Anxiety and depression therapists and psychiatrists in Lynchburg, VA

My name is Dr. CJ Polihronakis (pronounced Pol-eh-ron-ah-kiss) (he/him/his), and I am a licensed psychologist in New York, Maryland, & Virginia. After earning my undergraduate degree in Psychology & English from Georgetown University, I obtained a Mental Health Counseling Ed.M. and a Counseling Psychology Ph.D. from Columbia University. I have over 10 years worth of education, training, and professional experiences providing mental health services to diverse client populations. ​

I have ample experience providing support to:

• Undergraduate & Graduate Students
• Adults
• Caregivers
• Professionals Navigating Career Concerns
• Other Mental Health Providers

​Some of my areas of expertise include:

• Anxiety
• Depression
• Interpersonal Concerns
• Family of Origin Concerns
• Career & Professional Concerns
• Life Transitions
• Intersectional Identity Development
• Bisexuality, Pansexuality, Non-monosexuality
• LGBTQIA+ Identities & Queer Issues
• Men and Masculinities
• Sex, Intimacy, Kink, & Sexual Health (from a Sex-Positive Approach)
• Trauma​ (e.g., Identity-based, Adverse Childhood Experiences)​​​ ​

Nevertheless, I have worked with clients on a wide breadth of presenting concerns throughout my education and training. I look forward to having the opportunity to support you on your journey towards addressing your mental health concerns!

Challenges shouldn’t just be endured—they should be the catalyst for your breakthrough. My goal is to help you transform life's toughest hurdles into a foundation for lasting resilience and self-discovery, giving you the tools to reclaim your strength and lead a more intentional life.

Finding the right therapist can feel overwhelming — and sometimes the hardest part is simply starting. As a Licensed Professional Counselor, Licensed Marriage and Family Therapist, Registered Art Therapist, and Master Addictions Counselor, I bring more than two decades of experience supporting individuals, couples, and families through some of life’s most challenging moments.

Welcome!! I’m glad you’re here and ready to take this step toward your wellbeing.

As a Doctor of Nursing Practice (DNP) and a board-certified Psychiatric Mental Health Nurse Practitioner (PMHNP), I am passionate about providing compassionate, evidence-based care tailored to each individual’s unique needs. I work with children, adolescents, and adults navigating challenges such as anxiety, depression, bipolar disorder, ADHD, autism spectrum disorders, and other mood or stress-related conditions. In addition to these focus areas, I also support clients dealing with trauma, grief, panic disorders, OCD, relationship and family issues, maternal mental health, and cultural or identity-related stressors.

Fluent in English, Hindi, and Punjabi, I value inclusivity and cultural understanding in my work. My goal is to make clients feel truly seen, heard, and supported as they take steps toward emotional well-being and resilience.

I am a board certified psychiatric nurse practitioner for over 5 years, and I am also a board certified adult nurse practitioner for over 12 years. I began my nursing career graduating from university of MD with my bachelors, and then attended Johns Hopkins University for my masters. I decided to further my education by attending Brandman University to obtain my Doctorate and psychiatric mental health certification in 2018.