Anxiety and depression therapists and psychiatrists in Woodbridge, VA

As a board-certified Psychiatric Mental Health Nurse Practitioner (PMHNP-BC), I provide comprehensive psychiatric evaluations, medication management, and supportive psychotherapy through secure telehealth appointments.

I have over 18 years of nursing experience, including 8 years in forensic psychiatry, nursing leadership, and education. These experiences have given me a strong understanding of mental illness across different settings and have shaped my patient-centered approach to care.

Hello, my name is Benjamin Watkins. I look forward to working with you to make the positive changes you desire in your life. I have worked in the field since I was 19, starting as a Mentor. Helping others is my passion in life. I worked with children, adolescents, and parents in the foster care system, overcoming trauma and developing positive attachments. I have worked with a variety of issues.

Making the decision to start therapy is a profound investment of your time, energy, and vulnerability. If you are looking for a blank-slate clinician who simply nods and listens, we might not be the best fit. I offer a highly engaged, malleable, and unflinching partnership.

My approach is rooted in the belief that while the work of untangling our lives is deeply structural, the room itself doesn't always have to feel heavy. I bring a grounded warmth to my practice—which means knowing how to sit quietly in the gravity of a difficult truth, but also knowing when to break the tension, exhale, and find the light in the sheer complexity of being human. I won’t just sit in silence while you do all the heavy lifting; I am an active collaborator who adapts to exactly where you are.

EVENING TELEHEALTH HOURS/FREE CONSULTATION!! As a therapist, connecting with clients and walking with them through their journey of triumphs and challenges, I have found that the connection between counselor and client is paramount. I strive to meet my clients where they are, focusing on their strengths and empowering them to make the changes they see fit rather than prescribing issue or diagnosis. I value treating each individual client with the respect they deserve. Placing emphasis on developing a relationship that is based on warmth, trust, respect, and genuine care. The ease of conversation, is client driven and casual.

Many people seek out therapy because, despite their best efforts to change, they might end up in the same cycles. These cycles of behavior are driven by our life experiences and long-standing behavior patterns. Together, we will explore these patterns so that we can begin to create understanding of our motivations and create space for positive change.

For 16 years I have worked with clients impacted by anxiety, depression, and grief. My experience has provided me a unique perspective in working with individuals and couples, parents and families. I understand the need to get to know a counselor before scheduling a session. To help, I offer a free 15 min phone consultation. Look forward to hearing from you.

Life can feel overwhelming when anxiety, daily stressors, parenting demands, or relationship concerns begin to take up more space than you want them to. You may find yourself feeling stretched thin, overthinking, or struggling to show up as the person you want to be for yourself and others. Therapy can be a supportive place to slow down, gain clarity, and feel more grounded. I work with adults navigating anxiety, life transitions, parenting challenges, and interpersonal relationship concerns. I offer a compassionate, collaborative approach that helps clients achieve meaningful change.