Book a therapist or psychiatrist in Virginia Beach, VA covered by Cigna

I have over 40 years of experience in mental health practice. I believe that we work together to help you be the best version of yourself. I am trauma therapy certified, anger management certified and work with teens and adults. I specialize in anxiety, depression and trauma issues as well as Adult Children of Alcoholics. We are a team working together to help you improve your life situations

I am a native to the Hampton Roads area specializing in children, teens and families. One of the most important aspects of therapy is the ability to truly listen and connect with clients. I offer a range of therapeutic options that will allow a deeper sense of self and connection with others.

I received my bachelor's from James Madison University and a Master of Arts from Lesley University in Expressive Therapy.

We all encounter difficulty in life; it’s inevitable. Nowadays, we have the knowledge to know it takes more than physical health, or good nutrition to be well. In order to have a fulfilling life, we must take care of all aspects of our lives. At times, all we need is to lean into our own resources to cope. Other times we need a neutral person to place adequate tools in our path to help us move forward and thrive.

Watching your child or teen struggle can feel isolating, but you are not alone.

My name is Paula Gravitt, and I'm a board-certified Child and Adolescent Psychiatric-Mental Health Nurse Practitioner (PMHNP) and a proud Virginia Commonwealth University alum. My professional focus is solely on young people. My extensive clinical background—combined with a deep personal perspective—allows me to connect with families and guide them toward lasting change.

I specialize in treating children and teens facing complex challenges, including:

• Autism (co-occurring mental health issues)

• ADHD, OCD

• Anxiety, Depression, and Mood Disorders

• Challenging Behaviors and Self-Injurious Behaviors

• Improving Parent-Child Communication and Family Dynamics

As much as I would like to believe that I chose this profession, the profession really chose me; helping people manifest the changes they want to see is my passion. I work best with perfectionism, military spouses, imposter syndrome, anxiety, adjustment, and intermittent depression.

I’m a Psych Mental Health Nurse Practitioner grounded in faith, science, and service. Trained in family and psychiatric care, I help clients navigate healing with dignity and truth.

What does it take to be the hero of your own story? Difficulties don't have to be insurmountable barriers, but opportunities for growth. Learn from the more trying times, adapt to changes and persist despite the odds. Resilience shapes your character and sets a precedent for future challenges. It can be hard to adopt a proactive mindset when life is happening nonstop around you but I would like to build an authentic connection with you to explore making some positive and lasting changes.

My practice is eclectic in nature and is informed by many different modalities to include cognitive behavioral therapy, dialectical behavioral therapy, narrative therapy, solutions-focused therapy, play therapy but always trauma-informed and person-centered. I will meet you where you are, and together, we will create a plan for your treatment that is evidenced-based and celebrates your personal triumphs.

I have experience working with all ages, from 3yo to end of life concerns. I have focused my career on crisis intervention and debriefing traumatic events so that extreme or critical incidents in life don't develop into psychiatric disorders that become debilitating in nature. Prevention, proactivity, collaboration and building or strengthening connections in a therapeutic environment can help you get you to where you want to be.

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.

I am an LPC in Virginia and LMHC-S in Florida my background in practice consists of treating adolescents, families, children in at risk populations and treating adults with depression and anxiety. I take a holistic approach to counseling and meet the client where they are at. I include CBT and solution-focused techniques in order to assist clients dealing with a variety of issues. I also have a background in TF-CBT informed therapy and utilize this as needed.