Bipolar disorder therapists & psychiatrists in Virginia

I have a background in science and psychology, which fits my education as a psychologist. I am also a very creative and collaborative person. I want to work with each client to find the best individual treatment for them. I know many techniques and exercises, but only you can tell me what what works best for you. I enjoy helping adults (age 18+) navigate the transitions they face and be able to look forward to the future with hope (even if that feels very far away currently).

I’m Lex Santí, LCSW, DSW-S, MFA, Clinical Director of A Key Therapy, a mindfulness-based telehealth practice. I work with adults and couples (18+) navigating anxiety, burnout, life transitions, relationship concerns, and questions of meaning and identity. I’m licensed in New York, New Jersey, Delaware, and Virginia.

Before founding A Key Therapy, I worked as a generalist therapist at Cornell Health, and earlier led international crisis response at Cornell. I know how heavy it can feel to carry a lot at once, and I bring steadiness, curiosity, and humor to the work. I’m also a writer, a yoga teacher, and a former Peace Corps volunteer, and I speak English, Spanish, Romanian, French, and Hungarian.

My caseload is often full, so if you’d like to work with me specifically, I keep a waitlist. A Key Therapy also has other clinicians who may be a great fit. You can learn more at akeytherapy.co.

I believe in the inherent wisdom and strength within all human beings and I utilize a number of approaches to reveal that wisdom and strength within my clients.

As a therapist, I believe in your story and your individual experience. A space that is safe, comfortable, & free of judgement is essential for your success. It is important that you are in control of your own therapeutic experience, and I believe my role as a therapist is to serve as a guide & emotional support for you through your own journey. To provide a more authentic process and promote psycho-education, I aim to actively engage with you through discussions and person-centered support. “Pain is real, but so is hope”, and that is the main goal of my therapeutic approach: instill hope.

My approach is direct, compassionate, culturally aware, and deeply grounded in trauma-informed care. I help clients understand not just what they are feeling, but why their mind and body respond the way they do. A lot of people come to therapy feeling exhausted from surviving, overthinking, masking, people pleasing, or functioning on autopilot. Together, we work on building emotional safety, nervous system regulation, healthier relationships, self-awareness, and practical tools that actually work in real life.

I specialize in trauma, anxiety, stress management, emotional regulation, relationship dynamics, self-esteem, life transitions, and helping high-capacity individuals who are successful externally but overwhelmed internally. My work integrates evidence-based practices, somatic awareness, attachment-focused interventions, and practical strategies that support both emotional wellness and everyday functioning.

My name is A.J. Esguerra. I am a Licensed Professional Counselor and have been working in the mental health field since 2001. I have split my time primarily between working in residential treatment with abused and neglected children, and most recently in a private therapeutic day school for children and adolescents with special needs (which remains my full-time job). However, after COVID, I felt it was part of my purpose and mission to begin providing online therapy part time. My belief is that the world needs connection more than ever, and there are few things more protective or more resilient than a positive relationship with another person

likes to play soccer, and listening to classical music

Shakarla Brown is a Licensed Professional Counselor with 7 years of experience. She works with young adults and adults to manage issues like depression, anxiety, ADHD, stress, life transitions, emotional dysregulation, and self-esteem. Shakarla focuses on improving clients' self-worth by challenging negative core beliefs and collaboratively understanding how other contributing factors impact their behaviors and interpersonal relationships. She emphasizes that the progress made outside sessions is just as vital as the work done during them, empowering clients to take control of their healing journey.

Shakarla received her Master of Arts in Clinical Mental Health from Regent University.