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There are currently 65 Psychologists in Washington available for booking on Zocdoc. Filter by insurance, language, or appointment time to find your best match.
Yes. 44 Psychologists in Washington are accepting new patients right now. Many offer appointments within the next few days.
On average, patients who use Zocdoc can search for a Psychologist in Washington, book an appointment, and see the Psychologist within 24 hours. Same-day appointments are often available, you can search for real-time availability of Psychologists in Washington who accept your insurance and make an appointment online.
Zocdoc lets you search specifically for a Washington Psychologist who takes your insurance. Just choose your carrier and plan from the drop-down menu at the top of the page. If you’re not sure which plan you have, you can use Zocdoc’s insurance checker to find out.
Zocdoc is a free online service that helps patients find Psychologists in Washington and book appointments instantly. You can search for Washington Psychologists by symptom or visit reason. Then, choose your insurance plan. Based on that information, you’ll see a list of providers who meet your search criteria, along with their available appointment slots.
When you search for Washington Psychologists on Zocdoc, you can filter your results by gender, in addition to other criteria. That way, you’ll only see Psychologists in Washington who match your preferences.
On Zocdoc, you can search specifically for Washington Psychologists with availability after 5 p.m.
You can use Zocdoc to find Psychologists in Washington who are highly rated by other patients. These ratings are based on verified reviews submitted by real patients. Every time a patient completes an appointment booked on Zocdoc, they’re invited to review their experience. Each review must comply with Zocdoc’s guidelines.
Psychologists in Washington on Zocdoc who see patients through online video visits will have a purple video icon on their profiles. You can also filter your search results to show only Psychologists who offer video visits.
Most insurers provide coverage for video visits at the same cost as in-person visits. You can search on Zocdoc specifically for Psychologists in Washington who accept your insurance for video visits by selecting your carrier and plan from the drop-down menu at the top of the page. We recommend you check with your insurance carrier directly to confirm your coverage and out of pocket costs for video visits.
Zocdoc lets you search specifically for a Psychologist who has appointments available before 10:00 am, or after 5:00 pm. Just choose the special hours filter at the top of our search page.
Zocdoc let's you see real-time availability for Psychologists in Washington. Many Psychologists offer appointments on Saturdays and Sundays.
As an expert in the Science of Human Behavior, a psychologist holds an advanced degree and specialized skills to assess and address various aspects of mental health. With professional training and clinical proficiency, psychologists utilize psychotherapy (talk therapy), psychological evaluations, and testing to support individuals in managing life's complexities, fostering healthy relationships, and navigating mental health challenges with resilience and efficacy.
Psychologists delve into the intricate workings of human cognition, emotions, and social interactions, aiming to understand and aid individuals in navigating their psychological landscapes. Central to their practice is the endeavor to assess and comprehend clients' thoughts, feelings, and behaviors through a multifaceted approach that includes:
Operating across diverse settings, including private practices, educational institutions, healthcare facilities, correctional institutions, and rehabilitation centers, psychologists engage with clients from various walks of life. Beyond clinical practice, many contribute to advancing knowledge through research endeavors and academic instruction within their specialized domains.
In addressing mental health concerns, psychologists primarily employ counseling and psychotherapy or talk therapy—as vital therapeutic modalities. Nevertheless, some psychologists opt for roles focused solely on research or education, avoiding direct patient care.
Within the expansive realm of psychology, practitioners typically fall under distinct classifications, each catering to specific areas of expertise:
Individuals who want to pursue a career in psychology go through an extensive process of education and training. After obtaining an undergraduate degree, they typically study full-time for four to six years, completing graduate and post-graduate programs. As part of these programs, aspiring psychologists conduct research, teach courses, and complete coursework. Before graduation, they are required to complete a one-year supervised internship.
Additional years of supervised practice are needed in certain states before obtaining a license. To become licensed, all psychologists must pass national and state-specific licensing exams.
After obtaining a doctoral degree and a license to practice, psychologists must pursue continuing education to maintain their licenses. In states where psychologists can prescribe medication, they must undergo additional training, such as obtaining a master's degree in psychopharmacology.
Mood changes—including pain or happiness in different situations — are expected. Moreover, individuals may naturally differ in the intensity of their emotional reactions. However, if your emotions are proving hard to control, or you feel continually anxious or depressed (without a reasonable external trigger), this could be a sign of a mental condition.
For instance, major depressive disorder (MDD) is characterized by feelings of loss, sadness, anger, helplessness, or fatigue for extended periods. These negative emotions and thoughts may persist despite life changes; patients often struggle with sleeping, working, or performing daily functions.
Often, the full-blown symptoms of the disorder will be preceded by changes in behavior or thoughts. Some early symptoms may include:
These signs do not confirm that you have a mental illness. Only a licensed practitioner (such as a clinical psychologist) can make a diagnosis. Therefore, you must consult a psychologist near you if you experience any such symptoms.
Behavioral Therapy
Behavioral therapy helps patients change their maladaptive (harmful) behavioral patterns. Subtypes of behavioral therapy include:
Cognitive Behavioral Therapy
Cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT), like behavioral therapy, also tries to change negative behavior and thought patterns. Subtypes of CBT include:
Humanistic therapy
This therapy centers on the patient rather than the disease; the treatment enables the patient to grow self-acceptance and solve the issues they are going through. The psychologist helps the patient make sense of their experiences.
There are three primary schools of thought in humanistic therapy:
Psychiatrists can diagnose and treat mental health problems and are authorized to prescribe medication and other medical treatments. They are medical doctors. On the other hand, psychologists hold a doctoral degree, like a Ph.D. or PsyD, and typically have extensive experience in research or clinical practice. Rather than prescribing medication, psychologists mainly treat mental health disorders through psychotherapy or talk therapy.
Psychiatrists treat more severe mental health cases requiring medical treatment or medication. While psychology is the scientific study of the mind, emotions, and behavior, psychiatry is a medical branch that deals with diagnosing and treating mental health issues.
A counselor, often called a therapist, has a master's degree in mental health disciplines like psychology, counseling psychology, or marriage and family therapy. They can evaluate a person's mental health and utilize therapeutic techniques, like talk therapy. In contrast, a psychologist holds a doctoral degree, such as a Ph.D. or PsyD, and typically has extensive training in psychological research or clinical practice.
Getting proper mental health care can be difficult — especially if you don’t have the time to search and compare for doctors, fill out insurance forms, and drive to a far-off practice.
However, with Zocdoc, you can easily book an appointment with Washington, DC's leading mental health practitioners—no need to drive miles away or go through any unnecessary hassle. Enter a specific symptom or therapy, and Zocdoc's powerful algorithms will match you with the leading psychologists near you.
You can also look at their provider profile before booking an appointment. Here, you will learn additional information about their clinical interests, educational background, experience in the field, board certifications, etc.
All bookings on Zocdoc are safe, secure, and free!
As noted in the Journal of Urban Design and Mental Health, Washington DC ranks 30th in terms of Adults with Any Mental Illness (AMI) and organizes the worst, i.e., 51st, in substance abuse — in terms of data reported by the 2017 "State of Mental Health in America" report. 3.9% of adults in D.C. have contemplated suicide, the article further states.
Adding to the worries, mental health issues and substance abuse are the second leading cause after cardiovascular disease that is causing significant disabilities in Washington D.C. In the age group of 15-49, it is the leading cause of disability, constituting 29.57% of the total instances of disabilities in the city.
The numbers have grown relatively high in the last few years, with a 75% increase in disability due to mental health and substance abuse between the years 1990 and 2016. The alarming statistics can be very risky to the government and the people in Washington, DC.
National Alliance on Mental Illness
Journal of Urban Design and Mental Health
The content herein is provided for general informational purposes only and is not a substitute for professional medical advice, diagnosis or treatment. Medical information changes constantly, and therefore the content on this website should not be assumed to be current, complete or exhaustive. Always seek the advice of your doctor before starting or changing treatment. If you think you may have a medical emergency, please call your doctor or 9-1-1 immediately.