Livia Freier, PhD

Dr. Livia Freier, Ph.D., works with adults who are already trying hard on their own. They have read the books, downloaded the apps, and white-knuckled through anxiety, ADHD, or a stuck relationship, yet still feel caught in patterns they can name but cannot seem to change. In her view, this is a signal, not a failure: these patterns live in parts of the nervous system that talk alone does not reach.

A licensed clinical psychologist and neuroscientist, Dr. Freier brings more than two decades of research on emotional regulation, attention, and stress physiology into her clinical work. She integrates evidence-based cognitive behavioral therapy with emotionally focused therapy, attachment-based approaches, and relational psychodynamic modalities, selected for each specific client rather than applied as a protocol.

Her practice focuses on adults navigating anxiety (including the high-functioning kind that hides behind competence), adult ADHD and executive functioning, depression, trauma and relational patterns, and life transitions. She also works with couples in recurrent conflict, disconnection, or the aftermath of betrayal. Many of her clients are faculty and researchers at Brown, clinicians at Rhode Island Hospital, RISD artists and students, attorneys, and founders.

Dr. Freier sees clients in person on the East Side of Providence, near both Brown University and RISD, and through secure telehealth across Rhode Island. New inquiries are answered personally, usually within one business day, and a brief complimentary consultation is offered before any first session.