About Dr. Gates
Erin Gates, MD
Psychiatrist and Energy Healer
She/Her
"I believe that true healing encompasses not only the alleviation of symptoms but also the nurturing of one's entire being."
Philosophy & Approach
At the core of Dr. Gates's philosophy is the belief that the patient-doctor relationship is pivotal to effective psychotherapy. She fosters an environment of trust, compassion, and non-judgment, empowering patients to openly explore their thoughts, behaviors, and emotional challenges as they work toward self-discovery and meaningful change.
Dr. Gates prides herself on meeting each patient at their unique stage of life and tailoring every treatment plan to their individual needs. She is committed to helping individuals take an active role in their healing by guiding them toward positive, lasting change and a greater sense of wellness and fulfillment.
Therapeutic Approach
Dr. Gates utilizes an eclectic therapeutic approach, drawing from:
Psychodynamic theory
Carl Jung's work
Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT)
Dialectical Behavior Therapy (DBT)
Interpersonal Therapy
Motivational Therapy techniques
When appropriate, Dr. Gates provides referrals for more specialized treatments, including:
Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing (EMDR)
Transcranial Magnetic Stimulation (TMS)
Ketamine or Spravato treatment
Holistic Approach
Dr. Gates recognizes the profound impact that stress has on both the mind and body. She supports patients in identifying areas of their lives they wish to change and encourages them to cultivate:
Positive thinking
Healthy relationships and coping skills
Improved distress tolerance
Self-care through nutritious eating
Regular exercise
Restorative sleep
Mindfulness or meditation
Work–life balance
Meaningful social connection
When indicated, she incorporates medication management to help alleviate symptoms and relieve suffering. With permission, she may integrate remote energy healing during psychotherapy sessions.
Dr. Gates values complementary therapies, including acupuncture, bodywork and energy healing (such as Reiki and IET), sound therapy, and other modalities that support holistic wellness and healing.
Areas of Specialization
Dr. Gates specializes in treating adult patients with mood disorders—including Major Depressive Disorder, Bipolar Disorder, and Dysthymia—as well as anxiety disorders such as Generalized Anxiety Disorder, Panic Disorder, Obsessive-Compulsive Disorder, and Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder.
She also has experience supporting individuals coping with grief, survivors of suicide loss, and those healing from childhood abuse or past trauma.
Additionally, Dr. Gates has a special interest in working with individuals questioning their sexuality or gender identity, as well as parents and caregivers of transgender or queer children.
Mood Disorders
Major Depressive Disorder
Bipolar Disorder
Dysthymia
Anxiety Disorders
Generalized Anxiety Disorder
Panic Disorder
Obsessive-Compulsive Disorder
Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder
Additional Areas
Grief and survivors of suicide loss
Healing from childhood abuse or past trauma
Supporting individuals questioning their sexuality or gender identity
Parents and caregivers of transgender or queer children
Professional Experience
Early in her career, Dr. Gates gained extensive crisis-management experience working in the emergency department at Butler Hospital. She has since developed more than 15 years of expertise providing outpatient psychiatric care for adults.
Dr. Gates has worked in group practices at Child & Family Psychiatry and Lifestance Health as well as private practice where she built long-standing therapeutic relationships with patients—many of whom have continued their care with her for many years.
In addition to her medical training, Dr. Gates has completed advanced-level training in Integrated Energy Healing, a specialized form of touch-based energy work that complements her holistic approach to patient care.
Education & Training
Dr. Gates earned her Bachelor's degree in Psychology from Colgate University in 1996, where she also pursued her passion for fine art. As she moved toward a career in medicine, she completed her post-baccalaureate studies at Harvard Extension School while working as a research assistant at Boston Children's Hospital. During this time, she co-authored a study validating an adolescent substance-abuse screening tool. The resulting CRAFFT questionnaire is now used nationally by pediatricians to screen young people for substance use concerns.
Dr. Gates received her medical degree from Albany Medical College in 2006 and completed her Adult Psychiatry residency at Brown University in 2010 and full board certification in 2012.
Credentials & Certifications
MD, Albany Medical College (2006)
Adult Psychiatry Residency, Brown University (2010)
Board Certification in Psychiatry (2012)
Certified Advanced Integrated Energy Therapy® (IET) Practitioner
Currently completing 10-month certification course in ketamine treatment through The Integrative Psychiatry Institute
Licensed to practice psychiatry in Rhode Island
Integrated Energy Therapy® (IET)
Dr. Erin Gates is a Certified Advanced Integrated Energy Therapy® (IET) Practitioner, trained to facilitate the release of deeply held emotional and energetic patterns. Her expertise in IET allows her to incorporate gentle, yet powerful, energy healing into therapy and medication management sessions, offering a more integrative and holistic path to emotional and psychological wellness.
What is Integrated Energy Therapy® (IET)?
Integrated Energy Therapy® (IET) is a gentle, holistic healing modality that works with the body's energy field to help release suppressed emotions, energetic blocks, and limiting patterns stored in the cellular memory. IET supports emotional, mental, and spiritual healing by channeling healing energy into specific areas of the body associated with particular emotional experiences.
During an IET session, the practitioner uses a light touch on specific acupressure-like points (or remotely, in a distance session) to help clear energy blockages and restore balance.
IET is especially helpful for those who are seeking to:
Release emotional trauma or limiting beliefs
Let go of fear, guilt, resentment, or other emotional burdens
Increase feelings of peace, empowerment, and clarity
Enhance personal growth and spiritual well-being
IET can be used as a standalone therapy or integrated into traditional psychotherapy or medication management sessions to support a more holistic approach to healing.
