ADHD Psychiatrists in Tennessee

Dr. Dennis Valerstain is a board-certified Adult and Child and Adolescent Psychiatrist. After completing his undergraduate education at Emory University, he attended medical school at the Northwestern University Feinberg School of Medicine. He subsequently completed psychiatry residency at University of Miami/Jackson Health System and further sub-specialized at University of Miami/Jackson Health System with a fellowship in Child and Adolescent Psychiatry. Dr. Valerstain has had the opportunity of working with a diverse array of patients including children, adolescents, the severely mentally ill, veterans, and cancer patients across three distinct hospital systems. Dr. Valerstain has had varied clinical experiences in specialty inpatient psychiatry units, emergency psychiatry, consultation liaison psychiatry, psycho-oncology, and outpatient clinics via telemedicine and face to face interactions. Dr. Valerstain has experience working with patients of all ages, particularly those with depression, anxiety, bipolar disorder, ADHD, Tic disorders, substance use disorders, and more. Dr. Valerstain's practice focuses on medication management and also employs empathic listening, supportive psychotherapy techniques, and a comprehensive and methodological approach to his visits. Given his broad and diverse training experiences, he enjoys problem solving and working collaboratively with patients (and their families) to navigate their complex issues and jointly focusing on simple solutions to work towards improving their mental health.

Dr. John "Will” Banks is a board-certified psychiatrist who completed his General Psychiatry residency training at Stony Brook University Hospital in Stony Brook, NY. During his residency training at Stony Brook University Hospital, Dr. Banks was selected by faculty to serve as an administrative chief resident based on his leadership qualities and integrity. He received numerous awards during his residency training including the Excellence in Compassionate Care Award, Academic Achievement Award, and Harold Pass Excellence in Psychotherapy Award. He also served as an Outpatient Senior Resident to help junior residents acclimate to the outpatient treatment setting and telehealth format. Dr. Banks implements an integrative approach to his practice that primarily utilizes medication management and various psychotherapy disciplines such as cognitive-behavioral, supportive, and psychodynamic techniques. While Dr. Banks is trained in a variety of therapeutic fields, he works collaboratively with therapists and may recommend their inclusion as part of your treatment team to provide you with the level of care you deserve. The duration of follow-up appointments with Dr. Banks is typically 20-30 minutes. He received his master's degree from the University of North Texas Health Science Center in Fort Worth, TX. He then completed medical school at Lake Erie College of Osteopathic Medicine Seton Hill in Greensburg, PA where he served as president of his medical school's chapter of Sigma Sigma Phi Honorary Service Fraternity and co-founder of the National Alliance on Mental Illness (NAMI) Campus Club. Upon graduation from medical school, Dr. Banks completed his residency training in General Psychiatry at Stony Brook University Hospital in Stony Brook, NY.

Dr. Pilar Bare is an adult psychiatrist who completed her psychiatry residency at TriStar Centennial Medical Center in Nashville, Tennessee, where she served as Chief Resident. She earned her medical degree from Western University of Health Sciences College of Osteopathic Medicine of the Pacific Northwest in Oregon, where she studied osteopathic medicine which shaped her holistic view of health. She completed an intern year in Family Medicine at the University of Arkansas for Medical Sciences West. She holds a bachelor's degree in chemistry and biology from the University of Arkansas, where she graduated with honors.

Outside of work, she enjoys hiking, backpacking, visiting national parks, and spending time with her senior dog.

Dr. Bare believes that each individual's background plays a significant role in their mental health, and understanding a patient's personal story is critical to their healing journey. She believes in a respectful, collaborative relationship built on trust and open communication. While Dr. Bare integrates evidence-based medication management when clinically appropriate, she also emphasizes the therapeutic benefit of addressing lifestyle, relationships, and internal narratives.

Dr. Bare begins care with a thorough evaluation, exploring developmental history, impactful life events, and emotional patterns. From there, she develops a comprehensive treatment plan that may include medications, wellness strategies, and therapist collaboration. She considers each patient's strengths and challenges to guide care that promotes long-term recovery and personal growth.

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Dr. John Hendrick is a practicing psychiatrist who has recently served as medical director for clinical services at Erlanger Behavioral Health Hospital in Chattanooga, TN. After several years of private practice, he had served as Chief of Inpatient Psychiatric Services and then as Chief of Psychiatry at Mountain Home VA Medical Center. During his time at Mountain Home VA he was also a Professor of Psychiatry at Quillen Medical School at East Tennessee State University where he taught General Psychiatry courses and the Neurosciences of Psychiatry. His specialties include affective and anxiety disorders and he has specific expertise in neuropsychiatry, psychopharmacology and alternative treatments for affective disorders. He is a Distinguished Life Fellow of the American Psychiatric Association and is a Past President of both the Tennessee Psychiatric Association and the Southern Psychiatric Association. He has been awarded a Distinguished Service Award from the United States Public Health Service. He has been twice named the Outstanding Teacher Award from the ETSU Psychiatry Residency program and was awarded Course Director of the year for the Neurosciences residency course he developed. He holds an Irma J. Bland Award for Excellence in Psychiatric Education from the APA. He has an extensive psychiatric background in practice and as a teacher. He practices psychotherapy from an Eriksonian perspective and is well versed in individual and psychodynamic psychotherapies.

Dr. Kerry O'Leary is a board-certified adult psychiatrist who joined Talkiatry after she completed her psychiatry residency. Dr. O'Leary provides patient-centered care and understands the importance of actively involving patients in their treatment journey. She believes that every patient deserves personalized care tailored to their unique needs and circumstances. She utilizes evidence-based treatments combined with a comprehensive approach to address not only the symptoms but also the underlying factors contributing to her patients' distress. Although her practice focuses on medication management, she also provides supportive therapy and may recommend more intensive therapy when indicated. Dr. O'Leary approaches each patient with empathy and understanding, fostering a supportive and nonjudgmental environment. Dr. O'Leary completed her undergraduate training at The University of Texas at Austin and pursued her medical degree at The University of Texas Medical Branch in Galveston. She also graduated with a Master's in Public Health from Columbia University in New York. She went on to complete her general adult psychiatry training at Baylor College of Medicine in Houston. Dr. O'Leary focuses on treating the adult population from ages 18+. She utilizes both pharmacological and psychotherapeutic treatment interventions and has experience in treating a variety of diagnoses including depression, anxiety, bipolar disorder, insomnia, PTSD, OCD, and psychotic disorders.

Dr. Lauren McClairen is a psychiatrist board certified in General Psychiatry and Addiction Medicine. She completed her medical and psychiatric training at Meharry Medical College in Nashville, TN and a fellowship in Addiction Medicine at Baptist Memorial Hospital in collaboration with IAC (Integrated Addiction Care) in Memphis, TN. Dr. McClairen has clinical experience and practice working with other specialties and disciplines in treatment teams and integrated care models both in the inpatient and outpatient setting. She has held an academic appointment at Baptist Memorial Hospital where she enjoyed teaching and supervising medical residents and fellows in training. She most recently served as the Regional Behavioral Health Medical Director for a group of mental health clinics throughout Tennessee, and as the Chief of Psychiatric Services for a residential treatment facility in Mississippi that also had Partial Hospital and Intensive Outpatient Programming (PHP/IOP). She is experienced in treating patients with a variety of mental health diagnoses including but not limited to depression, bipolar disorder, anxiety disorders, ADHD, OCD, PTSD, and those with a history of substance use disorders. Dr. McClairen works collaboratively with her patients to provide treatments tailored to each patient's individualized needs. She prioritizes building trusting relationships and fostering open communication. Patients can expect a compassionate approach often with utilization of supportive therapy, mindfulness, and at times cognitive behavioral and psychodynamic psychotherapy techniques to address their psychosocial stressors and unique needs.

Dr. Wilt is board certified in adult psychiatry. She earned her medical degree from Louisiana State University in New Orleans, where she also completed her four-year residency in psychiatry. Dr. Wilt takes a biopsychosocial approach to mental health and has over 13 years of experience with an array of mental health diagnoses including Depression, anxiety, ADHD, PTSD, bipolar disorder, and sleep disorders. Dr. Wilt enjoys spending time getting to know her patients and working hand in hand with them to accurately diagnose and treat the symptoms they are experiencing. Dr. Wilt employs a holistic approach to mental health with a focus on incorporating medication management and supportive therapy to improve her patients' quality of life.‍

Dr. Chhavi Chaudhary is a dual board-certified psychiatrist with subspecialty certification in Child and Adolescent Psychiatry. She completed her fellowship at Washington University in St. Louis, where she also served as Chief Fellow, and her general psychiatry residency at the University of Texas Health Science Center at Tyler. Over the past year, she has provided telehealth psychiatric consultations across emergency rooms and inpatient settings, gaining extensive experience across state hospitals, outpatient clinics, college mental health, preschool, mood disorder, and community health clinics.

Patients working with Dr. Chaudhary can expect a thoughtful and collaborative approach. She emphasizes understanding each individual in the context of their psychosocial development, life experiences, and cultural and societal stressors. She believes mental health cannot be separated from the challenges faced at school, work, within families, and in society at large.

Dr. Chaudhary’s style is warm, curious, and collaborative. She listens carefully, ensuring patients and families feel understood, and works together to create practical, personalized treatment plans. She integrates psychopharmacology with therapy, coping strategies, and resilience-building, aiming for patients to feel supported, empowered, and actively engaged in care that evolves with their needs.

Dr. Katelyn Thompson is board certified in Adult Psychiatry. Patients looking for a psychiatric provider will find that Dr. Thompson has a gentle and approachable style. She believes that each patient was created on purpose and for a purpose. The brain is deeply wired for resilience, and Dr. Thompson is blessed to witness tDr. Katelyn Thompson is board certified in Adult Psychiatry.  

Patients looking for a psychiatric provider will find that Dr. Thompson has a gentle and approachable style.  She believes that each patient was created on purpose and for a purpose.  The brain is deeply wired for resilience and Dr. Thompson is blessed to witness that while supporting that in her patients.  She focuses on medication management with supportive psychotherapy as she treats a wide variety of psychiatric diagnoses.

his while supporting her patients. She focuses on medication management with supportive psychotherapy as she treats a wide variety of psychiatric diagnoses.‍

Dr. Parker Loy holds the position of Staff Psychiatrist at Talkiatry. After finishing undergraduate studies at the University of Tennessee, Knoxville, he 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, he completed his residency at UTHSC, during which he trained in a variety of inpatient and outpatient settings and treated a broad spectrum of mental health conditions. He enjoys treating a wide variety of conditions, including mood and anxiety disorders. Therapeutic techniques are incorporated into medication management visits when indicated, and collaboration with therapists may also be recommended.

Dr. Phelps is a board-eligible adult psychiatrist. She was elected chief resident by her residency program at the University of Central Florida. She obtained her medical degree at Nova Southeastern University. She graduated magna cum laude with a bachelor's degree in Kinesiology from Louisiana State University. Dr. Phelps believes in patient-centered care and a holistic approach to medicine. Her practice focuses on medication management, in conjunction with supportive therapy in 30-minute follow-up visits. If additional therapy is needed, she utilizes referrals to psychotherapists to enhance management of mental illness and provide the best treatment outcomes. Dr. Phelps has worked in a variety of medical settings with different patient populations, including outpatient, consult liaison, and inpatient psychiatry. Her primary focus is treating adults with depression, anxiety, ADHD, insomnia, and bipolar disorder. Dr. Phelps aims to build a strong therapeutic relationship and improve the quality of life of her patients.

Dr. Anthony Finch is a graduate of the New York-Presbyterian Hospital/Weill Cornell Medical Center General Psychiatry residency and the Duke University Geriatric Psychiatry fellowship programs; he is board certified in Psychiatry by the ABPN. Dr. Finch was born and raised in New York and now lives in North Carolina. Dr. Finch specializes both in psychiatric medication management and various forms of psychotherapy. He believes that effective psychiatric treatment requires attention to multiple domains, including the establishment of a strong doctor/patient relationship, the development of a sound understanding of who the patient is as an individual, and a comprehensive assessment of spiritual and biological factors contributing to mental health. As such, Dr. Finch's practice includes both pharmacological and psychotherapeutic interventions that aim to treat the whole person on an individualized basis. He sees patients of all ages, specializing in older adults, and treats all psychiatric conditions. Dr. Finch received the 2023 Distinguished House Staff Award from the New York Weill Cornell Medical Center Alumni Council; this is awarded to one graduating house staff member from each department annually for excellence during training. He has conducted research on depression and PTSD, published a number of papers in peer-reviewed journals, presented posters at conferences, and written a chapter for a book on medical education. He practices in both English and German.

Dr. S. Taylor Williams is a psychiatrist with Talkiatry. She is board-certified in psychiatry and has been practicing over 14 years. Dr. Williams received her MD from the University of Alabama School of Medicine at UAB. She completed her psychiatry residency at the University of Tennessee Health Science Center. Prior to joining Talkiatry, she held an academic appointment at UTHSC as Assistant Professor of Psychiatry and was the Clinical Director of the Memphis Mental Health Institute. She specializes in the treatment of young adults and LGBTQ patients. Her practice focuses on medication management.‍

Dr. Rodriguez is a board eligible adult psychiatrist, who is also fluent in Spanish. He completed residency at North Florida Regional in Gainesville via the University of Central Florida, where he also served as chief resident for education. He received his medical degree from Lincoln Memorial University � DeBusk College of Osteopathic Medicine in Tennessee. He also holds a master's and bachelor's degree in engineering from the University of South Florida, in Tampa. Dr. Rodriguez has worked with a wide array of patients across various medical settings and has experience treating patients with psychiatric illness who may also be suffering from medical comorbidities, such as obesity, hypertension, pain, and diabetes. He has been deeply involved with teaching and emphasizes psychoeducation while working in collaboration with his patients to help tailor their personalized treatment plan. His primary focus has been on treating adults with depression, bipolar disorder, anxiety, ADHD, OCD, and PTSD. Dr. Rodriguez has an approachable, patient-centered style, combined with a passion for optimizing sleep as it pertains to management of a psychiatric illness and overall well-being. He offers supportive therapy as part of his medication management visits, and at times may also offer cognitive behavioral therapy to address underlying stressors which may be contributing to one's presenting ailments. He may also recommend including a therapist in your care team to optimize outcomes.

Dr. Lauren Morris is a board-certified psychiatrist and a graduate of the Duke Psychiatry residency program. She is originally from NC - she studied Neuroscience at NCSU, and attended medical school at ECU. Dr. Morris's practice focuses on medication management, and incorporates insight-oriented therapy during visits. Dr. Morris takes a patient-centered evidenced based approach to psychiatry. Dr. Morris is joining the Talkiatry team after working as a staff psychiatrist at the Durham VA, where she also served as a consulting professor for the Duke psychiatry residency program. In her free time, Dr. Morris enjoys hiking and traveling.

Edmund Clark, MD, serves as Chief Psychiatrist at Talkiatry with over 17 years of board-certified experience, including more than 5 years delivering tele-psychiatric care to underserved areas. His career spans 23 years in public service, including leadership roles as Chief of the VA Mental Health Clinics in Jacksonville, FL, and program manager for the University of Florida’s Psychiatry Residency Training Program. A former U.S. Navy psychiatrist, he deployed multiple times, including to Iraq in support of an Army Combat Stress Control clinic, gaining expertise in evidence-based PTSD treatments. Dr. Clark earned his medical degree from the University of Florida and completed his psychiatry residency at the National Naval Medical Center and Walter Reed, serving as chief resident for over 50 military trainees. Before medicine, he served in the U.S. Peace Corps in Kenya.

Dr. Clark values a collaborative approach built on honesty, rapport, and ensuring patients feel heard. He helps patients identify and address multiple factors influencing their mental health, aiming for positive, lasting changes that improve function across life domains. He encourages evidence-based therapies and, when needed, involves other providers to support comprehensive care.

Dr. Clark uses measurement-based tools to assess medication efficacy and guide treatment decisions. He integrates supportive psychotherapy to strengthen coping skills and reduce negative thinking, while incorporating motivational interviewing techniques to promote recovery and self-improvement.