Frequent relocations, deployments, reintegration stress, and the demands of service life can affect mental health in ways that are not always visible from the outside. I have a deep appreciation for the resilience of military families as well as the strain that comes with transitions, uncertainty, and separation. I am especially committed to supporting service members, veterans, and their loved ones as they navigate stress, trauma, identity shifts, and relationship challenges connected to military life. I take a holistic approach to care, combining medication management within a holistic plan of care to build thoughtful relationships with my patients.
Arlington, VA, Psychiatrist Nurse Practitioner Atina
My nursing background includes experience in emergency and forensic settings, where I worked closely with individuals and families facing trauma, crisis, and life-altering events. Supporting patients through moments of fear, grief, and uncertainty deepened my appreciation for the lasting impact of difficult experiences and reinforced the importance of compassionate, patient-centered care. This foundation continues to inform my trauma-informed approach to mental health treatment today.
I earned my Doctor of Nursing Practice from the University of Missouri–Kansas City and my Psychiatric Mental Health Nurse Practitioner certificate from Georgia College and State University. I also hold a Master’s and Bachelor’s degree in Nursing from the University of Saint Mary, a Bachelor’s degree in Business Management from Columbus State University, and a Master’s degree in Human Resources Management from Troy State University.
With this diverse background, I am committed to partnering with you to support your mental health and overall well-being.
I’m Michelle Krakar, a board-certified Psychiatric Mental Health Nurse Practitioner dedicated to providing holistic, trauma-informed, and evidence-based care to individuals across the lifespan. I treat a wide range of mental health conditions, including anxiety, depression, ADHD, insomnia, OCD, and PTSD. In conjunction with the patient, I will develop a plan of care that is tailored to each person’s treatment goals and individual needs. In addition to medication management, I incorporate consideration of non-medication treatments such as psychotherapy and Transcranial Magnetic Stimulation (TMS) when appropriate.