Addiction therapists & psychiatrists in Rhode Island

Finding a therapist who truly gets your life can feel like a long search. One who sees more than a diagnosis, who doesn't need you to explain yourself before you can get to work. If you're part of the LGBTQ+ community, that search often comes with an extra layer: the quiet work of figuring out whether this therapist is actually safe, or whether you'll spend your sessions educating them. With me, you won't have to do that work.

I'm a licensed therapist with more than 22 years of experience in mental health and addiction treatment. I've worked in community mental health centers, psychiatric hospitals, correctional settings, and private practice. I've sat with people in some of the hardest moments of their lives and know how to meet them there without flinching.

My primary focus is LGBTQ+ individuals and couples. That includes navigating identity, coming out at any stage of life, relationship dynamics unique to queer and same-sex partnerships, internalized stigma, minority stress, and everything that comes with living authentically in a world that doesn't always make that easy. I also work with anxiety, depression, trauma and PTSD, substance use and dual diagnosis, men's issues, and stress and burnout.

Clients should know that I provide a supportive, nonjudgmental, and confidential space where they can feel heard and understood. I believe in building trust through empathy, active listening, and honest communication. My approach is client-centered, meaning I work collaboratively to help individuals identify goals, develop coping strategies, and navigate personal challenges at their own pace. I value compassion, professionalism, and respect for each person’s unique experiences and background.

Everyone has times in their lives when they feel confused, conflicted, overwhelmed, or just plain stuck. Finding the right person to help you sort through it can feel overwhelming too—which is thankfully where I come in.

I’m a Licensed Mental Health Counselor with over 10 years of experience working with a wide range of concerns, including anxiety, depression, pre- and postpartum challenges, relationship issues, self-esteem, and major life transitions. Over the years, my practice has evolved to focus primarily on adults who want to better understand what is getting in the way of their happiness, relationships, success, or overall well-being.

I’m warm, open-minded, down-to-earth, and believe humor absolutely has a place in therapy. I’m also serious about boundaries and helping people find their voice. You don’t have to become a different person to feel better. Often, our work is about understanding yourself more clearly, recognizing what is no longer working for you, and becoming more comfortable making choices based on what you actually need—not just what keeps everyone else happy.

I have extensive experience in community mental health and private practice settings working with teens and adults. I received my Masters of Science in Psychology from Johnson & Wales University. I am licensed to practice in Rhode Island, Connecticut and Massachusetts.

Healing Across the Lifespan: A Partnership in Mental Wellness

Choosing a mental health provider is a deeply personal decision. You aren’t just looking for a prescriber; you are looking for a witness to your story, an expert in the biological complexities of the brain, and a partner in your recovery.

My name is Jessica Stanley, and I am a Board-Certified Psychiatric Mental Health Nurse Practitioner (PMHNP-BC). My journey to this practice has been defined by a unique duality: the macro view of a healthcare executive and the micro focus of a dedicated clinician. Before opening the doors to this practice, I served as the Clinical Director for a large-scale healthcare organization. In that role, I was responsible for the oversight of complex systems, the mentorship of large clinical teams, and the implementation of evidence-based protocols across diverse populations.

While my time in leadership allowed me to impact mental health at a systemic level, my true passion has always remained in the quiet, transformative moments of the exam room. I have returned to full-time clinical practice to bring that high-level expertise back to where it matters most: the individual human experience.

Mental health does not exist in a vacuum, nor does it look the same at age seven as it does at seventy. I specialize in treating patients across the entire lifespan. Whether I am working with a child struggling to navigate their first years of school, an adolescent facing the pressures of identity formation, or an adult managing the heavy mantle of career and family, my approach remains the same: comprehensive, compassionate, and evidence based.

Areas of Specialization

I am trained to treat a broad spectrum of psychiatric conditions including:

ADHD & Neurodivergence

Anxiety Disorders

Depression

PTSD & Trauma Recovery

Asking for help is difficult, but it’s worth it for the relief it brings. In 30 years of professional experience, I have witnessed the transformative power of therapy. I specialize in working with adult individuals. I am genuinely interested in you and your human experience. How has it shaped you? What obstacles has it erected in your path? Let’s get curious about it all. My complete respect and empathy are always present.