Grief counselors and therapists in Blacksburg, VA

I want to provide an environment where you feel like you can be your best self. This happens by providing a safe space for you to feel cozy, welcomed and heard. When you are in the right space and with the right person, it gives you the ability to be open to discuss any issues or concerns to improve and become the best version of you.

I'm a clinical psychologist residing in the mountains of Southwest Virginia, where I came to start my education in 1998 at Virginia Tech, and where I stayed to complete my graduate training at nearby Radford University. Since then, I've worked in community mental health, college counseling, and private practice, with a brief stint in neuropsychology along the way. I've also been an assistant professor at Radford and at Roanoke College. I think of myself as a generalist (meaning I like to work with a broad range of clients and issues), but have had the most experience with mood and anxiety disorders, trauma, substance use disorders, and LGBTQ+ issues. When not practicing, I devote my time to family, dogs, video games, tabletop RPGs, cooking, and badly writing electronic music.

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.

Do you feel overwhelmed and emotionally exhausted by life’s challenges? Are those challenges affecting your day-to-day life? Do you think you “should” be happy but can’t figure out why you’re not? These are all normal thoughts and feelings and navigating them shouldn’t be so hard! Processing the struggles and transitions we face with a professional can help. It might mean learning to set boundaries, working through a life transition or changing a pattern that is keeping you stuck.

I am Dr. LaTaya T. Whitaker, DNP, PMHNP‐BC, FNP‐BC, a dual‐certified Nurse Practitioner with more than twenty years of experience in primary care, urgent care, occupational health, and psychiatric mental health. My practice is grounded in whole‐person, evidence‐based care that supports both physical and emotional wellbeing. Over the years, I’ve worked in federal agency clinics, community health settings, and academic nursing programs, where I’ve had the privilege of teaching and mentoring students at the undergraduate, graduate, and doctoral levels. I specialize in treating anxiety, depression, trauma‐related concerns, mood disorders, and life transitions. I am deeply committed to providing accessible, equitable mental health care and helping individuals move toward stability, clarity, and long‐term wellness.

For more than twenty years, I have had the privilege of walking alongside adolescents, adults, and couples during some of the most difficult and meaningful seasons of their lives. I believe that sometimes it can be difficult to see beyond the darkness in front of us. My role is to listen without judgement while helping you find your way toward the light again.

I have extensive experience working with complex trauma, attachment issues, family, and spiritually and religiously-based trauma.

With over a decade of experience, I offer tailored therapy for diverse challenges: Disruptive Behavior, Parental Stress, LGBTQIA Support, Anxiety, Depression, ADHD, Relationships, Grief, Life Transitions, BIPOC Concerns, and Personal Growth. I use a holistic approach integrating Trauma-Informed Care, CBT, and Behavior Therapy. Let's work towards healing and growth together!