Dr. Joseph Vandergriff, RI Psychologist

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Experienced psychologist helping people rewrite difficult moments

Details

Name	Dr. Joseph Vandergriff
Credentials	RI Psychologist
Based in	Rhode Island
Licensed in	Rhode Island
Session format	Online
Languages	English
Years in practice	28

About Joseph

Dr. Joseph Vandergriff is a Rhode Island psychologist who helps people facing stress, anxiety, grief, self-esteem struggles, career uncertainty, and compassion fatigue. He brings 28 years of professional experience to conversations that focus on practical change and day-to-day coping.

He speaks English and accepts international clients for online work. He approaches sessions with a simple principle: people are the experts in their own stories. He invites clients to tell what matters and then looks for small, useful shifts that make daily life easier.

Background and approach

Conversations are respectful and down-to-earth, not full of jargon. Dr. Vandergriff uses Narrative Therapy to help clients reframe the stories they tell about themselves and their problems.

He also draws on Client-Centered Therapy to keep the work focused on the client's values and goals. Cognitive Behavioral Therapy is available when people want concrete tools to change thoughts and behaviors. Over nearly three decades he has worked with people dealing with aging concerns, caregiver stress, workplace strain, trauma after disasters, and first responder challenges.

He also supports people coping with divorce, midlife transitions, traumatic brain injury, and grief. Sessions can be scheduled as video calls, phone visits, live chat, or text messaging. Costs vary with location and use a subscription that can be canceled at any time.

To begin, use the Start Therapy button, complete the short matching questionnaire, and schedule according to availability.

What this therapist works with

His listing names Self esteem, Coping with life changes among the things Joseph works with, alongside the areas below.

Self esteem
Coping with life changes
Stress, Anxiety
Grief
Career difficulties
Compassion fatigue
Aging and geriatric issues
Caregiver issues and stress
Coping with natural or human-caused disaster
Divorce and separation
First responder issues
Forgiveness
Midlife crisis
Post-traumatic stress
Traumatic brain injury
Workplace issues

Approaches listed

Narrative Therapy: Named in his listing among his approaches.
Client-Centered Therapy: Listed by Joseph among the ways he works.
Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT): Listed by Joseph among the ways he works.
Existential Therapy: Listed by Joseph among the ways he works.
Training stated: This directory copies the approaches a therapist names and does not check training records. Ask Joseph directly how much of the work is narrative and what a session usually looks like.

Narrative Therapy in this listing

Narrative Therapy appears in this therapist's own list of approaches. That tells you it is part of how he works. It does not tell you how much of a session it shapes, and this directory does not check or rate training.

If a narrative approach is what you are looking for, it is worth asking Joseph directly how he uses it and what a session usually looks like.

Online session options

How Narrative and Practical Approaches Work Online

Dr. Vandergriff often uses Narrative Therapy to help people notice and change the stories they tell about difficult events. This approach helps when patterns of thinking make stress, grief, or low self-worth feel fixed by giving words to alternative viewpoints.

He also uses Client-Centered Therapy to keep the focus on each person's values and goals. That means sessions are paced by what the client wants to explore and what feels most relevant in their life. Cognitive Behavioral Therapy is used when clients want hands-on strategies to shift unhelpful thoughts and behaviors, such as techniques for anxiety or stress management.

Finding the right approach is part of the work. He will talk with clients about goals, preferences, and what has or hasn't helped before. Together they decide which methods to try and adjust the plan as progress is made.

Online sessions can be scheduled as video calls, phone sessions, live chat, or text messaging. Video is useful for richer conversation and visual cues, phone can fit a short break in the day, live chat lets someone write through thoughts, and text messaging supports brief check-ins between longer visits. These options make it easier to connect from different time zones and routines while keeping the focus on real-world changes.

Common questions about this listing

What kinds of problems does he help with?

He supports people with stress, anxiety, grief, self-esteem issues, career uncertainty, and compassion fatigue. He also focuses on aging and geriatric issues, caregiver stress, workplace problems, and trauma-related concerns.

What is his general therapy style?

His style is conversational and down-to-earth. He centers clients' own stories and looks for practical changes that fit daily life.

How much experience does he have?

He brings 28 years of professional experience as a psychologist and neuropsychologist. That background informs an approach that balances listening with concrete strategies.

Where is he based and what are his credentials?

He practices in Rhode Island and is listed as RI Psychologist PS01026. Sessions are offered to people in Rhode Island and internationally by arrangement.

Which languages are supported for sessions?

Sessions are offered in English.

What session formats are available online?

He offers video calls, phone sessions, live chat, and text-based messaging to suit different needs and schedules.

How does payment and cost work?

Cost varies with location and the therapist's availability. Sessions use a subscription model that can be canceled at any time.

How do I begin working with him?

Click the Start Therapy button, fill out a short matching questionnaire, and then schedule sessions according to the therapist's availability.

Contacting this therapist

Sessions with Joseph are arranged through our partner platform. It asks a few questions about what you are looking for, then shows you the therapists available to you, including Joseph where he has space. Ask about fees, and whether he holds a licence or registration where you live.

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