Bipolar disorder therapists & psychiatrists in Chesapeake, VA

This field is everything to me. I have been fully licensed for a short time but have worked in mental health for over 10 years in many roles. Working with clients, being alongside them through their most difficult and profound experiences is, I feel, the biggest honor one could have.

I believe therapy should feel like a place where you can finally exhale. You don’t have to have the right words, know exactly what you need, or arrive with everything figured out.

My approach is warm, compassionate, and deeply human. I work with people who may feel overwhelmed, stuck, disconnected from themselves, or exhausted from carrying too much for too long. Together, we make space to understand what you’ve been through, what your nervous system has learned to protect you from, and what you need now in order to heal and move forward.

I created Gentle Ground Therapy with the hope of offering exactly what the name represents—a soft place to land, where you can feel supported, understood, and safe enough to grow.

You are more than what has happened to you, and healing does not mean becoming someone new. Sometimes it means gently finding your way back to yourself.

I am a licensed clinical social worker and NY licensed creative arts therapist with over 10 years of experience in the mental health field. As a clinical social worker, I am licensed in New York, Connecticut, Maryland and Virginia. I have a Master in Social Work from Fordham University, a Master of Science in Dance/Movement Therapy from Sarah Lawrence College and a Bachelor of Fine Arts from New York University. I have worked in various mental health settings including inpatient psychiatric hospitals, school settings, nursing homes, residential treatment center and outpatient mental clinic. I am certified in Multidimensional Family Therapy (MDFT), Triple P (Positive Parenting Program) and is a Certified Clinical Anxiety Treatment Professional (CCATP). I am currently pursuing a certification in Somatic Experiencing (Advanced Level), TF-CBT, and AEDP therapist (ES Level 1). I have experienced working with children, adolescents, adults, families, and couples.

I’m Karina Smith, LCSW, founder of Bloom Haven Therapeutic Services❀. I specialize in working with young adults and adults navigating anxiety, depression, trauma, ADHD, and life transitions related to relationships, career shifts, and family dynamics. I also support individuals experiencing the lasting impact of trauma or feeling stuck in patterns that are difficult to break.

My work is grounded in EMDR, DBT-informed therapy, somatic approaches, CBT, and mindfulness-based practices. I’m also an advocate and serve on the PAIMI Council for Disability Rights Florida.

As a Psychiatric Mental Health Nurse Practitioner (PMHNP) from Walden University, I am deeply passionate about delivering patient-centered care and committed to advocating for individuals from diverse backgrounds and cultures. With over eight years of experience working with patients, families, and communities affected by mental illness, I have developed a profound understanding of the importance of compassionate and individualized care.

My professional journey began as a registered nurse, where I came to realize that mental illness is no respecter of person, age, color, or social status. This experience reinforced my belief that every individual facing mental health challenges deserves a patient-centered, personalized, and holistic approach to their care.

As a PMHNP, my goal is to serve as a source of strength and support through active listening, empathy, and compassion. I strive to provide an evidence-based approach tailored to each patient’s specific needs, ensuring that every individual feels heard, valued, and empowered on their path to wellness.

As a licensed counselor with over 15 years of experience, I have worked in a variety of different settings with those struggling with mental health and/or substance abuse issues. I graduated from Liberty University with a master's in counseling and practice as a licensed professional counselor as well as a licensed substance abuse treatment practitioner. I have worked in outpatient and inpatient settings.

I am a Licensed Clinical Social Worker with 15 years of experience in mental health and substance use services, and have a postgraduate Certificate in Psychedelic-Assisted Therapy. I work with adults, with a particular passion for supporting women, LGBTQIA+, and BIPOC individuals, as well as those navigating post-psychedelic integration.

Our therapeutic partnership begins with the understanding that you are a whole person — not a diagnosis, a symptom, or a set of circumstances. Together, we will explore how the intersections of identity, lived experience, trauma, mental health, and substance use shape your inner world and outer life across biological, psychological, social, and spiritual dimensions.