Individual Psychotherapy (Counseling) in Alexandria, VA, Family Therapy, & Couples Counseling / Marriage Counseling
We all face a variety of challenges in life. Difficulties at work, home, or in a relationship can become overwhelming. It’s even tougher when these occur in combination or if you are also struggling with anxiety, depression, or other mental health conditions. At Shugarman Psychiatric, we offer individualized psychotherapy and counseling in Alexandria, VA, Northern VA, and the Greater D.C. area, provided by highly experienced, compassionate licensed therapists and board-certified psychiatrists.
We are here to step in when a mental health condition – or life in general – feels like it is too much. Each treatment plan is personalized to your needs and to the underlying causes of your problems or symptoms. Our clinicians treat individuals age 13 and above (depending upon the provider).
Shugarman Psychiatric and Counseling’s Alexandria psychotherapists are Kristin Harkins, LMFT (a licensed marriage and family therapist who provides individual psychotherapy, marriage/couples counseling, and family therapy) and board-certified psychiatrists Ryan Shugarman, M.D. (practice founder and adult and forensic psychiatrist) and James V. Rives, M.D. (adult and adolescent psychiatrist). Both Drs. Shugarman and Rives are also available for medication management.
Though our counselors and therapists in Alexandria, VA and the Washington DC area come from unique backgrounds and disciplines, we are all highly dedicated to helping you to achieve your goals through our counseling services!
Mental Health Conditions Treated:
Mood symptoms and disorders (e.g., depression, bipolar disorder):
Our mental health counseling practice can provide psychotherapy to treat depression and dysthymia utilizing cognitive-behavioral techniques, supportive psychotherapy, and psychodynamically-informed psychotherapy to improve your quality of life, relationships, and general well-being. Our board-certified psychiatrists are also available to diagnose your mood-related condition and to provide medication management for depression, dysthymic disorder, and bipolar disorder for clients ages 16 and older.
Anxiety symptoms and disorders (e.g., generalized anxiety disorder, panic disorder, social anxiety disorder, phobias and fears):
If anxiety has taken over your life, we provide evidence-based psychotherapy for anxiety to identify the sources of your anxiety and help you to better cope with your specific triggers. Our psychiatrists are also available to provide medication management for anxiety-related conditions to clients ages 16 and older.
Adjustment disorders (grief, bereavement, stress):
Our therapists in Alexandria, VA are available to provide grief counseling in the D.C. area or to assist in dealing with stressful situations over which you have little control.
Obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD):
If you are experiencing unwanted, intrusive thoughts and/or compulsive behaviors, we offer support and cognitive therapy in Alexandria so you can learn to manage your symptoms and live a more normal life. Our psychiatrists are also available to provide medication management for OCD to clients ages 16 and older.
Impulse-control disorders:
Cognitive and behavioral techniques can help you to diminish detrimental behaviors that you may be experiencing.
Trauma-based conditions (including PTSD and dissociative conditions):
If trauma has left behind emotional scars, our metro D.C. counseling and psychotherapy center offers a wide range of treatment options to help you to overcome the effects of a challenging past, including trauma-informed psychotherapy, EMDR, supportive psychotherapy, and medication management.
Attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder (ADHD):
While ADHD is often treated with medication (which our psychiatrists can provide for clients ages 16 and older), our family therapy in Alexandria, VA can teach you how to work with a hyperactive child, communicate better with him/her, and help your child thrive despite his/her difficulties.
Sleep problems:
Many of the underlying causes of irregular sleep patterns can be addressed via our metro D.C. talk therapy and other psychotherapy services so you can achieve a normal level of rest and experience the benefits that adequate sleep can have upon your life.
Interpersonal challenges and relationship difficulties:
Whether in individual psychotherapy, family therapy, or couples counseling / marriage counseling in D.C. and Northern Virginia, Shugarman Psychiatric & Counseling is equipped to address a wide range of issues.
Occupational difficulties:
Challenges at work can create stress, anxiety, and depression, but our compassionate therapists offer counseling in Northern VA and the Greater D.C. area to assist you in better managing your personal and professional life.
Anger management issues:
Problems with irritability, temper, and impulsivity can affect both you and those you care most about. Our treatment options of cognitive-behavioral therapy, family therapy in Northern Virginia, and medication management can help you to gain a sense of control over your temper and its detrimental effects upon your mind, body, and relationships.
Self-esteem and identity issues (including sexual identity):
Low self-esteem can limit many aspects of your life, and confusion over aspects of your sexual identity can cause distress. If self-esteem or identity issues are affecting you, contact our metro D.C. counseling and psychotherapy center. We are an LGBTQ / LGBTQIA friendly practice.
Gender identity-related issues:
Shugarman Psychiatric & Counseling offers counseling in Northern Virginia and the Greater D.C. Area to help you to explore your gender identity, feel comfortable in your own skin, and excel in life. We are an LGBTQ / LGBTQIA friendly practice.
Men’s and women’s sexual disorders:
Whether sexual dysfunction or relationship issues are at play, we provide individual counseling and couples therapy in Northern Virginia. We also provide psychiatric evaluations and offer medication management of sexual dysfunction when appropriate.
Maintenance of recovery (for individuals who are presently involved with external sources of recovery):
From cognitive therapy to family counseling in Northern Virginia, our team can help support you in your recovery.
We’re Here to Meet Your Individual Treatment-Related Needs:
Our counselors and therapists in Alexandria, VA & the Washington, D.C. area have a diverse range of experience. By putting together licensed professionals from various backgrounds, we have created a practice designed to help individuals, couples, and families achieve their mental health, personal, and relationship-related goals.
All of our providers are skilled psychotherapists, with training in cognitive-behavioral therapy (CBT), psychodynamic psychotherapy, supportive therapy, and other treatment modalities. Counseling in Alexandria, VA is available as a standalone treatment or in combination with medication management services (to be provided by Dr. Shugarman for clients ages 18 and older, or by Dr. Rives for clients ages 16 and older). Please note that the practice is currently not accepting new patients with Medicare Part B.
While the cost of treatment varies by provider, we encourage you to submit the receipt provided after each appointment to your insurance carrier to maximize reimbursement. Treatment-related costs are available upon request.
We look forward to working with you, and please do not hesitate to contact us if you have any questions about our counseling and therapy services!
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.