Karina M. Martinez Rivera, MA

Psychologist

Mrs. Karina M. Martinez Rivera is a Psychologist in Canovanas, PR with special training and skill in diagnosing and treating mental health disorders. As a Psychologist, Karina M. Martinez Rivera, MA performs mental health assessment and therapy. Psychology is a medical specialty focused on helping patients understand the causes of their mental health disorders so they can be treated with therapy or medication. Significant diseases and conditions treated by Psychologists include depression, anxiety, specific phobias, alcohol, drug, and gambling addiction, obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD), mood disorders, behavioral disorders, bereavement, and marital problems. Medical tests, procedures and therapies provided by Psychologists include mental health assessment and diagnosing, psychotherapy, cognitive behavior therapy (CBT), psychoanalysis, group therapy, addiction counseling, marriage counseling, exposure therapy, and referral to other specialists as needed.

A psychologist is an individual who is licensed to practice psychology which is defined as the observation, description, evaluation, interpretation, and modification of human behavior by the application of psychological principles, methods, and procedures, for the purpose of preventing or eliminating symptomatic, maladaptive, or undesired behavior and of enhancing interpersonal relationships, work and life adjustment, personal effectiveness, behavioral health, and mental health. The practice of psychology includes, but is not limited to, psychological testing and the evaluation or assessment of personal characteristics, such as intelligence, personality, abilities, interests, aptitudes, and neuropsychological functioning; counseling, psychoanalysis, psychotherapy, hypnosis, biofeedback, and behavior analysis and therapy; diagnosis and treatment of mental and emotional disorder or disability, alcoholism and substance abuse, disorders of habit or conduct, as well as of the psychological aspects of physical illness, accident, injury, or disability; and psycheducational evaluation, therapy, remediation, and consultation. Psychological services may be rendered to individuals, families, groups and the public.

School Psychologist

A psychologist whose specialty is concerned with the science and practice of psychology with children, youth, families; learners of all ages; and the schooling process. The basic education and training of school psychologists prepares them to provide a range of psychological diagnosis, assessment, intervention, prevention, health promotion, and program development and evaluation services with a special focus on the developmental processes of children and youth within the context of schools, families and other systems. School psychologists are prepared to intervene at the individual and system level, and develop, implement, and evaluate preventive programs. In these efforts, they conduct ecologically valid assessments and intervene to promote positive learning environments within which children and youth from diverse backgrounds to ensure that all have equal access to effective educational and psychological services that promote healthy development