Trauma and PTSD therapists & psychiatrists in Richmond, VA

Hi! I’m Brenda Nettey! I have a deep passion for walking alongside individuals on their healing journeys. I specialize in helping clients navigate anxiety, depression, trauma, religion/spirituality, grief, self-esteem, and life transitions.

I believe good mental health care begins with feeling heard. I’m Dr. Sylvia May, a dual-certified Psychiatric Mental Health and Family Nurse Practitioner with a Doctor of Nursing Practice degree. I provide individualized and thoughtful care for adults navigating anxiety, depression, burnout, life transitions, stress, and women’s mental health concerns.

My approach is warm, collaborative, and focused on understanding the full picture of your health and your life. With experience in both psychiatric and primary care, I consider how emotional well-being, lifestyle, medications, relationships, and life circumstances may intersect.

Together, we will develop a plan that feels realistic for your life and reflects your concerns, priorities, and goals - not simply your diagnosis.

The most meaningful progress usually happens when therapy feels collaborative, down-to-earth, and paired with a healthy dose of sarcastic humor. If you value genuine warmth, absolute candor, and a practical, solution-focused approach to life's changing seasons, we'll get along great.

I specialize in partnering with driven, goal-oriented individuals who are ready to stop over-analyzing their roadblocks and start executing clear strategies. My clinical toolkit was built across a wide range of settings—from civilian clinics to VA hospitals and deployment environments—which taught me how to deliver actionable, real-world tools without wasting anyone's time.

When I’m off the clock, I am a mother, lover of working out - and ice cream, and a nature seeker who recharges anywhere from the beach to the mountains. I also have a massive soft spot for animals, especially my cat, Zach Morris, who firmly believes he runs my household.

If you're ready to cut through the noise and get to work, let's connect.

I have practice as a Licensed Professional Counselor since 2012 and I also hold the license for Licensed Substance Abuse Treatment Practitioner.

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 been practicing as a Licensed Clinical Social Worker for over 20 years. I have worked with children, adolescents and adults. I have experience working with individuals who have experienced trauma and I am trained in EMDR. I work with individuals who are struggling with anxiety as well as relationship challenges.