Bipolar Disorder Psychiatrists in Massachusetts

Dr. Tetyana Tarnavsky is a board-certified psychiatrist trained in Adult Psychiatry. She attended Dnipropetrovsk State Medical Academy in Ukraine where she received her M.D., M.S. and Ph.D. degrees in Psychiatry. Dr. Tarnavsky completed her residency at Harvard South Shore Psychiatry Residency Training Program in MA, where she was elected chief resident. Dr. Tarnavsky has an extensive research experience in Ukraine and the USA. She had studied computer addiction for her dissertation; had multiple abstracts and presentations; published several articles in peer-reviewed psychiatric journals as well as a book entitled Computer Addiction: Formation, Diagnosis, Correction and Prophylaxis. She has helped organize international conferences with the goal of improving access to and quality of healthcare in Dnipropetrovsk, Ukraine, and providing a national model for health care reform. Dr. Tarnavsky has worked with a variety of patients with diverse backgrounds in a Community Health Center and in the Partial Hospitalization Program as well as supervised medical students, psychiatry residents, and nurse practitioners. She has been a lecturer on psychiatry at Harvard Medical School and was involved in the training of psychiatry residents in the Harvard South Shore Psychiatry Training Program. Her primary focus has been on treating adults with depression, anxiety, post traumatic stress disorder, adjustment disorder, ADHD and other disorders. Dr. Tarnavsky strives to provide quality and compassionate treatment to individuals and their families.‍

Background and credentials

Dr. Kristina Schnitzer is a board-certified psychiatrist. She earned her medical degree from the New York University School of Medicine and completed her residency in Adult Psychiatry at the Massachusetts General Hospital/McLean Adult Psychiatry Residency Program. She further specialized by completing a one-year clinical and research fellowship in Public and Community Psychiatry through Massachusetts General Hospital and the Massachusetts Department of Mental Health. In addition to her medical training, she holds a Master of Public Health (MPH) from the Harvard T.H. Chan School of Public Health. She has over three years of experience practicing psychiatry across inpatient, emergency, and outpatient settings.

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Treatment approach

Dr. Schnitzer focuses on medication management as the foundation of her treatment approach, typically combining it with supportive or emotionally focused therapy during 30-minute follow-up visits. She takes a collaborative and individualized approach to patient care and, when needed, may recommend additional therapy by integrating a therapist into the care team to ensure the best possible outcomes. She has experience treating a broad range of psychiatric disorders in various clinical settings.

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What you can expect in a first visit

Patients can expect a thorough and structured evaluation in their first visit, where Dr. Schnitzer carefully assesses their symptoms, medical history, and treatment goals. She emphasizes open communication and collaboration, ensuring that patients are fully involved in shaping their treatment plans. Follow-up visits typically last 30 minutes, during which she monitors progress, adjusts treatment as needed, and may recommend additional therapeutic support for comprehensive care.

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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. Alexandra Hamlyn is a board-certified adult psychiatrist and board-certified child and adolescent psychiatrist. She completed her medical education at Cooper Medical School of Rowan University and then completed her residency in adult psychiatry at Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai Beth Israel. She then went on to complete her child and adolescent psychiatry fellowship at NYU Langone and Bellevue Hospital. During this time, she also taught a course titled Love Actually at NYU School of Arts and Science. During training, Dr. Hamlyn gained extensive clinical experience in psychiatric inpatient, outpatient, and emergency settings, allowing her the opportunity to treat patients of all ages and backgrounds in numerous busy hospitals in New York City. Dr. Hamlyn's primary focus is on medication management, though she also has experience working in four different outpatient clinics where she has gained expertise in multiple different therapy modalities. If appropriate, Dr. Hamlyn will refer you for psychotherapy and collaborate with your therapist to support your care. She appreciates the importance of fostering a meaningful therapeutic relationship, and her goal is to make every patient feel welcomed in a non-judgmental treatment environment. She also takes a holistic approach as she understands that good health creates a sense of overall well-being and improved mental health. She strongly emphasizes the importance of mindfulness, self-compassion, exercise, nutrition, and interpersonal relationships throughout treatment. She looks forward to meeting and working with you.

Dr. Delima-Tokarz is double Board Certified in Psychiatry and Lifestyle medicine. She completed her psychiatry residency training at the University of Maryland/Sheppard Pratt, where she served as the chief resident. She has practiced in various settings over her career, including working for the Department of Defense, private practice, and community mental health. Dr. Delima-Tokarz is fluent in Portuguese, English, and Spanish. Dr. Delima-Tokarz has more than five years of experience treating patients with anxiety, depression, PTSD, Bipolar, OCD, ADHD, and other mental health issues. She employs pharmacotherapy along with supportive therapy and integrative approaches. Dr. Delima-Tokarz is currently working on completing her Ph.D. in Integrative Medicine and is passionate about a holistic and integrative approach to mental health. Her philosophy includes a healing-oriented approach that considers the whole person, including all lifestyle aspects. Dr. Delima-Tokarz aims to provide collaborative and comprehensive care, which may include medication management, lifestyle interventions, stress reduction techniques, and other integrative approaches. She believes building a strong therapeutic relationship where the patient feels empowered is the key to healing.‍

Melissa Sims, MSN, APRN, PMHNP-BC, is a board-certified psychiatric mental health nurse practitioner who is passionate about delivering high-quality, compassionate, and comprehensive mental health care. She earned her Master of Science in Nursing from the University of Alabama at Birmingham in 2022 and has since worked in both community mental health and correctional settings.

Melissa takes a collaborative approach to care, working closely with other mental health professionals, medical providers, families, and relevant support systems to ensure well-rounded treatment. She emphasizes a patient-centered, individualized approach, combining medication management with psychotherapy to meet each person’s unique needs.

Patients working with Melissa can expect a thorough evaluation, accurate diagnosis, and a personalized treatment plan tailored to their mental health goals. One of her core priorities is to empower individuals to make informed decisions about their care by providing education grounded in research, evidence-based practices, and clinical experience.

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Dr. Kevin DiCesare is a board-certified psychiatrist, treating adults. He received his undergraduate degree at Harvard University, his medical degree at the University of Massachusetts Medical School, and then went on to train at Maine Medical Center for his psychiatric residency. He has 22 years of expertise in diagnosing and treating psychiatric conditions, including depression, anxiety, Bipolar spectrum disorders, adjustment problems, ADHD and other disorders. He is well versed in psychopharmacological interventions, but is a proponent of patients also being active in psychotherapy whenever appropriate. He prides himself in collaboratively arriving at treatment decisions with his patients, and taking the time to listen to their concerns and answer their questions.

Dr. DiCesare has worked in various settings, including community mental health centers and large hospital systems, with experience in inpatient, outpatient, and consultative roles. Prior to joining Talkiatry, he most recently served as an attending psychiatrist on the staff of Southern New Hampshire Health System, where he provided consultative care to referrals made from primary care providers and various specialists.

Dr. Jon-Kar Zubieta is a board-certified psychiatrist and nuclear medicine physician whose work bridges neuroscience and clinical care. He focuses on understanding how the brain regulates motivation and stress, applying this knowledge to mood disorders, pain, and substance use. With extensive experience in functional imaging, Dr. Zubieta explores how neurobiological mechanisms shape emotional and physical well-being.

Dr. Zubieta takes a collaborative and evidence-based approach to care. He values patient perspectives and prioritizes creating a supportive environment where patients feel heard. His goal is to tailor treatment plans that address both the psychological and biological aspects of mental health conditions.

Dr. Zubieta begins with a thorough assessment of each patient’s history, symptoms, and goals. He integrates clinical evaluation with insights from neuroscience and imaging research when relevant. Together with patients, he develops a personalized treatment plan that may include therapy, medication, or combined approaches, continually adjusting strategies to optimize outcomes.

Kenneth Kavanagh is board certified as both a Psychiatric/Mental Health Nurse Practitioner and an Adult Nurse Practitioner.  His career has spanned 30 years with the last 17 years devoted exclusively to psychiatry.  He integrates his knowledge of psychiatry and primary care into evidence-based medication management strategies.  He also possesses a good working knowledge of alternative treatments and integrating alternative treatments into more traditional approaches.  When needed to enhance patient care outcomes, he frequently works collaboratively with psychotherapists, primary care providers, and/or medical specialists.  

Kenneth currently focuses on managing depressive disorders, anxiety disorders, adjustment disorders, ADHD, somatic disorders, OCD, and bipolar disorders.  Kenneth has significant experience in working with diverse groups, including urban and rural populations across socioeconomic spectrums, professionals and college students on all levels, members of the LGBTQ community, individuals confronting life stage transitions, and people living with chronic medical conditions.  

Kenneth’s psychotherapeutic methods are diverse and evolve to meet collaboratively developed treatment goals.  Kenneth’s interaction style is always empathic and respectful but can range from comforting and supportive to more directive and therapeutically confrontational strategies to maximize treatment goals, often with significant doses of humor throughout the therapeutic relationship.

Dr. Tara Thompson-Felix is a board-certified child, adolescent and adult psychiatrist. Dr. Thompson-Felix has specialized training in perinatal mental health and believes that improving outcomes during pregnancy and the postpartum period has a long-lasting impact on outcomes for a mother and child. She also specializes in treating a wide array of psychiatric conditions affecting children, adolescents, and young adults. Dr. Thompson-Felix's journey into medicine started in her undergraduate studies at Rutgers University. She earned her medical degree at Rutgers, Robert Wood Johnson Medical School and trained in adult psychiatry at Temple University Medical School. She completed her child and adolescent psychiatry fellowship at Yale School of Medicine. In addition to her clinical work, Dr. Thompson-Felix has extensive research experience in using neuroscience to understand the impact of maternal mental health on child development. She has authored several publications, presents her work nationally/internationally, and received numerous awards for her clinical work, research, and passion for teaching. Dr. Thompson-Felix believes that trust, communication, and respect between a patient and their physician is the foundation of effective treatment. Her style is welcoming, nonjudgmental, and collaborative. She evaluates mental health based on biological, psychological, and cultural aspects. She uses evidence-based treatments to manage psychiatric symptoms and promote optimal health.

Dr. Michael Bartolac is a board-certified psychiatrist with experience in both outpatient and inpatient psychiatric care. He has treated a wide range of psychiatric conditions including affective, psychotic, anxiety, trauma-related, substance use, neurodevelopmental, personality, and neurocognitive disorders. His clinical experience includes hybrid remote outpatient work, inpatient psychiatry on locked units, consultation for medically hospitalized patients, and performing electroconvulsive therapy (ECT). He earned his medical degree from Lake Erie College of Osteopathic Medicine and completed psychiatry residency at West Virginia University/Charleston Area Medical Center.

Dr. Bartolac values creating a space where patients feel comfortable voicing their concerns. His treatment style is rooted in open communication and trust. He primarily focuses on medication management and supportive therapy, while incorporating psychodynamic and cognitive behavioral techniques during 30-minute follow-up visits.

Dr. Bartolac is committed to providing competent and compassionate care. He takes a collaborative approach, working closely with patients and their healthcare team to ensure all aspects of care are aligned with the patient’s needs and goals.

Dr. John Weller, MD, is a psychiatrist with a strong foundation in science and clinical care. He earned his undergraduate degree in molecular genetics from the University of Vermont and conducted neuroscience research in both academic and industry settings. A graduate of St. George’s University School of Medicine, he completed his psychiatry residency at Mather Hospital, Northwell Health, where he was honored as Resident of the Year in 2025 and inducted into the Alpha Omega Alpha Honor Medical Society.

Dr. Weller is committed to providing compassionate, evidence-based care that considers the full spectrum of biological, psychological, and social factors. He builds therapeutic relationships on empathy, respect, and trust. By tailoring treatment plans to each patient’s personal and cultural context, he helps individuals take control of their mental health and work toward long-term recovery and resilience.

In the first session, Dr. Weller takes time to listen carefully and gather a thorough understanding of each patient's concerns, history, and current functioning. He uses empathy and active listening to foster open communication and develop personalized treatment plans that may include therapy, medication, or lifestyle changes, with the goal of restoring wellness and stability.

Zakiyyah Weatherspoon is a dual-certified Family Nurse Practitioner and Psychiatric Mental Health Nurse Practitioner with over a decade of experience. Since 2011, she has worked in family medicine, and since 2013, she has focused on mental health care across the lifespan. Her background includes treating children, teens and adults in hospitals, private practices, and community settings.

Since 2017, Weatherspoon specialized in helping individuals manage depression, anxiety, bipolar disorder, OCD, PTSD, ADHD, ODD, eating disorders, and substance use. She uses supportive therapy, solution-focused therapy, and cognitive behavioral therapy to help clients feel heard, understood, and empowered.

Weatherspoon is passionate about breaking the stigma around mental health. She encourages her clients to speak up, get help, and take control of their mental wellness. Her approach is based on the Mental Health Recovery Model, which focuses on hope, healing, and building a life beyond diagnosis.

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Dr. Jeffrey Seley is board certified in adult psychiatry. He has been in practice for over 21 years. Dr. Seley's practice focuses on medication management in conjunction with supportive therapy and psychoeducation in 20-30 minute follow-up visits. At times, Dr. Seley may recommend additional therapy and ask that you bring another therapist into your care team to provide the best outcome. Dr. Seley graduated from Cornell University with a B.A. degree in psychology. He received his medical degree from the University of South Florida and completed his residency at New York University and its affiliated hospitals, including Tisch and Lenox Hill, where he served as chief resident. He has worked for over twenty years in private practice and at a large community hospital in Pennsylvania. His extensive hospital experience kept him sharply focused on the connection between medical issues and mental health presentations. Dr. Seley brings to his patients over twenty years of experience in general adult psychiatry treating a wide variety of conditions including depression, anxiety, bipolar disorder, ADHD, addiction, and geriatric issues. His treatment philosophy stresses the importance of being responsive, compassionate, and kind. He sees his work as the enhancement of hope.

Michael Huang is a psychiatric mental health nurse practitioner who takes a holistic, collaborative, and non-judgmental approach to mental health care. He graduated from Boston College with his MSN after many years of working in inpatient psychiatry at McLean Hospital in Belmont, MA, and has over a decade of experience in mental health care. He has worked in various outpatient settings, first in Boston and more recently in Las Vegas, gaining extensive experience with individuals from diverse socio-economic and cultural backgrounds.

Michael strongly believes that each person’s struggle is unique, and the solutions and treatments should be individualized based on the person’s goals. Having experienced childhood trauma himself, he is particularly passionate about and experienced in treating C-PTSD, OCD, ADHD, and borderline personality disorder. His focus is on helping others find peace, whether momentary or lasting, in their chaotic and often overwhelming lives.

The first appointment with Michael includes a comprehensive psychiatric evaluation and a discussion about your goals for treatment. While pharmacological treatment may be part of the plan, Michael prefers to focus on the therapeutic aspect of care, as he believes therapy is an essential component of healing. With Michael, you can expect to collaboratively create a treatment plan that you feel comfortable with, rather than simply being told what to do.

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Alana Ward is a board certified psychiatric mental health nurse practitioner (PMHNP). Alan has been practicing since 2018 and has experience with individuals of all ages. Prior to becoming a PMHNP, Alana worked as a registered nurse in critical care and psychiatry. As a PMHNP, she has experience working on inpatient adult and geriatric psychiatric units, as well as providing psychiatric evaluations and consultations to individuals on medical units and emergency rooms at hospitals. Alana is very experienced working in outpatient settings managing various psychiatric diagnoses. She has also helped manage individuals in long term care facilities and assisted living facilities. When Alana is not providing direct patient care, she will on occasion help with instructing future nurses at Kent State University. Alana graduated with her Master's of Science in Nursing from Kent State University, and is board certified as a Psychiatric Mental Health Nurse Practitioner through the American Nurse Credentialing Center. Alana enjoys treating a variety of mental health diagnoses including depression, anxiety, obsessive compulsive disorder, mood disorders such as bipolar disorder, and various psychotic disorders. She believes in client-centered care, where clients get a say in their treatment in order to help make them feel their best. Alana truly believes that therapy is a crucial part of successfully treating any mental health diagnosis, in combination with medication management when warranted. Alana likes to add mindfulness and cognitive behavioral therapy techniques to her medication management appointments to help individuals receive effective, quality care.

Dr. Kimberly Ford completed her psychiatry residency training at Harvard University in Boston, Massachusetts. She has enjoyed treating patients for over 25 years in a variety of settings such as inpatient, outpatient mental health clinics, emergency room, and multidisciplinary clinics. She is talented in her ability to connect, understand, and empathize with her patients.‍She has expertise in treating patients with mood disorders, anxiety, PTSD, and incorporates psychopharmacology when needed, psychodynamic and supportive psychotherapy. She wholeheartedly believes that treating her patients holistically is of high importance, with a focus on their physical, emotional, mental, and spiritual well-being.