Find a psychiatrist in Sterling, VA — covered by insurance

I'm a Psychiatric Mental Health Nurse Practitioner, based in South Carolina. I received my Masters in Nursing from Duquesne University (Forensic Nursing), Post-Masters in Nursing from University of Virginia (PMHNP). I served in both U.S. Navy and U.S. Public Health Service, retired in 2019. I have been practicing for 12 yrs. I have experience in both outpatient and inpatient settings.

My path into psychiatry is both professional and personal. I moved to the U.S. alone at 17 while navigating complex PTSD and periods of misdiagnosis, which shaped how I understand mental health today. I began with a bachelor’s degree in psychology at Nankai University, then trained as a nurse and nurse practitioner at Charles R. Drew University and Purdue University.

Over the past 7 years, I’ve worked across medical and mental health settings, developing an approach that balances clinical precision with individualized care. I specialize in anxiety, depression, bipolar disorder, and complex PTSD, particularly for individuals who feel stuck or haven’t found relief in traditional treatment.

I’m licensed in California, Virginia, New York, Washington, and Oregon, and provide care via telehealth.

Dr. Rivera employs an integrative style that focuses on the individual's sleep, diet, physical and mental fitness. He enjoys working in particular with weight loss, men's wellness, de-prescription from psychotropic medications, and detox from long-term substance use: tobacco, alcohol, opioids, and benzodiazepines. Furthermore, he specializes in the diagnosis and management of attention, mood, anxiety, and psychotic disorders.

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.

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.

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.

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.