Pre-licensed psychologist, supervised by Dr. J. Michael Abrams

About
Dr. DeFelice is passionate about providing person-centered, trauma-informed therapy to children, adolescents, and young adults. Dr. DeFelice values building a warm and trusting relationship with her clients, with a focus on maintaining a calming, restorative rapport as foundational to the treatment process. She is particularly interested in supporting children with behavioral or emotional challenges, developmental delays, self-esteem difficulties, or with troubles navigating family conflict or life transitions. Additionally, Dr. DeFelice also enjoys supporting young adults so that they feel more empowered, are better able to understand and regulate their emotions, and can develop a positive sense of self. Dr. DeFelice recognizes systemic barriers that may be embedded within clients’ lives, and helps clients identify alternatives to maladaptive coping strategies in order to better support a client’s resiliency and well-being.

Outside of work, Dr. DeFelice can be found attempting to train her puppy, reading, or spending time in nature. She also enjoys playing soccer, trying out new coffee shops, and watching movies.

Treatment Approach
Dr. DeFelice takes a developmental, attachment-informed approach that is driven by the unique needs and goals of each client. Dr. DeFelice specializes in the use of Child-Centered Play Therapy (CCPT) with young children, as well as Cognitive-Behavioral Therapy (CBT), Art Therapy, and Dialectical Behavioral Therapy (DBT). She also may draw from Internal Family Systems (IFS). Dr. DeFelice aims to partner with children’s caregivers as well, providing psychoeducation to support caregivers’ confidence in responding to their children’s needs, and so that she can better understand the child within the context of the family system.

Qualifications
Dr. DeFelice received her B.S in Psychology with a concentration in child development from Eastern Connecticut State University. She received her M.Ed in School Psychology and Ph.D. in School Psychology from the University of Massachusetts Amherst. Dr. DeFelice completed her doctoral internship through the Colorado School Psychology Internship Consortium, serving children and adolescents’ social, emotional, and behavioral health needs through the public school system. She has extensive experience working within the preventative Multi-Tiered Systems of Supports (MTSS) educational framework, and values collaborating with children’s parents and teachers to better understand her client’s needs from a holistic view. Dr. DeFelice completed her Postdoctoral Residency at the Community Health Center of CT serving clients across the lifespan at a community health center, as well as the Child Guidance Clinic of Southern CT. Before completing her Postdoc, Dr. DeFelice practiced as a school psychologist for a Title 1 elementary school outside of Denver, CO.

Specialties
Developmental delays, emotional or behavioral difficulties, parent guidance, trauma, PTSD, neurodivergence, anxiety, depression, social skills, family conflict, life transitions, identity development. Completed postdoctoral training in the Attachment-Regulation-Competency(ARC) model.

Ages
Children, adolescents, and young adults

Modality
Individual therapy
Family therapy