Find a Psychiatrist in Virginia Beach, VA

My approach to patient care begins with a thorough medical and psychiatric history, to include evaluation of co-morbid medical conditions and treatments that may be contributing to psychiatric symptoms. I reserve the end of the appointment for education regarding diagnosis, treatment options, any recommended medical work up, and reviewing the most up-to-date evidence-based literature. I also provide recommendations on non-pharmacologic interventions, to include psychotherapy and lifestyle modifications.

My areas of expertise include the management of psychiatric conditions in patients with complex medical illnesses and complex psychopharmacology. This includes the areas of neuropsychiatry, perinatal and reproductive psychiatry, women's health throughout all ages of adulthood, transplant psychiatry, and psycho-oncology. My interests include emergency psychiatry, brain stimulation therapies, complex psychopharmacology, and psychopharmacology in the medically ill.

I am board-certified in General Psychiatry and Consultation-Liaison Psychiatry (Psychosomatic Medicine) by the ABPN. I received my medical degree from the University of South Carolina School of Medicine and completed my residency in General Psychiatry as well as my fellowship in Consultation-Liaison Psychiatry (Psychosomatic Medicine) at Virginia Commonwealth University. I spent most of my career in large, urban academic medical centers, primarily taking care of patients with severe mental illness, as well as those with mental illness comorbid with other complex medical conditions. Prior to joining Talkiatry, I held various leadership positions in academic medicine, emergency psychiatry, consultation-liaison psychiatry, and brain stimulation at multiple academic medical centers.

I have a passion for medical education and have held faculty appointments at Virginia Commonwealth University, University of Utah, Georgetown University, George Washington University, and Walter Reed National Military Medical Center. I have authored numerous peer-reviewed journal articles and provided academic presentations to both national and international audiences.

Christopher Bernetski, MD, is a board-certified psychiatrist with experience in inpatient, integrated primary care, and mental health settings. He earned his medical degree from the UNC School of Medicine at Chapel Hill and completed residency training at Naval Medical Center Portsmouth. Dr. Bernetski served for 9 years with the US Navy and US Marine Corps in both primary care and psychiatry roles. He has experience treating mood disorders, anxiety, ADHD, substance use, and trauma-related conditions using supportive therapy, CBT, prolonged exposure therapy, and cognitive processing therapy.

Dr. Bernetski works to create a collaborative, supportive environment without a hierarchical patient-provider dynamic. He aims to be clear and direct in his assessments and recommendations while helping patients feel comfortable discussing their concerns. His approach focuses on shared decision-making so patients can actively participate in building a treatment plan that fits their goals and values.

Dr. Bernetski begins by reviewing a patient’s concerns along with their medical and mental health history. He works with patients to clarify treatment goals and prioritize concerns when multiple issues are present. He then provides a concise assessment and discusses both psychotherapy and medication options, including benefits and drawbacks, so patients can make informed decisions about their care.

I take a comprehensive approach to patient care, integrating biological, psychological, and environmental factors into treatment planning. I focus on developing a meaningful therapeutic relationship and providing medication interventions for specific treatment goals. I provide interpersonal psychotherapy in conjunction with medication management services. I have a special interest in the treatment of multiple mental health conditions, including depression, anxiety, bipolar disorder, PTSD, ADHD, and OCD. I treat adults ages 18 to 65 years old.

I am a board-certified psychiatrist specializing in adult psychiatry and have been practicing for over 11 years. I completed my undergraduate education at Virginia Tech, graduating Cum Laude with degrees in Biology and Chemistry. Following graduation, I attended a research internship at the National Institutes of Health, where I received a Post-baccalaureate Intramural Research Training Award. I completed my medical degree from the Western University of Health Sciences in Pomona, CA, and my General Psychiatry Residency at Georgetown University, where I served as Chief Resident. After residency, I entered private practice in McLean, VA.

I value a strong doctor-patient relationship grounded in compassion, open communication, and mutual respect. I approach care collaboratively, seeking to understand each individual as a whole person and fostering a safe, thoughtful space for treatment. I conduct comprehensive diagnostic evaluations followed by 30-minute visits for medication management and supportive psychotherapy when indicated. I develop individualized plans informed by prior treatment history, considering both medication and non-medication options within a standard-of-care framework. With patient consent, I collaborate closely with therapists.

I am a board-certified adult psychiatrist with more than 20 years of experience in outpatient private practice, partial hospital programs at Sheppard Pratt Hospital, and acute inpatient settings including New York-Presbyterian and Westchester Behavioral Health. I earned my undergraduate degree from Cornell University and my medical degree from New York University School of Medicine. I completed my psychiatry residency at Brown University and a fellowship at Boston Psychoanalytic Society & Institute.

Believing that each patient is more than a diagnosis, I take a personalized approach, collaborating closely with individuals to develop tailored treatment plans. I view myself as an advisor and facilitator, empowering patients to take charge of their recovery. My areas of focus include ADHD (Focus & Cognitive Function), Anxiety & Depression (Mood, Sleep, & Energy Concerns), and Stress & Brain Fog (Cognitive & Emotional Well-Being).

I am a highly experienced psychiatrist and medical doctor with dual specialties in psychiatry and primary care medicine. My comprehensive approach integrates both disciplines, allowing me to address mental health concerns with a deep understanding of their medical and psychological aspects. I earned my Doctor of Medicine (MD) from Southern Illinois University School of Medicine and pursued advanced training at Walter Reed Army Medical Center, Harvard University, and Georgetown University Medical Center. I am Board-Certified in General Psychiatry and Fellowship-Trained in Forensic Psychiatry and Occupational Medicine, equipping me with the expertise to diagnose and treat a broad spectrum of mental health conditions, considering both medical and psychiatric factors.

I am an experienced, compassionate, and dedicated advocate for my patients' mental and physical health. I strongly believe in a collaborative, patient-centered approach to treatment, helping individuals achieve their personal and professional goals. Guided by the ethos, "Treat them like you would your own family," I am dedicated to providing compassionate, high-quality care.

Committed to a well-balanced life, I am married and have two married daughters, two grandsons, and three dogs. My wife, a clinical psychologist, helps ground my therapeutic approach, emphasizing the importance of integrating therapy with medication to enhance overall well-being.

I offer a holistic approach when caring for individuals dealing with mental illness as well as phase of life circumstances. I believe in treating the whole person and attending to physical, spiritual, and mental health. I provide supportive, cognitive behavioral, acceptance and commitment, and psychodynamic therapy skills that complement medication management in order to help improve wellness.

I am a triple board-certified psychiatrist in Adult Psychiatry, Child and Adolescent Psychiatry, and Addiction Medicine. I completed my post-doctoral residency and fellowship training at Walter Reed National Military Medical Center. I have served as an active US Army officer and recently separated from the US Army after 11 years of service. In my most recent role, I served as the Deputy Chief of the Department of Behavioral Health at Fort Campbell, KY, where I provided clinical and administrative supervision, as well as mentorship and guidance for an interdisciplinary team of over 140 personnel. I 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, I continued to provide direct patient care for service members and dependents, including child and adolescent populations. Due to my experience with this unique population, I have extensive experience in treating individuals with trauma.

I am dedicated to promoting mental health awareness and family and patient psychoeducation. I emphasize a joint decision-making approach to treatment options and utilize local resources to provide wrap-around support. My areas of interest focus on neurodevelopmental disorders such as ADHD, Autism, and Intellectual Delay.

I earned my M.D. from St. George's University School of Medicine and hold a Bachelor of Science in Child Development from Appalachian State University, where I graduated summa cum laude. My passion for working with children and families developed during my involvement in a pre-K Head Start Program in Rural North Carolina. I completed my General Psychiatry Residency and Child & Adolescent Psychiatry Fellowship at Jerry M. Wallace School of Osteopathic Medicine at Campbell University. I obtained ABPN Board Certification in General Psychiatry in 2023 and am working towards Board Certification in Child & Adolescent Psychiatry. I have received honors and awards for my contributions to psychiatry, including the Laughlin Fellowship through The American College of Psychiatrists and Resident of the Year at Cape Fear Valley Health System in 2022. I am affiliated with professional organizations including AACAP and APA.

My extensive education, accolades, research contributions, professional affiliations, and community involvement reflect my commitment to making a positive impact in my patients' lives and the broader community.

Dr. Ellen Yin earned her medical degree from NYU School of Medicine and completed her psychiatry residency at MedStar Georgetown University Hospital. She has experience with multiple forms of therapy, including psychodynamic therapy, exposure therapy for OCD, and CBT for ADHD. Dr. Yin has worked with a variety of populations and diagnoses, with particular focus on immigrants and young professionals, as well as the treatment of anxiety, OCD, and PTSD.

Dr. Yin creates a kind and accepting environment that fosters a trusting, collaborative, and respectful provider-patient relationship. She takes time to identify underlying issues and approaches treatment thoughtfully, deliberately, and with a strong foundation in evidence-based care.

Dr. Yin's approach centers on fully understanding each patient's experiences, symptoms, and goals to develop a comprehensive assessment. She works collaboratively with patients to create individualized treatment plans designed to help them achieve meaningful and lasting improvements in their lives.

Dr. Gabriel Nieves is a board-eligible psychiatrist who earned his medical degree from Universidad Central del Caribe in Puerto Rico, an ACGME-accredited institution. He completed his psychiatry residency at Augusta University, where he trained across inpatient, emergency department, and outpatient settings and served as Chief Resident. His outpatient experience includes general adult psychiatry as well as specialty clinics focused on ADHD, women’s mental health, and treatment-resistant depression. He also received psychotherapy training throughout residency.

Dr. Nieves believes the best outcomes come from collaboration. He works closely with patients to develop personalized treatment plans and strives to create a warm, welcoming environment where individuals feel comfortable sharing their concerns. He takes time to listen carefully and understand each patient’s unique experiences before making recommendations.

Dr. Nieves focuses on understanding the full picture of a patient’s mental health rather than viewing concerns through a single diagnosis. He develops individualized treatment plans that may include medication, psychotherapy-informed strategies, and other evidence-based approaches. His goal is to help patients improve their overall well-being, function effectively in daily life, and achieve lasting progress beyond symptom relief.

In addition to medication management, I augment my practice by implementing mindfulness, psychodynamic, and supportive therapy techniques to enhance treatment and improve treatment response. My clinical experience has spanned the inpatient and outpatient settings, affording me the opportunity to develop comprehensive skills in the treatment of PTSD, mood disorders, thought disorders, addiction, and perinatal mood disorders.

I am a board-certified Psychiatrist. I earned my Doctor of Osteopathy Degree from the University of New England College of Osteopathic Medicine and completed my internship and residency at Walter Reed National Military Medical Center. Before joining Talkiatry, I served as an Active-Duty staff psychiatrist at Blanchfield Army Community Hospital, Fort Campbell, KY, with additional roles as Medical Director of Behavioral Health and Interim Clinic Chief for Embedded Behavioral Health Clinic. I hold several certifications, including in Cognitive Behavioral Health Therapy for Suicide Prevention, Motivational Interviewing, and Battlefield Acupuncture. My teaching experience has spanned multiple institutions, where I have served as a preceptor and mentor for medical students, nurse practitioner students, and physician assistant students. I have also delivered presentations at national and international conferences on various topics, reinforcing my commitment to advancing the field of psychiatry.

In my daily practice, I focus on evidence-based treatments utilizing the latest clinical guidelines and current approved treatments. In addition to medication management, I also incorporate psychotherapy in the treatment of mental health conditions. I am passionate about taking a collaborative approach with my patients to help them reach their potential.

I am a board-certified psychiatrist specializing in adult psychiatry. I completed residency training at East Carolina University in both internal medicine and psychiatry. After residency, I pursued my passion in psychiatry and stayed on as a clinical assistant professor in the department of psychiatry at East Carolina University. In this role, I specialized in treating adults with mental illness in both the inpatient and outpatient settings. I have spent a considerable amount of time teaching residents and medical students and have published several papers focusing on the neuroscience pathways of mental health conditions.

I value collaboration and encourage patients to ask questions, clarify expectations, and identify their primary concerns from the start. While medication management is part of care, I emphasize insight, goal setting, and skill building. I integrate hypnotherapy, guided imagery, relaxation, and meditation to support wellness, pain management, sleep, anxiety, and addiction, tailoring treatment to each patient's needs. I take a flexible, whole-person approach, combining medication management with evidence-based therapies such as CBT, CPT, motivational interviewing, and family-based interventions. I work comfortably with children, adults, families, service members, Veterans, and individuals facing life transitions, including end-of-life concerns. My goal is to help patients develop practical tools for lasting mental, emotional, and spiritual well-being.

I am a physician with a distinguished career in military and civilian psychiatry. A retired Colonel in the U.S. Army, I have served as a plenary and invited speaker at national and international conferences on topics including addiction, electroconvulsive therapy, hypnotherapy, and quality improvement. I am a Certified Healthcare Executive, hold a master's degree in preventive medicine and biometrics, and have published in peer-reviewed journals. My clinical background includes pain management, addiction psychiatry, child and adult psychiatry, and academic appointments at multiple universities.