Therapy & Psychiatry in North Carolina and Virginia

Affirming Care for Neurodivergent and LGBTQIA+ Communities

Mental health care that respects your neurotype  identity  autonomy whole self

Therapy and psychiatry for neurodivergent and LGBTQIA+ children, teens, adults, couples, and families seeking collaborative mental health support that doesn’t rush, label, or pathologize.

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Virtual Appointments In North Carolina & VirginIa

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Evidence-Based Therapy & Collaborative Medication Care

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Culturally Responsive & Affirming Care

Does seeking care feel more overwhelming than helpful?

You may be trying to understand what’s happening in your mind or body. Wether it’s anxiety, burnout, trauma, or something that doesn’t quite fit a label. Past attempts to get help may have left you feeling rushed, misunderstood, or unsure who to trust.

You’re not looking for quick fixes.
You’re looking for clarity, safety, and care that actually works for you.

Thoughts you may be having:

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"I do not know if this is anxiety, autistic burnout, or something else."

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"I have tried therapy and medication before and it did not really help."

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"I want clear explanations, not vague answers."

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"I am exhausted from masking or trying to function."

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"I want care that respects my identity and autonomy."

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"I am afraid of being pathologized instead of understood."

Thoughts you may be having:

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"I do not know if this is anxiety, autistic burnout, or something else."

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"I have tried therapy and medication before and it did not really help."

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"I want clear explanations, not vague answers."

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"I am exhausted from masking or trying to function."

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"I want care that respects my identity and autonomy."

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"I am afraid of being pathologized instead of understood."

Dr. Meriah Ward offers evidence-based psychiatric and therapeutic care grounded in collaboration, lived experience, and respect for your neurotype and identity.

You don’t have to mask to heal. Care moves at your pace with space for questions, nuance, and choice. So you can experience less overwhelm, greater regulation, and more trust in yourself.

Therapy & Psychiatry in North Carolina and Virginia

Therapy & Psychiatric Services

Care for children (5+), teens, adults, couples, and families that is collaborative, affirming, and centered on your needs.

Individual Therapy & Medication Support

Support for neurodivergent and LGBTQIA+ individuals navigating anxiety, burnout, trauma, identity questions, and daily overwhelm.

Family Therapy

Care that helps families better understand neurodivergence, emotional regulation, and communication without blame, shame, or pressure.

Couples therapy

Affirming care for couples and partnerships navigating relationship challenges, neurodivergence, identity differences, or life transitions.

How Care Works

Care here is collaborative and adapts over time. Some people work through psychotherapy only. Some explore medication as part of their care. Others find that a combination of both offers the most support. Medication is never a requirement. Decisions are made together, with respect for your autonomy.

Care is paced intentionally and adjusted as your needs change.

Areas of Focus

Care here isn’t one-size-fits-all. Support is shaped around your neurotype, identity, and lived experience, not a checklist or diagnosis alone.

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Neurodivergence

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Autistic burnout

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Trauma & Anxiety

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LGBTQIA+ mental health

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Emotional regulation

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Chronic illness

Start building the life you deserve.

Book a free 15-minute introductory call to see if this approach feels supportive and aligned for you. There’s no pressure to decide, just space to ask questions and get clarity.

About drmrhpgwrd

Why Work With Meriah

Meriah Ward, DNP, FNP-BC, PMHNP-BC

(they/them)

“Healing is not linear. Progress includes setbacks, and that does not mean you are failing."

Meriah’s work is grounded in the belief that healing should never require masking, overexplaining, or fitting into someone else’s definition of “normal.” Their care is collaborative, thoughtful, and paced to your needs, not rushed or one-size-fits-all.

As a neurodivergent provider, Meriah brings both clinical expertise and lived understanding to their work. Clients often share that they feel genuinely seen here, not analyzed, minimized, or pushed toward quick fixes that do not fit their reality.

Meriah integrates psychotherapy, psychiatric care, and holistic support to help you build clarity, regulation, and confidence in your daily life. Medication is approached as an option, not a requirement, and decisions are always made together with respect for your autonomy.

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MY Approach

What to Expect

A collaborative process that prioritizes understanding, consent, and care that evolves with you over time.

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Understanding

We take time to understand your full story including your history, neurotype, identity, and what has or has not helped before. Care here starts from a place of being truly understood.

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THE WORK

Together, we address patterns, trauma, and sources of overwhelm at a pace that respects your mind and body. Therapy and medication work collaboratively only if it aligns with you.

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Ongoing Support

You build tools for regulation and daily functioning so progress lasts beyond sessions. Healing is supported over time, not treated as something to rush through or outgrow.

Virtual Therapy & Psychiatry

Frequently Asked Questions

  • CA: Quest Behavioral Health, Aetna, Independence Blue Cross Pennsylvania, Horizon Blue Cross and Blue Shield of New Jersey, Cigna, and Carelon Behavioral Health.

  • NC: Currently participating with AmeriHealth Caritas, Healthy Blue NC (Medicaid, Children and Families Specialty Plan), Aetna, Cigna, Oscar Health Plan, Optum, Medicare, Railroad Medicare, Quest (as a supplement plan for Medicare and Medicaid), UHC (including medicaid and medicare plans), Carolina Complete Health, Partners Behavioral Health, Ambetter, and Wellcare.
    Some additional plans are pending credentialing or enrollment. If you do not see your plan listed, please contact us and we can confirm coverage.

  • VA: Quest Behavioral Health, Aetna, CareFirst BlueCross BlueShield, Carelon, Independence Blue Cross Pennsylvania, Horizon Blue Cross and Blue Shield of New Jersey, and Cigna.

  • Superbills: Superbills can be provided for reimbursement.

Yes, all appointments are conducted via secure telehealth.

Standard appointments are 30 to 60 minutes, with time dedicated to your unique needs each visit.

Each 30 minute session is $150. Each 60 minute session is $300. With no additional fees for paperwork, including letters, FMLA paperwork, disability paperwork, etc..

I combine clinical expertise with lived experience to create affirming, low-demand care that honors your authentic self.

Weekly sessions are generally best for making progress and meeting therapy goals. However, session frequency is adjusted based on your needs and availability. While it’s hard to predict the number of sessions needed, we aim to help you achieve results quickly and create lasting change.

How To Get Started

If you’re ready to get started, you can use the button below to book an appointment or free consultation online.

Log in to your account to book an appointment.

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Contact me through the form to answer your questions, book an appointment or to learn more.