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Psychiatric Treatment with a Psychiatrist in Alexandria, VA / Greater Washington, D.C.

There’s no sidestepping it–life can be overwhelming. Whether it’s challenges at work, home, or in relationships, it’s easy to feel like we’re barely keeping our heads above water. Add to that symptoms of anxiety, depression, or other mental health issues, and life becomes even more difficult.  That’s where we come in. Our board-certified psychiatrists are highly trained, compassionate, providers well-versed in diagnosing and treating a variety of mental health conditions and sources of distress using both psychotherapy and medication when appropriate.

Whether we are providing talk therapy (psychotherapy), prescribing medication, or using a combined approach, our psychiatrists always prioritize understanding your unique background and needs. We will work with you to develop a personalized mental health treatment approach to best meet your psychiatric treatment needs and overall goals.

Initial mental health evaluations are two hours in length to afford sufficient time to arrive at accurate psychiatric diagnoses and adequately  understand not only the nature of your symptoms, but also to better gain a comprehensive perspective on you as a person.

Mental Health Conditions Treated:

medication management and psychotherapy for mood disorders, including depression and bipolar disorder

Mood symptoms and disorders (e.g., depression, bipolar disorder)

mental health treatment for anxiety, panic attacks, generalized anxiety, and social phobia

Anxiety symptoms and disorders (e.g., generalized anxiety disorder, panic disorder, social anxiety disorder, phobias and fears)

mental health and psychiatric treatment for adjustment disorders and bereavement in Northern Virginia

Adjustment disorders (grief, bereavement, stress)

getting help for OCD and obsessive compulsive disorder in Northern VA and Washington D.C.

Obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD)

hoarding treatment in Northern VA and DC

Hoarding

mental health treatment for impulse control disorders including gambling and sexual addiction

Impulse-control disorders

mental health treatment for PTSD and dissociative conditions

Trauma-based conditions (including PTSD and dissociative conditions)

mental health evaluations and treatment for ADHD / ADD and psychotropic medication when appropriate

Attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder (ADHD)

mental health treatment for sleep disorders (insomnia) with psychiatric causes

Sleep disorders with psychiatric components

psychiatric treatment for interpersonal conflicts and relationship difficulties

Interpersonal challenges and relationship difficulties

counseling and therapy for occupational difficulties

Occupational difficulties

mental health treatment for anger management problems

Anger management issues

mental health treatment for identity, sexual identity, gay, lesbian, and LGBTQ issues

Self-esteem and identity issues, including sexual identity

mental health treatment for gender identity and gender identity disorder (GID) and transgender related mental health issues

Gender identity-related issues

sexual disorders with a psychiatric component and intimacy problems

Men’s and women’s sexual disorders

mental health treatment for psychotic disorders (schizophrenia, schizoaffective disorder, delusional disorders)

Psychotic disorders (schizophrenia, schizoaffective disorder, delusional disorders)

mental health treatment in Northern Virginia and Washington DC to assist with the maintenance of recovery

Maintenance of recovery (for individuals who are presently involved with external sources of recovery)

psychiatric medication for neuropsychiatric conditions with psychological symptoms

Psychiatric symptoms of neuropsychiatric disorders

More About our Psychiatric Treatment Services:

Our practice offers psychotherapy in Northern Virginia and the Greater Washington, D.C. area for persons ages 13 and older, and both psychotherapy and medication management for persons ages 16 and older. All of our mental health providers are skilled psychotherapists, with training in cognitive-behavioral (CBT), psychodynamic, and supportive psychotherapy.

If you think you may benefit from medication, please ask about scheduling with one of our two board-certified psychiatrists, Ryan Shugarman, M.D. (ages 18 and older) or James V. Rives, M.D. (ages 16 and older). If you are seeking psychotherapy alone, you are welcome to work with Kristin Harkins, LMFT (ages 13 and older) or with either Dr. Shugarman or Dr. Rives. Persons in treatment with outside providers are always welcome to the practice. Please note that the practice is currently not accepting new patients with Medicare Part B.

At the end of each appointment, we will provide you with a detailed receipt designed to help maximize insurance company reimbursement. Treatment-related costs vary by provider and are available upon request.

Our Board-Certified Psychiatrists:

Dr. Ryan Shugarman is a licensed clinical and forensic psychiatrist in Northern Virginia serving the Greater Washington D.C. area.

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.

Dr. James V. Rives is a board-certified psychiatrist in Northern Virginia serving the Greater Washington D.C. area.

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.