Depression Psychiatrists in Maryland

Abdulhafiz Ahmed, MD

Staff Psychiatrist

Languages

English, Arabic

Conditions treated:

Anxiety, Depression. Bipolar Disorder, OCD, PTSD/Trauma, ADHD

Education and training:

University of Maryland at College Park, BS

Georgetown School of Medicine, MD

University of Maryland Medical System at Baltimore (UMMS), Residency

and fellowship.

Dr. Abdulhafiz Ahmed is a board-certified adult psychiatrist with over 25 years of clinical experience across community hospitals, university teaching hospitals, the Veterans Administration (VA) medical system, and private practice. He has served as the inpatient medical director at MedStar Harbor Hospital in Baltimore and outpatient medical director at the University of Maryland Upper Chesapeake. Dr. Ahmed has extensive expertise diagnosing and treating a wide range of psychiatric conditions including depression, anxiety, bipolar disorder, adjustment disorders, phobias, thought disorders, trauma, and PTSD.

Dr. Ahmed approaches each patient with empathy, attentiveness, and respect, fostering an environment of safety and trust. He recognizes the importance of cultural diversity and is dedicated to understanding each person’s unique background, values, and life circumstances. His patient-centered philosophy ensures that individuals feel heard, validated, and actively involved in their care.

Dr. Ahmed combines evidence-based psychopharmacology with supportive psychotherapy to provide comprehensive and individualized treatment. He collaborates closely with patients to develop a plan that targets their specific symptoms and goals, focusing on improving functioning, resilience, and overall well-being. His approachable and compassionate demeanor helps patients feel comfortable and confident throughout their journey toward recovery.

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Dr. Alfers is a board-certified psychiatrist specializing in adult psychiatry. He has been practicing for over 11 years. He completed his undergraduate education at Virginia Tech, graduating Cum Laude with degrees in Biology and Chemistry. Following graduation, he attended a research internship at the National Institutes of Health where he received a Post-baccalaureate Intramural Research Training Award. Dr. Alfers completed his medical degree from the Western University of Health Sciences in Pomona, CA. He completed his General Psychiatry Residency at Georgetown University, where he served as Chief Resident. After residency, he entered private practice in McLean, VA. Dr. Alfers takes a comprehensive approach to patient care. He integrates biological, psychological, and environmental factors into treatment planning. He focuses on developing a meaningful therapeutic relationship and providing medication interventions for specific treatment goals. Dr. Alfers provides interpersonal psychotherapy in conjunction with medication management services. Dr. Alfers has a special interest in the treatment of multiple mental health conditions, including depression, anxiety, bipolar disorder, PTSD, ADHD, and OCD. Dr. Alfers treats adults ages 18 to 65 years old. For established patients of Dr. Alfers, please call 917-634-5311 to schedule an appointment and let the care coordinator know you are an established patient.

Background and credentials

Dr. Sinner is board-certified in Psychiatry. He completed his psychiatry residency training at Dartmouth-Hitchcock Medical Center. With over 14 years of experience, he has worked in a variety of settings, including five years in inpatient psychiatry in Vermont, where he served as Medical Director for a state hospital psychiatric unit and taught medical students. He then spent five years working in an outpatient community mental health center in Pennsylvania before transitioning to telepsychiatry, providing care to individuals in Pennsylvania, Florida, and New York.

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Treatment approach

Dr. Sinner employs a collaborative, patient-centered approach, tailoring treatment plans to meet each individual's specific needs. His practice integrates pharmacotherapy with cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT) and supportive therapy as needed. He specializes in treating a wide range of psychiatric conditions, including depression, bipolar disorder, anxiety, ADHD, neuropsychiatric disorders, developmental disorders, and personality disorders. His philosophy is to provide personalized care that makes a meaningful impact at different stages of a patient’s life.

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What you can expect in a first visit

During the first visit, patients can expect a comprehensive evaluation focused on understanding their mental health concerns, history, and treatment goals. Dr. Sinner takes a compassionate and collaborative approach, working closely with patients to create individualized treatment plans. He ensures that each patient receives a balanced and effective combination of medication management and therapeutic interventions suited to their unique needs.

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Why Talkiatry?

We’re a virtual mental health practice that makes it easy to find great care. We combine quality and convenience to help you thrive—faster. Our providers, like this one, are highly trained experts who specialize in medication management and collaborate with you on a treatment plan that fits your needs and comfort level.

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Dr. Aileen Kim approaches medication management with an emphasis on shared decision-making within safe, effective options, thorough counseling about what to expect in treatment, and giving attention to the concurrent use of non-medication modalities of treatment alongside optimizing medication. She is accustomed to working with people who have more than one diagnosis. She is skilled and experienced in de-prescribing (methodically streamlining the number of medications being taken) when needed. Patients can see Dr. Kim for medication management, therapy, or both. Dr. Kim is board certified in Adult Psychiatry. She graduated from the University of Illinois College of Medicine in Chicago in 2004. She was selected for the Health Professions Scholarship Program and completed her residency in 2008 at Naval Medical Center Portsmouth in Virginia, where she was chief resident. Following residency, she deployed to Kuwait as a medical officer. She has taught and supervised residents at Walter Reed National Military Medical Center. She left active duty in the Navy as a Lieutenant Commander. After becoming a civilian, she went into solo practice, then joined Potomac Behavioral Solutions in 2014, where she served as medical director. Dr. Kim is a past president of the Virginia Psychoanalytic Society. She also lectures advanced mental health professionals for Lingyu International Psychology Centre based in Toronto. For established patients of Dr. Aileen Kim, please call 833-351-8255 to schedule an appointment and let the patient care coordinator know you are an established patient from her prior practice.

Dr. Richard Mullin brings over a decade of experience in outpatient psychiatric care, with prior roles providing treatment to juveniles in detention and adults in jail and prison systems across West Virginia. He completed his medical degree at the Joan C. Edwards School of Medicine at Marshall University and trained in psychiatry and child and adolescent psychiatry at West Virginia University. Dr. Mullin emphasizes the importance of truly listening, so patients feel seen and heard.

Dr. Mullin works collaboratively with his patients to identify their main concerns and to build a treatment plan that feels right for them. He believes treatment should be a shared process in which the patient is empowered and supported in their mental health journey.

Taking a "less is more" approach to medication, Dr. Mullin focuses on minimizing prescriptions while still addressing all of a patient’s needs. His goal is to help patients eventually rely more on therapeutic skills than medication. He views treatment as a partnership—balancing his expertise in psychiatry with each patient's lived experience.

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Dr. Michelle Hornbaker-Park is a board-certified General and Child and Adolescent Psychiatrist with over nine years of experience. Her practice focuses on medication management, which is founded not only on evidence-based medicine but also on the understanding that a trusting therapeutic relationship is the cornerstone of behavioral health healing. She incorporates CBT, supportive therapy, and psychoeducation into her medication management appointments and may refer patients for additional psychotherapy to improve outcomes. Dr. Hornbaker-Park received her Bachelor of Science degree from Ursinus College, with a dual major in Biochemistry/Molecular Biology and Neuroscience. After receiving a Health Professions Scholarship from the Army, she obtained her medical degree from Jefferson Medical College. She went on to enter active duty military service and complete General Psychiatry residency training and Child and Adolescent Psychiatry fellowship training at Tripler Army Medical Center before completing active duty service as a staff psychiatrist and 101st Airborne Division psychiatrist at Fort Campbell, KY. There she cared for active duty service members and their families to manage depression, anxiety, trauma, and the unique stressors of military service. She later transitioned to federal civilian service and served as a preceptor for Phase II Physician Assistant trainees and Army Social Work interns, reinforcing a passion for education that carried her to Walter Reed National Military Medical Center (WRNMMC). During her time at WRNMMC, she served in several roles including Deputy Medical Director of Inpatient Psychiatry, core faculty for the National Capital Consortium Psychiatry Residency Program, Associate Program Director, and associate faculty at the Uniform Services University for Health Sciences (USUHS). Prior to transitioning out of federal service to join Talkiatry, she was repeatedly recognized for excellence in academics and mentorship and received multiple teaching awards. This zeal for education and mentorship, as well as humility, personal growth, and learning, translates directly into her philosophy for patient care. She believes a whole-person approach with open, collaborative teamwork is the key to progress.

Dr. Kothari's treatment approach begins with establishing a good therapeutic rapport with her patients and listening to her patients so that they feel heard. Dr. Kothari likes to spend time providing psychoeducation on medications when discussing the treatment plan. Dr. Kothari's practice focuses on medication management primarily, but may incorporate supportive psychotherapy during medication visits. Dr. Kothari may recommend additional psychotherapy if she feels a patient may benefit from this. Dr. Kothari's current practice does not include the use of any controlled substance medications, such as stimulants, benzodiazepines, and certain sleep aids.

Dr. Stansberry holds the position of staff psychiatrist at Talkiatry. He is board-certified in Adult Psychiatry by the American Board of Psychiatry and Neurology. Stansberry's practice focuses on medication management and also incorporates supportive therapy techniques, typically in 30-minute follow-up visits. In some cases, Dr. Stansberry may believe that additional therapy is also needed and ask that you bring a therapist into your care team. Dr. Stansberry received his medical degree from the Louisiana State University Health Sciences Center in New Orleans. He completed his residency training through the Louisiana State University/Ochsner Health Foundation Psychiatry Residency program. He has experience working in inpatient, emergency, and consult-liaison psychiatry but particularly enjoys the opportunity to work longitudinally with patients in the outpatient setting.**THIS PROVIDER CANNOT PRESCRIBE CONTROLLED SUBSTANCES FOR LOUISIANA PATIENTS**

Avi Adri is a board-certified psychiatric nurse practitioner with a passion for helping others achieve their goals through medication management and psychotherapy. He is trained in cognitive behavioral therapy, psychodynamic therapy, and supportive therapy. Avi has experience supporting individuals with depression, anxiety, OCD, bipolar disorder, PTSD, and ADHD. He is an LGBTQIA+ affirming provider who believes in empowering individuals in their lives.

He earned his Master of Science in Nursing with a specialty in psychiatry from Stony Brook University and a nursing practice degree from Chatham University. Avi is committed to providing evidence-based, compassionate treatment for mental health conditions to enhance quality of life. His previous experience includes two years at Columbia University Medical Center on an inpatient psychiatric unit and four years on the medical consultation-liaison psychiatric team, where he treated patients with a range of acute and chronic medical conditions while providing medication management and psychotherapy. His work at Columbia involved treating a wide spectrum of psychiatric conditions with the goal of achieving symptom remission.

Additionally, Avi has practiced at a private clinic in New York City, focusing on interventional techniques such as TMS and ketamine therapy, alongside medication management and psychotherapy.

Through mindful techniques and compassionate care, Avi is dedicated to the well-being of his clients. He views each person as more than a diagnosis and approaches care through a client-centered, holistic lens.

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Dr. Ramsey is board certified in general and child and adolescent psychiatry. His practice primarily focuses on medication management. He sees himself as a collaborator with therapists and counselors in caring for their shared patients and their families. He received his medical degree from the University of Tennessee Health Science Center in Memphis, TN. He completed his residency at West Virginia University Hospitals and WVU School of Medicine and a fellowship in child and adolescent psychiatry at the Yale Child Study Center, Yale University School of Medicine, and Yale-New Haven Hospital in New Haven and Middletown, CT. He completed his undergraduate studies at the University of Memphis. Dr. Ramsey remained in CT for two additional years, working in the Department of Children and Families, serving the state's at-risk youth and adolescents at a psychiatric residential treatment facility. He then returned to West Virginia University as clinical faculty in its School of Medicine. During the 12-year academic appointment, he had active roles in educating, training, and supervising medical students, general psychiatry residents, child and adolescent psychiatry fellows, and trainees from various disciplines. He worked for many years with adolescent males at both the Dually Diagnosed and Specialized Residential Treatment Centers within West Virginia University Healthcare. He provided outpatient and acute inpatient care, as well as hospital-based consultation services. Within the community, he provided medication evaluation and management services to residential treatment facilities and university student health. He has been seeing patients and collaborating with providers through telemedicine since 2016. While Dr. Ramsey specializes in working with patients with anxiety, he does not prescribe benzodiazepines.‍

Maegan Roberts, PMHNP, earned her MSN from Indiana University School of Nursing and her BSN from the University of Evansville. She worked as a Registered Nurse in inpatient psychiatry for five years before transitioning to outpatient care as a psychiatric nurse practitioner in 2017. Maegan has experience treating patients across the lifespan, from school-aged children to older adults. She is especially attuned to the challenges of young adulthood, parenting, and navigating complex family dynamics. Committed to lifelong learning, she values the insights and perspectives her patients bring to their care.

Maegan creates a therapeutic environment grounded in dignity, empathy, and respect. She empowers patients through education about diagnoses, symptoms, and medications while promoting autonomy and informed decision-making. Her approach blends psychopharmacology with supportive therapy, skill-building, and sustainable lifestyle strategies, helping patients build insight and resilience.

In the initial appointment, Maegan takes time to understand each patient’s history, concerns, and goals. From there, she collaborates with patients to create and adapt treatment plans that align with their evolving needs, always keeping the individual’s unique context and aspirations at the center of care.

Deora Johnson, PMHNP, is a board-certified adult psychiatric nurse practitioner with 24 years of experience. He is passionate about providing clients with a holistic approach to mental health care, incorporating both pharmacologic and non-pharmacologic interventions. Deora works with adult and senior populations, focusing on the assessment, diagnosis, and treatment of mental health conditions. He collaborates closely with clients to guide them through understanding and selecting the most effective interventions and medication management options for their needs. Supportive therapy, solution-focused therapy, and motivational interviewing are integral components of his medication management sessions.

Deora earned his Master of Science in Nursing from Vanderbilt University in Nashville, Tennessee, and completed a nursing practice degree at the University of Alabama in Birmingham. He has experience treating patients in a variety of outpatient and inpatient settings.

His areas of specialty include the treatment of major depressive disorder, anxiety disorders, bipolar disorder, ADHD, PTSD, and insomnia. His research focused on non-pharmacologic interventions for insomnia in individuals with depression.

Deora also has experience working with military veterans. At the VA Outpatient Clinic in Baltimore, Maryland, he treated veterans returning from Operation Iraqi Freedom and Operation Enduring Freedom, as well as those from the Vietnam and Korean War eras. His clinical work focused on PTSD, major depressive disorder, anxiety disorders, and bipolar disorder.

Deora believes the therapeutic relationship offers a unique opportunity to work collaboratively through life’s challenges. He views medication management as an important part of a comprehensive treatment plan that also includes therapy.

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Dr. Adela Stroescu is a board-certified psychiatrist with seven years of clinical experience treating adults in both outpatient and inpatient settings. She specializes in mood disorders, psychosis, anxiety, PTSD, and ADHD. Dr. Stroescu earned her medical degree from St. George’s University School of Medicine and completed her psychiatry residency at the University of Maryland/Sheppard Pratt. She speaks English and conversational Romanian.

Dr. Stroescu fosters a respectful, non-judgmental space where communication is clear, and care is recovery oriented. She prioritizes building a therapeutic relationship grounded in empathy and trust to support each patient’s unique path to wellness.

Dr. Stroescu begins with a comprehensive psychiatric evaluation to create a personalized treatment plan aligned with the patient’s goals. She uses evidence-based medication management and offers supportive psychotherapy and psychoeducation to empower patients throughout their treatment journey.

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Dr. Sumeet Singh is board-certified by the American Board of Psychiatry and Neurology in General Adult Psychiatry. He completed his psychiatry residency training at Howard University Hospital and Saint Elizabeth's Hospital in Washington, DC., where he was voted as Chief resident. He went on to serve as vice chair of the Department of Psychiatry at Adventist HealthCare in Maryland, where he worked in both an administrative and clinical role treating adults in inpatient settings. Additionally, he served as a Clinical Instructor of Psychiatry at Georgetown University School of Medicine, teaching medical students about the art of medicine. Dr. Singh received his undergraduate degree in Neuroscience from the University of Michigan and received his medical degree from Xavier University School of Medicine. Most recently, Dr. Singh worked for Life Stance Health, an outpatient telehealth company, where he treated patients between the ages of 18-65 years old with both medication management and therapeutic interventions. Dr. Singh has years of experience treating the following disorders/diagnoses: depression, anxiety and panic attacks, bipolar disorder, PTSD, ADHD, and OCD.‍

Dr. Sarah Ramos, MD, has experience practicing in a variety of outpatient settings, including community mental health and military care, serving active-duty service members, their families, and veterans. She earned her medical degree from Vanderbilt School of Medicine and completed psychiatry residency training at the University of California San Diego and Thomas Jefferson University in Philadelphia.

Dr. Ramos values open communication, privacy, and a collaborative approach with her patients. She creates a warm, supportive environment where individuals feel heard, respected, and empowered to participate in their care.

In initial sessions, Dr. Ramos thoroughly assesses patients’ history, concerns, and goals to ensure care is personalized and effective. She develops comprehensive treatment plans that align with each patient’s objectives, providing ongoing support to help them achieve meaningful outcomes.

Dr. Tony Tu is a board certified adult psychiatrist who emphasizes patient education and a psychodynamic approach to outpatient psychiatry. His passion for empowering patients with knowledge stems from his academic experience in psychiatry residency training. Dr. Tu's practice focuses on blending medication management together with psychotherapy. He also prioritizes collaboration with your therapist and encourages working together as a team. Dr. Tu is a graduate of the University of Chicago Pritzker School of Medicine where he completed an MD and PhD combined program which helped develop his "doctors as teachers” style of practice. Dr. Tu completed his psychiatry residency training at Loyola University Medical Center in Illinois. Dr. Tu served as an Associate Program Director of Loyola's Psychiatry residency training program for two years, and now maintains an Affiliate Assistant Professor of Psychiatry role with Loyola. He continues to contribute to residency training, as well as mentorship of medical students and psychology externs. Over the years, Dr. Tu has received several awards that demonstrate his affinity for teaching, including the Educator of the Year Award in 2022 from the Loyola Psychiatry Residency Program. Areas of specialization include psychopharmacology, patient-centered medicine, and combination treatment of psychiatry and psychotherapy. Dr. Tu understands that medications are not the end-all-be-all of treatment, but just the beginning. For trauma and acute stress, he understands that the journey starts at the tip of the iceberg, with much to explore as you feel more ready.