Addiction therapists & psychiatrists in Bethesda, MD

I am a Licensed Clinical Social Worker with more than 15 years of experience working in the behavioral health field. I have a long history of working with individuals experiencing mental health and substance use issues. My fields of expertise include co-occurring disorders, trauma, and intimate partner violence. I hold a Bachelor’s Degree in Psychology from the University of Maryland and a Master’s Degree in Social Work from Morgan State University.

I am Dr. Christie Simon-Waterman, a dually certified Family Nurse Practitioner (FNP-BC) and Psychiatric-Mental Health Nurse Practitioner (PMHNP-BC) with over a decade of experience providing compassionate, evidence-based, and holistic care across the lifespan. My clinical background spans primary care, mental health, and community-based health, allowing me to care for the whole person—mind, body, and spirit.

I earned my nursing education at Coppin State University and completed my doctoral training with a strong focus on health equity, leadership, and integrated care delivery.

In my practice, I specialize in:

• Anxiety, depression, trauma-related conditions, and mood disorders
• Integrated mental health treatment
• Substance use–related concerns and recovery support
• Care for underserved and marginalized populations

My approach is empathetic, collaborative, and trauma-informed. I believe healing happens best when clients feel heard, respected, and empowered. Together, we develop personalized treatment plans that may include therapy, medication management when appropriate, lifestyle interventions, and ongoing support tailored to your goals.

Above all, I am committed to creating a safe, supportive responsive space where clients can build resilience, restore balance, and move forward with confidence and clarity.

Clients who seek counseling may feel overwhelmed, stressed out, frustrated and anxious. My warm, compassionate demeanor coupled with a straightforward approach creates a supportive environment in which clients learn skills and receive guidance to become more engaged in their lives.

I also understand that the workplace can be rewarding, but also challenging, impacting a person’s happiness. Client’s leave therapy with coping strategies, helpful problem-solving abilities, and hope for the future.

I am a doctorally prepared, board-certified Psychiatric Mental Health Nurse Practitioner dedicated to providing compassionate, evidence-based mental health care. My approach is collaborative, respectful, and centered around patients' needs, goals, and lived experiences.

I provide care through a combination of comprehensive psychiatric evaluation, medication management, and supportive psychotherapy.

I am very dedicated, committed and passionate about mental health care. My goal is to renew minds, restore balance, helping my patients achieve achieve optimal health and well being. I love what I do and I care a lot about about my patients.

I received my medical education in Paris, France.

I arrived in the US in 1982 and completed my psychiatric residency at Temple University Hospital, in Philadelphia in 1989.

IN 2010, I completed a forensic psychiatry fellowship in Portland, Oregon.

I have worked as a staff psychiatrist within the Maryland state mental health system for 23 years.

I am working with patients suffering from general mental illness and patients suffering from substance abuse.

I have worked with substance abuse clients since 1992 when I created a treatment program at Crownsville Hospital, in Crownsville. More recently I have been working with clients receiving buprenorphine (Suboxone) for the treatment of opioid use disorder.

I’m a licensed clinical social worker (LCSW-C) with over five years of experience helping adults manage anxiety, ADHD, substance use, and relationship stress. My approach is practical and collaborative—I help you find real steps that make life feel steadier and more manageable. Before becoming a therapist, I worked in roles that taught me what real stress looks like, which helps me stay grounded and relatable in the room.

I am a direct, solution- oriented mental health therapist with over 30 years helping people navigate mental health challenges

You should know that I take your concerns seriously, and I will meet you with compassion, respect, and zero judgment. I understand that reaching out for mental health support can feel intimidating, especially if you have faced stigma, felt dismissed in the past, or worried about what a diagnosis might mean. My goal is to help you feel safe and at ease from the very first conversation.

As a doctoral-prepared, board-certified Psychiatric Mental Health Nurse Practitioner with over eight years of experience in psychiatric and mental health care, I work with individuals across the lifespan. I commonly support people navigating depression, anxiety, PTSD, stress-related concerns, bipolar disorder, ADHD, and other emotional or behavioral health challenges. I approach each person as a whole, not a label, and I take the time to understand your symptoms in the context of your life, your stressors, your strengths, and your goals.

In our work together, you can expect a collaborative, patient-centered approach. I believe treatment works best when you feel heard and involved, so we will discuss what you are experiencing, what has helped or not helped in the past, and what you want to be different moving forward. If medication is part of your care, I prioritize thoughtful, evidence-based decisions, clear education about options, and ongoing adjustments based on your response and preferences. I also value practical strategies and supportive guidance that you can apply between sessions.

Most importantly, I am passionate about each person I serve because I know you are important, and I recognize the courage it takes to seek help. My role is to offer steady, professional support and a trusting relationship as you work toward clarity, stability, and lasting wellness.

As board certified Psychiatry Nurse Practitioner, I believe prioritizing mental health is key to happiness and stability in life. Seeking help can be one of the hardest parts, so congratulations on taking the first step. I have been practicing for 2 years focusing on adults age 18-100 who are struggling with Anxiety and depression.

I am dual board-certified as a Psychiatric Mental Health Nurse Practitioner and Family Nurse Practitioner. After several years of clinical practice, I earned my doctoral degree in 2021. My experience spans both behavioral and family health settings, including hospital-based behavioral health units, partial hospitalization programs, and intensive outpatient care.

I specialize in the diagnosis and treatment of a wide range of mental health conditions, including ADHD, depression, anxiety, bipolar disorder, OCD, panic disorder, and PTSD. My approach is grounded in evidence-based practice and emphasizes holistic, collaborative care.

Together, we will develop a personalized treatment plan tailored to your unique needs, goals, and values through a shared decision-making process.

I am committed to creating a supportive, nonjudgmental environment and to addressing disparities in mental health care. If you’re struggling, you don’t have to go through it alone. I’m here to support you with compassion, expertise, and care.