Rashelle B. Hayes, PhD
Licensed in Virginia, PSYPACT
NPI 1891193934
- Works with
- Adults & seniors
- Modalities
- CBT · DBT · ACT
About Rashelle
I have been an academic clinical health psychologist for more than 20 years, and I have always loved helping people improve their mental health and cope with life stress. I am very patient-centered and enjoy guiding patients toward their health goals.
I specialize in behavioral medicine and health psychology, and I work with patients who are typically living with comorbid medical illness and may be experiencing stress, anxiety, or depression as a result. I also help patients make lifestyle changes (quitting substances, changing eating habits, sleeping better) to improve their health.
I use evidence-based treatment to guide therapy, and I always collaborate with patients to make sure therapy is a safe, nonjudgmental, and stress-free space.
“Therapy works best when there is a good relationship between the provider and the patient. I will always be non-judgmental, compassionate, accepting, collaborative, and a partner to my patients. Therapy is a space to grow and heal, and I pay particular attention to the unique needs of each patient.”
Working with Rashelle
How I work
I draw primarily from Cognitive Behavioral Therapy, Dialectical Behavior Therapy, Acceptance & Commitment Therapy and Mindfulness-based. Together we choose what fits you best, aiming for practical tools you can use between sessions.
What to expect at a first session
At your first session, I will want to hear about your primary concerns and the reasons you want to attend therapy. I will also take time to ask background questions about your childhood, your past mental health and medical history, and substance use, if any, along with questions about your current stressors and symptoms. I may give you questionnaires to complete before or during our session; together with our conversation, these help me with diagnosis and with developing a treatment plan. This first meeting usually runs about 90 minutes and is held in person.
Who I work with best
I have worked with all types of patients and welcome anyone who wants to participate in therapy. My areas of expertise, however, are weight management, obesity treatment, addictions, depression, and anxiety. I particularly have many years of experience working with patients who are also living with chronic medical illness, since physical and mental health are so intertwined.
What Rashelle treats, and how
Ages & clients
- Young adults (18–25)
- Adults (26–64)
- Older adults (65+)
- Individuals
- Groups
Areas of focus
- Anxiety
- Depression
- Trauma / PTSD
- ADHD
- OCD
- Bipolar disorder
- Eating disorders
- Substance use
- Grief & loss
- Life transitions
- Relationship issues
- Family conflict
- Self-esteem
- Anger management
- Sleep issues
- Chronic illness / pain
- Personality disorders
- Phobias
- Sexuality / gender identity
- Spirituality / religious concerns
- Weight management
- Men's issues
- Smoking Cessation
Particular experience with
- LGBTQ+
- BIPOC
- Neurodivergent
- Veterans / military
- First responders
- Faith-based clients
- Multicultural
- High-achieving professionals
- College students
- Pregnancy / postpartum
Modalities
- Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT)
- Dialectical Behavior Therapy (DBT)
- Acceptance & Commitment Therapy (ACT)
- Mindfulness-based
- Person-centered / humanistic
- Solution-focused brief therapy
- Motivational interviewing
- Narrative therapy
- Trauma-focused CBT
- Positive psychology
I am a local Richmonder and a graduate of VCU, Duke, Brown University, and Maggie L. Walker High School.
