Related:
Top Therapists 2009
Getting Back Your Life
How to Tell If a Child’s Anxiety Is Cause for Concern
Do You Control Your Technology? Or Does It Control You?
Stressed? Learn to Recognize Your Triggers and Find Calm

Whom would you call if a family member needed help? That’s the question we asked local mental-health professionals.

We sent postcards to 1,500 psychiatrists, psychologists, clinical social workers, therapists, and counselors, asking them to complete an online survey. Nearly 800 did.

The survey asked them to name the one or two specialists, in a variety of areas, to whom they would send a family member for care. We tallied the results, disregarded ballots that listed the same person in all or most categories, and checked that each person on our list was licensed by the state in which they practiced. Here are the top vote getters by category.

These professionals are regarded highly by their colleagues, but their inclusion on this list is no guarantee that you’ll be satisfied by their care, nor should it be a substitute for your own research and judgment. The list is designed to help you make informed decisions. The practitioners listed are not necessarily the area’s “best,” and they certainly aren’t the only good ones. Because a survey like this can never be exhaustive or perfect, many excellent practitioners are not on the list.

It’s also important to note that many mental-health professionals treat a variety of disorders; a practitioner listed under just one or two areas may also provide very good care for several other conditions or using different treatment methods. Likewise, some practitioners were recommended in multiple categories.

Some of the professionals on our list are faculty members at medical schools and other institutions and see patients only part-time. In those cases, we’ve listed phone numbers for their private practices, not their academic offices.

Initial Consultation/Evaluation

Jody Bleiberg, psychologist. Bethesda; 301-493-4198; bethesdaneuropsychology.com.

Todd S. Cox, psychiatrist. Downtown DC; 202-223-8530; toddscoxmd.com.

Michael S. Diamond, psychiatrist. Chevy Chase; 301-657-4570.

Edward Farber, psychologist. Reston; 703-437-3236; restonpsych.com.

Jon Frederickson, clinical social worker. Northwest DC; 202-986-4575.

Stephen J. Holland, psychologist. Dupont Circle; 202-234-0903; cognitivetherapydc.com.

Ike Nnawuchi, psychiatrist. Northwest DC; 202-448-0190; chevychasepsychiatry.com.

Louis A. Ross, psychiatrist. Dupont Circle; 202-290-3115.

Roy Michael Stefanik, psychiatrist. Centreville; 703-830-1500; universitycounseling.org.

Generalized Anxiety Disorders

Vincent Greenwood, psychologist. Northwest DC; 202-244-0260; washingtoncenterforcognitivetherapy.com.

Stephen J. Holland, psychologist. Dupont Circle; 202-234-0903; cognitivetherapydc.com.

David Kupfer, psychologist. Falls Church; 703-821-8990; davidkupferphd.com.

Charles Mansueto, psychologist. Silver Spring; 301-593-4040; behaviortherapycenter.com.

Elisa E. Nebolsine, clinical social worker. McLean; 703-790-0035; cognitivetherapyforkids.com.

Ike Nnawuchi, psychiatrist. Northwest DC; 202-448-0190; chevychasepsychiatry.com.

Karen J. Osterle, clinical social worker. Downtown DC; 202-744-2922; karenosterle.com.

Jerilyn Ross, clincial social worker. Northwest DC; 202-363-1010; rosscenter.com.

Tara Thompson-Guldseth, psychologist. Dupont Circle; 202-234-0903; cognitivetherapydc.com.

Bernard J. Vittone, psychiatrist. Downtown DC; 202-363-3900; changeurworld.com.

Phobias

John Chamberlain, psychologist. Silver Spring; 202-319-4341. Treats social phobias only.

Brian Doyle, psychiatrist. Dupont Circle; 202-296-5877; adhdspotlight.com.

Stephen J. Holland, psychologist. Dupont Circle; 202-234-0903; cognitivetherapydc.com.

David Kupfer, psychologist. Falls Church; 703-821-8990; davidkupferphd.com.

Bernadette Landolf, psychologist. Reston; 703-860-2010; cbt4kids.com.

Charles Mansueto, psychologist. Silver Spring; 301-593-4040; behaviortherapycenter.com.

Jerilyn Ross, clinical social worker. Northwest DC; 202-363-1010; rosscenter.com.

Bernard J. Vittone, psychiatrist. Downtown DC; 202-363-3900; changeurworld.com.

Barry Wolfe, psychologist. Rockville; 301-424-3832; barrywolfe.com.

Bonnie Zucker, psychologist. Rockville, 301-593-6554; downtown DC, 202-363-7792; alvordbaker.com.