Michele Davidson, PhD
CNM, PMHNP-BC, PMH-C, CFN, RN
Michele is the founder of Chesapeake Bay Psychiatry, where she brings over 30 years of clinical experience to provide compassionate and comprehensive mental health care, with a special focus on women's and perinatal mental health. As a psychiatric mental health nurse practitioner and former certified nurse midwife, Michele’s unique background allows her to address both the physical and mental health needs of her patients, particularly during the life transitions of preconception, pregnancy, and postpartum.
General Psychiatric Care
Michele’s approach is grounded in collaborative, family-centered care. She believes in empowering her patients through personalized treatment plans developed in partnership with them. Her goal is to ensure that every patient feels heard, valued, and supported in their journey toward improved mental health and well-being.
She is prepared to help individuals struggling with multiple mental health issues, including anxiety, depression and mood disorders, obsessive-compulsive disorders, panic disorders, Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD), post-traumatic stress disorder, grief, bereavement, adjustment disorder, and other common mental health conditions.
Through a holistic approach that includes therapy, self-care skills, cognitive behavioral strategies, and medication management, Michele provides extensive resources to her patients to help them learn about their mental health and ways to support and nurture their mind and body.
Michele provides extra support to her patients by collaborating with other professionals on the patient’s care team to ensure the optimal state of health for her patients.
Academic Setting Challenges
As a university professor, Michele has helped hundreds of young adults with learning challenges and academic transition issues, including ADHD, thrive in an academic setting.
With an advanced certification as an ADHD-CCSP (Certified Clinical Services Provider), Michele combines behavioral strategies with medication management to help individuals with ADHD learn strategies to overcome distractibility, lack of focus, and hyperactivity.
Therapy
Michele offers various therapy services to meet her patients’ diverse needs. From short-term therapeutic techniques that include solution-focused therapy to Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing therapy (EMDR), Neuro-Linguistic Programming therapy (NLP), Therapeutic Hypnosis, Emotional Freedom Technique-Centered therapy, and CORE coaching options, Michele is truly able to provide a personalized treatment plan for the patient that helps ensure the best outcome.
Michele also offers the only intensive PMAD-Focused Coaching Program for women and families struggling with perinatal mood and anxiety disorders.
Women’s Mental Health and Perinatal/Postpartum Care
Michele understands firsthand the complex challenges women face throughout these critical stages of life. She specializes in the care of women experiencing infertility, miscarriage, perinatal mood disorders, and those recovering from postpartum psychosis. Her dedication to postpartum mental health is further demonstrated through her extensive research and publications on the subject, which have shaped clinical approaches and improved outcomes for women suffering from this condition.
In addition to her clinical practice, Dr. Davidson is an accomplished author, educator, and national speaker. She has authored more than 35 books and 60 peer-reviewed journal articles on topics related to women’s mental health, psychiatric care, and midwifery. As the Postpartum Psychosis Coordinator for Postpartum Support International, she has become a trusted voice in the field, advocating for improved care and support for families dealing with postpartum psychosis.
Whether helping new mothers through postpartum challenges, guiding individuals with anxiety and depression, or supporting families managing ADHD, Dr. Davidson is committed to providing expert care with compassion and understanding.
Michele’s
Background
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2018
Post-Master’s Certification, Family Psychiatric Mental Health Nurse Practitioner
George Mason University, Fairfax, VA1998
PhD in Nursing Administration with a focus in Health Care Administration/Health Care Policy.
Dissertation: Outcomes of nurse midwifery care in a high-risk population.
George Mason University, Fairfax, Virginia.1995
Master's of Nursing Degree in Nurse Midwifery.
Certified Nurse Midwife
Case Western Reserve University, Cleveland, Ohio.1993
Bachelor of Science in Nursing.
Registered Nurse
George Mason University, Fairfax, Virginia. -
4/2018-2019
Sentara College of Health Professions. Chesapeake, VACoordinator, Clinical Nurse Leader Program
Professor of Nursing
Responsible for course development of new MSN Program.Coordinate Clinical Nurse Leader Program.
2013-2015
George Mason University, Fairfax, VACoordinator, PhD in Nursing Program Certificate Program.
Responsible for the PhD Program and student advisement for doctoral students obtaining the PhD in Nursing Program.
Associate Professor in Nursing & Gender Studies
2006-2008
George Mason University, Fairfax, VACoordinator, Forensic Nursing Program
Developed coursework and obtained approval for post-certificate program in forensic nursing.
1999-2018
George Mason University, Fairfax, VirginiaAssociate Professor of Nursing and Women’s Studies in the undergraduate and graduate nursing program.
Developed an immersion community health program for senior nursing students on Smith Island, Maryland.
Developed the Post-Baccalaureate Certificate in Forensic Nursing.
Course development of multiple Blackboard (online) courses including advanced pathophysiology and second-degree program professional issues course.
Actively teach across the curriculum in undergraduate program, RN to BSN program, second degree program, and graduate nursing programs.
Associate Faculty Member in Women’s Studies.
Developed Women’s Health Issues (WMST 300/WMST 500) courses in the Women’s Studies Department.
Facilitate online environment teaching courses in both undergraduate and graduate program.
1999
Marymount University, Arlington, VirginiaAdjunct faculty in the obstetrical nursing and fundamental courses in the undergraduate nursing program.
1993-1994
Case Western Reserve University, Cleveland, OHInstructor/Bachelor of Nursing Program. Responsible for teaching medical-surgical nursing in the laboratory setting.
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2020 ADHD-CCSP (Certified Clinical Services Provider) Advanced Certification
2018 Perinatal Mental Health Certification (Advanced Practice Certification), Postpartum Support International
2018 Certification Psychiatric Mental Health Nurse Practitioner, American Nurses Credentialing Center
2013 Certification in Perinatal Mood Disorders, Postpartum Support International
2006 Sexual Assault Nurse Examiner Training Program, INOVA Forensic Training Program
2006 Certified Forensic Nurse Certification, American College of Forensic Examiners
2001 Certified Nurse Midwife First Assist Program, American College of Nurse Midwives, Silver Spring, MD
1995 Certified Nurse Midwife, American College of Nurse Midwives, Silver Spring, MD
1993 Lactation Consultant Training Program - Georgetown University, Washington, D.C.
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2018
Healing from Postpartum Psychosis: Women’s Experiences of the Recovery Process.2013-2018
Identification of symptomology for women with postpartum psychosis: A grounded study.
Link to published research paper2016
Latina Immigrants’ Cultural Beliefs and Barriers to Treatment for Postpartum Depression2014
Low-income African American mothers’ cultural beliefs about postpartum depression.2002
Incidence of Hypertension, Diabetes and Hypercholesterolemia on Smith Island.
College of Nursing and Health Science Intramural Research Grant. ($2200).2002
Implementing Story-telling as a Primary Teaching Method.2002
The lived experience of childbearing on Smith Island. College of Nursing and Health Science Intramural Research Grant ($2500)1999
Fitness & nutritional analysis of baccalaureate and health science students.
Co-researcher. College of Nursing and Health Science research Grant. ($2500)1998
Outcomes of nurse midwifery care in a high-risk population. Doctoral Dissertation.1998
Utilizing perinatal and infant mental health interventions for parents and infants to support infant mental health: A pilot program.1995
Comparison of intrauterine verses intracervical insemination success rates: Measuring pregnancy outcomes. Research assistant.1994
Assessing depression in pregnant adolescent teens. Research assistant. -
2019
Sentara College of Health Professions Professional Achievement Award2018
Evelyn Cohelan Leardership Award of Excellence2013
March of Dimes Nurse of the Year, Finalist2012
American Journal of Nursing Book Award for Psychiatric/Mental Health Category (A Nurse’s Guide to Women’s Mental Health).Rate My Professor Top 75 Nursing Professors in US
2008
Editors’ Choice Award, Booklist. (Encyclopedia of Cancer & Society).1996
March of Dimes Nurse Midwifery Award in recognition for outstanding nurse midwifery care to vulnerable populations & integration of perinatal mental health services into midwifery practice.
Michele in the Media
Postpartum Psychosis Explained
NBC News interviewed Dr. Michele Davidson to further understand the complexities of this debilitating and severe mental illness.
Understanding Postpartum Psychosis Tragedies
Dr. Michele Davidson shares her professional opinion with NBC News on infanticide as a result of postpartum psychosis.
Dealing with Mass Shootings in your Community
13News Now interview with Dr. Michele Davidson discussing strategies for coping with a mass shooting in your own community.
Understanding Postpartum Psychosis
Scripps News Interview with Dr. Michele Davidson.
Dr. Davidson is a leading expert on Postpartum Psychosis and gives her professional opinion on a tragic case involving Postpartum Psychosis.
Mom & Mind Podcast on
Postpartum Psychosis
Dr. Michele Davidson is interviewed by a fellow Postpartum Support International board member about Postpartum Psychosis.