7 Best Mental Health Hospitals in Virginia

The stigma surrounding mental health is slowly fading, and people are beginning to seek help when needed. 

In recent years, Virginia has also seen a rise in mental health hospitals and treatment facilities, offering various services to help individuals struggling with mental health disorders. 

In this article, we will explore the different mental health hospitals in Virginia, and enlist some of the top mental health professionals in this state.

We will also discuss the inpatient and outpatient facilities offered by these hospitals, exploring what these services entail.

Virginia Mental Health Statistics

One in five Americans will experience a mental health disorder at some point in their lives. In Virginia, the situation is somewhat better than the national average. 

According to Mental Health America, Virginia ranks 20th for adult mental health and 21st for youth mental health. 

However, significant challenges remain. For instance, statistics show that 124,000 (19.56%) of Virginia children have had at least one major depressive episode. 

Unfortunately, 90,000 children (60.2%) who experienced a major depressive episode did not receive mental health treatment. 

Among individuals with severe depression who receive treatment, only 34.9% receive consistent care. 

Additionally, 91% of Virginia localities are designated as mental health professional shortage areas, highlighting a critical need for more accessible mental health services.

Despite these challenges, Virginia is home to numerous excellent hospitals and professionals dedicated to providing high-quality mental health care.

Let’s explore some of the notable facilities and professionals in Virginia below.

List of Top Mental Health Hospitals in Virginia

Some of the best hospitals in Virginia include the following:

1. Poplar Springs Hospital

Poplar Springs Hospital, located in Petersburg, VA, is dedicated to supporting the recovery and happiness of its patients through a wide range of psychiatric services. 

The hospital offers crisis stabilization, medical detoxification, residential treatment, and substance abuse treatment. 

For adolescent girls aged 11 to 17, the female-only adolescent residential treatment program provides a specialized 36-bed unit for stabilization. 

Their patriot support programs deliver intensive behavioral health services and transcranial magnetic stimulation for active-duty military personnel, veterans, and their dependents. 

Adults transitioning from residential or acute inpatient programs can benefit from outpatient programs that offer regular therapeutic sessions in either full-time or part-time structures. 

Their 25-acre treatment center provides a welcoming and supportive environment for all patients.

2. Inova Behavioral Health 

Inova Behavioral Health offers inpatient and outpatient behavioral healthcare, providing support tailored to meet individuals at any point of need. 

Their dedicated team of psychiatrists, psychologists, nurses, therapists, and social workers focuses on the overall well-being of each patient, addressing both mind and body. 

Inova’s adult services include inpatient, outpatient, and telehealth options, ensuring flexible access to care. 

Additionally, they provide specialized services for children and adults struggling with substance use disorders. 

Inova also offers perinatal mental health care, integrating women’s physical and mental healthcare to offer support during the perinatal period.

3. Northern Virginia Mental Health Institute (NVMHI)

NVMHI provides inpatient psychiatric treatment focused on therapy, medication, and case management to help individuals stabilize and reintegrate into their communities. 

With 134 beds across five inpatient units and nine treatment teams, NVMHI is a respected teaching hospital serving Northern Virginia.

Eligibility for services requires individuals to be between 18 and 65 years old, in need of acute psychiatric treatment, or court-ordered for evaluation or treatment. 

Admissions are pre-screened by the Community Services Board (CSB) in the individual’s area of residence. 

NVMHI addresses cognitive, mood, anxiety, personality, trauma, psychotic, and substance use disorders through a recovery-focused, person-centered approach. 

The goal is to promote skill development, personal recovery, and community reintegration, enhancing the quality of life for each patient.

4. Central State Hospital

Central State Hospital, accredited by the Joint Commission, is an inpatient facility located in Dinwiddie County, Virginia, providing quality care since 1870. 

The hospital offers civil inpatient psychiatric services to Central Virginia and forensic maximum security inpatient psychiatric services to the entire Commonwealth. 

Central State Hospital emphasizes healing and recovery, striving to support individuals in their journey toward mental well-being.

Their civil adult treatment programs serve clients over 18, offering services ranging from short-term community re-entry to long-term intensive treatment for serious mental illnesses. 

Central State Hospital is also home to the only maximum security unit within the DBHDS system, fully accredited by the Joint Commission. 

This unit provides psychiatric treatment and evaluation, featuring six treatment and evaluation units, including specialized units for admissions, continuing care, women, and honors. 

The hospital’s commitment to mental well-being extends to its staff, earning it the prestigious gold award from Mental Wellness America’s Bell Seal for Workplace Mental Health.

5. Dominion Hospital

Dominion Hospital, the only freestanding mental health facility in Northern Virginia, offers a range of mental health programs aimed at helping individuals manage their emotional health. 

Serving children aged 5 to 12, adolescents aged 13 to 17, and adults aged 18 and older, Dominion Hospital provides a variety of short-term mental health services.

Their services include a 24/7 inpatient program, a partial hospitalization program (PHP), and an intensive outpatient program (IOP). 

The hospital also hosts specialized programs like Intersect for dual diagnosis substance abuse and Reflections Eating Disorders Center.

In a compassionate, judgment-free environment, Dominion Hospital’s treatment plans address the connections between addiction and mental health. 

The trauma treatment program focuses on overcoming the physiological, neurobiological, and psychological effects of trauma caused by abuse or serious injury. 

The hospital’s approach emphasizes crisis intervention and stabilization within a safe, calming environment, supported by a dedicated care team. 

Dominion Hospital treats a wide range of conditions, including anxiety and bipolar disorders, depression, chemical dependency, self-injury, suicidal behaviors, and various other issues.

The hospital integrates the expertise of social workers, mental health nurses, psychologists, therapists, and other professionals, ensuring top-notch care for the Northern Virginia community.

6. Virginia Beach Psychiatric Center

Virginia Beach Psychiatric Center is a 100-bed facility dedicated to addressing the behavioral health needs of people through its crisis-responsive and empowering programs. 

Serving adults aged 18 and older, the center offers a diverse array of treatment programs for mental health disorders, chemical dependency, or dual diagnosis. 

The facility provides a secure environment, 24-hour nursing care, and daily physician contact to support patients on their recovery journey. 

Utilizing a holistic approach, treatment includes psychosocial educational groups, creative expression groups, cognitive-behavioral groups, and a variety of counseling modalities. 

Both inpatient and outpatient services are available, tailored to meet the individual needs of each patient. 

The multidisciplinary team includes board-certified psychiatrists, psychologists, registered nurses, licensed social workers, case managers, and activity therapists, all working together.

7. Riverside Mental Health & Recovery Center

Riverside Mental Health & Recovery Center, part of Riverside Regional Medical Center, offers comprehensive care for individuals dealing with mental health and substance use disorders. 

With its dedicated psychiatric emergency department catering to patients aged 5 and above, the center ensures round-the-clock access to specialized care. 

Employing a collaborative approach, Riverside’s team of psychiatric and chemical dependency experts offer treatment via various short-term programs within a secure hospital environment. 

From the intensive treatment program, stabilizing severe psychiatric patients, to adult psychiatric services addressing emotional wellness, Riverside delivers care for diverse needs.

Moreover, Riverside’s dual diagnosis services offer integrated treatment plans for patients facing both chemical dependency and psychiatric disorders. 

Their addiction outpatient program offers support for addiction issues and relapse prevention through therapy-based sessions, accommodating diverse schedules with in-person and virtual options.

Children’s Psychiatric Hospitals in Virginia

Following are some of the best children’s psychiatric hospitals in Virginia.

1. Poplar Springs Hospital

Poplar Springs Hospital extends its specialized inpatient services catering to adolescents in the surrounding areas, including Richmond. 

Their adolescent inpatient programs focus on acute crisis stabilization for ages 11-17, offering short-term intensive care for youths at risk of self-harm or harm to others. 

Additionally, they provide a long-term residential inpatient program tailored to adolescent girls exhibiting severe emotional or behavioral issues, ensuring round-the-clock care and support. 

With a focus on equipping adolescents with coping mechanisms, Poplar Springs Hospital is one of the best options for troubled teens seeking mental health treatment.

2. Inova Behavioral Health 

Inova Behavioral Health offers child and adolescent behavioral health programs to meet the diverse needs of youth and families across Northern Virginia. 

Their outpatient services provide state-of-the-art diagnosis and treatment, focusing on symptom reduction, stabilization, and overall well-being for children and adolescents. 

In situations requiring acute psychiatric hospitalization, Inova Behavioral Health facilitates interim psychiatric stays, ensuring crisis stabilization and smooth reintegration into the family. 

With meticulous discharge planning and follow-up care coordination, they prioritize ongoing support for patients and families, embodying a commitment to holistic mental health care.

3.  Dominion Hospital

Dominion Hospital offers specialized short-term mental health services for children aged 5 to 12 years old and adolescents aged 13 to 17 years old in Northern Virginia. 

With a focus on compassionate care, their pediatric mental health programs provide effective stabilization for children in crisis, including those experiencing self-harm. 

Through a comprehensive approach, Dominion Hospital helps children manage intense emotions, promoting healing and positive behaviors. 

Moreover, their school avoidance and refusal treatment programs address school-related anxiety, supporting children in building healthier relationships with education. 

By incorporating therapeutic techniques such as CBT, DBT, and expressive therapy, the hospital equips children with essential skills to navigate challenges and thrive academically.

4. Riverside Mental Health & Recovery Center

Riverside Mental Health & Recovery Center has a dedicated psychiatric emergency program catering to children and adolescents facing immediate mental health crises. 

Their psychiatric emergency department operates round-the-clock to provide essential support to individuals aged 5 and older, ensuring timely intervention and care. 

With separate treatment areas for children, equipped with private rooms and recliners, Riverside offers a safe and nurturing environment for pediatric patients. 

Their specialized services deliver acute care for psychiatric difficulties, including interventions for those at risk of self-harm or impaired functioning due to mental health or substance abuse issues. 

Through a team of expert mental health professionals, Riverside Mental Health & Recovery Center stands committed to supporting the well-being of children and adolescents in crisis.

5. Newport News Behavioral Health Center

Newport News Behavioral Health Center offers specialized psychiatric treatment for children 8 years old and up, addressing behavioral health issues that impact their home and school life. 

The center provides acute inpatient treatment designed to help young residents develop new coping skills, enabling them to return to their communities better equipped to handle challenges. 

Overseen by a team of therapists, psychiatrists, and licensed counselors, the treatment includes individual, group, and family therapy, medication management, and psychoeducation.

Their acute care center provides 24-hour intensive treatment for children in psychiatric crises, staffed by registered nurses, mental health clinicians, and board-certified child psychiatrists. 

They also offer residential treatment for youth aged 11 to 21, a sexual offenders program, a comprehensive assessment program, and a substance abuse program for adolescents.

The center ensures continuity of care by connecting discharged patients with appropriate aftercare service providers to support ongoing recovery and minimize the risk of setbacks.

Want to know more about mental health hospitals, check these out:

1. 7 Best Mental Health Hospitals in Fort Worth
2. 7 Best Mental Health Hospitals in Asheville NC
3. 7 Best Mental Health Hospitals in the United States

Inpatient Mental Health Facilities in Virginia for Adults

Virginia offers a variety of inpatient and outpatient services to support adult mental health, each tailored to the specific needs and severity of the disorder. 

Inpatient programs provide various facilities, starting with an initial evaluation upon admission, which includes diagnostic evaluation, psychiatric assessment, and psychological evaluation. 

Each patient receives a personalized treatment plan that includes medication management and regular monitoring by mental health professionals.

These programs also offer individual, group, and family counseling sessions, recreational activities, and patient education sessions to promote holistic well-being. 

Additional services, such as dual diagnosis treatment, nutritional counseling, medical counseling, and occupational therapy, are available when needed. 

Facilities also provide areas for relaxation to ensure a supportive and therapeutic environment for recovery.

Outpatient Mental Health Facilities 

In addition to the hospital-based care available in Virginia, the state also offers a wide network of outpatient services and specialized programs to address mental health conditions. 

These outpatient facilities and services play an important role in providing accessible and comprehensive care to individuals in need.

These outpatient facilities include specialized programs tailored to specific mental health disorders, such as intensive outpatient programs and partial hospitalization programs. 

Such programs provide structured, comprehensive care that allows patients to continue living at home while receiving the necessary treatment and support.

The range of outpatient services available in Virginia is extensive, covering various evidence-based therapeutic techniques. 

Patients can access psychotherapy, electroconvulsive therapy (ECT), and outpatient therapy sessions that incorporate modalities such as mindfulness, relaxation techniques, art therapy, etc. 

Recognizing that mental health challenges often intersect with behavioral issues, many of these outpatient facilities also provide services for co-occurring conditions. 

This includes outpatient therapy targeting anger management, relationship challenges, and other behavioral concerns alongside the primary psychiatric condition.

Furthermore, Virginia’s outpatient mental health care extends to specialized services like marital therapy family therapy, etc. 

These offerings acknowledge the vital role that interpersonal relationships and family dynamics can play in an individual’s mental well-being.

Top Mental Health Doctors & Professionals in Virginia

Virginia has some of the most highly skilled and dedicated mental health professionals in the country, renowned for their expertise in providing exceptional patient care. 

Some of them are mentioned below.

1. Dr. K. Pierre Eklou

Dr. K. Pierre Eklou is a dedicated psychiatric nurse practitioner with a deep commitment to empathy and understanding in mental health care. 

He creates a safe space for clients to explore their emotions, experiences, and challenges openly, believing in the uniqueness of each person’s healing journey. 

Dr. Eklou supports individuals navigating mental health challenges such as anxiety, depression, trauma, psychosis, and substance use. 

He values trust and mutual respect, offering personalized care through evidence-based practices and a holistic approach. 

Integrating medication management and supportive therapy, he empowers clients on their path toward healing and resilience. 

For queries and appointments, contact him at (571) 496-9403.

2. Georgina Coca

Georgina Coca, a psychiatric nurse practitioner, brings over eight years of experience in outpatient and inpatient psychiatric and mental health services. 

She treats individuals struggling with anxiety, depression, ADHD, OCD, bipolar disorder, panic disorder, schizophrenia, schizoaffective disorder, PTSD, and borderline personality disorder. 

Georgina’s solution-oriented approach is grounded in her core values of humility, respect, honesty, reliability, motivation, and consistency. 

She offers medication management and supportive therapy, focusing on both the psychological and biological aspects of conditions. 

For a free 15-minute consultation, contact her at (571) 450-9127.

3. Shah M Nadeem

Dr. Shah M. Nadeem, a psychiatrist, is dedicated to significantly impacting individuals’ well-being, especially those struggling with addiction. 

He completed his psychiatry residency at Metropolitan Hospital Center in New York in 2007 and a fellowship in Addiction Psychiatry at North Shore LIJ University Hospital Center in 2008. 

With a focus on empowering patients to achieve their objectives and integrate as productive community members, Dr. Nadeem’s treatment approach is patient-centered and specialized. 

Specializing in adult psychiatry and certified as a Suboxone provider, he aims to advance holistic patient care and mental health. 

For a free 15-minute consultation, contact him at (703) 345-8108.

4. Robert F Busch

Dr. Robert F. Busch, a psychiatrist in Virginia since 2014, offers a comprehensive approach to mental and physical health. 

With a whole health perspective, Dr. Busch addresses mental, physical, emotional, interpersonal, and spiritual health. 

He combines up-to-date science with psychiatric techniques to create tailored plans that optimize well-being. 

Dr. Busch acts as a coach in his patients’ corner, offering compassionate care and understanding of their unique needs. 

His practice is dedicated to helping individuals achieve overall well-being through personalized mental health strategies. Contact him at (757) 909-7474 for appointments.

5. Amit Shahane

Dr. Amit Shahane is a board-certified, licensed psychologist dedicated to helping individuals navigate personal and professional challenges toward positive mental health well-being. 

With specialized training in trauma, depression, anxiety, sleep, gender and sexual identity, and adjustment to chronic medical illness, he brings years of clinical experience to managing life’s challenges. 

Dr. Shahane also provides assessment services, including readiness for surgery evaluations such as bariatric and gender-affirming surgery. 

He works with adults and adolescents (age 16+), offering flexible hours to accommodate busy schedules.

For appointments, contact him at (434) 686-6430.

6. Barbara Stephenson

Barbara Stephenson, a marriage & family therapist, works with children, adolescents, adults, couples, and families to provide healthy coping skills and effective communication. 

She has experience with adjustment issues, anxiety, self-esteem issues, depression, relational issues, and behavioral problems in adolescents. 

Barbara collaborates with each client to identify and understand their challenges, tailoring her therapeutic approach to meet specific needs and treatment goals. 

She aims to empower and motivate clients toward personal growth and positive life changes, offering a supportive and safe environment for exploring thoughts and feelings. 

Contact her at (571) 364-7554 for appointments and queries.

7. Megan Fiore

Dr. Megan Fiore is a psychologist with extensive experience working with individuals across the lifespan, providing individual, group, family, parent-child, and couples therapy.

Her therapeutic approach focuses on using clients’ strengths to develop coping strategies for their difficulties. 

Dr. Fiore values the therapeutic relationship and the importance of hearing each client’s story, committed to the belief that improvement and healing are possible. 

Dr. Fiore works with children, adolescents, college-aged individuals, and adults experiencing anxiety, depression, adjustment difficulties, trauma, and loss. 

With training in play therapy, expressive therapies, and trauma treatment, she aims to strengthen the parent-child relationship through targeted assessments and interventions. 

Dr. Fiore is dedicated to meeting clients wherever they are in their journey, helping them find relief and healing. Contact her at (703) 468-8995.

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