Depression Psychiatrists in North Carolina

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 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.

I am committed to providing compassionate, high-quality mental health care. I foster a therapeutic, nonjudgmental environment where patients can openly share their concerns and values. Viewing treatment as a partnership, I encourage patients to play an active role in their care and take a whole-person approach, considering lifestyle, environmental, and social factors that contribute to healing. My clinical interests include mood and anxiety disorders, PTSD, and childhood psychiatric disorders.

I begin with a comprehensive assessment to understand each patient's history, background, and treatment priorities. I develop individualized treatment plans using evidence-based approaches, supporting patients in navigating life's challenges and finding a path to mental wellness.

I am Board Certified in Adult and Child & Adolescent Psychiatry and treat patients of all ages. I earned my medical degree from New York Medical College, completed Adult Psychiatry Residency at New York-Presbyterian/Weill Cornell, and completed Child and Adolescent Fellowship training at NYU Langone and Bellevue Hospital. I have over a decade of experience in both community mental health centers and private practice, working with individuals from diverse backgrounds.

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 use a holistic, biopsychosocial approach tailored to each patient's unique background and needs. I integrate evidence-based pharmacotherapy with insight-oriented psychotherapy, aiming to foster self-awareness and long-term change. My patient-centered philosophy emphasizes a collaborative, respectful therapeutic alliance. I work with individuals of all ages and cultural backgrounds, and I have treated a wide range of conditions including depression, anxiety/OCD, bipolar disorder, trauma-related disorders, ADHD, and other psychiatric concerns.

I earned my medical degree from Columbia University College of Physicians & Surgeons and completed my psychiatry training at The University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill. My clinical experience spans diverse settings including outpatient clinics, inpatient units, and emergency departments.

Outside of clinical practice, I am also a passionate musician who plays piano and composes music for media. Learn more at www.aidinashoori.com.

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.

I combine both psychotherapy and medication treatment to provide holistic care that addresses not only your mental health but also the parts of your life that surround and are deeply intertwined with your mental health. When more intensive psychotherapy is warranted, I collaborate with an experienced psychotherapist to serve you better. With my experience in internal medicine, I am also comfortable navigating complex medical issues that may interact with your mental health.

I am board-certified in both adult psychiatry and internal medicine. I am a graduate of St. George's University School of Medicine and completed a combined Psychiatry & Internal Medicine residency training program at East Carolina University. Following residency, I completed a fellowship in Clinical Informatics at Oregon Health & Science University, learning how to use modern digital technologies and patient data to improve patient care. Since graduation from residency, I also gained specialized experience in treating veterans with terminal illness, specifically Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis (aka Lou Gehrig's Disease), at the VA Medical Center in Portland, OR.

My academic activities include a presentation I have given multiple times on Illness Identity, teaching other clinicians how having an illness can change how we perceive our place in the world and how to help patients manage their relationship with illness.

I take a holistic approach to mental healthcare, combining medication management, psychotherapy, and lifestyle modifications to help my patients achieve a quality of life that allows them to pursue their goals. I see the position of the psychiatrist as helping to educate and guide patients, allowing them to take an active role in their own recovery. I believe diversity is a strength and embrace providing high quality services that affirm the dignity, worth, and value of all individuals, including the LGBTQ+ community. I take an evidence-based approach in my treatment of individuals suffering with depression, anxiety, trauma, difficulty focusing and concentrating, sleep issues, and interpersonal problems. I utilize insight-oriented care, believing that gaining understanding of a person's feelings, thoughts, and actions will provide them the knowledge needed to make the positive change they desire. Therapy may be a key part of a person's treatment, and if greater frequency is needed outside of our sessions, I will refer and collaborate with a psychotherapist to help maximize a patient's success.

I am double board-certified in adult and consultation liaison psychiatry. My fellowship training helped me gain greater insight into the interface between medicine and mental healthcare. I have been practicing for seven years and have worked closely with individuals with co-occurring chronic medical issues, specifically organ transplantation.

I am dedicated to building a collaborative relationship with patients and their families where shared-decision making is respected and encouraged. I am passionate about providing continuity of care to my patients as they navigate life's changes and challenges. I utilize medication management and psychotherapy in my clinical practice, and my areas of interest include ADHD across the lifespan, anxiety disorders, mood disorders (depression and bipolar disorder), and OCD. I am experienced in treating children, adolescents, and adults.

I am double-board certified in General Psychiatry and Child and Adolescent Psychiatry. Originally from Delaware, I earned my medical degree from the Philadelphia College of Osteopathic Medicine in 2017. I also obtained a Master of Science in Biological Sciences from Drexel University and a Bachelor of Science in Biology from Juniata College. In 2017, I moved south and am happy to call North Carolina my home. I completed my internship at Campbell University/Harnett Health in 2018, then went on to complete a General Psychiatry Residency followed by a Fellowship in Child and Adolescent Psychiatry at East Carolina University Brody School of Medicine. Prior to joining Talkiatry in 2025, I was in private practice at North Raleigh Psychiatry in Raleigh, NC.

I take a collaborative approach to psychiatric care, integrating medication management with supportive therapy to provide well-rounded treatment. My primary focus is on treating adults with mood and anxiety disorders, PTSD, and ADHD. I prioritize patient involvement in treatment decisions, ensuring that care plans align with individual needs and goals.

I am a board-certified adult psychiatrist. I earned my medical degree from Ross University School of Medicine and completed my residency in Adult Psychiatry at the University of Central Florida, affiliated with North Florida Regional Medical Center. After completing my training, I remained at North Florida Regional as an adult psychiatrist and supervising physician, gaining experience treating patients in inpatient, outpatient, partial hospitalization, and intensive outpatient program (IOP) settings.

Patients meeting me for the first time can expect a thorough evaluation where I assess their symptoms, treatment history, and personal goals. I foster a supportive and collaborative environment, working closely with patients to create a personalized treatment plan that incorporates medication management and therapeutic interventions tailored to their specific needs.

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 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 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.

I am an adult general psychiatrist and a diplomate of the American Board of Psychiatry and Neurology. I focus on collaborative and evidence-based care. I believe it is imperative to form a therapeutic relationship with each individual and work together as a team to formulate the best treatment plan. My passion is to educate, empower, and support. I specialize in medication management and brief psychotherapy.

I received my medical degree from Ross University School of Medicine and completed my residency at The Cleveland Clinic Akron General and Summa HealthSystem in my hometown of Akron, OH. Upon completion of residency, I relocated to Charlotte, NC to start my career as the Lead Psychiatrist at Novant Health Psychiatric Associates- Matthews. I have experience treating various patient populations. My areas of focus have been perinatal and postpartum depression and anxiety, and I have also worked with adults with co-occurring substance use disorders. Special interests include women's health and minority mental health disparities.

I wholeheartedly believe that treating patients holistically is of high importance, with a focus on their physical, emotional, mental, and spiritual well-being. I have expertise in treating patients with mood disorders, anxiety, and PTSD, and I incorporate psychopharmacology when needed, as well as psychodynamic and supportive psychotherapy.

I completed my psychiatry residency training at Harvard University in Boston, Massachusetts. I have enjoyed treating patients for over 25 years in a variety of settings such as inpatient, outpatient mental health clinics, emergency room, and multidisciplinary clinics.

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.