to integrate Cognitive Behavioral Therapy with mindfulness and other scientifically-informed approaches to treatment. We welcome Elise, who is a very warm, welcoming person, to the RICBT team.

  • Jessica Lipschitz, M.A.

     

    Jessica is an advanced graduate student in the doctoral program in clinical psychology at the University of Rhode Island. She is working as a therapist under Dr. Johnson's or Dr. Ossman's supervision during an internship at RICBT.

  • Elizabeth Reichert, M.A.

    Elizabeth is an advanced graduate student in the doctoral program in clinical psychology at the University of Rhode Island. She is working as a therapist under Dr. Johnson's and Dr. Ossman's supervision during an internship at RICBT.

  • Tony Wells, Ph.D.

    Dr. Wells obtained his masters degree in clinical psychology from the University of Pennsylvania and his doctorate in clinical psychology from the University of Texas at Austin. He completed his clinical internship at Brown University Medical School and is currently a Postdoctoral Research Fellow at Brown.  Dr. Wells works under the supervision of Dr. Ben Johnson to treat a wide range of problems including depression, obsessive-compulsive disorder, anxiety, and stress. He strives to integrate Cognitive Behavioral Therapy with scientifically-informed strategies such as acceptance and mindfulness-based approaches.

• Administration
  • Judy Johnson

    Judy is responsible for overseeing the administrative operations of the practice. She is incredibly knowledgeable about insurance-related issues and often helps individuals sort out complicated benefits.  She would be happy to help individuals deal with special situations.

  • Joanne Arbige

    Joanne is responsible for being the point of contact for the practice three days per week. She handles rescheduling appointments, making new appointments, and providing general information about the practice. She is extremely easy to speak with and very efficient. Many patients joining the practice will talk with Joanne by phone, briefly review the issues for which they are seeking help, and exchange the basic information necessary to arrange for an appointment. Joanne also helps individuals decide which clinicians in the practice would be the best match.

  • Stephanie Osterhout

    Stephanie is responsible for being the point of contact for the practice two mornings each week. She handles rescheduling appointments, making new appointments, and providing general information about the practice. She is extremely easy to speak with and very efficient. Many patients joining the practice will talk with Stephanie by phone, briefly review the issues for which they are seeking help, and exchange the basic information necessary to arrange for an appointment. She also helps individuals decide which clinicians in the practice would be the best match. Stephanie also helps in the redesign of the RICBT website and works closely with Dr. Johnson on multiple aspects of the practice's development.

  • Kim Ricci

    Kim Ricci is an intake coordinator for RICBT.  She is based primarily in the East Providence office.  She will be happy to help individuals determine which of our clinicians would be a great match and will schedule initial appointments.  She is happy to assist with navigating any issues that may emerge in your work here.

  • Kaitlin Spargo

    Kaitlin is one of the main intake coordinators for RICBT.  She is based primarily in the North Kingstown office. She handles rescheduling appointments, making new appointments, and giving general information about the practice. She is incredibly easy to speak with and extremely efficient. Many new patients joining the practice will talk with her by phone, briefly review the issues for which they are seeking help, and exchange the basic information necessary to arrange for an appointment. Kaitlin also helps individuals decide which clinicians in the practice would be the best match.