Dorothy Akakem, NP — Psychiatrist in District of Columbia

Hi there, I'm Dorothy!

I'm here to support you with your mental health needs by providing comprehensive assessments, diagnosis, treatment planning, and medication management. I want you to feel comfortable talking with me about anything. I pride myself on listening without judgment, creating a supportive and safe environment where you can discuss your concerns openly.

My focus

I work with individuals experiencing depression, anxiety, mood disorders, bipolar disorders, PTSD, substance use disorders, eating disorders, ADHD, and schizophrenia. I'm most comfortable treating depression, anxiety, and mood disorders, providing diagnosis, medication management, and therapy to help you manage symptoms and improve quality of life.

My approach

I use a holistic, patient-centered approach that focuses on your overall well-being. I incorporate supportive and cognitive-behavioral therapy to help you understand how thoughts influence feelings, and how changing those thoughts and behaviors can improve your mental health.

My communication style

I use a calm and active listening approach with open-ended questions, validating your feelings and providing clear, understandable explanations while maintaining a non-judgmental attitude. My goal is to treat every patient with respect.

My journey to mental healthcare

My journey was born out of a desire to assist patients holistically in caring for their mental health. My passion lies in using patient-centered care with a collaborative approach to deliver quality care through assessment, diagnosis, medication management, and therapy.

My goals for you

I prioritize a patient-centered approach, actively listening to your needs and concerns. We'll work collaboratively to set specific, measurable, achievable, relevant, and time-bound goals that align with your individual recovery journey, while I provide ongoing support and encouragement.

Our first session

Expect a full discussion about current symptoms, medical, family, and mental health history, and lifestyle, focusing on reasons for seeking treatment. We'll complete intake documents, and I'll formulate a diagnosis and discuss available treatment options, which may include medication management, therapy, and referrals.

I identify as...

Female
Black or African American
Christian

Expertise

Specialties

Obsessive-Compulsive (OCD)

+ 17 more

Types of care

Psychiatry
Medication Management

Ages served

Adults

Practice

Accepted insurance providers

Aetna
All Savers
Allegiance
Allied
Anthem

+ 40 more

Languages spoken

English

Education

Master of Science in Nursing (MSN) in Psychiatry from Walden University.

Sessions

Video session

60 minutes

Dorothy Akakem