Anxiety Treatment in Alexandria, VA and the Greater Washington, D.C. Area
While anxiety is a normal part of life, some individuals experience persistent or excessive anxiety, worry, physical symptoms of anxiety, or chronic stress that become difficult to control and interfere with daily functioning or quality of life. Anxiety disorders (such as generalized anxiety disorder, panic disorder, social anxiety disorder, and phobias) are extremely common and can significantly impact sleep, concentration, work performance, relationships, mood, and overall quality of life.
Many people experiencing significant symptoms of anxiety delay seeking treatment because they assume that their symptoms are simply part of their personality or the product of the life stressors they are facing, or because of concerns about stigma related to seeking treatment. It is important to recognize that anxiety disorders are not the product of personal weakness, but rather medical conditions that are often highly treatable when properly evaluated and addressed.
At Shugarman Psychiatric & Counseling, our board-certified psychiatrists and therapist provide treatment for anxiety disorders and related conditions for individuals living in Alexandria, Virginia and the Greater Washington, D.C. area. Depending upon the nature and severity of symptoms, treatment may involve psychotherapy, psychiatric medication, or a combination of approaches tailored to the individual’s needs and preferences.
In order to obtain a detailed history, clarify diagnoses, and better understand the broader emotional, psychological, interpersonal, and situational factors contributing to a person’s symptoms and overall functioning, initial evaluations with our psychiatrists are two hours in length, and initial assessments with our therapist are one to two hours in length. For appropriate patients, follow-up care may be provided through telepsychiatry (telehealth) video visits following an initial in-person evaluation.
Anxiety Conditions Frequently Occur Alongside Other Mental Health Conditions:
Symptoms of anxiety disorders can overlap with other psychiatric and psychological conditions, including mood disorders, trauma-related conditions, obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD), ADHD, sleep disorders, and substance use disorders. In some cases, symptoms that initially appear to reflect an anxiety disorder may instead be the product of another underlying psychiatric or medical condition, though it is also common for individuals with anxiety disorders to experience multiple co-occurring mental health conditions.
Comprehensive psychiatric evaluation is important in order to accurately distinguish anxiety disorders from other conditions that may produce similar symptoms, while also identifying situations in which multiple conditions may coexist.
Treatment Options:
At Shugarman Psychiatric & Counseling, we approach the treatment of anxiety disorders with careful attention to the emotional, cognitive, behavioral, situational, historical, and physiological factors contributing to a person’s symptoms. Rather than relying upon brief or overly simplistic assessments, we obtain a detailed history and continually reevaluate symptom patterns over time in order to optimize diagnostic clarity and treatment planning.
Treatment for anxiety disorders may involve psychotherapy, use of psychiatric medication, stress-management strategies, lifestyle modification, or a combination of approaches, depending upon the nature and severity of symptoms and individual preferences. Some individuals benefit primarily from psychotherapy focused on understanding and reducing patterns of anxiety and/or avoidance, whereas others may benefit from psychiatric medication, either alone or in combination with psychotherapy.
Our providers work collaboratively with patients to develop individualized treatment approaches focused on improving emotional well-being, daily functioning, relationships, and overall quality of life. Treatment recommendations are continually adjusted over time based upon symptom progression, treatment response, and evolving clinical needs.
Our Providers:
Kristin Harkins, LMFT
Individual, Couples, and Family Therapist
Ms. Harkins is a licensed marriage and family therapist (LMFT). She provides psychotherapy and counseling for clients ages 13 and older, including for couples and families. When appropriate, she is also available to work with clients remotely, via teletherapy.
Ryan Shugarman, M.D.
Board-Certified General and Forensic Psychiatrist
Dr. Shugarman is a board-certified general and forensic psychiatrist and founder of the practice. He provides medication management and psychotherapy for adults. Additionally, he performs forensic psychiatric evaluations and serves as an expert witness.
James V. Rives, M.D.
Board-Certified Psychiatrist
Dr. Rives is a board-certified psychiatrist. He provides medication management and psychotherapy for persons ages 16 and older. Dr. Rives also has extensive experience evaluating and treating U.S. military veterans.
Have questions? Interested in scheduling?
Please call us at (703) 596-1024 or complete our contact form to learn more about our psychiatric treatment services in the Alexandria, VA / Greater Washington, D.C. area!
For more information about mental health conditions, psychiatry, and treatment, the American Psychiatric Association's and NAMI's websites offer excellent resources.