Book a therapist or psychiatrist in Stafford, VA covered by Cigna

Hi, I’m Shakira Barner, LCSW. I am a compassionate and dedicated Licensed Clinical Social Worker committed to creating a safe, supportive, and nonjudgmental space where clients can feel heard, understood, and empowered to make meaningful changes in their lives.

My mission is to support you as you navigate life’s daily challenges and unexpected obstacles. Life can be tough, and there are times when we may feel overwhelmed, stuck, or uncertain about how to move forward. Taking that first step toward therapy can be difficult, but you don’t have to navigate the journey alone.

Starting therapy can feel vulnerable, especially if you’re used to being the one who holds things together for everyone else. I work with teens and adults who may look capable on the outside but feel overwhelmed, anxious, stuck, or disconnected on the inside. Many of my clients are insightful and thoughtful people who want more than quick coping strategies — they want to understand themselves more deeply and experience real, lasting change.

I’m a dual-certified Family Nurse Practitioner (FNP-C) and Psychiatric Mental Health Nurse Practitioner (PMHNP-BC) with more than 16 years of experience in healthcare and a deep passion for providing compassionate, individualized mental health care.

I believe everyone deserves to feel heard, respected, and supported. My approach is patient-centered and collaborative, with treatment plans tailored to your unique needs, goals, and circumstances.

Through Telehealth, I provide evaluation and treatment for a wide range of mental health concerns, including ADHD, Oppositional Defiant Disorder, Disruptive Mood Dysregulation Disorder, anger concerns, intermittent explosive disorder, depression, anxiety, bipolar disorder, binge-eating disorders, body dysmorphia, PTSD, unresolved trauma, family conflicts, personality disorders, schizophrenia, and substance use disorders. I proudly provide an LGBTQ+ affirming and inclusive space for all patients.

I also believe mental health care works best when providers work together. When appropriate, I collaborate with therapists, primary care providers, and other healthcare professionals to help create comprehensive, practical, and effective treatment plans.

My goal is simple: to meet you where you are and support you in getting to where you want to be. Your story matters, your goals matter, and you deserve care that meets you with compassion—not judgment.

Please feel free to call me Sam. I'm originally from North Carolina and received my bachelor's degree in social work at Appalachian State. In 2022, I moved to Southwest Virginia and received my master's degree in social work from Radford University. Overall, I have 13 years of experience as a Social Worker in different capacities, including grief and loss, chronic illness, and burnout. My passion is working with adults and older adults navigating life changes.

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 board-certified Psychiatric Mental Health Nurse Practitioner dedicated to providing compassionate, evidence-based care for individuals across the lifespan. I specialize in treating conditions such as anxiety, depression, mood disorders, ADHD, and stress-related concerns through a combination of medication management and supportive psychotherapy.

My approach is holistic, collaborative, and patient-centered. I believe in creating a safe, nonjudgmental space where clients feel heard and respected. Together, we will explore your concerns, identify treatment goals, and develop a personalized plan that aligns with your needs and lifestyle.

I incorporate evidence-based practices such as cognitive behavioral techniques, supportive therapy, and psychoeducation to help clients build coping skills and improve overall well-being. Whether you are starting treatment for the first time or continuing your mental health journey, I strive to provide care that is thoughtful, empowering, and results-oriented.

I offer convenient telehealth services, making it easier to access care from the comfort of your home. My goal is to support you in achieving stability, balance, and improved quality of life.

I welcome clients from diverse backgrounds and am committed to culturally sensitive care.

I have worked in primary care and medical environments for over 6 years as a therapist/clinical social worker.

My background is primarily working with patients faced with mood disorders such as anxiety, and depression. My expertise has expanded to treat PTSD and dissociative disorders as well as borderline personality disorder.

Hi! My name is Whitney McCoy and I am a Licensed Clinical Social Worker (LCSW) in Virginia. I graduated from Radford University in 2020 with my MSW. I have worked in community mental health in numerous capacities since 2016.