PTSD Psychiatrists in Washington

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. Schwartz is a board-certified Staff Psychiatrist at Talkiatry. He completed his residency at Bergen New Bridge Medical Center in Paramus, New Jersey, where he excelled in his leadership and knowledge, becoming the Chief Resident in just his third year of residency at the busiest outpatient behavioral health clinic in New Jersey. Upon completion of his third year of residency, he went on to become Chief Academic Resident of his program, which allowed him to bestow his knowledge of psychiatry on younger psychiatrists in training. After completing his residency in General Psychiatry, he went on to complete a fellowship in the prestigious Mount Sinai Health System in New York City, based primarily out of the Beth Israel location. During this fellowship he studied Consultation-liaison psychiatry, also known as psychosomatic medicine. It is an exciting subspecialty of psychiatry that focuses on the care of patients with comorbid psychiatric and general medical conditions. Consultation-liaison psychiatry deals with the understanding and advancement of medical science, education, and the provision of healthcare for medically ill and complex patients. Using his training, Dr. Schwartz can focus on using his extensive medication knowledge to help treat an array of psychiatric disorders. Despite medication management, he also works on a holistic approach to psychiatry, including working with the patient to get the proper therapy services when clinically indicated. During the initial interview, a thorough assessment is done, including any medical and psychiatric history, medications you may be currently taking, and supplements before any medication is dispensed. Using his knowledge in psychiatry and consult-liaison psychiatry, Dr. Schwartz's interests include depression, anxiety, ADHD, obsessive compulsive and related disorders, transgender patients on hormone therapies and post-surgical transition. He also has an extensive interest in medical illnesses with a psychiatric component such as cancer patients, transplant, HIV, and many others alike. He looks forward to working with you to enhance your emotional well-being.

Dr. Tamoria is a California native whose career has taken him around the country. As a medical student at Temple School of Medicine in Philadelphia, PA he worked in a culturally diverse, urban community. He was Chief Resident at the “President’s Hospital” in Washington DC and spent the first part of his career serving as an active-duty Navy psychiatrist helping servicemembers and veterans. After the Navy, he returned west to WA whereas a Medical Director he led one of the state’s most successful behavioral health programs through COVID and into the telehealth revolution. Now he serves as Talkiatry’s first West Coast Chief leading and supporting psychiatrists across the western US.

Dr. Tamoria works with adults to diagnose and treat a wide variety of mental health conditions including Depression, Anxiety, ADHD, Bipolar Disorder, PTSD, and more. He uses a combination of medication management and psychotherapy treatment to help patients improve and thrive. He is well experienced in caring for patients with complex histories or co-morbid medical conditions.

In the first appointment with Dr. Tamoria he completes a comprehensive evaluation of mental health symptoms, medical history, social supports, and stressors. He works collaboratively with patients to develop a treatment plan that may include lab tests, managing medications, initiating psychotherapy, or referring to other specialists. Over time he builds on the patient’s strengths and resilience to lead to recovery.

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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.

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.

Dominika is a Licensed Clinical Social Worker (LCSW) who has been in the field for ~20 years performing individual, group, and family service. During her education, Dominika focused on various forms of treatment modalities including DBT, ACT, CBT, trauma informed, family systems, motivational interviewing, and substance abuse treatment. Dominika has been an active remote, mental health therapist for the past several years, and has experience with working with diverse populations providing services to adults and children in mixed settings.

Dominika has an extensive background working with survivors of trauma, depression/bipolar disorder, anxiety, ADD/ADHD, grief, PTSD, schizophrenia and other forms of psychosis, gender/sexual identity difficulties, eating disorders, substance abuse, domestic violence, life transitions, as well as combinations of multiple problems. Dominika is a firm believer meeting people at their own pace to accomplish their objectives at their own speed.

Dominika’s initial appointment is an assessment, gathering the client’s background information and reason for seeking treatment, focusing on the client's own specific goals/desires for therapy and helping ct envision what this would look like for them in order to establish a general roadmap on moving towards their aspirations. After the first session, Dominika concentrates on what complications exist to ct’s objectives and how ct can utilize supportive tools/resources to help overcome these barriers. Dominika then helps cts establish weekly, smaller goals that can lead cts to their larger scale aspirations.

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. 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.

Bryce Thacker grew up in a rural community, where he learned the value of helping others achieve their best selves to support overall community health and well-being. With a passion for helping people live their best lives, he earned his undergraduate degree in biology from the University of Nebraska and completed his nursing education at Creighton University. He went on to earn a Master of Science in Nursing, specializing as a Family Nurse Practitioner and in Community Health, from Creighton University, and later completed a nursing practice degree at the University of Colorado with a focus on population and community health. He also holds a post-graduate certification in psychiatric mental health from Washburn University.

Bryce practiced family medicine for 18 years before transitioning to psychiatric mental health in 2022. His background in both physical and mental health gives him a holistic perspective on care. Since shifting his focus, he has helped individuals improve their quality of life through medication management for mood disorders, PTSD, anxiety, ADHD, and other mental health conditions. He continues to live in a rural community with his family and remains committed to helping people become their best selves.

Bryce believes that each person’s “best self” is unique and that mental health care should meet individuals where they are. He emphasizes a collaborative, client-centered approach, always keeping the individual’s goals at the heart of care. He is dedicated to helping clients identify and overcome the symptoms and stressors that interfere with their well-being, and he works to dismantle limiting beliefs or labels that may have been placed on them.

By taking the time to understand each person’s challenges and aspirations, Bryce helps clients find sustainable, holistic paths to wellness. His care is grounded in empathy, respect, and a deep commitment to supporting each person’s journey toward a fulfilling and balanced life.

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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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Alana Ward is a board certified psychiatric mental health nurse practitioner (PMHNP). Alan has been practicing since 2018 and has experience with individuals of all ages. Prior to becoming a PMHNP, Alana worked as a registered nurse in critical care and psychiatry. As a PMHNP, she has experience working on inpatient adult and geriatric psychiatric units, as well as providing psychiatric evaluations and consultations to individuals on medical units and emergency rooms at hospitals. Alana is very experienced working in outpatient settings managing various psychiatric diagnoses. She has also helped manage individuals in long term care facilities and assisted living facilities. When Alana is not providing direct patient care, she will on occasion help with instructing future nurses at Kent State University. Alana graduated with her Master's of Science in Nursing from Kent State University, and is board certified as a Psychiatric Mental Health Nurse Practitioner through the American Nurse Credentialing Center. Alana enjoys treating a variety of mental health diagnoses including depression, anxiety, obsessive compulsive disorder, mood disorders such as bipolar disorder, and various psychotic disorders. She believes in client-centered care, where clients get a say in their treatment in order to help make them feel their best. Alana truly believes that therapy is a crucial part of successfully treating any mental health diagnosis, in combination with medication management when warranted. Alana likes to add mindfulness and cognitive behavioral therapy techniques to her medication management appointments to help individuals receive effective, quality care.

Dr. Maxwell Schauermann is a board-certified addiction psychiatrist. He completed his medical school and residency training at Loma Linda University in sunny Southern California. He was recognized by his colleagues as Chief Resident of inpatient services for his leadership and problem-solving abilities. His passion for caring for people with substance use disorders led him to complete specialized training in Addiction Psychiatry at the University of Washington in 2024. Dr. Schauermann is known for his patient-centric approach and nonjudgmental, easy-going attitude. He typically offers 60-minute new visits and 30-minute follow-up visits. He excels in treating both psychiatric and addiction disorders, utilizing a broad array of therapeutic modalities, including psychiatric medications, supportive therapy, cognitive-behavioral therapy, dialectical behavior therapy, psychodynamic-based therapy, prolonged exposure therapy, and motivational enhancement therapy. His treatment philosophy centers on empowering patients to heal holistically�body, mind, spirit, and relationships�ensuring each individual receives tailored and evidence-based care.

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. Emily Hutchison is a psychiatrist who earned her medical degree at the University of Washington School of Medicine. She brings over 20 years of experience treating patients with chronic illnesses and integrates whole health practices into her clinical approach. In addition to her medical training, she holds a master’s degree in Adult Fitness and Cardiac Rehabilitation, which informs her focus on the connection between physical and mental health. Dr. Hutchison’s practice is grounded in promoting well-being through a holistic lens that considers the whole person.

Dr. Hutchison prioritizes creating a collaborative relationship with every patient, tailoring treatment to meet the unique needs and goals of each individual. She believes in the importance of open communication, mutual trust, and shared decision-making as the foundation for effective care. Patients can expect a supportive and respectful environment where their experiences are valued, and treatment is approached as a partnership.

In her work, Dr. Hutchison begins by exploring each patient’s personal experiences and symptoms in depth, with the goal of understanding the whole picture of their health. She develops holistic treatment plans that integrate both medical and lifestyle considerations to support long-term wellness. Known for her punctuality, excellent communication, and genuine regard for every patient, Dr. Hutchison strives to ensure that care is not only effective but also compassionate and individualized.

Denise White, PMHNP, has worked in the mental health field for over 30 years following the completion of her Bachelor’s degree in Psychology from Suffolk University in Boston. She began her career as a mental health technician in a geriatric residential program and later pursued additional education in nursing, earning an Associate Degree in Nursing from Quincy College, a Bachelor’s Degree in Nursing from South University, and a Master’s in Nursing from Eastern Kentucky University. Over the years, she has held diverse roles in adult and children’s case management, residential and intensive outpatient programs, inpatient psychiatric care, and crisis stabilization. Denise has provided care in both inpatient and outpatient settings as well as through hospital consult services across the country.

Denise prides herself on her ability to empathize with her patients and meet them exactly where they are in their journey. She believes that trust is the foundation of the therapeutic relationship and works diligently to create a supportive, nonjudgmental environment where patients feel safe, heard, and respected.

In the initial evaluation, Denise focuses on gathering comprehensive information to form a complete understanding of each patient’s unique background and needs. From there, she develops an individualized treatment plan that aligns with the patient’s prioritized goals. Each session begins from that foundation, allowing her to support patients at their own pace as trust deepens and progress unfolds.

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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