OCD Psychiatrists in Arizona

Dr. Helms is a graduate of the University of Arizona College of Medicine. He completed his General Psychiatry and Child/Adolescent fellowship training at the University of Texas, Health Science Center at San Antonio. He has over 25 years of experience as a psychiatrist treating patients of all ages (child, adolescent, and adult�including geriatric) while working in a multitude of treatment settings including outpatient clinics and psychiatric hospitals. He also has several years of experience working as a psychiatric consultant for medical-surgical hospitals, seeing an extensive variety of patients on all floors of the hospital from mother-baby to pediatrics, as well as adult patients on the medical and surgical floors. Dr. Helms takes with him into each patient encounter, his wide breadth of experience and his genuine care and concern for each and every individual patient. He provides both medication treatment and talk therapy. He understands that many patients greatly benefit from either short or long term medication treatment; however, he also understands that talk therapy can oftentimes lead to significant, long lasting positive change, personal growth, and improvements in occupational and relationship success. Moreover, patients will always find Dr. Helms encouraging and supportive as they search for greater meaning and purpose in their lives.

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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Background and credentials

Dr. Phillip Azouz is a board-certified general adult psychiatrist. He earned his medical degree from the University of Michigan Medical School, where he was awarded the Albert M. Barret Award for Distinguished Performance in Psychiatry. He completed his psychiatric residency at Florida Atlantic University. Prior to medical school, he obtained his undergraduate degree in economics with honors from the Wharton School of the University of Pennsylvania. His background includes research at the Heinz C. Prechter Bipolar Research Center and the Benson-Henry Institute for Mind-Body Medicine at Massachusetts General Hospital. Additionally, he worked as a Mental Health Specialist at McLean Psychiatric Hospital.

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Treatment approach

Dr. Azouz provides a relaxed, conversational, and non-judgmental space for patients to reflect on and integrate all aspects of their lives. He believes that vulnerability is key to healing and growth and works with individuals seeking to improve mood, reduce anxiety, enhance sleep, boost attention, or heal from trauma. His approach blends the latest research in medical treatment with insights from psychotherapy and coaching. He specializes in treating major depression, anxiety disorders, ADHD, bipolar disorder, PTSD, OCD, addiction, and personality disorders.

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What you can expect in a first visit

During the first visit, patients can expect a comprehensive and collaborative evaluation where Dr. Azouz takes the time to understand their symptoms, challenges, and goals. He fosters an open and supportive environment, ensuring that treatment plans are personalized and aligned with each patient’s unique needs. His approach integrates evidence-based medication management, psychotherapy techniques, and coaching strategies to help patients achieve their full potential.

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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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Belinda received her undergraduate education at the University of Tulsa and completed her nurse practitioner training at the University of Texas–Arlington, earning a Master of Science in Nursing. She is nationally board-certified in psychiatry across the lifespan and has over a decade of experience working in outpatient, residential, and inpatient care settings. She is skilled in medication management and utilizes therapeutic modalities such as CBT, DBT, ACT, and psychodynamic approaches.

Belinda is a passionate psychiatric nurse practitioner dedicated to continual development and lifelong learning. With over ten years of experience, she spent more than five years working in a residential eating disorders facility. She has evaluated and treated individuals with a wide range of diagnoses, including depression, anxiety, OCD, and PTSD. Belinda believes in addressing the whole person and thrives on helping people find individualized solutions. While she specializes in using medication when necessary to alleviate symptoms, she also incorporates therapeutic techniques into her sessions to help clients discover what works best for them.

She prioritizes the therapeutic relationship and supports patient-centered goals. Belinda empowers her clients to choose options that align with their lives and encourages active engagement in self-care. She is deeply committed to helping individuals improve their quality of life by identifying and addressing areas of struggle, such as depression or grief. Additionally, she supports clients in recognizing and overcoming fears by identifying stressors and developing new coping strategies. Her approach inspires clients to reduce stress and prioritize rest and sleep to enhance overall wellness—body, mind, and soul.

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Dr. Suneja practices psychiatry through a collaborative, integrative, disability and healing justice-informed lens. He rejects oversimplified binaries, recognizing that healing requires embracing complexity. His training includes Columbia, Johns Hopkins, and a global mental health fellowship at UCSF. His clinical interests include anxiety, OCD, women’s reproductive mental health, climate stress, intergenerational trauma, immigrant and refugee mental health, and substance use concerns. Based in Tucson, he enjoys desert life, reading, baking, making art, and spending time with his two dogs.

Dr. Suneja provides a healing space that prioritizes each service user’s goals and lived experiences. His approach integrates psychiatric and psychotherapeutic practices with complementary, alternative, and natural therapies, as well as harm reduction. His approach is neurodivergence-, queer-, and gender-affirming as well as trauma-informed. Rejecting the binary of “mentally ill” vs. “mentally healthy,” he recognizes the mind, body, and soul’s inherent complexity.

Dr. Suneja tailors care to each service user. The first session explores goals, treatment options, and optimal meeting frequency. In many cases, visits are more frequent at the beginning of treatment and spaced out over time. He prefers visits at least every 4-6 weeks and integrates psychotherapy into all treatment plans, with many service users benefiting from ongoing deeper therapeutic work.

Wayne R. McIntosh, PMHNP-BC, is a dedicated mental health professional with over a decade of experience in psychiatric care. He earned his advanced nursing degree with distinction from Arizona State University and also holds a Bachelor of Science in Nursing from Grand Canyon University and an Associate of Science in Nursing from Harry S. Truman College. He has been a board-certified Psychiatric Mental Health Nurse Practitioner (PMHNP-BC) since 2015.

Wayne specializes in family-centered care, working with individuals aged 18 to 65. Whether supporting patients through anxiety, depression, ADHD, or life transitions, he develops personalized diagnostic and treatment plans that may include therapy, coping strategies, and, when appropriate, medication. His approach emphasizes clear communication and collaboration, empowering patients to understand their challenges, apply practical tools, and achieve lasting change.

Throughout his career, Wayne has served as a Psychiatric Nurse Practitioner and Associate Director of Medical Services, leading multidisciplinary teams and promoting accessible, high-quality care. As a Faculty Associate at Arizona State University, he has mentored future nurse leaders, focusing on clinical excellence and patient advocacy. His military background and volunteer work further reflect his commitment to serving diverse populations with compassion and respect.

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Dr. Michael Kim, DO, is an accomplished attending psychiatrist dedicated to providing comprehensive mental health care. He earned his medical degree from Liberty University College of Osteopathic Medicine and completed his residency at HCA's The Medical Center of Aurora North. With a diverse clinical background, Dr. Kim has honed his expertise across various settings including inpatient, outpatient, PHP/IOP, and specialized areas such as geriatrics, eating disorders, addiction, and child and adolescent psychiatry. Dr. Kim is proficient in innovative treatments like Electroconvulsive Therapy (ECT) and Transcranial Magnetic Stimulation (TMS). He is passionate about employing supportive and psychodynamic therapy approaches, tailoring treatment plans to meet each patient's unique needs. Embracing a holistic approach to psychiatry, Dr. Kim integrates medication management with a focus on nutrition, diet, and lifestyle factors to foster overall well-being. Dr. Kim is committed to delivering high-quality, personalized care to his patients. Outside of his professional commitments, he is an advocate for personal health and wellness. He enjoys enhancing his fitness and nutrition, engaging with enlightening podcasts, and exploring the great outdoors. Dr. Kim's holistic approach to psychiatry reflects his belief in treating the whole person, ensuring optimal mental and physical health for each individual he serves.

Dr. Stoddard earned his medical degree from the University of Arizona College of Medicine - Tucson and completed his residency at the University of Arizona College of Medicine - Phoenix. He is board-certified in psychiatry and provides care for adult patient populations. Prior to his career in medicine, he proudly served in the U.S. Air Force.

Although Dr. Stoddard specializes in medication management of psychiatric conditions, supportive psychotherapy is often incorporated into his visits, as he believes a combined approach leads to a more robust treatment response. Additionally, he aims to enhance wellness through discussion of lifestyle modifications that emphasize quality sleep, a healthy diet, and regular exercise.

Initial appointments consist of a psychiatric evaluation and discussion of evidence-based treatment options. If telehealth is deemed to be an appropriate modality and pharmacotherapy is recommended, discussion will consist of selecting a suitable medication to address target symptoms while minimizing adverse effects. Follow-up visits focus on assessing treatment response and adjusting regimens to optimize outcomes.

Dr. Mary Stephenson is a board-certified Child and Adolescent Psychiatrist with more than 25 years of clinical experience working with this population. Dr. Stephenson's practice focuses on medication management. She believes that the support and involvement of the family are an integral part of the treatment of the client. Additionally, more therapy support may be needed on occasion, and the recommendation to bring a psychotherapist on the care team may occur to provide an optimal outcome. She received her medical degree from Wright State University in Dayton, Ohio. She completed her psychiatry residency at the University of Louisville School of Medicine, and her child and adolescent training at the Bingham Child Guidance Center, also part of the University of Louisville, in Louisville, Kentucky. After completion of her training, she moved to Colorado where she worked at The Cleo Wallace Center, in Westminster, CO, providing care for hospitalized youth, and clients in the Day Treatment and Residential setting. In 2000, Dr. Stephenson became the primary Child and Adolescent Psychiatrist on the outpatient team at Denver Health Medical Center in Denver, Colorado. Her role was providing diagnostic evaluations, and medication management in Federally Qualified Health Centers (FQHCs), and the hospital clinic, working closely with residents, child fellows, and other trainees. She had an academic appointment through the University of Colorado School of Medicine. She treated a varied demographic and had a wide range of diagnoses in the child and adolescent population. From 2016-2021, she worked at Intermountain Health Center in Tucson, AZ providing care in the outpatient setting of the community mental health center. The care was a hybrid model of "in-person” and Telehealth treatment of children and adolescents with various disorders, with an emphasis on diagnostic evaluations of Autism and Autism spectrum disorders.‍

Margaret Ngumi, MSN, APRN, FNP-C, PMHNP-BC, is a dual board-certified Psychiatric Mental Health and Family Nurse Practitioner with over 20 years of experience in healthcare. She began her career as a Family Nurse Practitioner and later pursued a post-master’s certification in psychiatry to address the growing need for accessible mental health services. Margaret has extensive experience in both inpatient and outpatient settings, treating conditions such as depression, anxiety, PTSD, mood disorders, and substance use disorders.

She takes a collaborative, patient-centered approach to care, creating a safe and supportive environment where individuals feel heard and empowered. With a strong emphasis on holistic care, Margaret considers all aspects of a patient’s well-being—including lifestyle, relationships, and overall health. Whether through medication management, therapy, or lifestyle modifications, she is committed to helping patients achieve meaningful and lasting improvements in their mental health.

Margaret begins with a comprehensive psychiatric evaluation to understand each patient’s history, concerns, and goals. She then works closely with them to develop a personalized care plan that may include medication, therapy, and evidence-based lifestyle interventions. She prioritizes open communication, patient education, and ongoing collaboration to ensure treatment remains effective and evolves with each patient’s needs. Through her compassionate and evidence-based approach, Margaret is dedicated to helping individuals find balance and improve their overall quality of life.

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Wadzanai Lee is a board-certified Family Psychiatric Nurse Practitioner with Talkiatry. She obtained a Bachelor of Science Nursing from University of Texas at Arlington, Arlington, TX in 2013 and Master’s Degree at The University of Texas at Arlington, Arlington, Tx in 2016. She enjoys treating a wide range of psychiatric and mental health conditions, including depression, anxiety, bipolar and mood disorders, OCD, PTSD and ADHD.

Wadzanai's patient care approach embodies a blend of professionalism and compassionate understanding. She fosters an environment that supports her patients and encourages their active involvement in their health journey. Her care technique prioritizes the patients’ needs, creating a supportive and understanding space and ensuring each individual feels seen, heard, and valued. Her patient care style is characterized by her deep empathy and firm commitment to her patients' well-being. She understands the debilitating effects of mental health conditions and is dedicated to helping individuals achieve their mental health goals.

Each appointment ensures that every patient is treated with respect and receives the care necessary for their recovery and overall mental health. She believes in providing individualized therapeutic care to meet your specific needs using a compassionate and non-judgmental approach.

Her services to you will include psychiatric evaluations, medication management and therapy. If you are looking for a psychiatric and mental health provider who will partner with you on your journey to mental wellness, please call to schedule an appointment today.

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Matthew is a board-certified psychiatric mental health nurse practitioner and received his education in this specialty at Maryville University of St. Louis, Missouri.  He has been working in the mental health field for over 20 years and has provided care to patients in diverse care settings including psychiatric hospitals, outpatient mental health centers, psychiatric home health, and telepsychiatry.  Matthew is passionate about expanding access to high quality mental health care to all in need and greatly enjoys collaborating with patients from diverse backgrounds.  In his free time, he enjoys hiking, camping, reading, traveling, and searching for the best Mexican food around.  

Patients working with Matthew should know that he utilizes a very collaborative approach to patient care.  He does not assume that he knows what's best for patients but works closely with them to find the most appropriate and effective treatment plan for the unique individuals that he treats.  For Matthew, safety is always the first priority, but he does not believe in a "one size fits all" approach to mental health care and is focused on tailoring the treatment to the patient.  Matthew utilizes an empathic approach to mental health treatment and patients will feel heard and valued.  

Matthew's process for working with patients includes a thorough psychiatric evaluation at the initial appointment to make sure we are getting to the right diagnosis and remaining on track to improve the patient's mental health. Follow-up appointments are focused on monitoring for progress or regression and working collaboratively to meet mutually agreed upon goals. Collaboration is key!

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Dr. Kevin Lu is a board certified adult psychiatrist. In addition to medication management, he integrates elements of psychotherapy, psychoeducation, lifestyle changes, and relationship skills into his approach. He enjoys working with a variety of individuals and conditions, with particular experience with veterans, immigrants, and university students. He has a friendly and casual style, and prioritizes strong therapeutic relationships in his work. Dr. Lu completed his undergraduate studies at New York University's Stern School of Business, and after a short career in finance, he made a transition into medicine. He received his medical degree from the Zucker School of Medicine at Hofstra/Northwell, and completed residency training in psychiatry at the University of Arizona in Tucson.

Dr. Amanda Kerr is a board-certified Psychiatrist. Her practice focuses on medication management, though she passionately believes in a holistic approach. She attended Boston University for her undergraduate studies and Loyola Marymount University for graduate school. She then completed her training at Midwestern University Arizona College of Osteopathic Medicine for medical school and Rowan University School of Osteopathic Medicine for residency, where she was selected to serve as Chief Resident during her final year. After completion of her residency in 2016, she dedicated seven years to serving a wide range of patients in a community mental health setting, both in-person and via telepsychiatry. She also serves as a provider at an Intensive Outpatient Program. She has experience treating patients with depressive and bipolar disorders, anxiety disorders, PTSD, and OCD. She also has extensive teaching experience in various settings. Dr. Kerr has a gentle and approachable style when providing medication management in conjunction with supportive psychotherapy, and at times Cognitive Behavioral Therapy techniques to more fully address each individual's needs. She utilizes mindfulness approaches as well, which she finds personally meaningful in her practices of meditation and yoga. If Dr. Kerr feels you would benefit from working with a therapist as well, she may recommend and values a collaborative approach.

Dr. Stephanie Price is a board-certified psychiatrist. Her practice focuses on medication management and supportive therapy. She believes in a collaborative approach to treatment planning because shared decision-making helps provide the best outcome for patients. She went to college at the University of Rochester in Rochester, NY and received her degree in Microbiology. She completed her medical education at Edward Via College of Osteopathic Medicine in Spartanburg, SC, and completed her residency training at Creighton University School of Medicine-Valleywise Health in Phoenix, AZ. She served as vice chief resident during her residency training. She has 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.‍

Amber Gordon, PMHNP-BC, is a board-certified psychiatric nurse practitioner dedicated to providing personalized mental health care. She holds a Bachelor of Science in Healthcare Administration from the University of Memphis, a Bachelor of Science in Nursing from Union University, and a nursing practice degree from the University of Tennessee Health Science Center.

With over a decade of clinical experience, Gordon has worked in a variety of settings, including psychiatry, intensive care, and dialysis. Her psychiatric experience spans inpatient and outpatient care, as well as residential and correctional facilities. She has served diverse populations, addressing a wide range of mental health conditions such as mood disorders, anxiety disorders, substance use disorders, trauma- and stressor-related disorders, and perinatal psychiatric conditions.

Gordon’s approach to mental health emphasizes the complex interplay between mental and physical well-being, lifestyle choices, and environmental factors. She integrates conventional medicine with alternative therapies, recognizing the importance of medication while also advocating for therapy, nutrition, and lifestyle changes. This holistic philosophy reflects her belief in each patient’s unique journey to mental wellness. Her therapeutic style is described as warm, empathetic, and empowering, with a strong focus on building a trusting and connected therapeutic relationship.

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