Find a psychiatrist in Arlington, VA — covered by insurance

Hello! My name is Melissa Sharp, and I am a board-certified Psychiatric Mental Health Nurse Practitioner. I specialize in treating individuals aged 6 through middle-aged adults who are navigating mental health challenges like anxiety, depression, trauma, mood changes, ADHD, and life transitions.

Seeking help can feel like a big step, especially if you've been managing on your own for a long time. I'm a board-certified psychiatrist offering telehealth medication management for adults across Virginia and Pennsylvania — with evening and weekend appointments, so care fits into your life instead of competing with it.

I work with adults experiencing anxiety, depression, bipolar and mood disorders, trauma and PTSD, personality disorders including BPD, chronic suicidal ideation, and burnout. Many of my patients are high-functioning professionals who appear fine on the outside but feel overwhelmed, exhausted, or not like themselves. I have a special focus on women's mental health, including PMDD, postpartum depression and anxiety, and mood changes through perimenopause.

My approach is evidence-based, collaborative, and practical. I provide medication management within a broader therapeutic framework, drawing on CBT and supportive therapy — our sessions go beyond symptom checks. Care begins with a thorough evaluation, followed by treatment tailored to you, coping skills, and close follow-up. You'll always understand the why behind your treatment; medication is one tool, never the whole plan.

I also welcome patients who prefer care in Urdu, Punjabi, or Hindi. If you're ready, I'd be glad to help you take the next step.

With over a decade of experience, I am dedicated to helping adults find peace, clarity, and emotional balance. I take a holistic, person-centered approach, combining clinical expertise with genuine compassion to support my clients' journey to restoration. I have extensive experience in mental health, correctional healthcare, and community psychiatry.

I am a dual-certified Nurse Practitioner (PMHNP-BC, AGACNP-BC) providing integrative psychiatric care for adolescents and adults in Virginia. I work with concerns such as anxiety, depression, ADHD, trauma, burnout, mood disorders, and life transitions. My work centers on understanding the whole person, not just symptoms.

I am Dr. LaTaya T. Whitaker, DNP, PMHNP‐BC, FNP‐BC, a dual‐certified Nurse Practitioner with more than twenty years of experience in primary care, urgent care, occupational health, and psychiatric mental health. My practice is grounded in whole‐person, evidence‐based care that supports both physical and emotional wellbeing. Over the years, I’ve worked in federal agency clinics, community health settings, and academic nursing programs, where I’ve had the privilege of teaching and mentoring students at the undergraduate, graduate, and doctoral levels. I specialize in treating anxiety, depression, trauma‐related concerns, mood disorders, and life transitions. I am deeply committed to providing accessible, equitable mental health care and helping individuals move toward stability, clarity, and long‐term wellness.

As a Psychiatric Mental Health Nurse Practitioner (PMHNP) from Walden University, I am deeply passionate about delivering patient-centered care and committed to advocating for individuals from diverse backgrounds and cultures. With over eight years of experience working with patients, families, and communities affected by mental illness, I have developed a profound understanding of the importance of compassionate and individualized care.

My professional journey began as a registered nurse, where I came to realize that mental illness is no respecter of person, age, color, or social status. This experience reinforced my belief that every individual facing mental health challenges deserves a patient-centered, personalized, and holistic approach to their care.

As a PMHNP, my goal is to serve as a source of strength and support through active listening, empathy, and compassion. I strive to provide an evidence-based approach tailored to each patient’s specific needs, ensuring that every individual feels heard, valued, and empowered on their path to wellness.

I have been a Family Nurse Practitioner (FNP) since 2016 and have worked in both primary care and mental health since that time. In 2024, I graduated with my Psychiatric Mental Health Nurse Practitioner (PMHNP) certification and have been working strictly in mental health since that time.