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Offered in-person & online

Our therapists offer bipolar disorder therapy in Alexandria, VA

Start in-person or online sessions with a provider you can trust. We accept most major insurances. Book online or by giving us a call

Connect with a therapist, psychiatrist or counselor near you

Care without the wait

164 licensed therapists & providers in Virginia—11 in Alexandria. Available as soon as today, in person and online

Therapy for every life stage

Our providers work with individuals, couples, families, & teens for anxiety, depression, grief, & more

#1 for in-network coverage †

We accept UnitedHealthcare, Cigna, BCBS Plans, Humana, Aetna, & many more. Self-pay options available, no membership fees

Patients who get better

94% of patients feel truly understood by their provider. 3 out of 4 see improvement in depression & anxiety symptoms within 3 months

http://Verywell%20mind%2013%20Best%20online%20Therapy%20Services%20of%202024

548 people sought bipolar disorder therapy help at Alexandria in the last year

Discover how starting bipolar disorder therapy can support your own journey toward a happier, more fulfilling life.

Meet with a bipolar disorder therapist as soon as this week

Alexandria, VA

As a person who has suffered depression, i understand how debilitating and isolating mental health issue can be and i am here to w...

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Alexandria, VA

I am a seasoned and experienced Licensed Professional Counselor who is passionate about wellness and providing a nonjudgmental and...

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Alexandria, VA

I truly believe in creating a safe and understanding space where we can work together toward your mental well-being, honoring your...

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Alexandria, VA

“Feeling better often takes more than medicine alone. My approach is holistic, collaborative, and down-to-earth while sharing my c...

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We don’t have any providers with availability. Our schedules change daily. We’ll reach out as soon as a spot opens up.

Bipolar disorder therapy FAQs

What is bipolar disorder therapy?

Bipolar disorder therapy from our providers at Thriveworks in Alexandria, VA is an effective form of mental health treatment for those with bipolar disorder. It helps one to better navigate their unique experience, which might come with hypomanic, manic, or depressive episodes.

How does bipolar disorder therapy work?

Bipolar disorder therapy works to help you manage your specific symptoms as well as improve your relationships. It can also help you cope with stress, a major contributor to the disorder.

Is bipolar disorder therapy conducted in person or online?

Our bipolar disorder therapy services are conducted both in person and online by video. We encourage you to choose the option that works best for you when working with one of providers at Thriveworks in Alexandria, VA.

How long does bipolar disorder therapy last?

The length of bipolar disorder therapy sessions will vary from one person to the next, dependent on their specific needs. However, short-term, problem-focused therapy for bipolar disorder typically lasts for 12-16 weeks. Therapy may last longer for those who have more severe or persistent symptoms.

Need more help deciding?

Counseling for Bipolar Disorder in Alexandria, VA (Franconia)—Counselors and Therapists

Thriveworks Alexandria offers therapy for bipolar depression. We understand the social, emotional, and physical support someone who is fighting bipolar needs, and our therapists have helped many clients find the help they need to live their lives.

Signs and Symptoms of Bipolar Disorder

Sometimes, bipolar depression is called manic depression because people experience abrupt swings in their mood, often moving quickly from a normal mood to an intense depression or an intense mania.

To be considered a depressive episode, people must experience a depressed mood as described by themselves or others as sad, weepy, or empty, a significant loss of interest in any activity as well as three of the following:

  1. Substantial changes in their weight or appetite (e.g., significant weight gain or complete loss of interest in food).
  2. Inability to concentrate or make decisions.
  3. Daily disruptions in sleep—insomnia or hypersomnia (e.g., not being able to sleep or sleeping all the time).
  4. Loss of energy and stamina.
  5. Slowed or intensified psychomotor activity (e.g., heightened pacing or foot tapping, slowed speech or body movement).
  6. Excessive, even delusional, feelings of worthlessness and guilt.
  7. Repetitive thoughts of dying, including suicide idealization.

These depressive symptoms, to meet the criteria for bipolar disorder, must last most of the day, every day for a period of two weeks.

The stereotype of bipolar disorder is that manic episodes are euphoric, but in reality, people often experience the manic episode as irritability. The following are criteria for a manic episode according to The Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders, Fifth Edition (DSM-5).

  • Experiencing a persistent and abnormal expansive or irritable state of mind for at least one week.
  • During this period, three of the following symptoms must be displayed if the mood is euphoric and four must be displayed if the mood is irritable:
    • Inflated sense of one’s own grandiosity or exaggerated self-esteem.
    • Needing less sleep to function (e.g., waking rested after 2 hours of sleep).
    • Increasingly talkative—more than usual.
    • Racing thoughts.
    • Feeling distracted (e.g., one’s attention being captured by unimportant or irrelevant thoughts).
    • Increasing one’s personal or professional goal-directed activity (e.g., planning excessively).
    • Involvement in risky or potentially painful activities (e.g., shopping sprees, sexual indiscretions, or unwise professional decisions).
  • These disturbances must be severe enough to cause disruption in an individual’s personal or professional life, to necessitate hospitalization as a precaution for harm, or cause psychotic episodes.
  • The episode cannot be attributable to a substance’s physiological effects.

Living with Bipolar Depression

Bipolar depression is a serious mental illness that requires a mental health professional’s care and oversight for treatment. If you or a loved one has been diagnosed, work closely with your therapist for a treatment plan. Beyond what your therapist may recommend, here are a few

1. Pursue Education. The information you have just read is a great start, but continue to learn about your diagnosis. Ask your therapist for resources, and begin to notice how your illness might be aligning with certain symptoms.

2. Cultivate Support. Continue to lean upon a professional therapist’s guidance, but also seek out other forms of support. There may be support groups that provide a safe place to share. Consider which family members and friends you feel comfortable sharing about the diagnosis.

3. Be active. Activity can be both social and physical. It might be tempting to withdrawal socially, but going out with friends or opening up to a loved one can go a long way for healing. So can finding a way to be physically active. Think about what you enjoy and pursue it.

Treatment for Bipolar Depression with Thriveworks Alexandria, VA (Franconia)

The counselors and therapists at Thriveworks Alexandria have extensive training and experience in treating bipolar depression, and we are ready to help you.

When you call our office, know that you may have your first appointment within a week of your first call. We offer weekend and evening appointments, and work with many major insurance companies. Call or go online to get started with a therapist at Thriveworks Alexandria.

Pricing & insurance

Our therapists accept most major insurance and we offer self-pay options too.
Learn more about pricing for therapy and counseling at Thriveworks.

Our therapists and counselors in Alexandria accept 32 insurance plans

  • Adventist Health Associates | Employee Health Plan

  • Adventist Health Associates | Non-Employee Health Plan

  • Aetna

  • Anthem Blue Cross and Blue Shield Virginia Medicare Advantage

  • Anthem Blue Cross and Blue Shield Virginia | BCBS HMO

  • Anthem Blue Cross and Blue Shield Virginia | BCBS PPO

  • Anthem Blue Cross and Blue Shield Virginia | Exchange

  • CareFirst Blue Cross and Blue Shield of Virginia | BCBS HMO

  • CareFirst Blue Cross and Blue Shield of Virginia | BCBS PPO

  • Carelon

  • Cigna | Evernorth

  • Compsych

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Self-pay costs at Alexandria
Talk therapy

Talk therapy

Includes individual, couples, child/ teen, & family therapy

First session

$1

Ongoing sessions

$1

Talk therapy

Psychiatry

Includes reducing symptoms with medication & management

First session

$1

Ongoing sessions

$1

Hear from our clients

5.0 Learn about verified reviews
★★★★★
I first discovered thriveworks almost 2 years ago now and my therapist has helped me grow and unpack issues so well. I’ve been able to heal and create new ways to cope with their help and I feel very certain in saying that discovering thriveworks and my therapist has drastically improved not only my mental health, but my overall wellbeing.
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Gabriela Aug 2026Thriveworks.com verified review
★★★★★
Lydia is very attentive and concerned for my well being. She listens to what I have to say and takes that into account as she manages my health. We carefully review my medications and she regularly orders bloodwork to ensure my levels are ok. Other doctors have used the results of her testing and commended her diligence to monitor my health. I’m greatful to have been her patient for many years now.
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Juan Aug 2026Thriveworks.com verified review
★★★★★
Lydia is a very good listener and very well educated on all the pharmaceuticals I take daily. Comfortable and easy to talk with
Emery Aug 2026Thriveworks.com verified review
★★★★★
Everything is fine
Austin Aug 2026Thriveworks.com verified review
★★★★★
I appreciate his realness and upfrontness and his empathy towards his clients. I think he's great
Diego Aug 2026Thriveworks.com verified review
★★★★★
She took time to listen to me and help me with my concerns
Charlotte Aug 2026Thriveworks.com verified review
★★★★★
Krista made me feel very comfortable
Nora Aug 2026Thriveworks.com verified review
★★★★★
I've been using Thriveworks' services on and off for about 10 years, and every provider has been attentive, knowledgeable, and supportive. Thriveworks makes everything easy, from scheduling to payment, and seems invested in the customer experience in general.
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Pablo Aug 2026Thriveworks.com verified review
8 of 183 reviews

Where to find us

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Address

6076 Franconia Rd Suite D
Alexandria, VA 22310

Getting here

Thriveworks Counseling & Psychiatry Alexandria is located near Franconia Rd and Beulah St, off I-95. It is close to the Franconia Museum and right by the Manchester Lakes Park.

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Phone number

(703) 454-8246
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Languages spoken by VA providers

  • Portuguese
  • English
  • Korean
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Hours

Sunday 8:00am - 9:30pm
Monday 8:00am - 9:30pm
Tuesday 8:00am - 9:30pm
Wednesday 8:00am - 9:30pm
Thursday 8:00am - 9:30pm
Friday 8:00am - 9:30pm
Saturday 8:00am - 9:30pm

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Sunday 8:00am - 6:00pm
Monday 8:00am - 11:00pm
Tuesday 8:00am - 11:00pm
Wednesday 8:00am - 11:00pm
Thursday 8:00am - 11:00pm
Friday 8:00am - 11:00pm
Saturday 8:00am - 6:00pm

Shown in ET

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