Anxiety Psychiatrists in North Carolina

I am dedicated to promoting mental health awareness and family and patient psychoeducation. I emphasize a joint decision-making approach to treatment options and utilize local resources to provide wrap-around support. My areas of interest focus on neurodevelopmental disorders such as ADHD, Autism, and Intellectual Delay.

I earned my M.D. from St. George's University School of Medicine and hold a Bachelor of Science in Child Development from Appalachian State University, where I graduated summa cum laude. My passion for working with children and families developed during my involvement in a pre-K Head Start Program in Rural North Carolina. I completed my General Psychiatry Residency and Child & Adolescent Psychiatry Fellowship at Jerry M. Wallace School of Osteopathic Medicine at Campbell University. I obtained ABPN Board Certification in General Psychiatry in 2023 and am working towards Board Certification in Child & Adolescent Psychiatry. I have received honors and awards for my contributions to psychiatry, including the Laughlin Fellowship through The American College of Psychiatrists and Resident of the Year at Cape Fear Valley Health System in 2022. I am affiliated with professional organizations including AACAP and APA.

My extensive education, accolades, research contributions, professional affiliations, and community involvement reflect my commitment to making a positive impact in my patients' lives and the broader community.

I am a board-certified psychiatrist dedicated to the bio-psycho-sociocultural model. This has been reflected in my pursuit of treating patients suffering from diverse medical and psychiatric conditions, respective psychological mindedness, and varied socio-economic and cultural backgrounds. I am fascinated by the human mind, its mechanisms to pursue goals, and the cyclical patterns seen in maladaptation and suffering. I believe in understanding patients' experiences and developing comprehensive treatment plans towards reconciliation. I honor active listening, analytic understanding, supportive psychotherapy techniques, and evidence-based and methodological treatment for patient care and actualization. My goal is to assist patients in navigating short- and long-term goals as well as improved quality of life. I focus on medication management, offered in conjunction with supportive therapy, in 1-hour initial and 30-minute follow-up visits. I believe that appropriate patients can benefit from additional exploratory and self-actualizing therapy from other valued and specialized therapists to support targeted goals, and I will not hesitate to recommend and promote consultations with therapists for such patients who are ready to pursue. Ultimately, I seek to understand, validate, and treat patients in a collaborative therapeutic alliance.

I completed my medical education at the East Carolina Brody School of Medicine as a Brody Scholar, and subsequently completed psychiatry residency at Jackson Health System/University of Miami. I have had the opportunity to work with a diverse array of patients including high-functioning patients, veterans, trafficking victims, the severely mentally ill of low socio-economic status, and cancer patients across three distinct hospital systems via telemedicine and face-to-face interactions. My experience includes working with patients suffering from post-traumatic stress disorder, adjustment disorder, mood disorders, generalized anxiety disorder, panic disorder, and more.

I employ a collaborative, supportive, and patient-centered approach to psychiatric care, integrating medication management with therapy tailored specifically to each patient. I utilize supportive therapy along with cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT), adjusted according to individual patient needs. My specialty areas include the treatment of depression, bipolar disorder, psychotic disorders, PTSD, and a broad range of mental health conditions.

I am a board-certified adult psychiatrist with over 12 years of experience. I received my medical degree from Carol Davila University of Medicine in Romania and completed my psychiatry residency at Wayne State University in Detroit. Following residency, I gained extensive clinical experience practicing psychiatry in diverse outpatient settings, including a multi-specialty center in North Dakota and community mental health centers in Ohio and Michigan. I have also served as an assistant professor at the University of North Dakota and Michigan State University, where I taught and supervised medical students and residents.

Patients can expect an initial appointment with me to include a thorough evaluation focusing on their unique psychiatric symptoms, personal experiences, and treatment goals. I offer a supportive and compassionate atmosphere, carefully combining medication management with individualized therapy recommendations, to create a personalized treatment plan that effectively addresses each patient's specific needs.

In my daily practice, I focus on evidence-based treatments utilizing the latest clinical guidelines and current approved treatments. In addition to medication management, I also incorporate psychotherapy in the treatment of mental health conditions. I am passionate about taking a collaborative approach with my patients to help them reach their potential.

I am a board-certified psychiatrist specializing in adult psychiatry. I completed residency training at East Carolina University in both internal medicine and psychiatry. After residency, I pursued my passion in psychiatry and stayed on as a clinical assistant professor in the department of psychiatry at East Carolina University. In this role, I specialized in treating adults with mental illness in both the inpatient and outpatient settings. I have spent a considerable amount of time teaching residents and medical students and have published several papers focusing on the neuroscience pathways of mental health conditions.

I have an approachable style aimed at providing a comprehensive evaluation for all age ranges and am comfortable managing various levels of diagnostic complexities. I provide supportive psychotherapy while using psychodynamic therapy skills to clarify my patients' constellation of symptoms, identify unifying themes, and provide thorough psychoeducation throughout the process to drive positive outcomes. I integrate psychodynamic medication management approaches and am adept at family therapy interventions.

I am a Staff Psychiatrist at Talkiatry. After completing residency in 2016 at the Ponce Medical School Psychiatry Residency in Puerto Rico, I moved to North Carolina to complete a subspecialty in Child and Adolescent Psychiatry at Duke University Health System. There, I transitioned into an assistant professor position, focused on structuring pediatric emergency psychiatric services, and helped support the consult and liaison pediatric service. My experience has included working as an integrated care child psychiatrist within outpatient clinics at Duke University Health System, and I trained and worked as a staff psychiatrist at the Inpatient State Facility in North Carolina. I also served in the Dayton Children's Hospital outpatient clinics in Dayton, Ohio, the Appalachian Health System outpatient clinics in Linville, North Carolina, and more recently have been serving the Child and Adolescent inpatient population in Bangor, Maine.

I believe strongly in the interconnectivity of mental and physical health, especially as it relates to trauma. I have a particular interest in the treatment of Veterans' issues and trauma, and my most recent work saw me caring for both Veterans and Active Duty military through the Fayetteville VA Medical Center in Jacksonville, NC and the Naval Hospital Jacksonville in Florida. I place an emphasis on the importance of both therapy and medication management in the treatment of mental health, and have a strong history of collaboration with therapists and counselors in order to enact the best treatment plan possible.

I am a board certified psychiatrist with more than 20 years of clinical experience. I completed my undergraduate training at Clemson University before continuing to the University of South Carolina School of Medicine in Columbia, SC. From there, I completed my General Psychiatry Internship and General Adult Psychiatry Residency through the University of Virginia in Roanoke. Though I have a wide array of experience in psychiatric care and psychological assessment, my clinical focus has centered on Veterans' issues and trauma.

I foster a safe, non-judgmental space where patients can explore their feelings and experiences freely, met with unconditional positive regard. I prioritize active listening and deep empathy, ensuring each patient feels heard, understood, and valued as a unique individual throughout their treatment journey. Initial sessions focus on a collaborative exploration of a patient's history, current challenges, and core values, forming the foundation for a personalized treatment plan. I emphasize shared decision-making, integrating therapeutic modalities (including medication when appropriate) while honoring patient autonomy and aligning with their vision for well-being.

I earned my medical degree from the Uniformed Services University of the Health Sciences and completed a psychiatry residency at Walter Reed National Military Medical Center, followed by a forensic psychiatry fellowship at the National Capital Consortium. I have experience practicing in outpatient and inpatient settings, as well as with military and confinement populations.

Dr. Elena Perea is a board-certified psychiatrist.  She completed her undergraduate training at Wake Forest University followed by medical school and residency training at The University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill (UNC).

Dr. Perea holds an adjunct academic appointment at UNC and has been involved in medical education for her entire career.  She most recently served as Residency Program Director for the Mountain Area Health Education Center (MAHEC) psychiatry residency in Asheville, NC.  She remains involved in didactic education there for both residents and medical students.

She has a genuine interest in treating a vast array of psychiatric disorders including depression, anxiety, bipolar disorders, post-traumatic stress disorders and obsessive compulsive and related disorders. She is a skilled psychopharmacologist and interested in the mind-body connection. She believes physical health greatly affects mental health and vice versa and loves helping patients with medical comorbidities to feel well.

Patients looking for a psychiatrist will find that Dr. Perea has a comprehensive approach to diagnosis and management of her patients. She believes in the principle that body and mind are interconnected and utilizes psychoeducation and psychotherapeutic approaches in addition to medications for total wellness.

I am a board-certified psychiatrist. My practice focuses on medication management and supportive therapy. I believe in a collaborative approach to treatment planning because shared decision-making helps provide the best outcome for patients.

I went to college at the University of Rochester in Rochester, NY, where I received my degree in Microbiology. I completed my medical education at Edward Via College of Osteopathic Medicine in Spartanburg, SC, and completed my residency training at Creighton University School of Medicine-Valleywise Health in Phoenix, AZ. I served as vice chief resident during my residency training. I have additional post-residency experience working in the outpatient setting treating multiple conditions such as depression, anxiety, PTSD, bipolar disorder, insomnia, OCD, and psychotic disorders. Areas of interest include depression, anxiety, bipolar disorder, and ADHD.

I am passionate about integrative medicine, which combines evidence-based alternative therapies with conventional treatments to optimize outcomes. My approach focuses on promoting overall wellness, keeping both the body and mind in harmony. During the diagnostic evaluation, I will review your medical history and past treatments to develop a comprehensive, personalized treatment plan that prioritizes your overall wellness. In addition to medication management, I incorporate supportive, cognitive, or psychodynamic psychotherapy during follow-up visits, as time allows. When appropriate, I may also recommend referrals to specialized psychotherapists to address your individual needs as part of a holistic treatment approach.

I am double board-certified by the American Board of Psychiatry and Neurology in both Adult Psychiatry and Child and Adolescent Psychiatry. I earned my medical degree from Cairo University, where I also completed my neurology residency at Cairo University Hospitals. Following this, I pursued psychiatric training at New York Medical College at St. Vincent's Hospitals, where I was appointed Chief Resident and recognized as Resident of the Year. I further specialized with a fellowship in Child and Adolescent Psychiatry at UMDNJ/Rutgers Robert Wood Johnson Medical School.

My career includes multiple leadership roles, notably serving as Chief of the Child and Adolescent Partial Hospital Programs (PHP) at Rutgers University in Newark, NJ, where I provided direct care to young patients. I have also held Medical Director positions across various clinical settings, including child and adolescent inpatient units, outpatient programs, and intensive outpatient services for both adolescents and adults with mental health and co-occurring substance use disorders. As an active educator, I have served as a teaching faculty member, delivering lectures and providing supervision and evaluations for medical residents and child and adolescent psychiatry fellows, and I have served as a principal investigator on multiple studies. Throughout my career in leadership and teaching, I maintained an integrative private practice in New Jersey, serving residents of the NJ and NY metropolitan areas before relocating to North Carolina.

I enjoy treating a wide variety of conditions, including mood and anxiety disorders. I incorporate therapeutic techniques into medication management visits when indicated, and I may also recommend collaboration with therapists.

I hold the position of Staff Psychiatrist at Talkiatry. After finishing my undergraduate studies at the University of Tennessee, Knoxville, I completed the University of Tennessee Health Science Center (UTHSC) Master of Science program before enrolling in medical school at the same institution. After graduating from medical school, I completed my residency at UTHSC, during which I trained in a variety of inpatient and outpatient settings and treated a broad spectrum of mental health conditions.

I am board-certified in adult psychiatry with experience in a wide variety of psychiatric disorders including depression, anxiety, women's mental health, and ADHD. My practice is focused on medication management with supportive therapy offered in 30-minute follow-up visits. I enjoy treating patients across the lifespan from young adulthood through senior care, and I see each patient as a unique individual, working together with them to develop a treatment plan specific to their needs and goals.

I received my medical degree from the University of Texas Southwestern Medical Center in Dallas, Texas, where I received the North Texas Society of Psychiatric Physicians' Award for outstanding medical student in Psychiatry. I pursued my residency in adult psychiatry at Brown University in Providence, Rhode Island, with particular interest and training in child, adolescent, and young adult Psychiatry. After completing training, I worked with children and adults in a variety of treatment settings including Community Mental Health Centers and hospitals, providing inpatient, residential, and outpatient services. Prior to joining the Talkiatry team, I participated in psychiatric research developing new treatment methods for complex psychiatric disorders.

I believe in building a strong therapeutic alliance grounded in empathy, respect, and curiosity. I value collaboration and open communication, ensuring that patients feel like active partners in their care. My goal is to create a safe, supportive space where individuals feel understood as whole people, not defined solely by their symptoms. I also prioritize incorporating cultural background and social determinants of health, including financial stressors and systemic barriers, into treatment planning.

In my work, I begin by taking time to understand each patient's unique story, experiences, and goals. I approach care through a trauma-informed lens and with cultural sensitivity to ensure treatment feels safe, respectful, and relevant. My process integrates evidence-based approaches, including psychodynamic therapy and cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT), while tailoring care plans to meet both clinical needs and patient preferences. I regularly check in on progress, invite feedback, and adjust treatment collaboratively to support an ongoing, responsive therapeutic process.

I received my BA in Biology from the University of Chicago and my medical degree from Loyola University Chicago Stritch School of Medicine. I returned to the University of Chicago to complete my psychiatry residency, where I served as Chief Resident of the outpatient psychiatry clinics and was a member of the Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion Committee. I have experience treating patients across inpatient, outpatient, and consultation-liaison psychiatry settings, with additional training in treatment-resistant depression, trauma, neuropsychiatry, ECT, ketamine, geriatric psychiatry, student counseling, LGBTQ+ mental health, women's mental health, and culturally sensitive care.

I am a Board-certified psychiatrist who completed medical training at Duke University Psychiatry Program. My practice combines medication management with insight-oriented therapy during every visit, promoting a comprehensive approach to mental health care. I advocate for my patients to engage in therapy alongside medication management, as I believe this integrated approach leads to better outcomes and sustained improvement. My practice is rooted in a collaborative, team-based approach, working closely with my patients to achieve long-term mental wellness.

I earned my medical degree from the Universidad Central del Caribe School of Medicine in Bayamon, PR. Afterward, I moved to North Carolina, where I completed my residency at Duke University Hospital. During my training, I was nominated for a fellowship in psychodynamic practice by the Psychoanalytic Center of the Carolinas. I am also a dedicated advocate against childhood sexual trauma. My diverse training includes significant experience in jail and forensic psychiatry, as well as the treatment of military veterans under the veteran affairs health care system. I have experience in medically assisted treatments (MAT) for substance use disorders, Electroconvulsive therapy (ECT), and family therapy, enabling me to care for patients with complex needs. I treat patients across a wide age range, from young adults to the elderly.

Originally from Puerto Rico, I am fluent in both English and Spanish, which allows me to connect deeply with a diverse patient population. Passionate about improving access to mental health care, I joined Talkiatry to help patients facing time or transportation challenges receive the care they need. In addition to my clinical practice, I remain involved with my alma mater's Behavioral Health Department, contributing to academic education and maintaining a connection with the next generation of medical professionals. I continue to seek ongoing improvement in my field, remaining engaged with medical associations including the North Carolina Psychiatric Association, American Psychiatric Association, and Alpha Omega Alpha national medical honor society.

My Talkiatry practice will mostly focus on medication management in conjunction with support or acceptance-based therapy during 30-minute follow-up visits. I hope to collaborate with my patients to help set treatment goals and ways to track progress in between appointments. I enjoy seeing patients with a wide variety of diagnoses including, but not limited to, major depressive disorder, bipolar disorder, post-traumatic stress disorder, obsessive-compulsive disorder, and generalized anxiety disorder, and I enjoy combining medication management with various therapy techniques.

I am board certified by the American Board of Psychiatry and Neurology in Adult Psychiatry. I completed my residency training at Vidant Medical Center at East Carolina University in Greenville, North Carolina in 2021, where I was the chief resident. Since then, I have worked as an attending physician at an inpatient adult psychiatric unit in Burlington, North Carolina. As a resident and attending, I have treated adults of all ages and in all areas of mental health.

My current practice is primarily focused on medication treatment, though I utilize my training as a therapist to ensure that patients feel understood and empowered to discuss any other issues they might be facing. With experience in many modalities of therapy including Psychodynamic, Supportive, Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT), and Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT), I know that one size does NOT always fit all. If more in-depth therapy is felt to be beneficial, I may refer clients to a separate therapist.

I am a board-certified psychiatrist who completed my psychiatry residency at Duke University, where I received extensive training in Psychopharmacology, Psychotherapy (Talk Therapy), Transcranial Magnetic Stimulation (TMS), and Electroconvulsive Therapy (ECT). I have also practiced in multiple settings including a college mental health clinic, an adult ADHD clinic, a perinatal psychiatry clinic, a VA hospital, and a residential recovery program.

Throughout my life, I have lived in various places such as China, Canada, Upstate New York, Maine, and North Carolina, where I currently reside. This rich cultural experience allows me to connect with individuals from diverse backgrounds, which is crucial in the field of psychiatry where treatment is so highly personal.