Depression Psychiatrists in Virginia

Abdulhafiz Ahmed, MD

Staff Psychiatrist

Languages

English, Arabic

Conditions treated:

Anxiety, Depression. Bipolar Disorder, OCD, PTSD/Trauma, ADHD

Education and training:

University of Maryland at College Park, BS

Georgetown School of Medicine, MD

University of Maryland Medical System at Baltimore (UMMS), Residency

and fellowship.

Dr. Abdulhafiz Ahmed is a board-certified adult psychiatrist with over 25 years of clinical experience across community hospitals, university teaching hospitals, the Veterans Administration (VA) medical system, and private practice. He has served as the inpatient medical director at MedStar Harbor Hospital in Baltimore and outpatient medical director at the University of Maryland Upper Chesapeake. Dr. Ahmed has extensive expertise diagnosing and treating a wide range of psychiatric conditions including depression, anxiety, bipolar disorder, adjustment disorders, phobias, thought disorders, trauma, and PTSD.

Dr. Ahmed approaches each patient with empathy, attentiveness, and respect, fostering an environment of safety and trust. He recognizes the importance of cultural diversity and is dedicated to understanding each person’s unique background, values, and life circumstances. His patient-centered philosophy ensures that individuals feel heard, validated, and actively involved in their care.

Dr. Ahmed combines evidence-based psychopharmacology with supportive psychotherapy to provide comprehensive and individualized treatment. He collaborates closely with patients to develop a plan that targets their specific symptoms and goals, focusing on improving functioning, resilience, and overall well-being. His approachable and compassionate demeanor helps patients feel comfortable and confident throughout their journey toward recovery.

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Dr. Aileen Kim approaches medication management with an emphasis on shared decision-making within safe, effective options, thorough counseling about what to expect in treatment, and giving attention to the concurrent use of non-medication modalities of treatment alongside optimizing medication. She is accustomed to working with people who have more than one diagnosis. She is skilled and experienced in de-prescribing (methodically streamlining the number of medications being taken) when needed. Patients can see Dr. Kim for medication management, therapy, or both. Dr. Kim is board certified in Adult Psychiatry. She graduated from the University of Illinois College of Medicine in Chicago in 2004. She was selected for the Health Professions Scholarship Program and completed her residency in 2008 at Naval Medical Center Portsmouth in Virginia, where she was chief resident. Following residency, she deployed to Kuwait as a medical officer. She has taught and supervised residents at Walter Reed National Military Medical Center. She left active duty in the Navy as a Lieutenant Commander. After becoming a civilian, she went into solo practice, then joined Potomac Behavioral Solutions in 2014, where she served as medical director. Dr. Kim is a past president of the Virginia Psychoanalytic Society. She also lectures advanced mental health professionals for Lingyu International Psychology Centre based in Toronto. For established patients of Dr. Aileen Kim, please call 833-351-8255 to schedule an appointment and let the patient care coordinator know you are an established patient from her prior practice.

Dr. Julia Trice, MD, has experience across outpatient, intensive outpatient, residential, and inpatient settings. She earned her medical degree and completed psychiatry residency and child and adolescent fellowship training at accredited institutions, developing expertise in comprehensive, evidence-based care. She is double board-certified in adult psychiatry and child and adolescent psychiatry.

Dr. Trice values openness, collaboration, and clear communication. She builds strong therapeutic rapport by creating a warm, supportive space where patients feel heard and respected. When working with children and adolescents, she ensures they understand that their voice and perspective are essential to shaping treatment and understanding their symptoms.

Dr. Trice begins by thoroughly understanding each patient’s history, concerns, and goals. She uses this foundation to guide treatment from the first session onward. Throughout care, she develops individualized, goal-aligned treatment plans that integrate evidence-based approaches tailored to each patient’s unique needs.

Dr. McGowan is a board-certified adult psychiatrist with over 14 years of experience, during which time he primarily treated active-duty US Navy sailors, their family members, and military retirees in the outpatient setting. His practice focuses on medication management in addition to supportive and cognitive-behavioral therapy in 30-minute follow-up visits. He is a strong advocate of multiple treatment modalities and, in certain situations, may suggest that therapy and/or regular physical exercise be included in your treatment plan to provide the best outcome. He received his B.S. in Physics from the United States Naval Academy. After serving as an Intelligence Officer in the Navy for eight years, he transitioned to medicine and earned his medical degree from the Uniformed Services University of the Health Sciences in Bethesda, MD. After completing an intern year in Family Medicine, Dr. McGowan completed residency training in Psychiatry at Naval Medical Center Portsmouth, VA, where he remained on staff for the next ten years and was primarily involved in resident training and education. He held academic appointments at the Uniformed Services University and Eastern Virginia Medical School and served as the Psychiatry Residency Program Director for six years. He served his final four years in uniform running the behavioral health department at Naval Air Station Whidbey Island, WA. He recently retired from the Navy after a 30-year career. Dr. McGowan has extensive experience in outpatient psychiatric care. In addition to the full spectrum of mood and anxiety disorders, he has treated a very large number of patients with PTSD stemming from combat, natural disasters, and sexual trauma. He believes that, like his service to the country, working alongside others in their journey to better mental health is an incredible privilege.

Zakiyyah Weatherspoon is a dual-certified Family Nurse Practitioner and Psychiatric Mental Health Nurse Practitioner with over a decade of experience. Since 2011, she has worked in family medicine, and since 2013, she has focused on mental health care across the lifespan. Her background includes treating children, teens and adults in hospitals, private practices, and community settings.

Since 2017, Weatherspoon specialized in helping individuals manage depression, anxiety, bipolar disorder, OCD, PTSD, ADHD, ODD, eating disorders, and substance use. She uses supportive therapy, solution-focused therapy, and cognitive behavioral therapy to help clients feel heard, understood, and empowered.

Weatherspoon is passionate about breaking the stigma around mental health. She encourages her clients to speak up, get help, and take control of their mental wellness. Her approach is based on the Mental Health Recovery Model, which focuses on hope, healing, and building a life beyond diagnosis.

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Dr. Danielle Jackson is a board certified Adult Psychiatrist by the American Board of Psychiatry and Neurology. She is a graduate of Yale University's Psychiatry Residency and Howard University College of Medicine. Dr. Jackson's practice focuses on a combination of psychopharmacology (medication) and psychotherapy techniques including supportive therapy, motivational interviewing and cognitive behavioral therapy. She approaches care from an individualized, patient-centered, collaborative perspective. She often integrates evidence-based lifestyle recommendations in areas such as nutrition, sleep hygiene, exercise, and stress management tools in treatment to help patients achieve their wellness goals. Her interests include adjustment disorder, mood disorders, anxiety disorders, ADHD and trauma-related disorders. In addition, she enjoys helping patients navigate the challenges that can accompany changes in life (careers, parenthood, relationships, chronic illness). Prior to joining Talkiatry, Dr. Jackson served as medical director for substance use and co-occurring disorders at Sunset Terrace Family Health Centers at NYU Langone. She has experience caring for a diverse patient population including those with perinatal mood disorders (postpartum anxiety/depression), substance use disorders and those from minoritized and marginalized communities.

Dr. Vanessa Valdes is an adult psychiatrist specializing in medication management and psychotherapy, with a strong focus on nutrition, wellness, and mindfulness. She earned her combined MD/MPH degree from the University of Miami Miller School of Medicine and completed her psychiatry residency at the University of Miami/Jackson Health System, one of the nation's leading public healthcare systems.‍During her residency, Dr. Valdes gained broad experience in diverse areas of psychiatry, including inpatient psychiatry, emergency psychiatry, outpatient care, psychotherapy, hypnosis, child and adolescent psychiatry, consultation-liaison psychiatry, psycho-oncology, and addiction psychiatry.‍Dr. Valdes primarily provides supportive psychotherapy and acceptance and commitment therapy to help patients better understand and address their stressors. She takes a holistic approach to care, emphasizing the emotional, spiritual, and physical well-being of her patients. Her goal is to inspire meaningful, sustainable changes in patients' lives through compassionate, comprehensive treatment.

Dr. Dominique Holley is a triple board-certified psychiatrist in Adult Psychiatry, Child and Adolescent Psychiatry, and Addiction Medicine. Dr. Holley completed her post-doctoral residency and fellowship training at Walter Reed National Military Medical Center. She has served as an active US Army officer and recently separated from the US Army after 11 years of service. In her most recent role, she served as the Deputy Chief of the Department of Behavioral Health at Fort Campbell, KY where she provided clinical and administrative supervision, as well as mentorship and guidance for an interdisciplinary team of over 140 personnel. She maintained oversight of behavioral health care being delivered through 11 clinics and satellite locations, providing patient care for over 30,000 beneficiaries. While in leadership, she continued to provide direct patient care for service members and dependents including child and adolescent populations. Due to her experience with this unique population, she has extensive experience in treating individuals with trauma. She offers an holistic approach when caring for individuals dealing with mental illness as well as phase of life circumstances. She believes in treating the whole person and attending to physical, spiritual, and mental health. Dr. Holley provides supportive, cognitive behavioral, acceptance and commitment, and psychodynamic therapy skills that complement medication management in order to help improve wellness.

Dr. Romanow is double board-certified in Adult Psychiatry and Forensic Psychiatry. He graduated summa cum laude from the University of Pittsburgh with a Bachelor of Science degree in Sports Medicine/Athletic Training and then attended Drexel University College of Medicine. After medical school, he completed his residency in Adult Psychiatry at the University of Virginia, where he obtained a certificate in additional psychotherapy training. After residency, Dr. Romanow completed a fellowship in Forensic Psychiatry at the University of Virginia. During his fellowship, he trained at the prestigious Institute of Law, Psychiatry, and Public Policy (ILPPP) and Western State Psychiatric Hospital where he performed criminal and civil forensic evaluations. He also provided clinical care at a maximum security prison. Prior to joining Talkiatry, Dr. Romanow worked at a healthcare system in Montana providing inpatient and outpatient psychiatric care involving medication management and psychotherapy. Additionally, he operates a private forensic psychiatry practice that conducts mental health evaluations for the legal system. Dr. Romanow has extensive experience treating various mental health disorders including depression, bipolar disorder, anxiety and obsessive-compulsive disorders, post-traumatic stress disorder, and ADHD. His clinical work includes assisting patients who experience mental health disorders with co-occurring substance use problems. He has training in various schools of psychotherapy including cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT), CBT for insomnia, motivational interviewing and supportive psychotherapy. Dr. Romanow incorporates treatment focusing on the importance of exercise, diet, and good sleep habits as a part of comprehensive mental health care.‍

Dr. Michael Underriner is an adult psychiatrist. His approach to treatment is holistic, taking into account the entire person, and emphasizes the importance of the therapeutic bond to help people reduce suffering and achieve their goals. He is a member of the Gold Humanism Honor Society. Dr. Underriner's practice focuses on a mix of medication management, offered in conjunction with supportive therapy in 30-minute follow-up visits, and insight-oriented psychotherapy offered in weekly 45-minute visits. He works with people struggling with ADHD, depression, anxiety, obsessive-compulsive and related disorders, and difficulties with self-esteem and relationships. Occasionally Dr. Underriner may believe that additional therapy is warranted and recommend a separate therapist to provide the best outcome. He received his medical degree from the University of Chicago Pritzker School of Medicine and completed his residency training at New York University. During training, he gained experience treating patients with various psychiatric illnesses in several different clinics and hospital-based settings. He worked with experts in the field of depression and provided consultations for patients considering transcranial magnetic stimulation. He also published a review article on long-term injectable medications for psychosis. Dr. Underriner has maintained an interest in teaching and remains connected to the psychiatry department at NYU. He has supervised and taught junior residents and medical students. Additionally, he is interested in global health and disparities in access to care and has traveled to Ghana to teach medical students rotating through psychiatry at the university there.

Dr. Adela Stroescu is a board-certified psychiatrist with seven years of clinical experience treating adults in both outpatient and inpatient settings. She specializes in mood disorders, psychosis, anxiety, PTSD, and ADHD. Dr. Stroescu earned her medical degree from St. George’s University School of Medicine and completed her psychiatry residency at the University of Maryland/Sheppard Pratt. She speaks English and conversational Romanian.

Dr. Stroescu fosters a respectful, non-judgmental space where communication is clear, and care is recovery oriented. She prioritizes building a therapeutic relationship grounded in empathy and trust to support each patient’s unique path to wellness.

Dr. Stroescu begins with a comprehensive psychiatric evaluation to create a personalized treatment plan aligned with the patient’s goals. She uses evidence-based medication management and offers supportive psychotherapy and psychoeducation to empower patients throughout their treatment journey.

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Dr. Andrews is a board-certified psychiatrist who received his medical degree from Lake Erie College of Osteopathic Medicine and completed his psychiatric residency at the University of Texas Health – San Antonio. Since graduating from medical school, Dr. Andrews served in the United States Air Force for over a decade, first as a Flight Surgeon and later as the Medical Director for mental health and substance abuse clinics overseas. In these roles, he provided medical support to Air Force personnel, their family members, and veterans. These invaluable experiences in high-pressure environments strengthened his desire to support the psychological challenges of individuals in a myriad of situations.

Outside of patient care, Dr. Andrews remains active in continuing education, ensuring the latest scientific advancements inform his practice. With a background grounded in medical excellence, military service, and clinical psychiatry, he brings a steady, knowledgeable, and compassionate presence to the healing process.

Dr. Andrews offers comprehensive psychiatric care to adults seeking support for mental health challenges. Whether you are experiencing stress, depression, panic attacks, sleep issues, or difficulty focusing, he provides a warm, nonjudgmental space to explore your concerns and work collaboratively on a treatment plan that aligns with your goals and values. He offers both medication management and a combination of psychotherapy techniques tailored to each patient’s unique needs for effective and lasting outcomes.

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Dr. Stansberry holds the position of staff psychiatrist at Talkiatry. He is board-certified in Adult Psychiatry by the American Board of Psychiatry and Neurology. Stansberry's practice focuses on medication management and also incorporates supportive therapy techniques, typically in 30-minute follow-up visits. In some cases, Dr. Stansberry may believe that additional therapy is also needed and ask that you bring a therapist into your care team. Dr. Stansberry received his medical degree from the Louisiana State University Health Sciences Center in New Orleans. He completed his residency training through the Louisiana State University/Ochsner Health Foundation Psychiatry Residency program. He has experience working in inpatient, emergency, and consult-liaison psychiatry but particularly enjoys the opportunity to work longitudinally with patients in the outpatient setting.**THIS PROVIDER CANNOT PRESCRIBE CONTROLLED SUBSTANCES FOR LOUISIANA PATIENTS**

Alana Ward is a board certified psychiatric mental health nurse practitioner (PMHNP). Alan has been practicing since 2018 and has experience with individuals of all ages. Prior to becoming a PMHNP, Alana worked as a registered nurse in critical care and psychiatry. As a PMHNP, she has experience working on inpatient adult and geriatric psychiatric units, as well as providing psychiatric evaluations and consultations to individuals on medical units and emergency rooms at hospitals. Alana is very experienced working in outpatient settings managing various psychiatric diagnoses. She has also helped manage individuals in long term care facilities and assisted living facilities. When Alana is not providing direct patient care, she will on occasion help with instructing future nurses at Kent State University. Alana graduated with her Master's of Science in Nursing from Kent State University, and is board certified as a Psychiatric Mental Health Nurse Practitioner through the American Nurse Credentialing Center. Alana enjoys treating a variety of mental health diagnoses including depression, anxiety, obsessive compulsive disorder, mood disorders such as bipolar disorder, and various psychotic disorders. She believes in client-centered care, where clients get a say in their treatment in order to help make them feel their best. Alana truly believes that therapy is a crucial part of successfully treating any mental health diagnosis, in combination with medication management when warranted. Alana likes to add mindfulness and cognitive behavioral therapy techniques to her medication management appointments to help individuals receive effective, quality care.

Dr. Syed Abbasi is an adult psychiatrist who completed his undergraduate education at Rutgers University and earned his medical degree at Ross University. He completed his psychiatry residency training at Creedmoor Psychiatric Center with training at New York-Presbyterian/Columbia University Medical Center, additionally as Chief Resident at Columbia University's Outpatient Adult Psychiatry Eye-6 clinic. Dr. Abbasi is passionate about and experienced in providing holistic, thoughtful, evidence-based care for patients with depression, anxiety, obsessive compulsive disorder, trauma-related disorders, relationship issues and struggles with self-image. He believes empathy and understanding are the most fundamental components of the doctor-patient relationship. He provides psychiatric medication management and integrates supportive psychotherapy, elements of dialectical behavioral therapy (DBT), stress management techniques and lifestyle interventions to meet patients where they are and collaborate toward improvement and optimization of their wellness. Occasionally, when appropriate, he may recommend adding a therapist to your care team for further benefit.

Dr. Kothari's treatment approach begins with establishing a good therapeutic rapport with her patients and listening to her patients so that they feel heard. Dr. Kothari likes to spend time providing psychoeducation on medications when discussing the treatment plan. Dr. Kothari's practice focuses on medication management primarily, but may incorporate supportive psychotherapy during medication visits. Dr. Kothari may recommend additional psychotherapy if she feels a patient may benefit from this. Dr. Kothari's current practice does not include the use of any controlled substance medications, such as stimulants, benzodiazepines, and certain sleep aids.