She/Her/Hers
Psychologist, PhD Specialties • Insurance & Fees • LocationsI am accepting new patients at this time. I make appointments on the Doxy for the first session and in person after that
if appropriate.
Dr. Sally Mayo is a clinical psychologist specializing in the treatment of male and female individuals with eating disorders, mood disorders, anxiety, relationship difficulties, and life transitions. She received her PhD from Union Institute & University and her BA from the University of Utah. Dr. Mayo also has an MFA in Modern Dance and MEd in Educational Psychology, Boston College.
Dr. Mayo’s approach to psychotherapy is an integrated, theoretical and practical model that accommodates the goals of the patient, individual difference, and readiness for change. Therapy is a co-creative process that honors the mind/body as a unified container for psychological, emotional, and physical life. Thoughts, feelings, and body sensations are understood as expressions of the psyche with multiple modes or ways of making themselves known, for example, talking, crying, writing, moving, drawing, playing, and meditating. Therefore, it can be useful and effective, although not always necessary, to use action-oriented techniques in service to the process of change. And often, just talking is good enough.
Anxiety - Generalized and on-going worries, sudden panic with frightening body sensations, social anxiety are treatable
Eating Disorder - Anorexia, Bulimia, and Binge Eating; As a complexity of causes and manifestations, there are ways to be cured and the best way overall is early and experienced professional help
Depression - Problems with lack of motivation, inability to concentrate, feeling like sleeping a lot, social inhibition or isolation, lack of pleasure in activities, low libido are warning signs
Bipolar Disorder - Mood stability can be optimized with attention to contextual triggers and de-construction of problematic events and situations – a cognitive behavioral model using coping and preventive strategies are useful
Family Issues - Family of origin as a system of learning and development is a key to understanding oneself
Parenting - Since there is no explicit training to be a parent, it can be very difficult at times; Support and guidance can be crucial.
Insomnia - Techniques for falling asleep and hopefully staying asleep can be learned if behavioral methods and suggestions are applied
Relationship Difficulties - It helps to discover underlying assumptions that impact clarity of communication and emotional meaning
Sexual Abuse - Abuse of any kind is never okay. Forced intimacy is particularly disturbing because it is violence, and can take away freedom and self- agency
Existential Challenges - Finding a way to make sense of life (and make life fulfilling within the boundaries of life’s circumstances); adjust to college, post-graduation career transitions, and new relationships
Self-harm - As an expression of distress, self-harm can be treated
Trauma - Different types of traumatic experience can impair ability to function, and better functioning is a must
Brown University students can use their out-of-network benefits to see Dr. Mayo.
Private practice, 2006 - Present
Warren Alpert Medical School, Brown University, Psychotherapy Supervisor for Psychiatric Fellows doing psychotherapy, 2007 - 2013
Cambridge Eating Disorder Center, Post-Doctoral Fellowship Intensive Outpatient Clinician, 2005 - 2007
Newport County Community Mental Health Center, Doctoral Internship in Children's Intensive Services, 2000 - 2001
Union Institute & University, PhD, 2005
University of Utah, MFA, Modern Dance, 1979
Boston College, MEd Psychology, 1977
University of Utah, BA, English, 1972
Rhode Island: PS00968
New Mexico: PSY1082
English