Laura F. Dabney, MD

05/17/2026

Today I had the honor of hooding my son at Eastern Virginia Medical School, the same institution where I completed both medical school and residency training.

What moved me most wasn’t just the ceremony itself, but hearing the speaker emphasize something EVMS truly lived by during my years there: not losing sight of what matters most, including family.

This school gave me room to become both a physician and a mother at the same time. They worked with me through pregnancies, training, exhaustion, and all the chaos that comes with trying to build both a career and a family.

I know many women are still quietly taught that they will eventually have to choose.

I’m grateful I was shown another possibility.

And yes… I couldn’t resist celebrating him a little when his name was called. ❤️

04/30/2026

If you have been here for a while, thank you. Genuinely.

I have been building something new over at Relationship RX, and I want you to come with me. More depth, more consistency, and real focus on the patterns that shape every relationship

It is where I am showing up every week. Follow me there:

03/22/2024

🎉 WE'RE HIRING! 🎉

Laura F. Dabney, MD, PC is looking for an associate therapist for our Virginia Beach location!

Please read on for more info and feel free to share:

🔸 We are a 20+ year, thriving Virginia Beach private boutique practice. We pride ourselves on implementing a unique model of treatment designed to speed up and maximize our client's results, while ultimately aiming to get them to the root of their problems so that they can be resolved for good. We love seeing the results of this in our client's satisfaction and progress.

🔸 We are expecting this position to be 30 hours/week, in-person. Flexible schedule and telehealth options. Split-fee compensation above the area norm.

🔸 Our ideal candidate is dynamically trained, possesses a doctorate, enjoys performing mental health assessments and providing ongoing therapy to highly motivated couples and individuals, and values teamwork, collaboration, and communication. The position comes with a fully furnished, modern office with a waiting area, administrative staff, and computer. NO hospital work, insurance paperwork, or phone calls. We believe our providers should be able to focus solely on their patients.

If you, or anyone you know, are interested then please email us a resume directly at: [email protected]

✨ Alternatively, text or call us at (757) 340-8800 - Ask for Sheena!

Looking to overcome relationship and life problems? Come visit Dr. Dabney's private psychiatry practice in Virginia Beach for Couples Therapy.

05/30/2023

I am honored to have been named by Kev's Best as 1 of the 5 best psychiatrists in Virginia Beach, Virginia!

Not only is it an honor to have been named, but it is also and impressive feat considering the extensive rating points list they use to assess practitioners.

Virginia Beach's top rated Psychiatrists. List of the best Psychiatrists in Virginia Beach: Potter Henderson MD, Dr. Leonard M. Dileo, MD.

03/29/2023

Not all relationship struggles have to be immediate "deal-breakers." In fact, many of the difficulties that people have to navigate are quite common. Even though dealing with these difficulties might not seem possible or "worth it," I encourage you to reframe how you think about relationship difficulties because your mindset is what determines the fate of it.

In this video I discuss 3 signs that people often take as signs they need to break up but that are actually signs that your relationship could use a little counseling!

Difficulty expressing emotions, not being on the "same page," and lingering feelings are all quite common issues couples experience and can learn to navigate successfully. Counselors and therapists are well-versed in addressing these problems and offering strategies that can take your relationship from heading towards a breakup to moving to a breakthrough!

03/17/2023

Breakups aren't fun and sometimes they aren't easy. But the way that you plan to break up with a partner can have a large impact upon the anxiety and stress of a breakup (although it certainly won't make the breaking up any less fun).

Since spring is the season when couples most commonly break up, I wanted to offer 6 quick tips that can help make a breakup as easy as possible.

1. Reconsider breaking up in person. Although it's still bad form to break up via text, there are ways you can break up with someone at a distance.

2. Be clear about why you are breaking up. Clarity offers insight to your ex but can also be a source of strength for you.

3. Don't forget if you have shared obligations. Knowing how you will "split" any responsibilities you share and communicating that plan will make removing yourself from the relationship easier.

4. Maintain healthy boundaries.

5. Be empathetic. Acknowledging the breakup is hard grants a space for difficult feelings.

6. Avoid mixed messages. Make a clean break. Causing confusion here will likewise lead to uncertain feelings about whether things are "ended" or caught in some other in-between.

Above all, be kind to both your (soon-to-be) ex and yourself. Breaking up isn't easy and doesn't mean that what you shared is any less true. But "breaking up" with the thought that breakups are always hard can be a useful lesson!

03/16/2023

I am honored to feature in Brett Nicole Hayden's article "Who Should Be Your Number One Priority—Your Partner or Kids? An Expert Weighs In" for The Everymom!

In this article I offer my insights about who should be "the" priority in family relationships. The answer might surprise you!

expert advice to help parents prioritize the relationships that matter most

02/14/2023

Talk and perceptions of Valentine's Day tend to focus largely on the love that is shown to us by other people. Today and for the rest of the year I challenge you to think of Valentine's Day as a day to celebrate the love you have for yourself. And in that challenge is also a wish that you will remember to fall in love with yourself again each and every day!

May your days be full of love, laughter, and light! Happy Valentine's Day!

01/10/2023

Excited to discover that TwistedSifter has drawn from my expertise for their article "Parents Who Do These 5 Things Produce Hardworking Children"!

Check out the tips they give to parents on how to foster the healthy emotional development of children!

“Never say these four words: Because I said so.”

12/23/2022

Wishing you and yours the happiest of holidays! Stay safe and stay warm!