Anxiety Psychiatrists in Washington

Dr. Jennifer Shoenfelt is a staff psychiatrist at Talkiatry. She is double board certified in child and adolescent psychiatry and adult psychiatry. She has been practicing for over 14 years. Dr. Shoenfelt's practice focuses on child and adolescent medication management. Typically, she offers this in conjunction with supportive or emotionally focused therapy in 30-minute follow-up visits. However, occasionally Dr. Shoenfelt may believe that additional therapy is needed and will ask that you bring a therapist into your care team to provide the best outcome. She provides treatment plans that include holistic recommendations for diet, exercise, and educational and psychosocial/spiritual aspects of care. She is known for listening to and respecting patients' stories and walking them on a path of recovery and growth. Dr. Shoenfelt received her medical degree from the Boonshoft School of Medicine at Wright State University in Dayton, Ohio. She earned her Bachelor of Science degree in Physical Therapy from The Ohio State University. Dr. Shoenfelt practiced for 14 years in physical therapy with a specialization in children with developmental and neurological disabilities before attending medical school. Dr. Shoenfelt has held multiple positions in hospital and outpatient psychiatry, including community mental health, developmental and foster care settings, and medical director positions. She has served as clinical faculty for both the Wright State Department of Psychiatry and the University of Cincinnati School of Medicine. She has a passion for the education of medical students, residents, and patients. Dr. Jennifer Shoenfelt is a staff psychiatrist at Talkiatry. She is double board certified in child and adolescent psychiatry and adult psychiatry. She has been practicing for over 14 years.

Deborah Ford PMHNP, FNP is a dually certified board certified Psychiatric Mental Health Nurse Practitioner.  She is also qualified as a family nurse practitioner.  She completed her education at the University of Cincinnati in Ohio and the University of Kennesaw in Ga.  Ms. Ford has 10 years of treating patients with mental health issues.  Working in various settings such as outpatient, inpatient, private practice and telepsychiatry.

Whether you’re struggling with Schizophrenia, ADD, Anxiety, Depression, PTSD, Bipolar, Panic, or other mental health disorders. Together we can work to help equip you with the necessary tools to help you face and overcome challenges. Please understand you are the priority!   Deborah Ford offers encouragement, empathy, hope and understanding by providing compassion and promoting self-care.  In her free time, she enjoys exercise and travel.  Believing that self-love is an essential part of mental wellness.  She believes in continuous learning and is a patient advocate.  As a team, support is provided with the help of psychotherapy such as cognitive behavioral therapy, mindfulness, psychodynamic therapy using motivational interviewing.  Deborah Ford’s Core Values surround Integrity, accountability, diversity, collaboration, inclusion & respect.

Dr. Holly Shiao is a psychiatrist who has worked extensively with medically complex patients, including a special focus in psycho-oncology with cancer patients. She is double board-certified in Consultation-Liaison Psychiatry and Adult Psychiatry. She has been practicing for over 7 years. Before Talkiatry, Dr. Shiao worked as an Assistant Professor at the University of Washington and Fred Hutchinson Cancer Center. She also worked as an Assistant Professor and was Director of Emergency Psychiatry at the University of Chicago. She has presented nationally at the Academy of Consultation-Liaison Psychiatry and written a book chapter about psycho-oncology. Dr. Shiao attended medical school at John P. and Kathrine G. McGovern Medical School at the University of Texas Health Science Center at Houston. She then completed an Adult Psychiatry residency at the University of Texas Medical Branch at Galveston, followed by a Consultation-Liaison fellowship at Dell Medical School at the University of Texas at Austin. Dr. Shiao is interested in the mind-body connection in overall emotional and mental well-being. She likes to integrate therapy modalities, such as cognitive behavioral therapy, supportive therapy, mindfulness and meditation with medication management to optimize a patient's mental health.

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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Ashlyn Tellers is a board-certified Psychiatric Mental Health Nurse Practitioner. She earned her nursing degree with an emphasis in psychiatry in 2020 from the University of Arizona. With over twelve years of experience, she has cared for mental health patients across long-term care, inpatient, residential, and outpatient settings.

Ashlyn specializes in treating adults with depression, anxiety disorders, bipolar disorder, ADHD, and OCD through medication management and supportive therapy. She emphasizes patient education and works collaboratively to build therapeutic and safe treatment plans. She encourages open discussions about past mental health history and current stressors to help identify root causes and develop healthy coping strategies. When appropriate, she refers patients to therapists for more specialized care.

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Dr. Barbara Lampert is a board certified psychiatrist, diplomat of The American Board of Addiction Medicine, and Fellow of the American Society of Addiction Medicine. She trained at the Downstate School of Medicine in Brooklyn, NY, completed her internship at Georgetown University in Washington, DC, and her residency in Psychiatry at the David Geffen School of Medicine at UCLA in Los Angeles. Over 30 years, she has worked in inpatient and outpatient settings, taught 3rd-year residents psychopharmacology in the Mood Disorder clinic she created, consulted in the prison system, and volunteered in the aftermath of natural disasters. She joined the New Mexico Medical Reserve Corps and was active in the Corps while working in her private practice. She continued to study the effects of trauma when she returned to California in 2008. She received specialized training in EMDR and Dialectic Behavior Therapy. In addition, she studied substance abuse problems and became a Diplomate of the American Board of Addiction Medicine. Empathy forms the core of Dr. Lampert's approach to treating patients. Working with trauma survivors, she believes that the goal is not to dwell on "the story” because patients often need time to reconstruct an accurate history. Rather, helping patients manage the challenge of living in the present moment is a worthy goal. Dr. Lampert has been named one of the Best Doctors in America for the treatment of mood disorders and one of the Best Doctors in California. She has remained dedicated to the dual path she's followed for years: excellence in Biological Psychiatry and psychology. She looks forward to working with you to help you achieve your treatment goals.

Lance Briggs is a dedicated Psychiatric Nurse Practitioner with over a decade of clinical and leadership experience. A graduate of the University of North Dakota, Lance began as a psychiatric RN in acute inpatient settings before becoming a psychiatric RN supervisor in a major Houston hospital while pursuing advanced practice.

After becoming a PMHNP, Lance initially worked with outpatient addiction treatment and severe mental illness populations, later expanding into bariatric psychiatry to support patients preparing for weight-loss surgery. When the COVID-19 pandemic paused bariatric procedures, Lance founded a private practice—Grey Matters Mental Health—in Seattle, which was later sold to a larger healthcare organization in Minnesota. Lance then transitioned into correctional mental health, serving underserved populations within the criminal justice system. Currently, Lance is working at Talkiatry, providing compassionate, high-quality care informed by experience across diverse and challenging environments.

Lance understands that every patient is unique. His approach is grounded in Carl Rogers’ principle of unconditional positive regard, creating a safe, calming space where patients feel heard and valued. Lance takes time to explore developmental history, family background, and major life events, recognizing how past experiences shape present challenges. He aims to understand each symptom fully and offers thoughtful, collaborative treatment options.

Dr. McGowan is a board-certified adult psychiatrist with over 14 years of experience, during which time he primarily treated active-duty US Navy sailors, their family members, and military retirees in the outpatient setting. His practice focuses on medication management in addition to supportive and cognitive-behavioral therapy in 30-minute follow-up visits. He is a strong advocate of multiple treatment modalities and, in certain situations, may suggest that therapy and/or regular physical exercise be included in your treatment plan to provide the best outcome. He received his B.S. in Physics from the United States Naval Academy. After serving as an Intelligence Officer in the Navy for eight years, he transitioned to medicine and earned his medical degree from the Uniformed Services University of the Health Sciences in Bethesda, MD. After completing an intern year in Family Medicine, Dr. McGowan completed residency training in Psychiatry at Naval Medical Center Portsmouth, VA, where he remained on staff for the next ten years and was primarily involved in resident training and education. He held academic appointments at the Uniformed Services University and Eastern Virginia Medical School and served as the Psychiatry Residency Program Director for six years. He served his final four years in uniform running the behavioral health department at Naval Air Station Whidbey Island, WA. He recently retired from the Navy after a 30-year career. Dr. McGowan has extensive experience in outpatient psychiatric care. In addition to the full spectrum of mood and anxiety disorders, he has treated a very large number of patients with PTSD stemming from combat, natural disasters, and sexual trauma. He believes that, like his service to the country, working alongside others in their journey to better mental health is an incredible privilege.

Dr. Catherine Shim is a board-certified psychiatrist and completed her training at the University of Washington, where she received additional certifications in Psychotherapy and Community Psychiatry.  Prior to joining Talkiatry, she spent years serving the mental health needs of underserved communities as well as our Veteran population.  Dr. Cat is excited to bring that same dedication and selfless service to her Talkiatry patients!

Dr. Cat is experienced in managing a multitude of mental health conditions, but her specialty is providing behaviorally oriented trauma-informed care.  Her approach is to treat primarily through psychotherapy and behavioral change, with medication management serving as an important (and often essential) adjuvant to optimizing mental health.

Dr. Cat tends to have a very casual engagement style, so expect a frank but open conversation during your first meetings with her.  Following that initial screening, anticipate a candid discussion about her approach to your condition and an initial treatment plan.  Please feel free to bring up any questions or concerns at any time during this process, and note-taking is highly encouraged!

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Deora Johnson, PMHNP, is a board-certified adult psychiatric nurse practitioner with 24 years of experience. He is passionate about providing clients with a holistic approach to mental health care, incorporating both pharmacologic and non-pharmacologic interventions. Deora works with adult and senior populations, focusing on the assessment, diagnosis, and treatment of mental health conditions. He collaborates closely with clients to guide them through understanding and selecting the most effective interventions and medication management options for their needs. Supportive therapy, solution-focused therapy, and motivational interviewing are integral components of his medication management sessions.

Deora earned his Master of Science in Nursing from Vanderbilt University in Nashville, Tennessee, and completed a nursing practice degree at the University of Alabama in Birmingham. He has experience treating patients in a variety of outpatient and inpatient settings.

His areas of specialty include the treatment of major depressive disorder, anxiety disorders, bipolar disorder, ADHD, PTSD, and insomnia. His research focused on non-pharmacologic interventions for insomnia in individuals with depression.

Deora also has experience working with military veterans. At the VA Outpatient Clinic in Baltimore, Maryland, he treated veterans returning from Operation Iraqi Freedom and Operation Enduring Freedom, as well as those from the Vietnam and Korean War eras. His clinical work focused on PTSD, major depressive disorder, anxiety disorders, and bipolar disorder.

Deora believes the therapeutic relationship offers a unique opportunity to work collaboratively through life’s challenges. He views medication management as an important part of a comprehensive treatment plan that also includes therapy.

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Dr. David Wait, MD is American Board of Psychiatry and Neurology certified and a fellow of the American Psychiatric Association. A skilled psychopharmacologist and psychotherapist, he has over 30 years’ experience successfully helping people overcome a diverse range of emotional, psychiatric, and addiction challenges.

David was born in Sioux Falls, South Dakota, and is a graduate of Augustana College. He obtained his MD at the USD School of Medicine. His residency was at the University of Arkansas for Medical Sciences (UAMS) in Little Rock where he was trained in both psychotherapy and biological management of psychiatric challenges.

Following residency training, Dr. Wait continued to work with UAMS and the State of Arkansas in research and program development focusing on implementing and then teaching novel strengths focused care for people with severe mental illness for the first 12 years of his career.

Later, Dr. Wait moved with his wife and three children to Coeur d'Alene, Idaho. He has since been in clinical practice and leadership roles in inpatient, outpatient, and telehealth psychiatric care settings.

Rather than focus primarily on illness or problems, Dr. Wait’s approach is to first evaluate his patients comprehensively, then utilize what’s learned from this to treat and empower them to make and then practice choices that lead to improved health and well-being, using an integrative model that recognizes that mental, physical, social, and spiritual health are one.

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Farrah has worked almost exclusively in community mental health centers in Iowa and in Arizona for the last 15 years. She has been providing telepsychiatry services since 2013 across several states, serving hospitals, community mental health centers, local jails, and residential treatment facilities. Farrah was lead prescriber for Living Out Loud, a mental health program exclusively for LGBTQ+ persons. She has worked with patients with comorbid mental health & HIV+ status, and a long history of working with persons with severe mental illness.

Farrah has mentored countless new Psychiatric Nurse Graduates in their first year of outpatient practice and precepted students working to achieve their Psychiatric Nurse Practitioner Certification. She was also part of the pilot program for the Integrated Behavioral Health Home, which integrated primary care into treatment for SMI patients.

Farrah Lamoreux offers a warm patient centered approach to psychiatry. She is well known for being easy to talk to, and down to earth. Farrah believes that the patient is the most important part of the treatment team, and engaging patients in the decision-making process of their treatment. Patients say that she listens, they feel heard, and that she tailors care to what best fits your needs. She enjoys working with therapists whenever possible to ensure the best outcomes. Farrah specializes in the treatment of ADHD, but also treats Depression, PTSD, Anxiety, Panic, Agoraphobia, OCD, Autism and Bipolar Disorder.

Dr. Regina Fu is a board-certified psychiatrist who began her interest in Psychiatry while studying Psychobiology at UCLA. After completing her General Psychiatry residency at University of Rochester, she emphasizes a holistic approach to mental health treatment using the biopsychosocial foundation. Her approach to patient care combines evidence-based medicine while recognizing the individual factors that can influence well-being. She has a special interest in Cultural Psychiatry and prioritizes providing personalized and effective care to a diverse patient population.

Dr. Anil Joseph (AJ) Kulangara completed additional training in Psychiatry at the University of Washington after working primarily in women’s health, primary care, and military medicine as a Battalion Surgeon in the United States Army.  Following his military service, he trained in Psychiatry and served the mental health needs of our Veteran population. He is excited to now bring his unique expertise and experiences to Talkiatry, as well as his additional training in Women’s Mental Health, Reproductive and Perinatal Psychiatry, PTSD, and trauma-informed ADHD evaluation and treatment.

Dr. AJ’s approach focuses on behavioral change, with medication management and supportive therapies serving as important (and often essential) adjuvants to optimizing mental health.

During your first meetings with Dr. AJ, you should expect a thorough evaluation of your clinical and social histories, as well as some introductory psychoeducation.  Following that screening, anticipate a discussion about his approach to your condition and an initial treatment plan.  Please feel free to bring up any questions or concerns at any time during this process, and note-taking is highly encouraged!

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Dr. Ocean Workman, MD, has experience in outpatient, inpatient, and psychiatric emergency settings. They earned their medical degree from the University of Maryland School of Medicine and completed residency in psychiatry at the University of Washington, where they served as Outpatient Chief Resident and completed an area of distinction in psychotherapy. Dr. Workman also holds a Master of Science in Nutrition and Human Performance from Logan University and is a 500-hour Registered Yoga Teacher trained in Rishikesh, India. They have a special interest in serving LGBTQIA+, kink/sex-positive, and non-monogamous communities.

Dr. Workman’s style is warm, collaborative, and grounded in respect for each patient’s individuality. They combine evidence-based and personalized treatments that may include medication management, psychotherapy (ACT, DBT, CBT, psychodynamic, and supportive modalities), and holistic wellness approaches. Dr. Workman strives to create a safe, affirming space where patients can explore and grow in ways aligned with their values.

In the initial sessions, Dr. Workman conducts a comprehensive assessment of the patient’s goals, values, history, and concerns. Together, they develop a tailored treatment plan that reflects the patient’s unique needs, emphasizing shared decision-making and ongoing collaboration.

Dr. Megan Crochet is board certified in Adult Psychiatry and has completed a fellowship in child and adolescent Psychiatry. Dr. Crochet attended medical school at Drexel University College of Medicine and completed her training at Mount Sinai School of Medicine, followed by Tulane University School of Medicine, where she was a chief resident. Dr. Crochet provides a therapeutic medication management visit, which incorporates therapeutic techniques tailored to the individual patient needs while adjusting medication doses. Her goal is to help patients manage their symptoms while working towards, over time, uncovering the root causes. This comprehensive process helps to empower her patients and provides hope and acceptance of their psychiatric challenges. If indicated, Dr. Crochet may believe that additional therapy is also needed and recommend that you bring a therapist into your care team to provide the best outcome. Dr. Crochet has worked in hospital systems, private practice, and most recently telemedicine. When not practicing, she enjoys all things water, cooking and spending time with her daughter and dog.