You’re Functioning—But Not Flourishing
You don't have to keep pretending you're fine.
You deserve more than just getting by
Who We Help
At Sanctuary Women's Psychiatry, we specialize in helping women who look like they don’t need help—but quietly do.
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A physician, attorney, executive, or entrepreneur navigating constant pressure
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An ambitious woman who’s accomplished so much—but feels like she’s running on fumes.
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A community or religious leader, caregiver, or “strong one” who never feels like there’s space to fall apart
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Someone who’s done all the things—therapy, podcasts, books—and still feels like she's barely treading water
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We work best with women who are:
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Tired of just coping with their mental health, and are ready to gain the tools to optimize it so they can thrive
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Ready to understand the root of their struggle—not just manage the surface
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Open to thoughtful medication management when needed and using powerful, evidence-based therapy tools like CBT, mindfulness, etc
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Motivated to grow—and willing to actively participate in their recovery with the right support, structure, and plan
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If you’ve been silently suffering behind a successful exterior—this practice was made for you.
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Conditions We Treat
Specializing in the care of high-achieving women professionals and leaders
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High-functioning depression & anxiety
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Generalized anxiety & panic attacks
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Burnout & career-related stress
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Adult ADHD
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Obsessive-compulsive symptoms & perfectionism
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Major depression & dysthymia
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Trauma & PTSD (including medical or workplace trauma)
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Grief, loss & caregiving-related stress
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Insomnia & stress-related sleep issues
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PMDD & perimenopausal mood shifts
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Adjustment to life transitions (divorce, role changes, etc.)
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Mild to moderate bipolar spectrum conditions
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People-pleasing, overfunctioning & boundary issues
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Emotional suppression or chronic numbing
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Confidence, self-worth & identity concerns tied to race, culture, or gender roles
Our Mission
Sanctuary Psychiatry and Wellness was founded by psychiatrist Dr. Jeannie Lawrence, MD after witnessing a heartbreaking—and too common—pattern: highly accomplished women appear to have it all together, yet struggle with mental health conditions including depression and suicidal thoughts at rates far higher than the general population and their male peers.
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Research shows female physicians face up to a 76% higher suicide risk compared to the general population. (EW.com)
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Among PhD women and female attorneys, depression is alarmingly common—roughly 30% of PhD-holders and 37% of women in law report symptoms of depression.
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The current psychiatric diagnostic model often emphasizes visible dysfunction—but many high-functioning women mask severe suffering, making their pain unseen until it’s tragically too late.
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This invisibility strikes especially hard when it’s someone who seems unstoppable. Just look at these deeply saddening examples:
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Dr. Lorna Breen, an ER director during the COVID-19 crisis, whose death highlighted the hidden toll of physician burnout.
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Cheslie Kryst, former Miss USA and attorney, whose death was a shock that illuminated the weight of unseen struggle. (KFF Health News, ABC News, Wikipedia, The Economic Times, People.com)
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Kate Spade, beloved fashion designer, who died by suicide on June 5, 2018—her passing deeply disrupted the narrative of success being equated with inner peace. (Wikipedia)
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Anne Burrell, a vibrant Food Network star and beloved culinary mentor, whose death on June 17, 2025, was ruled as suicide by acute intoxication. (ABC News)
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These stories are not just headlines—they’re urgent reminders that high functioning does not equal invulnerability.
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After years of working with women professionals, particularly physicians battling burnout, Dr. Lawrence established Sanctuary Psychiatry to fill a critical blind spot in mental health care.
Our promise is simple, yet profound:
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Compassionate, discreet care that honors your dignity and your privacy.
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Deep understanding, recognizing that outward success can mask internal struggle.
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A path from silent suffering and mere survival to mental health that reflects how extraordinary you truly are.
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Imagine if you could…
Walk into a space that sees you fully—not just as a checklist of symptoms, but as a whole woman with a mind, body, and story that matter.
A place that feels calming, private, and thoughtfully designed for high-achieving women like you.
Where your concerns are taken seriously.
Where you're not rushed. Where the care is expert, strategic, and compassionate.
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Now imagine your days starting to feel… lighter.
You’re still doing big things—but without the constant background buzz of anxiety.
You’re clearer, calmer, and more present—with others and with yourself.
At Sanctuary Psychiatry, that’s exactly what we help you create.
Clinical outcomes our patients often experience include:
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Decreased anxiety and emotional reactivity
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Improved mood and renewed motivation
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Better sleep and more consistent energy
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Healthier relationships and stronger boundaries
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Enhanced focus, follow-through, and executive function
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A deepened sense of calm, confidence, and clarity​
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But this is about more than “feeling better.”
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This is about:
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Showing up as your full self—at work, at home, and in the quiet moments no one sees
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Functioning at your highest level without constantly running on empty
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Reclaiming your inner peace and knowing you’re supported, seen, and not alone
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If that’s what you’ve been looking for…
Why Sanctuary Psychiatry Is Different
Most mental health care treats symptoms or defaults to passive management.
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At Sanctuary Psychiatry, we believe:
Healing is possible. Change is possible. And you don’t have to stay stuck.
We combine thoughtful medication management, therapy tools, and coaching-style guidance to help you:
• Move from survival mode to full participation in your life
• Understand and shift the patterns keeping you stuck
• Take empowered action toward emotional well-being
• Make measurable progress—without relying on weekly therapy
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Here’s how we stand apart:
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Board-Certified, MD-Led Care
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You’ll be seen by a physician—not a mid-level provider—with specialized training in psychiatry and deep experience supporting professionals under pressure.
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Longer Appointments, Real Results
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Sessions are structured for depth, not speed—giving us the time to fully understand your concerns and create a meaningful plan for change.
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Evidence-Based Medication Management
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Medications are prescribed thoughtfully, only when needed, and always in partnership with you.
​ Cognitive Tools for Better Outcomes
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You’ll gain practical strategies based in CBT and TEAM-CBT to support thought shifts, emotional regulation, and sustainable change.
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Private-Pay Model for True Privacy
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No insurance companies. No diagnostic codes. Just confidential, stigma-free care that puts you first.
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100% Telehealth
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Receive expert, compassionate care from the privacy and convenience of your home or office—on your schedule.
Introducing Empowered to Thrive™
A transformational psychiatric membership for high-achieving women who are ready to feel like themselves again—calm, clear, capable, and emotionally strong.
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This isn’t traditional therapy.
And it’s not medication-only care either.
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Empowered to Thrive™ is a structured, high-touch process that brings together science, strategy, and soul—designed to help you:
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Understand why other treatments haven’t worked
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Get the right support—efficiently and compassionately
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Learn powerful mindset and emotional regulation tools
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Reclaim your peace, energy, and joy
Our Process:
The Empowered to Thrive™ Method
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Root & Reveal
Comprehensive Evaluation
(90 minutes)
We begin with a deep-dive assessment to uncover root causes—not just surface symptoms. We’ll clarify what’s been keeping you stuck, identify your goals, and co-create a personalized plan for your healing.
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Align & Activate
Tailored Treatment Plan
We craft a strategy that fits your life, not the other way around—this may include medication (prescribed thoughtfully), lifestyle shifts, mindset tools, and psychoeducation that align with your values and goals.
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Integrate & Elevate
Ongoing Monthly Sessions (up to 12/year)
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Through structured 50-minute visits, we fine-tune your care with evidence-based tools including:
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TEAM-CBT (a powerful cognitive framework)
Mindfulness & nervous system regulation
Thought & mood tracking
Coaching-style reflection and guided growth
Values-based behavior change
You’ll receive curated resources—books, exercises, apps—to support lasting change.
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Track & Transform
Progress Monitoring
We track not just symptom relief, but meaningful gains in your energy, mood, clarity, and confidence. You'll see your wins reflected in real data and daily life.
Our goal? Measurable, sustainable transformation. & Transform
KIND WORDS FROM OUR PATIENTS
What’s Included in Your Membership
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Comprehensive Initial Evaluation (90 minutes)
Personalized diagnosis, root cause review, and strategic treatment plan
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Monthly 1:1 Visits (up to 12/year)
For medication management, coaching-style support, and therapeutic tools
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Curated Bibliotherapy & Tools
Books, apps, and exercises matched to your goals—no more information overload
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Secure Messaging Access
Medication-related questions between visits, with future support team access included
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Progress Tracking
Tools to monitor mood, energy, and well-being—not just symptom scores
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This is whole-person care—designed for women who are ready to stop “just coping” and start thriving.
Meet Your Psychiatrist
Dr. Jeannie Lawrence, MD
Board-Certified Psychiatrist | Founder, Sanctuary Psychiatry
Telehealth in VA, NC & NY
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Dr. Jeannie Lawrence is a board-certified psychiatrist with over 15 years of clinical experience across university hospitals, ACT teams, emergency departments, community mental health centers, the VA system, and private practice. She has cared for patients from every walk of life—from the most underserved to leaders, executives, and physicians.
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Today, she specializes in the mental health of high-achieving women professionals who are silently suffering beneath a polished surface.
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Dr. Lawrence is a certified Cognitive Behavioral Therapist and trained TEAM-CBT provider, known for her ability to help clients create real, measurable transformation. She also brings a unique lens as a certified life and leadership coach, offering physician and executive coaching grounded in clinical expertise and personal empowerment.
She has authored multiple articles and spoken on national stages—including as faculty at Psych Congress 2022—educating both the public and fellow clinicians on how to identify and treat mood and anxiety disorders in high-functioning women. This overlooked, underestimated group is often missed by traditional mental health models, despite being at elevated risk for burnout, depression, and suicide—especially among women physicians, who are up to 130% more likely to die by suicide than their male counterparts.​​
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Frustrated by a mental health system that often overpathologizes, overmedicates, or simply overlooks women who “don’t look sick,” Dr. Lawrence created Sanctuary Psychiatry to offer something different.
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Her approach is:
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Rooted in science, expanded by empowerment
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Focused on full-person healing, not just symptom reduction
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Active and collaborative, never cold or passive
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Designed to help women feel better—and function better
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Clients consistently describe Dr. Lawrence as warm, empathic, intuitive, and deeply committed to their growth. She sees each woman not as broken, but as powerful, capable, and ready to reclaim her well-being.
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“Healing is possible. Change is possible. You just need the right approach—and someone who believes it with you.”
Are you ready to feel like yourself again?
Frequently Asked Questions
What if I’m not ready to commit to the membership and only want one-off appointments?
No problem. We offer fee-for-service visits outside the membership.
Please note: our Empowered to Thrive™ membership offers the most comprehensive support and the best value, including priority scheduling, messaging access, and bundled pricing.
Let’s discuss what makes the most sense for your goals during your free consult call.
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How is this different from coaching?
Coaching is focused on personal or professional development and does not include diagnosis, medication, or treatment of mental illness.
At Sanctuary Psychiatry, you receive medical care from a board-certified psychiatrist—with the option to include thoughtful medication management, evidence-based therapy tools (like TEAM-CBT), and measurable mental health tracking.
If you're also interested in personal growth and goal-setting, you'll benefit from Dr. Lawrence's expertise as a certified coach woven into the psychiatric care process.
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Do you take insurance?
We are an out-of-network, private-pay practice.
This means we do not bill insurance directly—but you may be eligible for partial reimbursement from your insurance provider depending on your out-of-network benefits.
We can provide a detailed superbill upon request to help facilitate this.
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Why don’t you take insurance?
We believe in providing unrushed, personalized, and high-quality care—free from the time limits, diagnostic restrictions, and one-size-fits-all treatment plans often required by insurance companies.
By remaining out-of-network, we’re able to offer care that prioritizes you, not just your paperwork.
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What states do you serve?
Dr. Lawrence currently offers telepsychiatry services in Virginia, North Carolina, and New York.
If you're located in one of these states, you're eligible to receive care from the comfort and privacy of your own space.
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Who is not a good fit for this practice?
Sanctuary Psychiatry is a great fit for high-functioning women who are ready for change and open to a collaborative, structured process.
However, this practice is not a good fit for individuals who:
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Are experiencing active psychosis or mania
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Are in crisis or need 24/7 emergency support
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Require court-ordered or forensic psychiatric services
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Prefer a quick-fix or passive treatment approach
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If you’re unsure, we’re happy to help you assess fit during your consult call—and refer you elsewhere if needed.