Ivy S. Patt, PhD

And There She Goes…

And There She Goes…

My throat tightened and my eyes were teary as I gave her a final hug before we parted. In her brand-new black converse high tops, she ran up the steps of an unfamiliar building to meet with her freshman orientation group for the first time.  I watched and waited hoping that she would look back at her parents standing on the sidewalk – she did not. She is focused on this next phase in her journey. We need to drive home.

Back to School

As the store shelves fill with backpacks and school supplies (a little early in my opinion), we are reminded that for most kiddos, the school year is fast approaching.  Children often experience some uncertainty as the school year approaches: who will my teacher(s)...

My Field Trip to High School

My Field Trip to High School

Armed with 50 munchkins, I walked into my daughter’s second period high school psychology class. I was there to talk about the career of a psychologist and introduce them to the world of psychotherapy. After a brief description of my career path and discussion of...

It’s That Time of Year

The holidays are now upon us. For some, this is a time of joy and relaxation; for others, it can stir-up strong emotions, some of which are not so pleasant. This season can be overwhelming and anxiety-provoking for those attempting to find the right gift or host...

The Staying Power of Telehealth

Prior to the pandemic, telehealth was a convenient option on snowy Connecticut days where meeting clients through an online platform was the safer choice. It also served as a helpful tool for continuity of treatment as college students and business travelers sought...

What is EMDR and how can it help me?

What is EMDR and how can it help me?

During my time as the director of a trauma treatment program, I was constantly seeking the most beneficial trauma informed clinical intervention for my team of providers. I quickly stumbled upon EMDR - Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing Therapy. EMDR was...

Reintegration

Reintegration

The pandemic has caused some unique challenges to our connection to the outside world. Who would have thought that our homes would become not just the place we sleep and have family time but our places of work (via zoom), of socializing with friends (on FaceTime), of...

Why did I start MellaHealth?

Why did I start MellaHealth?

Welcome to MellaHealth! I had the idea to start MellaHealth in the fall of 2020 when we were in the throes of the pandemic. As a cognitive behavioral psychologist with a local Hartford-based practice, I received numerous calls from people reaching out for mental...