Hello,
I am a psychologist licensed in the state of Rhode Island. I have over 30 years of experience in psychology, as therapist and as professor, preparing other doctoral level psychologists for their careers. Before becoming a psychologist, I worked for ten years in the area of elementary education, focusing on remedial and gifted reading and math. As a psychologist, I have worked in private practices, hospital-based practices, and university settings.
My approach to therapy is holistic, strength-based, and developmental, and uses the methods and tools of cognitive-behavioral therapy, person-centered therapy, and other proven tools for helping you make the changes you desire in your life.
Over the course of my career, I have helped individuals, couples, groups and families with relationship, communication, academic, parenting, family, career, and life transition issues, as well as anxiety and depression. In recent years, I have worked extensively with adolescents and adults with ADHD, OCD, and Autism Spectrum Disorder. I also taught doctoral students in psychology for twenty years, focusing on psychological assessment, human development across the lifespan, and cognitive-behavioral therapy.
My clients describe me as caring, non-judgmental, encouraging, humorous, and knowledgeable.
(Please note that I do not work in this medium with individuals whose primary concerns are addictions, domestic violence, abuse, or psychosis. You may find others in this organization who can better meet that need, or you may find that an in-person therapist is much better able to help you with those issues, especially in regard to helping you identify local resources.)
I’m glad you’ve found me. What can I help you with?
Carol L. Oster, Psy.D.
Additional areas of focus: LGBT, Relationship issues, Family conflicts, Career difficulties, Depression, Compassion fatigue, Aging and Geriatric Issues, BDSM, Kink, Alternative Sex Culture, Blended Family Issues, Caregiver issues and stress, Chronic pain illness and disability, Communication problems, Dependent Personality, Emptiness, Family of Origin Issues, Family Problems, Fatherhood Issues, Gender Dysphoria, Guilt and shame, Impulsivity, Intellectual Disability, Isolation / loneliness, Life purpose, Mood disorders , Panic disorder and panic attacks, Polyamory / Nonmonogamous Relationships, Pregnancy and childbirth, Prejudice and Discrimination, Self-love, Sexuality, Social anxiety and phobia, Women's issues, Workplace issues, Young Adult Issues
Clinical approaches: Client-Centered Therapy, Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT), Solution-Focused Therapy
RI Psychologist PS01463
These quotes represent just a few of the many positive reviews that we have received for Dr. Carol Oster. We don't pay anyone to provide their review and they are all made voluntarily. Some people's experience receiving therapy with BetterHelp might be different.
Dr. Oster is simply the best. Both extremely intelligent as well as nurturing, she is an excellent therapist. Highly recommend.
Written on Jul 28, 2022 after therapy with Carol for 1 year and 6 months
Great 3 months she has helped me move forward on a lot of thingsv
Written on Jul 09, 2020 after therapy with Carol for 2 months
Dr. Oster is extremely helpful when getting me to rationalize. She adds a sense of clarity and insight helping me to problem solve in every meeting. I am very happy we were placed together. Boiling situations down to what is actually happening, and working to think about it for what it is rather than what it is masked by in my mind has been an incredible reminder of how to get through an issue. There is a great level of comfort when talking about very sensitive topics. I very much appreciate and enjoy her time.
Written on May 29, 2020 after therapy with Carol for 2 weeks on issues concerning stress, anxiety, relationship issues, family conflicts, trauma and abuse, intimacy-related issues, and coping with life changes
Clarifying and validating sessions.
Written on May 18, 2020 after therapy with Carol for 2 weeks on issues concerning relationship issues, self esteem, career difficulties, and coping with life changes
Carol and I worked together across 8 weeks and we explored trauma and I gained great strategies to help handle scenarios in the future. She is incredibility patient and understanding. She's empathetic and very open with communication. I would recommend Dr. Oster!
Written on Apr 29, 2020 after therapy with Carol for 1 month on issues concerning trauma and abuse
Dr. Oster is fabulous! She listens intently and offers useful perspectives, advice, and solutions. She’s very open and I feel comfortable talking about anything and everything.
Written on Feb 19, 2020 after therapy with Carol for 3 weeks on issues concerning family conflicts, intimacy-related issues, and career difficulties