Online OCD and Trauma Therapist in Rhode Island and Massachusetts
Meet Stephanie Barboza, an online OCD and trauma therapist serving high achieving women in Rhode Island and Massachusetts
*Telehealth services available in Tennessee, too!!
Maybe you've tried to push through it. Maybe you've even tried therapy before. But something keeps pulling you back.
You’re in the right place.
I’m here to help.
I became a therapist because I've always been drawn to this question: why do the events in our lives shape us the way they do and how do people actually change? I've spent my career trying to answer that. Not just academically, but in real sessions with real people carrying real weight. And what I keep coming back to is this: change is possible. Not just managing symptoms. Not just getting by. And I've seen it happen, over and over again, with people carrying exactly what you're carrying.
My approach
I believe real change is possible — not just coping, but actually becoming a new version of yourself.
When you work with me, you're not going to get someone who just sits and nods while you talk in circles. We're going to go underneath the symptoms — because the intrusive thoughts, the compulsions, the worry spirals, that constant feeling of waiting for something to go wrong? Those are symptoms. What's underneath them is a core fear, a core belief — and that's what we actually work on together.
My approach blends ERP, ACT, and talk therapy for OCD and anxiety, and a range of trauma-informed methods including EMDR for trauma. Not rigid, not by the book — tailored to you and what you actually need.
And sometimes — you just need a space to talk through something that happened, to be heard without judgment, and to figure out what you're feeling. Not every session needs to be heavy or "productive." Sometimes we just need space and support. That's okay too. This is your space.
I'm warm. I'm direct. And yes, we will probably laugh at some point — because that's part of healing too.
Values
Warmth
This is a space where you can say the things you've never said out loud and you’ll never be judged for what is really going on.
Trust
I believe trust is something earned, not expected. Building a safe, trusting relationship (because this is an important relationship) is the foundation of everything we do together.
Safety
Before we do any of the hard work, one of the most important things I want is to make sure you feel comfortable, grounded, and calm. Nothing happens before you're ready.
Humor
Therapy is hard work! A lot of what I do is not easy and you’re not always going to be excited by it, but it doesn't have to be heavy all the time. Laughter is encouraged here and sometimes it's exactly what we need to start healing.
Training & Education
Licensed Mental Health Counselor (LMHC), Rhode Island & Massachusetts
Licensed Professional Counselor (LPC-MHSP), Tennessee
M.Ed., Vanderbilt University
B.A. in Psychology, University of Maryland
Behavioral Specialist at Rogers Behavioral Health (RBH) — OCD & Anxiety Intensive Outpatient Program (IOP) and Partial Hospitalization Program (PHP)
Clinical internship at Vanderbilt University Counseling Center
Staff therapist at Vanderbilt University Counseling Center
Practicum Coordinator, Vanderbilt University Counseling Center
Urgent Care Counselor, Vanderbilt University Counseling Center
EMDR training through an EMDRIA-approved program
Specialized training in ERP by RBH