The idea of facing a doctor and dealing with your innermost feelings is daunting enough. You shouldn’t have to worry about protecting your privacy too.
That’s what makes this practice unique. It’s structured for complete confidentiality. There are no other patients to see, no staff to confront and no insurance companies to pry into your private life.
The road to personal growth isnt an easy one. But now at least there are fewer obstacles.
Welcome to Dr. Dabney's Psychiatric Practice
Dr. Dabney specializes in General Adult Psychiatry. She treats men and women suffering from Depression, Anxiety, Panic Attacks, Obsessive Compulsive Disorder, Bipolar Disorder, Attention Problems, Relationship Problems, Work-Related Problems, and Mild Substance Abuse among others.
Dr. Dabney prefers to treat patients using psychotherapy, using medication judiciously when necessary. She strives for patient collaboration in creating a targeted treatment plan to relieve symptoms and move patients toward emotional well-being.
Her practice is dedicated to protecting patients' privacy, dignity and self-respect.
New Location / Directions
As of January 2013, we are at a new location:
4542 Bonney Road Suite D,
Virginia Beach, VA, 23462
Suite D is located in the back of the Dragas Office Complex.
There is ample free parking.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the difference between a psychologist and a psychiatrist?
A psychiatrist has a medical degree and can prescribe medications. I can also better assess what symptoms are due to physiological versus emotional causes. Therapy, however, is performed by psychiatrists, psychologists and social workers.
Why do you not accept insurance?
You pay a lot for your insurance and it's understandable you want to use it when you see your doctor. What you may not know is how invasive and limiting insurance companies can be. Insurance companies require that I fax personal information about my patients to them on a regular basis. It creates a vicious circle: the more sensitive the information the more sessions they will "allow" but the more uncomfortable I am sending it out of my office! As stated, insurance companies dictate the number of sessions allowed based on a number of criteria except how often the patient wants to come for treatment. Further, the relationship between doctor and insurance company has become so mired down in forms and procedures that I would have to hire an extra person just to deal with this and that would raise my costs. In general, I don't work with insurance companies in order to maintain privacy, lower costs and maximize patient autonomy.
I've found most M.D.'s just prescribe pills and talk to me for about 10 minutes, is that what you do?
My sense is that the psychiatric medications have been out long enough now that people are starting to realize they aren't a cure-all. In fact, most of them become ineffective, have serious side effects or simply become tedious over time. Medications can help take the edge off a lot of feelings but for a "cure" psychotherapy is most effective plus has no side effects! I prefer limiting the use of medications as much as possible with the goal to become, or remain, medication free.
How do the appointments with you work?
Generally, I talk with a new patient over the phone to make sure I am the right provider for the problem described. If I believe I can help, I will set up a 50 minute evaluation in which I can get more details about the problems and the patient can assess my office set-up. At the end of that evaluation, I will explain what I believe is the problem and the different paths to fix it. If we both agree that I can help then we will set up some weekly therapy sessions.How often do you see patients and what are your office hours?
I see patients anywhere from once a week to four times a week.How often I see a patient is a very personal decision I make with the patient and is dependent on several factors. I work from 9 to 4 pm Monday through Friday.
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