Find a psychiatrist in Sterling, VA — covered by insurance
Top psychiatrists in Sterling, VA accepting new patients
Looking for a therapist in Sterling, Virginia? Headway serves the Ashburn, Leesburg, and Reston areas with 416 providers ready to support your mental health journey. Sessions can be covered by insurance, and many clients pay as little as $0 per session through our network.
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 Sterling, 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 Sterling
Finding the right psychiatrist in Sterling starts with knowing which type of mental health care fits your needs. Psychiatrists and psychiatric mental health nurse practitioners can diagnose mental health conditions, prescribe medication, and manage medication over time. Therapists provide talk therapy and may work with you on concerns like anxiety, depression, ADHD, OCD, or bipolar disorder. Both can be valid places to start, depending on whether you want talk therapy, medication management, or support from both a therapist and a prescriber.
Sterling has a smaller local network than nearby metro areas, so virtual psychiatry can expand your options while keeping care accessible from home. Medication management appointments are usually shorter and less frequent than therapy sessions, so availability, scheduling flexibility, and appointment format can matter when choosing a psychiatrist. Some psychiatrists also offer therapy, and some people work with both a therapist and a prescriber. Read profiles before booking to understand each psychiatrist’s specialties, approach to care, and whether they offer a free phone consultation.
Psychiatric care in Sterling 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 begins. Headway helps you find psychiatrists who match your needs, accept your plan, and are accepting new patients. 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.
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