Dr. Anjeli Desmond, PhD

Dr. Anjeli Desmond, PhD

Psychologist
VA
4.80
“Working with Dr. Des was truly life-changing for our family. Before we started, feeding and sleep had become major sources of stress in our home. Over six months, she helped us better understand our child’s needs and gave us practical, manageable strategies that fit our family’s daily life. She was compassionate, patient, and never made us feel judged when things were difficult. We saw incredible improvements in both feeding and sleep, and our whole family feels more confident and connected because of her support. We are incredibly grateful for Dr. Des and would highly recommend her to other families.”
SE
Excellent wait time
100% of patients waited less than 30 minutes
New patient appointments
Appointments available for new patients on Zocdoc

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The office partners with Zocdoc to schedule appointments
External video visit

Scheduling details

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Available appointments

What patients are saying

Overall rating

4.80

Average wait time

5.00

Bedside manner

5.00
“Working with Dr. Des was truly life-changing for our family. Before we started, feeding and sleep had become major sources of stress in our home. Over six months, she helped us better understand our child’s needs and gave us practical, manageable strategies that fit our family’s daily life. She was compassionate, patient, and never made us feel judged when things were difficult. We saw incredible improvements in both feeding and sleep, and our whole family feels more confident and connected because of her support. We are incredibly grateful for Dr. Des and would highly recommend her to other families.”
SELess than 1 month ago
“Dr. Des made a lasting difference for our entire family. She helped strengthen our relationship, deepen our understanding of our daughter’s needs, and develop practical strategies that have helped both at home and at school. She was consistently communicative, compassionate, and willing to work through challenges with us. We are incredibly grateful for her support and truly don’t know where we would be without her.”
LBLess than 1 month ago

About Dr. Anjeli Desmond

Focus areas

Anxiety
Cognitive Therapy
Pediatric Psychotherapy
Behavioral Problems
Depression
Psychology Consultation
Behavioral Therapy
Parenting Counseling

Clientele seen

Children (<13)
Teenagers (13-17)
Couples
Young adults (18-24)
Seniors (65+)
Families
Adults (25-64)
Individuals

Treatment approaches

Applied Behavioral Analysis
Cognitive Behavioral (CBT)
Attachment-based
Cognitive Processing (CPT)
Coaching
Motivational Interviewing

Identity

Gender

Female

Ethnicity

Asian, White

Languages spoken

English

Getting to know Dr. Anjeli Desmond

As a child & family psychologist, I support young children, caregivers, and a select caseload of adults. I work with children and families navigating anxiety, trauma, behavioral concerns, feeding and sleep difficulties, developmental differences, parenting stress, and major life transitions. I also support parents experiencing postpartum depression, anxiety, and trauma, and those looking for support and developmental guidance around attachment, bonding, and behavior in the perinatal period. My approach combines evidence-based treatment with compassion and a strong focus on your individual needs. Whether you are seeking support for yourself, your child, or your family, my goal is to help you feel understood, confident, and equipped with practical tools that create lasting change.

What should a new client know about working with you?

Clients and parents often tell me they leave sessions feeling understood, hopeful, and with a clear plan for what to do next. I strive to create a warm, collaborative, and nonjudgmental environment—whether you are navigating parenting challenges or seeking support for yourself, you do not have to figure everything out alone. My work is grounded in research while remaining practical and individualized to each person’s strengths, values, and goals. With adults experiencing anxiety, depression, or other mood concerns, I use a cognitive behavioral, goal-directed approach that emphasizes practical skills, measurable progress, and meaningful change. I may be a particularly good fit if you appreciate active collaboration and are motivated to apply what you learn between sessions. With children and families, I look beyond simply reducing challenging behaviors. I help caregivers understand why behaviors occur, strengthen parent-child relationships, and build skills that support healthy emotional development over time.

What is your typical process for working with clients?

The first few sessions focus on getting to know you—or your child and family—and understanding the concerns that brought you to therapy. Together, we’ll identify what may be contributing to these challenges and create a treatment plan aligned with your needs and goals. For adults, sessions are collaborative, structured, and goal-directed. We’ll identify patterns that may be keeping you stuck, develop practical cognitive behavioral strategies, and translate insight into meaningful action. We’ll regularly review your progress and adjust our approach to ensure therapy remains useful and focused on the changes you want to make. For children and families, treatment may include parent coaching, caregiver-child sessions, play-based interventions, or individual work with your child, depending on their age and needs. Throughout treatment, we’ll celebrate progress and adapt strategies as new challenges arise. My goal is to provide practical tools you can confidently use in everyday life—not just during our sessions.

Is this doctor in your insurance network?

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In-network insurances

Aetna
BlueCross BlueShield
Cigna
150+ more in-network plans
Out-of-pocket fees and assistance
Initial session: $300 for 90 minutes
Ongoing session: $200 for 60 minutes

    More information on payments and coverage

    I accept insurance-based and private-pay patients through Headway in Virginia & Florida. Please get in touch with your individual insurance provider to verify benefits.

    Popular visit reasons

    Adjustment Disorder
    Childhood Trauma
    Depression
    New Patient Visit
    Pediatric Addiction / Substance Abuse
    Psychotherapy
    Psychotherapy Intake / Initial Visit
    Therapy
    Adjustment Disorder
    Childhood Trauma
    Depression
    New Patient Visit

    Education and background

    Practice names

    Hospital affiliations

    • Childrens Hospital Los Angeles
    • Children's Hospital Boston

    Education and training

    • University of Kentucky, PhD in Clinical Psychology

    Professional memberships

    • American Psychological Association

    NPI number

    1326749979

    Patient reviews

    All reviews have been submitted by patients after interacting with the practice.
    Overall rating
    4.80
    Wait time
    5.00
    Bedside manner
    5.00
    Trust Banner Shield
    Your trust is our top concern, so providers can't pay to alter or remove reviews. We also don't publish reviews that contain any private patient health information. Learn more here
    6 reviews
    Most relevant
    The communication from the office was inconsistent about the time and little confusing. This doc does deal with anxiety.
    Video visit
    Exactly the help that I needed, she was very helpful, thorough and knowledgeable!
    Verified patientVideo visit
    Working with Dr. Des was truly life-changing for our family. Before we started, feeding and sleep had become major sources of stress in our home. Over six months, she helped us better understand our child’s needs and gave us practical, manageable strategies that fit our family’s daily life. She was compassionate, patient, and never made us feel judged when things were difficult. We saw incredible improvements in both feeding and sleep, and our whole family feels more confident and connected because of her support. We are incredibly grateful for Dr. Des and would highly recommend her to other families.
    Dr. Des made a lasting difference for our entire family. She helped strengthen our relationship, deepen our understanding of our daughter’s needs, and develop practical strategies that have helped both at home and at school. She was consistently communicative, compassionate, and willing to work through challenges with us. We are incredibly grateful for her support and truly don’t know where we would be without her.
    When I began therapy with Dr. Des, I was at one of the lowest points in my life. As a single father and nontraditional student, I was struggling with unresolved trauma, past academic setbacks, and a lifelong learning disability. From the beginning, Dr. Des's calm, confident approach helped me feel safe, trust the process, and begin rebuilding my belief in myself. With her support, I am now preparing to graduate and have returned to a coaching career I had nearly given up on. I even share many of the practical tools she taught me with the student-athletes I work with. Dr. Des is compassionate and supportive, but she is also willing to offer the honest counsel needed for real growth. She has been an invaluable part of my journey, and I am deeply grateful for her guidance.
    Frequently asked questions

    How soon can I make an appointment with Dr. Anjeli Desmond?

    Generally, Dr. Anjeli Desmond has appointments available on Zocdoc within 1 week. You can see Dr. Desmond's earliest availability on Zocdoc and make an appointment online.

    Is Dr. Anjeli Desmond accepting new patients?

    Dr. Anjeli Desmond generally accepts new patients on Zocdoc. You can see Dr. Desmond's earliest availability on Zocdoc and schedule an appointment online.

    Does Dr. Anjeli Desmond accept my insurance?

    Choose your insurance plan to verify if Dr. Desmond is in-network.

    Can I make an appointment with Dr. Anjeli Desmond online?

    Yes, you can make an appointment online with Dr. Desmond using Zocdoc. It’s simple, secure, and free.

    Which hospital is Dr. Anjeli Desmond affiliated with?

    Dr. Anjeli Desmond is affiliated with Childrens Hospital Los Angeles and Children's Hospital Boston.

    What practice does Dr. Anjeli Desmond work with?

    What are common reasons for patients to see Dr. Anjeli Desmond?

    Dr. Anjeli Desmond frequently sees patients for Depression, New Patient Visit, Psychotherapy, Psychotherapy Intake / Initial Visit, and Therapy. You can see other visit reasons for Dr. Anjeli Desmond on their profile.

    What languages does Dr. Anjeli Desmond speak?

    Dr. Anjeli Desmond speaks English.

    How do patients rate Dr. Anjeli Desmond in reviews?

    5 patients have reviewed Dr. Anjeli Desmond. The overall rating for this doctor is 4.8/5. They have a 5/5 rating for bedside manner and a 5/5 rating for wait time. You can read individual reviews and ratings on their profile.

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    ZocdocArlington, VA PsychologistsDr. Anjeli Desmond, PhD