Finding the right psychiatry services near you can feel overwhelming, but compassionate and professional care is closer than you think.
Our psychiatric providers in Richmond, VA, specialize in helping our clients address a wide range of mental health concerns through evidence-based treatment and personalized care.
Our team of board-certified psychiatric mental health nurse practitioners (PMHNPs) provide psychiatric care and medication management to help adults and teens with OCD, ADHD, and other mental health conditions.
- We are available for in-person psychiatric services in Richmond, VA, as well as online telehealth sessions throughout the state of Virginia
- We never take a one-size-fits-all approach; every client is unique
- Choose from one of 5 PMHNPs to find the perfect match for you
- We provide psychiatric care for teens and adults
- Our therapists work alongside our PMHNPs to provide therapy & counseling in conjunction with your psychiatric treatment
You can learn more below about the psychiatric providers at our Richmond office, the types of services we provide, and the conditions we treat.
- What is Psychiatry?
- Psychiatry vs. Therapy
- Conditions Treated by Psychiatric Providers
- Meet Our Psychiatry Providers in Richmond
- Psychiatry & Medication Management
- What to Expect During a Psychiatry Session
- FAQs About Psychiatry
- Our Psychiatry Office
- Get Started with Psychiatry Today
What is Psychiatry?
Psychiatry is a branch of medicine focused on the diagnosis, treatment, and prevention of mental, emotional, and behavioral disorders. Unlike talk therapy alone, psychiatric providers (i.e. Psychiatrists and Psychiatric Mental Health Nurse Practitioners) can prescribe and manage medications in addition to offering supportive therapy.
Psychiatry combines:
- Medical expertise to understand how the brain and body affect mental health
- Therapeutic techniques to improve coping strategies and resilience
- Medication management when necessary to reduce symptoms and improve daily life
Psychiatry vs. Therapy
Both psychiatry and therapy play important roles in mental health treatment. Here’s a quick comparison to help you understand the difference:
| Psychiatry | Therapy | |
|---|---|---|
| Provider Type | Psychiatrists & PMHNPs | Therapists, Counselors, Psychologists |
| Treatment Approach | Medication management + therapy | Talk therapy (CBT, DBT, EMDR, etc.) |
| Focus | Address chemical, biological, and behavioral aspects of mental health | Focus on thought patterns, behaviors, and emotions |
| Conditions Treated | ADHD, OCD, depression, bipolar disorder, schizophrenia, anxiety, PTSD, and more | Anxiety, depression, trauma, relationship issues, stress management, etc. |
| Goal | Symptom stabilization & improved functioning | Emotional insight, coping skills, long-term healing |
Conditions Treated by Psychiatric Providers
Our Richmond-based psychiatric providers are trained to help with a wide variety of mental health conditions, including:
- Depression & mood disorders
- Anxiety disorders
- Obsessive-Compulsive Disorder (OCD)
- Attention-Deficit/Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD)
- Bipolar disorder
- Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD)
- Schizophrenia & psychotic disorders
- Reproductive psychiatry
- Perinatal mental health
- Postpartum treatment
- Sleep disorders
- Dual diagnosis (co-occurring substance use & mental health disorders)
Psychiatry for OCD
Obsessive-Compulsive Disorder (OCD) is characterized by unwanted intrusive thoughts and repetitive behaviors. We provide psychiatric treatment to help reduce your symptoms through:
- Medication management (such as SSRIs or other targeted medications)
- Behavioral strategies to manage triggers
- Collaborative care with therapists providing CBT, ERP (Exposure and Response Prevention), or other types of talk therapy
With the right combination of therapy and psychiatry, your OCD symptoms can be significantly reduced and managed.
Psychiatry for ADHD
Attention-Deficit/Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD) affects focus, impulse control, and organization. Our psychiatric providers can help by:
- Diagnostic evaluations to confirm ADHD
- Prescribing and monitoring medications (such as stimulants or non-stimulants)
- Developing personalized strategies for attention and executive functioning
- Coordinating care with therapists for behavioral interventions
With effective treatment, ADHD symptoms can be managed so you can thrive at school, work, and home.
Meet Our Psychiatry Providers in Richmond
Our Richmond practice is home to highly trained Psychiatric Mental Health Nurse Practitioners (PMHNPs) who provide both medical and therapeutic support. Each provider is committed to understanding your unique needs and creating a personalized treatment plan that helps you feel better and regain balance in your life.
Allison Ernest
PMHNP-BC, RN, MSN
Elizabeth Markey
PMHNP-BC, MSN, CNM, PMH-C
Jennifer Peele
PMHNP, FNP-BC, APRN
Jonathan Yoder
PMHNP-BC
Ryan Ernest
PMHNP-BC
Psychiatry & Medication Management
One of the main roles of a psychiatric provider is medication management. Here’s what that usually entails:
- Initial assessment to determine if medication is appropriate
- Personalized prescriptions tailored to your symptoms and health history
- Ongoing monitoring to adjust dosage and minimize side effects
- Collaboration with therapists to integrate therapy and medication for more comprehensive care
GeneSight Testing
As a part of our comprehensive medication management services, our practitioners may recommend GeneSight testing to help inform your care.
GeneSight testing is a type of genetic test that helps healthcare providers understand how a person’s genetic makeup may affect their response to certain medications, particularly psychiatric medications.
This test is designed to assist in prescribing the right medication, at the right dose, to optimize treatment outcomes and reduce the likelihood of side effects.
Key Features
Psychiatric Medication Guidance
GeneSight testing primarily focuses on psychiatric medications, including antidepressants, antipsychotics, mood stabilizers, and anti-anxiety medications. It aims to provide insights into how a person’s genetics can impact their response to these drugs.
Genetic Variants
The test looks at specific genetic variants that affect the metabolism of medications in the body. These variants can influence how quickly the body processes a drug, how effective the drug may be, or whether a person may experience side effects.
Personalized Treatment
The results of GeneSight testing help doctors personalize treatment by suggesting which medications are more likely to be effective or cause fewer side effects, based on the individual’s genetic profile. This can be particularly helpful for people with mental health conditions who may not respond well to standard treatments or experience adverse effects from certain medications.
Drug Metabolism
The test examines genes related to drug metabolism, such as those that affect the liver enzymes responsible for breaking down medications. If someone has certain genetic variations, they may metabolize drugs too quickly or too slowly, impacting their response to treatment.
Simplified Decision-Making
With the results of GeneSight testing, doctors can make more informed decisions about medication choices, potentially reducing the trial-and-error process that is often involved in finding the right psychiatric medication.
Limitations
Not a One-Size-Fits-All Solution: While GeneSight testing can provide helpful information, it is not a definitive guide and should be used alongside other factors, such as clinical history, symptoms, and other tests, when making medication decisions.
What to Expect During a Psychiatry Session
If you’re new to psychiatry, here’s what you can expect:
- Initial evaluation – A detailed discussion about your symptoms, history, and goals.
- Diagnosis – If appropriate, your provider may identify a specific mental health condition.
- Treatment plan – May include medication, therapy, or a combination of both.
- Follow-up sessions – Regular check-ins to track your progress and adjust care.
Psychiatry sessions are supportive, confidential, and designed to help you feel more in control of your mental health.
FAQs About Psychiatry
Both are qualified to prescribe medication and provide psychiatric care. PMHNPs are advanced practice nurses with specialized psychiatric training and can offer the same high-quality care as psychiatrists.
Not always. Medication is only prescribed if it’s the best option for your treatment plan. Some clients benefit from therapy alone.
Yes. Psychiatric providers commonly treat anxiety and depression with a combination of therapy and medication. We have therapists that specialized in both anxiety & depression treatment.
Yes, we are currently accepting new patients in-person in Richmond, VA and online throughout Virginia.
Yes. For psychiatric care, we accept many forms of insurance, including medicare. Check our insurance page for a complete list of insurance providers.
Our Psychiatry Office
Our psychiatry office is located in the heart of West End Richmond, in the Innsbrook business complex—at the crossroads of I-64, I-295, Hwy 288, and West Broad St. We share the Liberty Plaza I building with several law offices, financial services companies, and other Richmond-area businesses, at the corner of Cox Rd. & North Park Dr.
4801 Cox Road, Suite 205
Glen Allen, VA 23060
Directions →
Get Started with Psychiatry Today
Our PMHNPs are some of the best in the area, and we tailor treatment to your unique needs.
Whether you’re seeking psychiatry or medication management for depression, anxiety, OCD, ADHD, or another mental health issue, we’re here to help.
Contact us today to schedule a consultation with one of our PMHNPs in Richmond, VA.