Bipolar disorder therapists & psychiatrists in Newport News, VA

I work primarily with individuals and couples who need assistance in learning what to do when difficult emotions appear. I work with couples navigating the same arguments over and over or individuals wondering, "Why does this feel so hard?" Areas of specialty include:

• Anger and areas of conflict
• Cycles of closeness and withdraw
• Emotional distance and disengagement
• Healing from affairs
• Lack of trust and insecurities
• Dating
• Premarital counseling
• Separation and divorce
• Parenting issues
• Power and control issues

Finding the right therapist, and starting therapy, can be both exciting and perhaps overwhelming. But your story matters--it is unique to you.

I can help with solving current struggles, as well as past wounds which may contribute to distress. I help those who want deeper insight into those areas they feel stuck; negative patterns of relating; or feeling blocked from living their best life.

I received my Master's in Mental Health Counseling in 2016, worked for a substance abuse IOP until 2021 and have since been in private practice. I specialize in substance abuse but also work with many seeking help for anxiety, depression, life transitions, relationship issues, etc.

Smart Duru is psychiatric mental health nurse practitioner with over 10 years of combined healthcare experience. He attended University of Derby, England for a Bachelor of Science Degree in Nursing and a master’s in psychiatric mental health nursing with Distinction. Smart Duru obtained a Master of Science Degree with specialization in Psychiatry mental health Nurse Practitioner. He has extensive experience in Mental health, Primary care, Sub/Post-Acute Care, Long Term Care, Correctional Medicine, and Family Medicine.

I'm here to offer a safe, confidential space where you can explore your inner world, address challenges, and begin the process of profound healing and growth.

To support our work together, I have pursued specialized training in several transformative approaches:

• CCTP-II (Level II Trauma Certified): I have advanced training in trauma-informed care and treatment modalities. This certification ensures I am equipped to safely and effectively address the impact of past trauma, including dissociative disorders, helping you process difficult experiences and move toward post-traumatic growth.
• C-DBT (Dialectical Behavior Therapy (DBT) Certified): DBT provides practical, concrete skills for managing intense emotions, improving relationships, living in the present moment, and tolerating distress. It is highly effective for those struggling with emotional dysregulation and interpersonal challenges.

• Internal Family Systems (IFS- informed): This powerful, evidence-based model views the mind as a system of "parts" (e.g., a critical part, a vulnerable part, a protective part). IFS helps you develop a compassionate, curious relationship with these different facets of yourself, leading to greater internal harmony and wholeness.

I have been a counselor for more than 30 years. I remain passionate about making a difference in the lives of others and believe that genuine caring is an essential element to an effective counseling relationship. Over the years I have worked with clients with significant trauma and loss. I consider it a privilege to stand with another individual as he or she resolves great pain. I specialize in treating clients with trauma, relationship issues, and borderline personality disorder.

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.

I am a Licensed Clinical Social Worker with 15 years of experience in mental health and substance use services, and have a postgraduate Certificate in Psychedelic-Assisted Therapy. I work with adults, with a particular passion for supporting women, LGBTQIA+, and BIPOC individuals, as well as those navigating post-psychedelic integration.

Our therapeutic partnership begins with the understanding that you are a whole person — not a diagnosis, a symptom, or a set of circumstances. Together, we will explore how the intersections of identity, lived experience, trauma, mental health, and substance use shape your inner world and outer life across biological, psychological, social, and spiritual dimensions.