Dr. Petrongelli is a Clinical Psychologist and an ANCC board-certified Family Nurse Practitioner with Full Practice Authority. As a Clinical Psychologist she intersections aspects of primary health care with mental, emotional health and behavior modifications. Dr. Petrongelli examines how biological, social and psychological factors influence how women make choices about their health and lifestyles.
Dr. Petrongelli offers women an integrative approach to psychotherapy, utilizing a number of therapeutic orientations and techniques which allows for a more individualized experience for her clients. As a Family Nurse Practitioner, she has provided comprehensive healthcare for the individual and family across all ages, genders, and body systems. While working in a private internal medicine practice she readily diagnosed illnesses, developed treatment plans and prescribed medications. Her psychotherapeutic orientations include Cognitive-Behavioral Therapy (Behavioral and Dialectical Behavior Therapy), Humanistic Therapy (Person-Centered and Client-Centered), and Somatic Experiencing. The therapeutic approach(s) she applies focuses around helping a woman reach her personal goals. This is a unique relationship, in that it is strictly confidential and provides an opportunity to be completely honest with your clinician and oneself. It is almost inevitable for a new client, to fear judgment or rejection, particularly when you are being so open, but it’s not the role of the clinician to judge. Dr. Petrongelli is there to support women and help them regain their personal strengths. Through this therapeutic work, clients have an opportunity to express emotions, thoughts, and experiences.
Dr. Petrongelli has earned specialized training as a Buprenorphine Practitioner, credentialed by Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (See SAMHSA website link below). She has experience prescribing office-based buprenorphine-containing medications which have been proven to be an effective treatment for clients who are addicted to opioids. In addition to the use of medications, psychotherapy is incorporated with such elements as Motivational Enhancement Therapy, Cognitive Behavioral Therapy, preventative education and interventions in case of relapse.
Dr. Petrongelli's doctoral dissertation focused on animal-assisted psychotherapies (AAP) and children diagnosed with Pervasive Developmental Disorders. The application of animals as supportive and emotional tools is unique and an expanding field in which mental health professionals incorporate trained therapy animals into psychotherapeutic environments.
Our practice offers AAP interventions as an adjunctive option within traditional CBT psychotherapy sessions. Animal-assisted psychotherapists are responsible for managing both the client and the animal, which means they monitor the safety, welfare, behavioral changes and emotional well-being of both parties, while also understanding how to combine the strengths, challenges, needs and desires of all involved.
Dr. Petrongelli has received specialized training in group-based therapies. During her doctoral education, extern and internship, she facilitated and effectively addressed complex group-subject matters with both children and adults. Her practice group therapy focus is Grief and Loss Sharing. Dr. Petrongelli experienced the personal loss of her sister Anna. After several years of personal struggle, she found that her purpose to help other women is greater than her own suffering and grief. Her intuitiveness related to the battles of grieving and loss, offers women experiencing bereavement, a resourcefulness that only someone who has been through what others are going through can offer. Her therapeutic approach focuses on the emotional pain caused by the death of a loved one, as the greatest unifying tragedy that humanity knows. When it comes to one, it comes to all, and this must be gently dealt with.
Lisensure
Registered Professional Nurse
Registered Nurse Practitioner
Full Practice Authority Nurse Practitioner
ANCC Board Certified Family Nurse Practitioner
SAMSA Buprenorphine Practitioner
Professional Affiliations
Sigma Theta Tau International, Honor Society for Nurses, Member
Psi Chi International, Honor Society for Psychology, Member
American Psychological Association (APA), Member
American Nurses Association (ANA), Member
Human-Animal Interaction, American Physiological Association (APA) Division 17, Sec 13, Member
American Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals (ASPCA), Member
Publications
Evaluation of Prosocial Behaviors During Animal-Assisted Therapy for Children with Pervasive Developmental Disorders (2010) - Doctoral Dissertation
