Ryan Shugarman, M.D.
Board-Certified General and Forensic Psychiatrist
Overview:
Dr. Ryan Shugarman is a board-certified general and forensic psychiatrist in Alexandria, VA. He is currently accepting new patients ages 18 and older for treatment with medication management and/or psychotherapy.
Initial evaluations are 2 hours in length. Follow-up appointments are either 25 or 50 minutes in length, depending upon patient preference and treatment needs.
In addition to his clinical work, Dr. Shugarman also conducts forensic psychiatric evaluations and serves as an expert witness for civil, administrative, and criminal matters. For more information, please visit the Forensic Services page.
Ryan Shugarman, M.D.
Board-Certified General & Forensic Psychiatrist
Background:
Dr. Ryan Shugarman has lived in Northern Virginia since 2009 and is a practicing, board-certified clinical and forensic psychiatrist. Since establishing his practice in 2010, Dr. Shugarman has been treating adult patients in Alexandria and the Greater D.C. area with psychotherapy and/or medication. Additionally, he conducts forensic psychiatric assessments and serves as an expert witness for mental health-related matters. More information about his forensic psychiatric work can be found on the Forensic Services page.
Education:
After receiving his bachelor’s degree in psychology from Cornell University, Dr. Shugarman attended medical school at the University of Maryland School of Medicine in Baltimore. He then completed a general psychiatry residency and a forensic psychiatry fellowship at the University of Pittsburgh School of Medicine.
Professional Involvement and Academic Affiliations:
Dr. Shugarman is a Distinguished Fellow of the American Psychiatric Association (APA), a member of the American Academy of Psychiatry and the Law (AAPL), an instructor with Saint Elizabeths Hospital’s forensic psychiatry fellowship program in Washington, D.C., and a former Clinical Assistant Professor of Psychiatry at Georgetown University Hospital.
Theoretical Orientations and Treatment Approach:
Trained in cognitive-behavioral, exposure and response prevention (ERP), psychodynamic, trauma-based (including EMDR), and supportive psychotherapeutic theory and techniques, Dr. Shugarman frequently uses a combination of techniques in his work with patients. He is also well-versed in psychopharmacology and regularly prescribes psychotropic medication. Thoughtful and thorough in his approach, Dr. Shugarman recognizes the importance of understanding his patients’ unique backgrounds, personalities, and goals. It is his philosophy that ineffective or poorly tolerated treatment should not be maintained, and he is highly welcoming of patient feedback.
Areas of Clinical Focus:
Dr. Shugarman’s areas of clinical focus include the treatment of mood disorders, anxiety disorders, adjustment disorders, obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD), trauma-based conditions (including PTSD), attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder (ADHD), sleep-related conditions, interpersonal challenges and relationship difficulties, identity and self-esteem challenges, sexual- and gender-identity-related issues, and men’s and women’s sexual disorders. Though not his primary focus, he also treats psychotic disorders that are presently stable, dissociative disorders, and substance-related conditions when sobriety has been maintained for at least 3 months’ time. Information concerning Dr. Shugarman’s forensic psychiatric practice can be found on the Forensic Services page.
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.
Client Testimonials:
“I have the utmost respect for Dr. Shugarman. He is incredibly well-crafted and highly adept in his field of work. I would recommend him to a loved on or client for psychiatric care without a moment's hesitation.”
“As a patient of Dr. Shugarman’s, I find him to be a caring and experienced therapist who is deeply committed to helping his patients improve their lives. He is easy to talk to and listens thoughtfully. He has been instrumental in helping me understand myself better and successfully deal with several difficult issues. He also closely manages my medications. I recommend him highly.”
“Dr. Shugarman listens and works with his patients for the right therapy. A true professional in his command of pharmacology and patient care.”
“I have been a patient of Dr. Shugarman’s for several years. He is very knowledgeable in his field. He is very attentive to your concerns/needs and he offers not just medications, but suggestions for new activities, new interventions, and/or changes in behavior for positive results. I highly recommend the services of Dr. Shugarman.”
“ I have been a patient of Dr. Ryan Shugarman in two separate periods since 2012. His approach is practical, straightforward, and effective, all while maintaining a sense of patience, empathy and non-judgment. He helped guide me out of some of the most difficult experiences of my life and instilled confidence and trust by carefully evaluating the various factors influencing my experiences before offering a diagnosis and then working to make sure that I had a management plan I was comfortable with. I greatly value him as a psychiatrist.”
