
Dr. Victoria Rizzuto
Post-Doctoral Fellow & Registered Psychology Associate, Psy.D.About Dr. Victoria Rizzuto
Dr. Victoria Rizzuto is originally from York, Pennsylvania and has been working in Maryland throughout her graduate training. Dr. Rachel Altvater has served as a mentor and supervisor to Dr. Rizzuto throughout most her graduate education—clearly beautiful minds inspire others to stick around! She is passionate about providing holistic, playful, person-centered care to children, adolescents, and families. Out of the office, Dr. Rizzuto likes to play frisbee with her fur-baby (Shadow), involve herself in anything “crafty,” travel, spend quality time with family and friends, and volunteer with her local car club to give back to the community.
Training and Education
Dr. Rizzuto is a Post-Doctoral Fellow and Registered Psychology Associate in Maryland. She received a Bachelor of Science in Psychology, with a minor in Communications from The University of Pittsburgh, and both a Master of Science and Doctorate in Clinical Psychology from Loyola University of Maryland.
Dr. Rizzuto has trained at Johns Hopkins Bayview Medical Center Preschool Intensive Outpatient Program, the Loyola Clinical Centers, the Kennedy Krieger Institute Child and Family Therapy Clinic, and at the Gil Institute for Trauma Recovery and Education. Dr. Rizzuto completed her doctoral internship at Geisinger Medical Center in Danville, Pennsylvania where she provided short-term therapy for kids, teens, and families with the primary care doctors office setting.
Supervisor: Rachel Altvater, Psy.D., RPT-S
Therapeutic Approach
Dr. Rizzuto specializes in supporting children, adolescents, and families through a person-centered therapy lens. This style combines both expertises—your expert knowledge of your life and her experiences and training on how to heal and create positive change. Dr. Rizzuto’s approach to therapy focuses on creating a therapeutic space in which a person feels safe, accepted, and empowered to create their own happiness by growing at their own pace. She believes that emotional healing truly begins when a person feels heard and accepted. Treatment will be collaborative in nature to help an individual and/or family increase their awareness and communication, boost their self-esteem, and promote resiliency. Dr. Rizzuto brings her vulnerable, human, and empathic self into every appointment to encourage kids and families to do the same.
Organizational Leadership
Board Member, Maryland/DC Association for Play Therapy