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(F) 602-773-0998
RISA E. NEWELL, Ph.D., L.L.C.
LICENSED CLINICAL PSYCHOLOGIST
Getting Started
Please review this website to learn more about how I work, my office, and the treatment process. If psychotherapy seems right for you and you are interested in working together, please complete and submit the Contact Dr. Newell form by providing your name, email and phone number.
I will be in touch to discuss your interest in treatment and then direct you to the Patient Screening. If treatment is recommended, you will then receive a link to the Patient Portal in order to submit brief online intake paperwork. Once your paperwork is complete and benefits/fees are verified, I will contact you regarding an appointment and your treatment will begin!
Psychotherapy begins with an evaluation, including completion of the Patient Identification and History Form, followed by diagnostic impressions, a review of treatment options, and the development of a treatment plan. We will discuss and revise this plan throughout treatment, which may last from a few sessions to several months, depending on patient need and level of distress. Sessions are typically weekly or every other week.
Therapy appointments may be either in-office or virtual. Virtual psychotherapy utilizes the easy Telehealth platform Doxy.me, no downloads required.
Treatment Process
Treatment begins with a Diagnostic Evaluation, where I will: 1) assess what brought you to treatment, 2) ensure that I can provide you the most effective therapeutic interventions, 3) develop a psychotherapy treatment plan with goals and objectives, and 4) recommend solutions for symptom reduction, problem solving and behavior change. This is also an important time for you to evaluate your comfort level in working with me and with my treatment recommendations. If you decide that this is not for you, I will be happy to assist with a referral.
Psychotherapy, sometimes referred to as counseling or talk therapy, is an interactive, relationship-based treatment that addresses mental health problems through talking, education, and psychological interventions, all with the goal of improving emotions, thoughts, and behavior. Throughout therapy, I provide evidence-based interventions, emotional support, and therapeutic guidance to help you reach your desired goals. This treatment can help patients better manage distress, recognize their strengths and resilience, and make meaningful life changes while also enhancing confidence and self-esteem.
Often weekly or biweekly psychotherapy is recommended. Session length may be either 45 minutes or 60 minutes and is determined by level of distress. Each patient’s Treatment Plan is individualized. I rely on an integrative clinical framework to treat each specific case. Various approaches are utilized in psychotherapy and interventions range from supportive to directive. We will discuss and revise your treatment plan as needed throughout treatment. Patient involvement is an essential element of treatment, as psychotherapy is collaborative and constantly evolving.
I may consult with other providers involved in my patient’s care, with your permission. I will recommend psychiatric consultation, if indicated. While my treatment focus is individual therapy, patients may invite an invested family member or friend to join a session to assist in evaluation and therapeutic support. Between sessions, I may recommend reading, homework, or behavioral practice. Treatment may last from a few visits to several months of sessions and often depends on problem severity. Therapy generally concludes when the problems that brought you to treatment are resolved and the treatment goals are met.
Therapeutic Interventions
Following my diagnostic and clinical assessment, it is important to determine the most effective treatment approaches. I utilize a range of therapeutic interventions based on problem focus and treatment goals. The following are some of my primary therapeutic interventions:
Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT): ACT focuses on using acceptance and mindfulness of psychological experiences in an effort to promote desired behavior change. Rather than trying to control thinking, ACT encourages an undefended connection to the self and an acceptance of thoughts and feelings, while also moving toward desired goals.
Cognitive Behavior Therapy (CBT): CBT focuses on negative thinking and its influence on feelings and behavior, while also recognizing how behaviors and emotions can impact our thinking. This intervention identifies and challenges negative, irrational thoughts in order to restructure and replace them with more positive ones that can help improve emotions and behavior. Behavior therapy is also a part of this treatment, understanding that behavior is learned and can therefore be changed. Some behavioral techniques include positive and negative reinforcement, exposure, relaxation, and behavior modification.
Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing (EMDR): EMDR was developed to help patients cope with trauma. This technique utilizes bilateral stimulation (eye movement, tactile or auditory stimulation) to activate thoughts and feelings that are connected to trauma in order to reprocess them and develop healthier associations for problem resolution. This intervention can help patients heal from the symptoms, emotional distress, and difficult memories linked to painful life events.
Interpersonal Psychotherapy (IPT): IPT realizes that interpersonal problems are related to mental health and that the dynamics of relationships need to be addressed. This intervention focuses on one’s perceptions and expectations of relationships, while also working to improve communication and interpersonal skills.
Problem-Solving Therapy (PST): PST helps patients see problems not as barriers but rather as challenges to be worked through. This intervention centers on defining problems, generating various solutions, deciding on strategies, and implementing solutions.
Psychodynamic Therapy: This therapeutic process recognizes that internal conflicts, family dynamics and history, and our psychological defenses can influence how one sees themselves, others and the world. Psychodynamic interventions involve clarifying and interpreting thoughts, feelings and behavior, which lay the groundwork for meaningful understanding of the self and can lead to lasting, deeper-level change.
Various: An array of other orientations, techniques and interventions are incorporated as needed, including Family Systems, Humanistic, Mindfulness, Motivational Enhancement, Relaxation Training, and Solution-Focused Therapy.