Deborah  Schuessler
Vetted

Deborah Schuessler

Psychologist, PhD Specialties Insurance & Fees Locations
Rhode Island Accepting Online
Updated February 29, 2024

Specialties & Expertise

  • Anxiety
  • Depression
  • Trauma
  • Academic issues
  • Career counseling
  • Student mental health
  • LGBTQIA topics
  • Life transitions
  • Relationships
  • Mindfulness
  • Hypnosis
  • Adolescent mental health
  • Creativity coaching
  • Multicultural issues

Professional statement

Dr. Deborah Schuessler is a Licensed Psychologist in Providence, RI who specializes in working with adolescents, college students, and adults across the life span. She has expertise in treating anxiety, depression, relationship problems, trauma and life transitions. Dr. Schuessler worked at Columbia University Student Health Services for many years where she saw medical, graduate, and undergraduate students. She enjoys working with students and has a special interest in helping young people navigate the transition from student life to the professional world. Dr. Schuessler is also interested the creative process and in working with students and professionals in creative fields.

Dr. Schuessler’s approach is grounded in psychodynamic psychotherapy, which looks at the roots of emotional problems and emphasizes self-reflection and self-examination. She incorporates mindfulness, hypnosis, and guided imagery when appropriate. In addition, she has training is Self Psychology, which focuses on the development of an empathic connection between the therapist and the client as well as the exploration of fundamental elements of healthy development and growth. For individuals who need extra support, Dr. Schuessler can arrange a psychiatric consultation to explore options for medication.

Dr. Schuessler loves her work and cares deeply about providing a safe space that is free of criticism so that her clients are able to feel comfortable sharing difficult issues and problems. In this environment, she focuses on helping her clients understand and change old, problematic patterns of thinking, feeling, and behaving.

Dr. Schuessler received her Ph.D. from Columbia University and completed a post-doctoral program in Psychotherapy and Psychoanalysis at New York University. Her office is located in the Wayland neighborhood of Providence, near Brown University.


Message to clients

I work with people who are feeling overwhelmed by personal problems, depression, and anxiety. I’m interested in learning about you and helping you explore whatever issues and problems you’d like to address. In my experience, as you begin to feel supported by me and work on finding out who you are and what you want, you’ll develop your own personal and creative solutions.

Special note to students: I am happy to work with students on a seasonal or semester to semester basis.


Specialties

Anxiety - Coping with excessive worry, nervousness, or stress; intense discomfort in social settings (social anxiety); sudden and intense feelings of panic (panic disorder)

Depression - Providing support and promoting healing of hopelessness, low motivation and energy, sadness, irritability, sleep disturbance, and loss of interest and pleasure in life

Trauma - Coping and healing after threatening or scary events, such as witnessing accidents or experiencing sexual, verbal, emotional, or physical abuse

Academic issues - Adjusting to college; managing developmental and emotional challenges in school; balancing schoolwork and personal life

Career counseling - Support around personal and professional growth; clarifying goals and steps to building a fulfilling career and meaningful work-life balance

Student mental health - Understanding one’s wants and needs in relationships; exploring patterns of interaction, addressing concerns, and strengthening satisfaction in relationships and dating

LGBTQIA topics - Exploring topics of sexuality, gender, and identity; coping with discrimination and oppression; navigating relationship, family, and cultural challenges

Life transitions - Coping with difficult or impactful life changes, such as moving to a new area, relationship transitions, child rearing, or career changes; learning self-care to better manage resulting stress

Relationships - Understanding one’s wants and needs in relationships; exploring patterns of interaction, addressing concerns, and strengthening satisfaction in relationships and dating

Mindfulness - Using techniques like breathing and meditation to increase self-awareness and manage day-to-day stress

Hypnosis - A state of consciousness involving focused attention. Hypnosis enables people to tap into natural abilities and potential and to make changes quickly. It is useful for addressing depression, anxiety, creative blocks, sleep problems, chronic pain, overcoming unwanted habits and more.

Adolescent mental health - Navigating social, academic, and emotional challenges throughout teenage years

Creativity coaching - Setting goals and creating road maps to move beyond perfectionism, procrastination, and self-doubt; building self-awareness and skills to accomplish goals and nourish creativity

Multicultural issues - Adjusting to a new culture; navigating biracial relationships




Clientele

  • Adults (24+)
  • Parents
  • Seniors (65+)
  • Teenagers (13-18)
  • Young adults (18-24)

Insurance

  • Medicare

Out-of-pocket fees

  • Individual sessions: $180 (50min)
  • Sliding scale: $150 - $180
  • Initial session: $250 (60min)

Additional session information

Out-of-network billing options

This provider can support you in getting reimbursement from your insurance company if you are seeking out-of-network reimbursement. Here are the out-of-network billing options they provide:

  • Courtesy billing
Payment options
  • Cash
  • Check
  • Credit Card
  • Debit Card
  • Venmo
Session frequency

Frequency of sessions this provider offers to see clients once you are an established client.

  • Weekly
  • Multiple times a week
Therapist's note

Dr. Schuessler works with a billing service that can submit your claims to insurance companies if you are seeking out-of-network benefits.


Location(s)

Online Sessions (Rhode Island)
Accepting new clients online
Currently Available Times
  • Morning (Before 10am)
  • Daytime (10am - 1pm)
  • Afternoon (1pm - 5pm)
  • Evening (After 5pm)
  • Weekends
Regular Hours
  • Mon 11:00am-2pm
  • Tue 11:00am-2:00pm
  • Wed 11:00am-2:00pm
  • Thu 11:00am-2:00pm
  • Fri Closed
  • Sat Closed
  • Sun Closed

Work and Education

Private Practice, 2002 - Present
New York University, Post Doctoral Program in Psychotherapy and Psychoanalysis Certificate, 2014
Jacobi Medical Center, 2000 - 2002

Columbia University, PhD, 2000


Licensure

Rhode Island: PS01504

New York: 014784


Languages

English


Client testimonials

"Deborah answered my questions and made me feel comfortable. She’s easy to talk with."
- Zencare client • October 2021