PTSD Psychiatrists in Illinois

Dr. Lisette Rodriguez-Cabezas earned her medical degree from the University of Illinois at Chicago and completed her psychiatry residency and a Women’s Mental Health Fellowship at Northwestern University. She has been Board Certified in adult psychiatry since 2017 and is a Distinguished Fellow of the American Psychiatric Association. With over 10 years of experience, she specializes in Women’s Reproductive Mental Health.

Dr. Rodriguez-Cabezas values a patient-centered approach, emphasizing open communication and creating a supportive environment where patients feel heard and understood.

She begins by gathering a detailed history from each patient to fully understand their goals and concerns. From there, she develops an individualized treatment plan tailored to the patient’s unique needs, ensuring care is collaborative and focused on achieving meaningful outcomes.

Dr. Thomas O’Brien holds a Bachelor of Science degree from the University of Wisconsin–Madison and earned his medical degree from Midwestern University Chicago College of Osteopathic Medicine. He completed his psychiatry residency at Loyola University Medical Center. Dr. O’Brien has experience practicing across outpatient, PHP, IOP, and inpatient settings.

He strives to create a supportive environment where patients feel heard, respected, and understood. His approach emphasizes a holistic, whole-person method to healing, guided by the patient’s own goals and values. Dr. O’Brien integrates psychotherapy with medication management, drawing on his background in psychodynamic psychopharmacology and acceptance and commitment therapy.

Dr. O’Brien focuses on understanding each patient as a whole to create individualized treatment plans. This begins with a comprehensive history during the initial session to identify biopsychosocial factors. Treatment is then tailored to align with the patient’s unique goals and values, promoting meaningful progress.

Dr. Nicole Martinez received her Master's and Doctorate from the Illinois School of Professional Psychology and completed her pre-doctoral and post-doctoral fellowship at Gateway Foundation in Lake Villa, Illinois. She earned a double major in Psychology and Therapeutic Recreation at the University of St. Francis. Dr. Martinez has extensive experience working with children, adolescents, and adults in individual, family, and group treatment. Her therapeutic approach is integrative, combining Cognitive Behavioral Psychotherapy (CBT) with holistic methods, emphasizing Solution Focused Therapy, Reality Therapy, and Positive Psychology. She believes in the mind-body connection and that exploring various areas of an individual's functioning is essential for optimum physical and emotional health. Dr. Martinez emphasizes a collaborative therapist-client relationship, where both act as partners in designing treatment goals. She values identifying ineffective past modalities to avoid frustration and ensure personalized care. Recognizing that each person is unique, she adapts to the patient's evolving needs, ensuring they feel heard and supported for positive outcomes. Her areas of expertise include health psychology, complex trauma, PTSD, depression, anxiety, social anxiety, bipolar disorder, ADHD, autism spectrum disorders, LGBTQIA populations, bereavement, forensics, substance abuse, couples work, MISA, co-occurring disorders, domestic violence, sex offenders, special needs populations, and chronic medical issues and rare diseases. She is skilled in the evaluation and assessment of these populations.

Dr. Mary Lou Gutierrez is board-certified in both Child & Adolescent Psychiatry and General Psychiatry, with over 20 years of clinical experience. She earned her M.D. from Loyola University Medical Center, where she also completed her residency in Adult Psychiatry. She pursued fellowship training in Child and Adolescent Psychiatry at Northwestern University’s Children’s Memorial Hospital. Her past roles include Medical Director for Compass Health Center’s Under 18 Program and Attending Psychiatrist at Loyola. She has been recognized as a “Top Doctor” in Child and Adolescent Psychiatry by US News and World Report and Negocios Now.

Dr. Gutierrez fosters a warm, collaborative environment where patients and families feel supported and understood. She emphasizes open communication and works closely with patients to define meaningful, realistic treatment goals. Her holistic, family-centered approach integrates medication management, therapy, and psychoeducation with a deep commitment to cultural sensitivity and compassionate care.

Dr. Gutierrez begins by learning each patient’s personal story, clinical history, and goals through a comprehensive evaluation. She creates individualized, evidence-based treatment plans tailored to each child’s unique needs and family context. She continuously collaborates with patients, families, and care teams to ensure treatment remains effective, combining psychotherapy, medication management, and coordination with other providers and resources.

Dr. Noor Zayed is a dedicated board-certified adult psychiatrist committed to improving mental health and empowering individuals to achieve their goals. After completing her undergraduate studies at The Ohio State University, Dr. Zayed earned her medical degree from Kentucky College of Osteopathic Medicine, where she was inducted into the Sigma Sigma Phi Honorary Osteopathic Service Fraternity. She then completed her residency at Loyola University Medical Center in Chicago, Illinois, where a significant focus was treating veterans at the Edward Hines VA Hospital. Dr. Zayed's experience spans both rural and urban settings, providing her with a comprehensive approach to mental health care. During her training, she received awards for Excellence in Professionalism and COVID Surge efforts. Her therapeutic style is characterized by empathy, respect, active listening, and collaborative relationships with patients, fostering a safe space for healing. Her practice focuses on medication management combined with psychotherapy, utilizing evidence-based approaches to provide personalized care. Dr. Zayed's clinic interests include treating depressive and anxiety disorders, PTSD, bipolar disorder, and substance use disorders.

Dr. Zeshen Wu is an ABPN board certified psychiatrist with more than 10 years of experience. He completed his undergraduate studies at the University of Texas at Austin, followed by medical school at the University of Texas Medical Branch. He completed residency in psychiatry at Dell Medical School in Austin. Dr. Wu focuses on effective and safe medication management as well as supportive and psychodynamic therapy in his practice. He likes to focus on a gentle, collaborative, and patient-centered approach. He specializes in forming individualized pharmacological treatments as well as taking time to explore stressors and psychological issues to achieve complete and comprehensive care. Dr. Wu had previously served as assistant professor of psychiatry at UTHealth McGovern Medical School in Houston and has been involved in many years of teaching and mentorship. At UTHealth, he also served as clinical faculty in one of the nation's largest inpatient psychiatric campuses and is experienced in treating a wide range of adult mental illnesses including mood disorders, anxiety, OCD, and ADHD.

Kevin Seske is a Licensed Clinical Professional Counselor who specializes in Sport and Health Psychology. His approach to therapy is collaborative, empowering, nonjudgmental, trauma informed, and goal-focused. He sees therapy as a method to find the individual's strengths to help overcome any hardships.‍Kevin integrates treatment modalities such as Cognitive Behavioral Therapy, Trauma-Focused CBT, Existential Therapy, and mindfulness techniques. In addition, he incorporates Sports Psychology in sessions where appropriate as he believes physical activity can empower us and teach us life skills that boost self-esteem, promote team building, and aid in relaxation. These methods are proven to show reduction in anxiety and depression.‍Kevin specializes in treating PTSD among young adults, adults, and/or immigrant populations. He is also skilled in treating mental illnesses such as anxiety, depression, grief, emotional abuse, and life transitions. Kevin has been told by clients and colleagues that he has a calming presence and is a good listener.‍Kevin's 10 years of experience as a counselor has included providing trauma-informed care for undocumented minors who arrived at the US border seeking refuge from their home countries, including ones experiencing Adjustment Disorder, PTSD, and ODD. Additionally, Kevin served in a FQHC on the Southwest side of Chicago, in their clinical setting and school-based health center.

Dr. Kahlon is an experienced Psychiatrist who spent the last 24 years of his career working in Veterans Affairs, where he was able to treat a wide variety of patients. Dr. Kahlon provides medication management along with supportive therapy. In some cases Dr. Kahlon may refer you to a counselor or therapist for further care and collaboration. He has experience treating a wide range of conditions, including major depressive disorder, panic disorder, generalized anxiety disorder, obsessive-compulsive disorder, and PTSD. Dr. Kahlon utilizes a well-rounded approach to treat the whole person, through medication, active listening, and recommending talk-centered counseling programs. Dr. Kahlon was trained in the VA system associated with Chicago Medical School (Finch University), which is located in North Chicago, Illinois. At the conclusion of his training, he was hired at the VA in Danville, Illinois until 2021. He also had a part-time private practice, which enhanced his experience in adult psychiatry. Dr. Kahlon graduated from a prestigious medical school that has consistently held a high position (4th) among the top 100 medical schools in the world.‍

Ms. Ellen Ortiz is fully licensed as a Marriage and Family Therapist in multiple states. She has decades of life experience to support her 3 years of full licensure. Ms. Ortiz sees individuals from the perspective of the various environments they interact in and how it impacts them. Ms. Ortiz is enthusiastic about collaborating with clients under the care of one of our psychiatric experts in order to allow for a more complete and personalized approach for each individual's needs.
Ms. Ortiz began her education later in life at Elgin Community College then continued to acquire her bachelor’s degree from Argosy University with honors. Ms. Ortiz forged ahead and completed her Master’s in Family Counseling at the CACREP accredited graduate school, Northeastern Illinois University. Her training included the externship for Emotion Focused Therapy with Dr. Sue Johnson.

Ms. Ortiz incorporates therapy from a Solution Focused perspective including Cognitive Behavioral Therapy, Mindfulness and Attachment theory.  Ms.Ortiz has been trained in Crisis Intervention and Trauma Informed therapy. Her life experience and clientele have spanned all life cycles, races, and medical needs as well as honoring all varieties of human beings. She has also supported clients through medical diagnosis and end of life as well as grief.

Ms. Ortiz brings enthusiasm for each client based on the belief that each person has unique purpose, strengths and abilities on which to draw on. The client's abilities paired with tools and support acquired in therapy will lead each of her clients to a life they choose to enhance.

Dr. Steve Paschos is a board-certified Psychiatrist at Talkiatry. He attended Loyola University Chicago on the Lake Shore campus, completing a bachelor's degree in science and a Degree in Classical Studies. He then attended Medical School at Rush Medical College in Chicago and completed a 5-year combined Internal Medicine & Psychiatry residency in 2011. Dr. Paschos subsequently completed a 1-year fellowship in Geriatric Medicine at Rush University Medical Center. He has spent the last 12 years fulfilling his passion for integrating Internal Medicine & Psychiatry, working with a diverse range of patients suffering from severe mental illnesses. ‍Dr. Paschos' years of experience have included working at Cook County Health Services � Cermak Health Services at Cook County Department of Corrections with an extremely diverse patient population with varying psychiatric illnesses. He has also worked as an inpatient psychiatric hospitalist and as the director of the Intensive Care Unit at Chicago Behavioral Hospital in Illinois. Dr. Paschos also acted as a medical director of an IOP and established an outpatient psychiatric practice in conjunction with the Intensive Outpatient Program. He has had the opportunity and privilege of treating individuals who suffer from various diagnoses, especially challenging patients who have suffered from integrated or Med-Psych concerns involving primary mood disorders, Bipolar Affective disorders, prior trauma, severe medical problems/diagnoses along with concurrent personality pathology. ‍Dr. Paschos utilizes supportive psychotherapy, brief cognitive behavioral therapy, and at times psychodynamic therapy to address his patients' current complaints and to identify the locus of their symptoms. He believes in utilizing an all-encompassed approach using mindfulness and various psychotherapies along with comprehensive medication management. To quote Hippocrates "Where there is love for the art of medicine there is a love of humanity.”

Dr. Danielle Gelfond is an Adult Psychiatrist and a graduate from Loyola University Medical Center's residency program in Chicago, IL. Prior to attending residency, Dr. Gelfond graduated from Rush Medical College at Rush University. Throughout residency, Dr. Gelfond spent time focusing on her clinical interests which include mood disorders, anxiety disorders, substance use disorders, and women's mental health. During her training, Dr. Gelfond spent several years working with the Perinatal population and completed a year-long program focusing on Women's Mental Health through the National Curriculum in Reproductive Psychiatry organization. She held the role of Chief Resident of her program during the last two years of her training and received several awards commending her leadership style and rapport with patients through her program. Dr. Gelfond takes on a holistic and "patient-centered" approach in her treatment style. She incorporates both medication management, supportive psychotherapy, and discussions surrounding lifestyle and wellness into her appointments and emphasizes patient education and autonomy, which she believes helps support the therapeutic relationship, improve clinical outcomes, and helps treatment align with the patient's goals of care.

Dr Reddy is double board certified in adult as well as child and adolescent psychiatry. She has experience working at various levels of mental health care. Dr. Reddy has most recently served as the medical director for a partial hospitalization/intensive outpatient program (PHP/IOP) for adolescents in the Dallas/Fort Worth area. She completed her general psychiatry residency at the University of Illinois at Peoria and went on to pursue her child and adolescent psychiatry fellowship at the University of Texas Southwestern. She is knowledgeable in treating patients of all ages and a wide variety of diagnoses including depression, bipolar disorder, anxiety, ADHD, OCD, PTSD, and eating disorders. Dr. Reddy is passionate about working with LGBTQIA+ populations, providing culturally informed care, and taking a person-centered approach to providing comprehensive and individualized treatment to her patients. She is well versed in incorporating psychotherapy in conjunction with medication management. She has experience in incorporating supportive, cognitive behavioral, and dialectical behavioral therapeutic approaches in her care.

Dr. Carrie Schmitt, DO, graduated from Edward Via College of Osteopathic Medicine in Spartanburg, South Carolina in 2016. She completed her psychiatry residency at Henry Ford Allegiance Health in Jackson, Michigan in 2020 and a subspecialty in Forensic Psychiatry at the University of Maryland in 2021. Dr. Schmitt is dual board certified in Adult and Forensic Psychiatry and has practiced in inpatient, outpatient, community, academic, and forensic settings.

Dr. Schmitt values compassionate, well-rounded care and works collaboratively with patients to develop effective treatment plans. She emphasizes communication, active listening, and dignity, creating a supportive, nonjudgmental environment where patients feel understood and empowered.

Dr. Schmitt begins by understanding each patient’s history, concerns, and goals. She works together with patients to establish clear, practical treatment objectives and ensures each plan is tailored to their unique needs, fostering progress and long-term wellness.

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.

Helen Fitzpatrick, LCSW, is a Licensed Clinical Social Worker with over 20 years of experience supporting individuals and families through life’s challenges. She earned her Master’s in Social Work from Loyola University–Chicago and has worked in diverse settings, including crisis centers, hospitals, senior services, and the VA. Helen has extensive experience with adults and children with disabilities, caregivers, and veterans, as well as those managing trauma, medical recovery, or ongoing health issues.

Helen believes that therapy should be a collaborative and supportive process. She takes time to truly listen and understand her clients’ experiences, helping them identify goals that feel meaningful and attainable. Helen creates a space where clients can speak freely—especially when it feels difficult to open up to family or friends—and she brings compassion, patience, and understanding to every session.

Helen begins by exploring what her clients would like to focus on and works together with them to develop realistic and personalized goals. She values open communication and mutual respect, adjusting her approach to meet each person’s unique needs and pace. Her process emphasizes healing, empowerment, and helping clients build confidence as they move toward greater emotional well-being.

Dr. Jiang is a board-certified adult psychiatrist. His practice focuses on medication management and supportive therapy. His major goal is for treatment to be patient centered, with a focus on high quality, evidence-based care in the safest and most meaningful way. Dr. Jiang completed an undergraduate degree at the University of California, Los Angeles. He received his medical degree from Oakland University William Beaumont, School of Medicine. He then completed his psychiatry residency at Loyola University Medical Center. Dr. Jiang's areas of interest include depression and post-traumatic stress disorder.‍