Find a psychiatrist in Alexandria, VA — covered by insurance
Top psychiatrists in Alexandria, VA accepting new patients
Headway brings accessible mental health care to Alexandria residents in Del Ray, Old Town, and throughout the city. Our 416 licensed providers offer flexible scheduling and insurance-covered sessions, helping you prioritize your wellbeing without financial barriers.
Hello, my name is Denise Cole and I am a board certified psychiatric mental health nurse practitioner providing medication management services for anxiety/depressive/bipolar disorders, OCD, and PTSD. I recognize the importance of mental health on overall health. I look forward to helping you work towards your goals and achieve wellness. Let’s get started.
My path into psychiatry is both professional and personal. I moved to the U.S. alone at 17 while navigating complex PTSD and periods of misdiagnosis, which shaped how I understand mental health today. I began with a bachelor’s degree in psychology at Nankai University, then trained as a nurse and nurse practitioner at Charles R. Drew University and Purdue University.
Over the past 7 years, I’ve worked across medical and mental health settings, developing an approach that balances clinical precision with individualized care. I specialize in anxiety, depression, bipolar disorder, and complex PTSD, particularly for individuals who feel stuck or haven’t found relief in traditional treatment.
I’m licensed in California, Virginia, New York, Washington, and Oregon, and provide care via telehealth.
Board certified in child, adolescent, and adult psychiatry, I bring years of experience helping people manage ADHD, anxiety, and depression across all ages. My background spans a wide range of clinical settings and diverse populations, giving me the flexibility to meet you where you are. I practice telehealth-only medication management, so you can access care from the comfort of home, whatever your schedule looks like.
I have been a Family Nurse Practitioner (FNP) since 2016 and have worked in both primary care and mental health since that time. In 2024, I graduated with my Psychiatric Mental Health Nurse Practitioner (PMHNP) certification and have been working strictly in mental health since that time.
As a board-certified Psychiatric Mental Health Nurse Practitioner, I believe mental health care should be collaborative and centered on who you are as an individual. I support adolescents and adults navigating anxiety, depression, ADHD, PTSD, OCD, mood disorders, and more. Through trauma-informed care, evidence-based practices, individualized treatment plans, comprehensive medication management, and therapeutic support, I create a judgment-free space where we can show up authentically and work together toward meaningful progress. My background includes experience as an outpatient psychiatric provider, inpatient psychiatric registered nurse, and in community reproductive health, allowing me to bring a broad and well-rounded perspective to the care I provide. I hold a Master of Science in Nursing and a Bachelor of Arts in Political Science and Sociology, which have shaped my understanding of the many varying factors that impact mental health.
About our psychiatrists serving Alexandria, VA
- 99%Depression
- 98%Anxiety
- 87%ADD/ADHD
- 87%Bipolar disorder
- 84%PTSD
- 99%Aetna
- 99%Cigna
- 91%Carelon Behavioral Health
- 55%United Healthcare
- 99%English
- 4%French
- 3%Spanish
- 3%Yoruba
- 2%Igbo
- 86%Online only
- 14%In-person or online
- 84%Woman
- 16%Man
- 92%Nurse Practitioner
- 6%Medical Doctor
- 1%Clinical Nurse Specialist
- 1%Doctor of Osteopathic Medicine
- 96%Individual therapy
- 20%Family therapy
- 7%Child or adolescent therapy
- 7%Couples therapy
Frequently asked questions
Find the right psychiatrist for you
Headway makes it easy to find support for your mental health — from finding the right provider, to understanding costs, to scheduling with ease.
Factors to Consider When Choosing a Therapist in Alexandria
Finding psychiatrists in Alexandria starts with understanding the type of care you need. Psychiatrists and psychiatric mental health nurse practitioners can diagnose mental health conditions, prescribe medication, and manage ongoing medication care. Therapists focus on talk therapy and support through approaches like cognitive behavioral therapy, trauma-informed care, or other methods. If you are looking for care related to anxiety, depression, ADHD, bipolar disorder, OCD, or medication management, review each psychiatrist’s specialties, clinical background, and bio to see whether their experience matches your needs.
Alexandria has a smaller local psychiatry market than nearby Washington, DC, which can make scheduling and fit important parts of the search. Virtual appointments can expand your options while still letting you look for in-person care near Old Town, Del Ray, or other Alexandria neighborhoods when that works better for your schedule. Psychiatry visits for medication management are usually shorter and less frequent than therapy sessions, though some psychiatrists also offer therapy. Some people work with both a therapist and a prescriber, so it can help to compare availability, appointment format, and consultation options before booking.
Psychiatric care in Alexandria can be a significant expense without insurance. Using in-network insurance is one of the most reliable ways to reduce session costs and understand what you may pay before care starts. Headway helps you find psychiatrists and psychiatric mental health nurse practitioners who are accepting new patients, match your preferences, and may accept your plan. You can enter your insurance details, see estimated out-of-pocket costs upfront, review bios, and book directly when you’re ready.
If you're already taking psychiatric medication and considering switching providers, talk to your current prescriber before changing or stopping any medication — most psychiatric medications shouldn't be stopped abruptly. Anyone experiencing thoughts of self-harm or in acute crisis should call 988 or go to the nearest emergency department rather than wait for an outpatient appointment.
Use left and right arrow keys to switch tabs. Press Shift+Tab to return to the tab list from links in the selected tab.