Virginia "GiGi" Gallup Larsen, Psy.D.

Dr. Gallup Larsen earned a Doctorate in Clinical and School Psychology from James Madison University’s Combined-Integrated Doctoral Program, an American Psychological Association (APA) accredited program. Prior to returning to school for her doctorate, she also obtained her Master’s and Certificate of Advanced Graduate Study (CAGS) in School Psychology from George Mason University, a National Association of School Psychologists (NASP) accredited program. Dr. Gallup Larsen served as a school psychologist in Alexandria, Virginia for over a decade; and while there, was recognized as the School Psychologist of the Year for 2013 by the Virginia Academy of Schools Psychologists (VASP).

Dr. Gallup Larsen completed an APA-accredited Pre-Doctoral internship in the Psychiatric Mental Health Clinic (PMHP) and the Center for Child and Family Traumatic Stress (CCFTS) with Kennedy Krieger Institute/Johns Hopkins Medicine in Baltimore, Maryland. The PMHP at Kennedy Krieger Institute provides diagnostic evaluation and treatment services for children and adolescents who are having difficulty with mood, behavior, or relationships at home, within the family, at school, and with peers. The CCFTS provides mental health evaluation and treatment services to children, adolescents and families who have experienced or may be at risk for trauma. In these urban outpatient settings, Dr. Gallup Larsen collaborated with interdisciplinary teams to provide outpatient therapy and interventions to children, adolescents, and their families. She also completed comprehensive psychological evaluations for children, adolescents, and young adults. Over the course of her doctoral training and professional work, Dr. Gallup Larsen has worked in public and private school settings, in outpatient clinics, and in residential settings.

Dr. Gallup Larsen specializes in treating children, adolescents, young adults, and their families. Her specific areas of interest include anxiety, attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder (ADHD), obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD), tic disorders, depression, relationship issues, trauma, and adjustment-related distress. Dr. Gallup Larsen uses an assimilative-integrative approach to best meet the unique needs of her individual clients. This approach emphasizes a client-centered, systemic approach that is also informed by cognitive-behavioral, developmental, and relational evidence-based treatments. Dr. Gallup Larsen approaches her work with each client and family using an open and warm therapeutic style which puts her clients at ease. Dr. Gallup Larsen greatly values diversity and culture, and views therapy as a collaborative process meant to foster positive change as clients and families develop more compassion for themselves and one another.