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Best Psychiatrists in Vestavia Hills, AL (2026)

51 psychiatrists ranked by RP ScoreUpdated 0 paid placements in this rankingHow we rank →

The short answer

  1. 1

    Best overall in Vestavia Hills: Dr. Eric Crowe, MD, RP Score 74/100; 4.7★ from 15 Google reviews.

  2. 22

    Most-reviewed: Thriveworks Counseling & Therapy Birmingham, 127 Google reviews at 4.8★, the most of 51 ranked; ranked #22.

Rankings can't be bought. Psychologists can't pay to change their rank or score. How we rank

51 Vestavia Hills psychiatrists are ranked here by RP Score, from eight published factors. 8 open Saturdays and 5 open Sundays, based on posted hours. The median Google rating is 3.9★ across 51 rated practices.

Most of this list also appears on the Psychiatrists in Birmingham ranking. See Psychiatrists in Birmingham

Top 10 psychiatrists in Vestavia Hills at a glance

Ranked by the RP Score from public listing data, not by treatment outcomes; Sponsored placements are shown separately and never change rank.

Top 10 psychiatrists in Vestavia Hills at a glance
RankBusinessRP ScoreGoogle ratingBased inBest for
1Dr. Eric Crowe, MD744.7★ (15)Vestavia HillsOverall
2Thad F Ryals, M.D.735.0★ (5)Vestavia Hills—
3Dr. Stephen F. Kowalski, MD725.0★ (4)Birmingham, 2 mi away—
4Rudolph Brandi MD723.9★ (7)Birmingham, 3 mi away—
5Donald Cornelius713.0★ (4)Homewood, 2 mi away—
6Paddock Cayce S MD715.0★ (3)Birmingham, 4 mi away—
7Lazenby Emily H MD713.9★ (10)Birmingham, 6 mi away—
8Dr. Paul G. Larussa, MD694.1★ (15)Pelham, 10 mi away—
9Birmingham Psychiatry and Behavioral Health684.8★ (20)Birmingham, 3 mi away—
10Dr. Karen E. Callahan, MD681.5★ (30)Birmingham, 1 mi away—

The 51 best psychiatrists in Vestavia Hills, ranked

Ordered by RP Score, a 0–100 score from eight published factors. Paid placement never changes the order.

Ranked by the RP Score from public listing data, not by treatment outcomes; Sponsored placements are shown separately and never change rank.

  1. Ranked #1 in Vestavia Hills

    #1 Dr. Eric Crowe, MD

    Based in Vestavia Hills

    74/100RP Score

    Ranked #1 because of specialty focus and its Google rating: listed on Google as “Psychiatrist”, 4.7★ from 15 Google reviews.

    Based on 6 of 8 factors; recency and availability not yet collected.

    • 4.7★ from 15 Google reviews
    Address
    3037 Massey Rd, Vestavia Hills, AL 35216
    View profile for Dr. Eric Crowe, MD(205) 874-9805

  2. #2 Thad F Ryals, M.D.

    Based in Vestavia Hills

    73/100RP Score

    Ranked #2 because of specialty focus and its Google rating: listed on Google as “Psychiatrist”, 5.0★ from 5 Google reviews.

    Based on 6 of 8 factors; recency and availability not yet collected.

    • 5.0★ from 5 Google reviews
    Address
    2016 Stonegate Trail #100, Vestavia Hills, AL 35242
    View profile for Thad F Ryals, M.D.(205) 901-8408

  4. #4 Rudolph Brandi MD

    Based in Birmingham, 3 mi away

    72/100RP Score

    Ranked #4 because of specialty focus and its Google rating: listed on Google as “Child psychiatrist”, 3.9★ from 7 Google reviews.

    Based on 6 of 8 factors; recency and availability not yet collected.

    • 3.9★ from 7 Google reviews
    Address
    201 Beacon Pkwy W #201, Birmingham, AL 35209
    View profile for Rudolph Brandi MD(205) 948-7129

  5. #5 Donald Cornelius

    Based in Homewood, 2 mi away

    71/100RP Score

    Ranked #5 because of specialty focus and its Google rating: listed on Google as “Psychiatrist”, 3.0★ from 4 Google reviews.

    Based on 6 of 8 factors; recency and availability not yet collected.

    • 3.0★ from 4 Google reviews
    Address
    1 Independence Plaza Ste 600, Homewood, AL 352092659
    View profile for Donald Cornelius(205) 255-3828

  6. #6 Paddock Cayce S MD

    Based in Birmingham, 4 mi away

    71/100RP Score

    Ranked #6 because of specialty focus and its Google rating: listed on Google as “Psychiatrist”, 5.0★ from 3 Google reviews.

    Based on 6 of 8 factors; recency and availability not yet collected.

    • 5.0★ from 3 Google reviews
    Address
    1713 6th Ave S, Birmingham, AL 35294
    View profile for Paddock Cayce S MD

  7. #7 Lazenby Emily H MD

    Based in Birmingham, 6 mi away

    71/100RP Score

    Ranked #7 because of specialty focus and its Google rating: listed on Google as “Psychiatrist”, 3.9★ from 10 Google reviews.

    Based on 6 of 8 factors; recency and availability not yet collected.

    • 3.9★ from 10 Google reviews
    Address
    300 Chase Park S, Birmingham, AL 35244
    View profile for Lazenby Emily H MD(205) 987-0724

  8. #8 Dr. Paul G. Larussa, MD

    Based in Pelham, 10 mi away

    69/100RP Score

    Ranked #8 because of specialty focus and its Google rating: listed on Google as “Psychiatrist”, 4.1★ from 15 Google reviews.

    Based on 6 of 8 factors; recency and availability not yet collected.

    • 4.1★ from 15 Google reviews
    Address
    333 Business Cir, Pelham, AL 35124
    View profile for Dr. Paul G. Larussa, MD

  10. #10 Dr. Karen E. Callahan, MD

    Based in Birmingham, 1 mi away

    68/100RP Score

    Ranked #10 because of specialty focus and its Google rating: listed on Google as “Child psychiatrist”, 1.5★ from 30 Google reviews.

    Based on 6 of 8 factors; recency and availability not yet collected.

    • 1.5★ from 30 Google reviews
    Address
    2200 Lakeshore Dr #150, Birmingham, AL 35209
    View profile for Dr. Karen E. Callahan, MD(205) 871-6926

  11. #11 Hurst Elton MD

    Based in Birmingham, 14 mi away

    68/100RP Score

    Ranked #11 because of specialty focus and its Google rating: listed on Google as “Psychiatrist”, 4.4★ from 14 Google reviews.

    Based on 6 of 8 factors; recency and availability not yet collected.

    • 4.4★ from 14 Google reviews
    Address
    3504 Vann Rd #100, Birmingham, AL 35235
    View profile for Hurst Elton MD(205) 655-0585

  16. #16 Waddell Stewart D MD

    Based in Mountain Brook, 2 mi away

    66/100RP Score

    Ranked #16 because of specialty focus and its Google rating: listed on Google as “Psychiatrist”, 4.8★ from 5 Google reviews.

    Based on 7 of 8 factors; recency not yet collected.

    • 4.8★ from 5 Google reviews
    Hours
    Mon 1 PM–5:30 PM · Tue 8:15 AM–5:30 PM · Wed closed · Thu 8:15 AM–5 PM · Fri–Sun closed
    Address
    6 Office Park Cir #202, Mountain Brook, AL 35223
    View profile for Waddell Stewart D MD(205) 870-8822

  17. #17 Echols Kyle MD

    Based in Mountain Brook, 4 mi away

    66/100RP Score

    Ranked #17 because of specialty focus and its Google rating: listed on Google as “Psychiatrist”, 4.2★ from 12 Google reviews.

    Based on 7 of 8 factors; recency not yet collected.

    • 4.2★ from 12 Google reviews
    Hours
    Mon–Thu 8 AM–4 PM · Fri–Sun closed
    Address
    3900 Montclair Rd #340, Mountain Brook, AL 35213
    View profile for Echols Kyle MD(205) 870-1575

  18. #18 RBPsychiatry

    Based in Birmingham, 3 mi away

    65/100RP Score

    Ranked #18 because of specialty focus and its Google rating: listed on Google as “Psychiatrist”, 3.4★ from 5 Google reviews.

    Based on 7 of 8 factors; recency not yet collected.

    • 3.4★ from 5 Google reviews
    Hours
    Mon–Fri 9 AM–4:30 PM · Sat–Sun closed
    Address
    201 Beacon Pkwy W #201, Birmingham, AL 35209
    View profile for RBPsychiatry(205) 948-7129

  19. #19 Gonzalo G. Gurmendi, MD

    Based in Birmingham, 2 mi away

    65/100RP Score

    Ranked #19 because of specialty focus and its Google rating: listed on Google as “Psychiatrist”, 3.3★ from 6 Google reviews.

    Based on 7 of 8 factors; recency not yet collected.

    • 3.3★ from 6 Google reviews
    Hours
    Mon 8:30 AM–5 PM · Tue 1:30 PM–5 PM · Wed–Thu 8:30 AM–5 PM · Fri 8:30 AM–12 PM · Sat–Sun closed
    Address
    1736 Oxmoor Rd #103, Birmingham, AL 35209
    View profile for Gonzalo G. Gurmendi, MD(205) 879-2120

  20. #20 Falola Psychiatry Practice

    Based in Trussville, 14 mi away

    65/100RP Score

    Ranked #20 because of specialty focus and its Google rating: listed on Google as “Psychiatrist”, 4.9★ from 44 Google reviews.

    Based on 7 of 8 factors; recency not yet collected.

    • 4.9★ from 44 Google reviews
    Hours
    Mon–Fri 9 AM–5 PM · Sat–Sun closed
    Address
    3516 Vann Rd suite 114 A, Trussville, AL 35173
    View profile for Falola Psychiatry Practice(659) 346-6314

  23. #23 Children First Psychiatry

    Based in Hoover, 6 mi away

    64/100RP Score

    Ranked #23 because of specialty focus and its Google rating: listed on Google as “Child psychiatrist”, 2.6★ from 8 Google reviews.

    Based on 7 of 8 factors; recency not yet collected.

    • 2.6★ from 8 Google reviews
    Hours
    Mon 8 AM–5 PM · Tue 8 AM–5:30 PM · Wed 8 AM–4:30 PM · Thu 8 AM–5 PM · Fri 8 AM–3 PM · Sat–Sun closed
    Address
    4000 Southlake Park #150, Hoover, AL 35244
    View profile for Children First Psychiatry(205) 988-4350

  24. #24 UAB Department of Psychiatry

    Based in Birmingham, 4 mi away

    63/100RP Score

    Ranked #24 because of specialty focus and its Google rating: listed on Google as “Psychiatrist”, 2.6★ from 41 Google reviews.

    Based on 7 of 8 factors; recency not yet collected.

    • 2.6★ from 41 Google reviews
    Hours
    Mon–Fri 8 AM–5 PM · Sat–Sun closed
    Address
    1720 7th Ave S, Birmingham, AL 35233
    View profile for UAB Department of Psychiatry(205) 934-7008

How we ranked Vestavia Hills psychiatrists

We scored 51 Vestavia Hills psychiatrists on eight factors, weighted as shown. A practice is ranked when its specialty is confirmed and it has 3 or more Google reviews or a claimed profile. A practice with no Google reviews scores zero on rating, review volume and recency. Other unknown factors are left out, not counted as zero. Scores last refreshed November 9, 2026.

Paid placement never changes a rank or score. Sponsored businesses are paid, labelled, limited to 3 and shown above the ranking, outside it.

Read the full method: formula, sources and exclusions

RP Score factors and weights
FactorWeightComputed fromIn Vestavia Hills data
Reputation25%Google star rating, adjusted for how many reviews back itMeasured
Review volume5%Number of Google reviews, compared with the most-reviewed practice on the listMeasured
Recency5%Share of Google reviews from the last 12 monthsNot yet collected
Availability10%Weekly open hours, Saturday, Sunday, and round-the-clock or same-day availabilityMeasured
Specialty focus25%How clearly the practice does this specialty (its Google category and name)Measured
Proximity15%Based in the city scores highest, less the farther away it isMeasured
Claimed profile10%The practice has claimed its Ranked Psychologists profile (free or paid earn the same)Measured
Partnered5%The practice links to Ranked Psychologists from its own website with our badge, checked periodicallyMeasured

How to choose a psychiatrist

  1. Check the license with the state or provincial board that issued it; most boards publish a free online lookup.
  2. Make sure psychiatry is a regular part of their work, and ask what approach they use and why.
  3. Ask whether the practice offers therapy as well as medication management, or medication visits only.
  4. Check whether you need a referral from your family doctor; in Canada a referral is usually required for publicly covered psychiatric care.
  5. Ask about fees, insurance and the cancellation policy before the first session. In the US, if you are uninsured or paying yourself, you can ask for a good faith estimate of expected charges.
  6. Check practical fit: in-person or online sessions, evening times, and how soon they have an opening.
  7. After a few sessions, ask yourself whether you feel heard. Changing to a different provider is common and fine.

Questions to ask a psychiatrist

  • Are you accepting new clients, and how soon could I start?
  • Which license do you hold, and in which state or province?
  • How much of your work is psychiatry?
  • Do you offer therapy sessions, or medication management only?
  • How soon is the first appointment, and how long are follow-up visits?
  • What do you charge per session, and do you take my insurance or provide a superbill?
  • Do you offer online sessions?
  • What is your cancellation policy?
  • What do you keep confidential, and when would you have to share information?

Terms explained

PhD / PsyD
Doctoral degrees in psychology. A PhD usually has a stronger research focus, a PsyD a stronger clinical focus; both can lead to a psychologist license.
Licensed psychologist
A person licensed by a state or provincial psychology board to practice psychology. The title is protected by law.
Psychological associate
In some states and provinces, a master’s-level practitioner licensed or registered by the psychology board, often with supervision requirements.
LPC / LMHC / LCPC
US licenses for professional or mental health counselors (the name differs by state). They provide counseling and therapy.
LCSW
Licensed clinical social worker: a master’s-level social worker licensed to provide therapy.
LMFT
Licensed marriage and family therapist: licensed to treat individuals, couples and families with a focus on relationships.
RP / RCC
Registered psychotherapist (Ontario) and registered clinical counsellor (British Columbia): Canadian titles for licensed therapy providers.
PSYPACT
An interstate agreement that lets psychologists licensed in a member state provide telepsychology to clients in other member states once they hold the required authorization.
Telehealth
Sessions held by secure video or phone instead of in person. The provider generally needs to be licensed where the client is located.
CBT
Cognitive behavioral therapy: a structured talk therapy that works on the links between thoughts, feelings and behavior.
DBT
Dialectical behavior therapy: a form of CBT that teaches skills for managing intense emotions and relationships.
ERP
Exposure and response prevention: a form of CBT used for OCD.

Psychiatrists in Vestavia Hills: frequently asked questions

Who is the best psychiatrist in Vestavia Hills?

By RP Score, the highest-ranked psychiatrist in Vestavia Hills, AL is Dr. Eric Crowe, MD with an RP Score of 74/100. It has 4.7★ from 15 Google reviews. Thad F Ryals, M.D. (#2) and Dr. Stephen F. Kowalski, MD (#3) follow. We ranked 51 psychiatrists on eight factors, last updated November 9, 2026.

How many psychiatrists are there in Vestavia Hills?

RankedPsychologists ranks 51 psychiatrists serving Vestavia Hills, AL. 3 of them are based in Vestavia Hills; the rest serve it from nearby towns. Counts are as of November 2026.

What should I do if I need help right now?

In crisis or thinking about suicide? Call or text 988 (US and Canada), any time. In an emergency, call 911. This site cannot help in an emergency.

Which psychiatrists in Vestavia Hills work on weekends?

8 of 51 ranked psychiatrists post Saturday hours and 5 post Sunday hours. The highest-ranked open Saturdays are Thriveworks Counseling & Therapy Birmingham (#22) and Longleaf Wellness Birmingham (#25). Posted hours are office hours; many practices also offer evening or online sessions by appointment.

What Google rating do Vestavia Hills psychiatrists have?

The median Google rating among 51 rated psychiatrists in Vestavia Hills is 3.9★, with a median of 14 reviews. Thriveworks Counseling & Therapy Birmingham has the most, 127 reviews, and ranks #22. We adjust ratings for review count, so a few five-star reviews cannot top the list.

How does RankedPsychologists rank psychiatrists?

Each psychiatrist gets a 0–100 RP Score from eight published factors, led by reputation (25%), specialty focus (25%), proximity (15%) and availability (10%). A practice with no Google reviews scores zero on rating, review volume and recency; other factors we cannot measure are left out. Only practices with a confirmed specialty and 3 or more reviews, or a claimed profile, are ranked.

Do psychiatrists outside Vestavia Hills count in this ranking?

Yes, if they are within 40 mi of the Vestavia Hills city center, our service radius for psychiatrists. Each listing shows where the practice is based and how far away it is. Proximity is 15% of the RP Score, so a nearby practice gets a small edge.

Can psychiatrists pay to rank higher on RankedPsychologists?

No. The RP Score never reads payment status, and this ranking has 0 paid placements. Up to 3 Featured practices may appear above the list, labelled Sponsored and showing their honest rank.

How are psychiatrists in Vestavia Hills ranked?

Each practice gets an RP Score from 0 to 100 from 8 published factors, including its Google rating, how clearly it focuses on psychiatry and how close it is. Sponsored placements are shown separately and never change rank. The score does not measure treatment outcomes.

What is the difference between a psychiatrist and a psychologist?

A psychiatrist is a medical doctor (MD or DO) who completed a residency in psychiatry and can prescribe medication. A psychologist usually holds a doctorate in psychology (PhD or PsyD), provides therapy and psychological testing, and in most places does not prescribe. Many people see both: a psychiatrist for medication and a psychologist or therapist for talk therapy.

Can I see a psychiatrist online?

Often, yes. Licensing generally follows where you are during the session, so the provider needs to be licensed or authorized there. In the US, psychologists in PSYPACT member states can offer telepsychology to clients in other member states; counselors and social workers have their own rules. In Canada, ask whether the provider is registered in your province.

What if I need help right now?

Do not wait for a consultation. Call or text 988 (US and Canada) if you are in crisis or thinking about suicide, at any time. In an emergency, call 911.

Update log for Vestavia Hills

  1. November 2026: RP Scores recalculated for 51 psychiatrists serving Vestavia Hills.

More psychiatrists and Vestavia Hills pages