Navigating the complexities of mental health requires access to exceptional medical care, compassionate support, and advanced treatment options.
Williamsburg, VA, known for its dedication to community well-being, is home to several outstanding mental health hospitals.
These facilities provide excellent care for a variety of psychological conditions, emphasizing personalized treatment plans and innovative therapies.
Whether you are seeking support for depression, anxiety, bipolar disorder, or other mental health concerns, this article highlights the leading mental health hospitals in Williamsburg, VA.
Williamsburg Mental Health Statistics
Mental health remains a significant concern across the United States, with over one in five adults, or approximately 59.3 million individuals in 2022, living with a mental illness.
In Virginia, access to mental healthcare poses considerable challenges, as highlighted by a Forbes Advisor analysis ranking the state 12th in the nation for difficulty accessing services.
Additionally, a Gallup survey revealed that 38% of Americans believe mental health is not given the same priority as physical health.
In Williamsburg, approximately 15.3% of adults experience frequent mental distress, reflecting a notable portion of the population facing ongoing psychological challenges.
The community also contends with a “deaths of despair” rate of 50.2 per 100,000 people, highlighting the impact of issues such as substance abuse and suicide.
The state ranks 9th in prevalence of mental illness and access to care and holds 12th place overall for adults and youth.
Despite these alarming statistics, Williamsburg has numerous excellent hospitals dedicated to addressing and treating mental health concerns.
Best Mental Health Hospitals in Williamsburg VA
Following are some of the best mental health hospitals in williamsburg VA.
1. The Pavilion
The Pavilion at Williamsburg Place, which opened in April 2012, is a 66-bed inpatient psychiatric facility located on the Williamsburg Place campus near Historic Colonial Williamsburg, Virginia.
This 33,500-square-foot facility offers services grounded in milieu therapy, creating a safe, supportive, and secure environment.
Each patient undergoes a thorough assessment by a team of professionals, led by a psychiatrist, to ensure they meet the necessary criteria for inpatient care.
The Pavilion’s acute inpatient psychiatric services are designed to provide intensive, short-term care for individuals experiencing severe mental health symptoms or emotional distress.
The goal is to stabilize patients in crisis through 24-hour care provided by a team of psychiatrists, physicians, nurse practitioners, therapists, nurses, and mental health technicians.
Treatment includes medication management, individual and group therapy, and additional supportive services.
Their key services include a structured, therapeutic environment, trauma-informed care, evidence-based programming, recreational therapy, and 24/7 nursing support.
2. Eastern State Hospital
Eastern State Hospital has been serving the community since its founding in 1773 with an emphasis on compassionate, community-focused mental health care.
Set on 500 acres, the hospital features two patient care buildings and employs over 900 staff members who provide care for around 300 patients.
As part of the Department of Behavioral Health and Developmental Services, the hospital is accredited by the Joint Commission, ensuring that high standards of care are maintained.
The hospital is committed to a safe and supportive environment, where concerns about care quality can be reported to the Joint Commission without fear of retaliation.
Eastern State Hospital does not accept direct admissions; most patients are admitted through transfers.
As one of the leading Williamsburg mental health hospitals, it plays a significant role in providing essential mental health services to the local community.
3. Leva Psychiatry
Leva Psychiatry offers personalized mental health services with a focus on helping individuals reclaim their lives with hope and purpose.
The name “Leva,” which means “live” in Swedish, reflects the clinic’s mission to guide patients on a path toward healing and empowerment.
Leva Psychiatry provides a safe, respectful, and supportive environment, where each person’s individuality is honored.
Their services include concierge medicine, where psychiatric providers visit patients at home, as well as traditional psychiatry, deprescribing support for tapering off psychiatric medications.
Leva also offers social anxiety coaching to help individuals achieve a sense of empowerment and healthy balance.
The clinic prioritizes collaboration and education, ensuring patients are informed and actively engaged in their treatment decisions.
By empowering individuals to take an active role, Leva Psychiatry enhances the effectiveness of treatment and creates a supportive environment where individuals feel heard, valued, and safe.
4. The Family Living Institute
The Family Living Institute (FLI), established in 1985, has been dedicated to providing compassionate psychiatric, psychological, and behavioral health services.
These services are available to individuals in Williamsburg, VA, and surrounding areas.
The institute offers a broad range of affordable services, including psychotherapy for individuals, couples, and families.
FLI is recognized for its commitment to treating everyone with respect and dignity, and its professional staff is highly trained, licensed, and experienced in delivering quality care.
FLI provides a variety of therapeutic services such as adolescent therapy, art therapy, animal-assisted therapy, child therapy, and couples and family therapy.
In addition, FLI offers individual therapy, marital therapy, and play therapy.
The institute also offers parenting coaching, premarital counseling, psychological testing, and Transcranial Magnetic Stimulation (TMS) therapy for treating depression.
5. Colonial Behavioral Health
Colonial Behavioral Health is the Community Services Board that serves the citizens of James City County, the City of Poquoson, the City of Williamsburg, and York County.
Its mission is to support the recovery and resilience of individuals and families impacted by mental illness, developmental disabilities, and substance use disorders.
Their team consists of qualified professionals, including psychiatrists, psychologists, social workers, counselors, nurses, and case managers.
Together, they provide a wide range of services aimed at enhancing the quality of life for those they serve.
Colonial Behavioral Health is licensed by the Virginia Department of Behavioral Health and Developmental Services (DBHDS).
It holds national accreditation from the Commission on Accreditation of Rehabilitation Facilities (CARF) for its Intensive Outpatient Program.
The organization operates on a fee-for-service basis, accepting most insurance plans, including Medicaid, and offering sliding scale fees for those without insurance coverage.
6. Thriveworks
Thriveworks, clinician-founded and -led, is a leading mental health provider offering both in-person and online care.
With over 340 offices and more than 2,200 clinicians across the US, Thriveworks aims to make therapy work better for everyone.
Founded in 2008 by Dr. AJ Centore, the organization seeks to improve the counseling experience for clients and clinicians alike.
Thriveworks offers mental health services such as child therapy, couples/marriage therapy, family therapy, individual therapy, and online therapy.
Common specialties include ADHD therapy, anger management therapy, anxiety therapy, depression counseling, eating disorders, grief & loss counseling, insomnia therapy.
They also offer LGBTQIA+ counseling, life transitions counseling, stress management therapy, and trauma/PTSD therapy.
They use evidence-based approaches like Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT), Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT), and EMDR therapy, among others.
Their mission is to be America’s most valued mental health care company, providing warm and respectful treatment to clients and delivering high-quality care to communities.
7. South Chesapeake Psychiatry
South Chesapeake Psychiatry (SCP) is a unique psychiatric practice founded by Justin Ray, MSN, PMHNP-BC, with Amanda Snow, MSN, PMHNP-BC, as his clinical partner.
Together, they bring over 50 years of combined experience in psychiatric and mental health care.
SCP is designed to offer a more personalized and accessible approach to psychiatric services, built around five core pillars: Quality, Expertise, Accountability, Excellence, and Availability.
The practice focuses on providing quality care rather than rushing through appointments. The team takes the time to thoroughly understand and address each client’s concerns.
With their extensive experience and board certifications, they offer expert treatment, taking a patient-centered approach that emphasizes education about conditions and treatment options.
At SCP, excellence is non-negotiable, and accountability is a key aspect of their care, ensuring patients receive the best outcomes possible.
Additionally, the practice emphasizes availability, with direct access to providers via phone and email, and a commitment to responding to inquiries promptly.
If you’re looking for online services, you can check BetterHelp, which offers not only regular therapy but also couples counseling, LGBTQ counseling and faith-based counseling.
Children’s Mental Health Facilities In Williamsburg VA
Various children’s mental health facilities are available in Williamsburg VA.
1. White Cloud Therapeutic Services
White Cloud Therapeutic Services, LLC is a private group practice located in Williamsburg, VA, offering personalized mental health care for children, families, and groups.
The practice is committed to using a person-centered approach, recognizing each client as the expert on their own life and needs.
This approach supports individuals in exploring their personal challenges in a safe, affirming environment, helping them uncover self-knowledge and develop effective coping strategies.
The experienced team at White Cloud Therapeutic Services specializes in treating a wide range of mental health concerns, including depression, anxiety, and life transitions.
The therapists work closely with clients, offering support and guidance throughout their therapeutic journey, while also focusing on resilience-building to help navigate future challenges.
2. Bacon Street
Bacon Street is dedicated to supporting preteens, teens, young adults, and their families in the Greater Williamsburg and Middle Peninsula of Virginia.
With nearly 50 years of experience, Bacon Street focuses on helping those dealing with substance abuse, mental health issues, and co-occurring disorders.
Their cornerstone program is outpatient clinical counseling for adolescents aged 12-17 and young adults aged 18-26.
The approach is evidence-based, trauma-informed, and emphasizes healing for the entire family.
Bacon Street provides a compassionate, judgment-free environment for youth and families struggling with mental health or substance use disorders.
Their services include individual, family, and group counseling, available in-person or via telehealth.
The center addresses a wide range of issues such as family conflict, mood disorders, trauma, suicidal ideation, stress, and more.
3. Ie Wellness Center
Ie Wellness Center specializes in core dimensions of wellness: emotional, physical, occupational, social, environmental, financial, intellectual, and spiritual.
The center’s mission is to help create happier, healthier, and more productive individuals worldwide.
The team at Ie Wellness Center is made up of a diverse group of wellness experts who provide a variety of services, including counseling, personal training and mindfulness practices.
They work with a wide range of clients, including children and teens, addressing concerns such as ADHD, anger, anxiety, depression, emotional disturbance, grief, trauma, school issues, and more.
In addition, Ie Wellness Center offers life coaching, marital and premarital counseling, stress management, and support for various other mental health and behavioral challenges.
Top Mental Health Specialists in Williamsburg VA
Williamsburg is home to dedicated mental health specialists offering personalized care to support individuals on their journey to well-being.
1. Stacia Guillen
Stacia Guillen has been practicing as a family nurse practitioner for 12 years, having graduated in 2012 with an MSN and certifications as an FNP-C and PMHNP-IP.
She has extensive experience in psychiatric medication management and is deeply committed to providing high-quality mental health care.
She offers personalized mental health care for individuals dealing with anxiety, depression, OCD, PTSD, postpartum issues, and ADHD.
As a military spouse and mother of a child with autism, she understands the challenges of mental health, parenting, and navigating complex systems.
Stacia specializes in trauma-informed care, with experience supporting the LGBTQ2+ community and addressing women’s health issues such as PMDD and perimenopause.
She also provides ADHD testing, evaluations, and medication management. Stacia sees patients both in-person at her McLaws Circle office and online.
2. Dr. Chantz Bury
Dr. Chantz Bury, a psychiatric nurse practitioner with a Doctorate of Nursing Practice (DNP), specializes in family and psychiatric mental health care.
Dr. Bury provides treatment for a range of mental health concerns, including ADHD, anxiety, mood disorders, bipolar disorder, and geriatric mental health.
With five years of experience, he offers CBT, mindfulness-based cognitive therapy, motivational interviewing, and medication management to support a wide range of mental health needs
With a focus on individualized care, he works with patients to create plans that align with their goals and lifestyles.
Based in Williamsburg and Suffolk, VA, Dr. Bury provides both in-person and online appointments, accepting Medicaid, Medicare through Optum/UHC, and other insurance.
3. Dawn Washington
Dawn Washington, a board-certified psychiatric nurse practitioner, brings over 12 years of experience in psychiatric nursing.
Her work includes caring for children, adolescents, adults, and geriatric patients in inpatient settings, as well as providing support in adult partial hospitalization programs.
She has also offered compassionate care in emergency room psychiatric holding areas, assisting patients in crisis with empathy and understanding.
Her commitment to staying updated on psychotropic medications and evidence-based treatments ensures she offers clients effective and modern care tailored to their needs.
Her areas of expertise include medication management, ADHD, and anxiety.
She also has experience working with conditions such as autism, bipolar disorder, depression, developmental disorders, eating disorders, psychosis, PTSD, and sleep-related issues.
She is available for appointments both in-person and online.
4. Patricia Roy
Dr. Patricia Roy graduated from Drexel University School of Medicine and completed her residency in psychiatry at Johns Hopkins Hospital in 2008.
She served on the faculty at Johns Hopkins until 2011, specializing in mood disorders.
After her time there, Dr. Roy worked at Virginia Hospital Center as a medical director, providing patient care for a wide range of psychiatric conditions.
She currently provides psychiatric care to students at the College of William & Mary.
Her areas of expertise include addiction, ADHD, anger management, anxiety, autism, bipolar disorder, chronic pain, depression, developmental disorders, drug abuse and eating disorders.
Dr. Roy works with adults, individuals, couples, and families, offering a variety of therapeutic approaches, including Christian counseling and family/marital therapy.
5. Kevina R. Boone
Kevina R. Boone is a psychiatric nurse practitioner with over 20 years of experience as a registered nurse.
She holds a bachelor’s degree from Old Dominion University and a Master’s degree from Walden University.
Specializing in medication management, Kevina believes that treatment should always incorporate both therapeutic techniques and medication.
She values team collaboration and is committed to providing comprehensive, patient-centered care.
Her expertise includes treating conditions such as anxiety, depression, ADHD, bipolar disorder, grief, and trauma-related disorders.
Kevina utilizes approaches like acceptance and commitment therapy, cognitive behavioral therapy, and couples counseling to support her patients’ mental health needs.
6. Sarah Yowell
Sarah Yowell is a psychiatric mental health nurse practitioner, family nurse practitioner, and holds a Master of Science in Nursing (MSN).
With a background in working in emergency departments as a registered nurse and more recently as a Family Nurse Practitioner in a family practice.
In addition to her clinical work, Sarah volunteers at the Mental Health Association of Fauquier County on the Access to Care Committee.
Her specialties include medication management, anxiety, depression, ADHD, bipolar disorder, grief, and trauma-related disorders.
Sarah is available for online consultations and in person at Abundant Life Partners, located in Williamsburg, VA.
7. Rita Ososanya
Rita is a psychiatric nurse practitioner with prescriptive authority, allowing her to prescribe and manage psychotropic medications.
She takes a careful approach in evaluating the appropriateness of medications, monitoring their effectiveness, and making adjustments to dosages as necessary.
She creates a supportive and therapeutic environment where clients can openly explore their thoughts, emotions, and behaviors.
Rita works collaboratively with clients, their families, and other healthcare professionals to ensure comprehensive and coordinated care.
She also educates her clients about their mental health conditions, available treatment options, and effective self-care strategies.
Rita offers both in-person and online appointments at LifeStance Health in Toano, VA.
Her specialties include medication management, anxiety, and LGBTQ+ issues, with expertise in ADHD, bipolar disorder, child and adolescent care, depression, eating disorders and grief.
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Innovations in Treatment: Modern Approaches in Williamsburg
Mental health treatment in Williamsburg has evolved significantly, transitioning from the early days of asylums to the advanced, compassionate care offered by modern facilities.
Historically, mental health care often relied on outdated and sometimes harmful practices, but Williamsburg became a pioneer in reshaping this narrative.
In 1841, the Eastern Lunatic Asylum in Williamsburg was one of the first publicly funded institutions dedicated solely to mental health.
Under the leadership of Dr. John Galt, the asylum introduced Moral Management Therapy, an innovative concept for its time.
This approach emphasized the dignity and humanity of patients, challenging the stigma surrounding mental illness.
Dr. Galt believed that individuals with mental health challenges were not fundamentally different from those without, and his philosophy laid the foundation for modern psychiatric care.
Dr. Galt also introduced therapeutic activities and talk therapy, groundbreaking methods that marked a shift toward humane and effective treatment.
His commitment to research and his advocacy for equitable care, including for African-American patients, were progressive and transformative in the field of psychiatry.
Today, institutions like the Pavilion at Williamsburg Place continue this legacy of innovation.
Specializing in trauma-informed care and evidence-based practices, they offer structured therapeutic environments for treating acute psychiatric conditions.
These modern centers reflect Williamsburg’s ongoing commitment to improving mental health care and supporting recovery, building on the groundbreaking work initiated over a century ago.
FAQ’s:
Is there a difference between a psych ward and a mental hospital?
Yes, there is a difference. A psych ward is a part of a general hospital that provides short-term care for individuals in acute psychiatric crises, focusing on stabilization.
A mental hospital is a dedicated facility for long-term care, offering ongoing treatment and support for people with serious mental health conditions.
