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Emmalee Boyle, MD
Staff Psychiatrist
Languages
English
Specialties
Medication Management

Dr. Emmalee Boyle is a board-certified adult psychiatrist who specializes in providing patient-centered care. She offers a mix of medication management in conjunction with supportive therapy in 30-minute follow-up visits. Dr. Boyle’s areas of interest include treating mood disorders, anxiety disorders, and co-occurring substance use disorders. In addition, she enjoys helping the patient explore a holistic approach to their mental health treatment.

Dr. Boyle received her medical degree from the Medical College of Wisconsin. She completed her general psychiatry residency training at Boston University Medical Center, where she was selected as co-chief resident. She also completed an additional post-graduate fellowship at the Massachusetts Institute of Psychoanalysis.

During training, Dr. Boyle worked with an ethnically, culturally, and linguistically diverse patient population with various psychiatric illnesses and has experience navigating the many intersecting systems of mental health care. In addition, she worked with experts in the fields of psychosis and substance abuse. She also co-authored a book chapter on the immune system and psychiatric illness. Dr. Boyle also has particular clinical interests in immigrant and refugee health.

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Lee Dockery, MD
Staff Psychiatrist
Languages
English
Specialties
Medication Management

Dr. Lee Dockery serves as a general psychiatry provider for Talkiatry since joining in August 2022. He is board-eligible with expected certification in fall 2022, with further addiction psychiatry board-certification expected in 2023. He has been training and practicing psychiatry since 2018.

Dr. Dockery’s practice emphasizes medication management within a therapy-informed framework, utilizing skills from Acceptance and Commitment therapy, mindfulness-based therapies, motivation interviewing, and supportive therapy. He typically offers 60-minute new visits and 30-minute follow-up visits.

Dr. Dockery received his medical degree from the Medical College of Georgia in 2014. He then moved to Nashville, TN to complete his general psychiatry residency at Vanderbilt University Medical Center, where he served as chief resident of inpatient services. He expects to complete addiction psychiatry fellowship in spring 2023.

Dr. Dockery has experience treating most general adult psychiatry complaints, including mood disorders, anxiety disorders, and substance use disorders. He has particular focus in the treatment of young adults, and co-occurring mood disorders and substance use disorders.

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Lisa Ekeanyanwu, MD
Staff Psychiatrist
Languages
English
Specialties
Medication Management

Dr. Lisa Ekeanyanwu is a board eligible Psychiatrist. She completed her psychiatry residency training at Stanford. She has practiced in various settings over her career including in-patient, out-patient, community settings, emergency rooms, tele-health settings, as well as international clinical fieldwork settings.

Dr. Ekeanyanwu's practice centers on pharmacotherapy. She offers this in conjunction with supportive therapy, cognitive behavioral therapy, and psychodynamic therapy, to treat psychiatric conditions. Occasionally she may believe that additional therapy may be necessary and ask that you bring a therapist into your care team to provide the best outcome.

Dr. Ekeanyanwu believes in the importance of providing safe clinical care centered on meeting everyone’s specific goals and improving their overall quality of life. She has a special interest in the impact that culture and/micro-culture has on mental health and strives to understand and respect her patient's life experiences and values. The philosophy of her practice is to collaborate with patients to meet their specific needs to make an impact in various stages of their life.



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Luis Espinosa, MD
Staff Psychiatrist
Languages
English
Specialties
Medication Management

Dr. Luis Espinosa holds the position of adult psychiatrist with Talkiatry. His practice focuses on medication management, and typically offers this in conjunction with supportive therapy in 30-minute follow-up visits. Dr. Espinosa’s approach is holistic. Each patient’s care is driven by their unique goals and values, whether they suffer from depression, anxiety, trauma, and stress related, or obsessive-compulsive disorders.

Dr. Espinosa believes in serving patients by combining therapy with medication to provide an experience that is both therapeutic and informative and allows patients to guide their own outcomes in a supportive space.  

Dr. Espinosa completed his undergraduate studies in philosophy at the University of Florida as the 2013 Ellen Haring Award winner. He was then honored as a Docherty Foundation Scholar to attend the University of South Florida Morsani College of Medicine. He pursued his specialty training in psychiatry at Kaiser Permanente Northern California.

Dr. Espinosa believes in a treatment modality that combines wellness of mind and body to help individuals who are suffering achieve their potential.

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David Jiang, MD
Staff Psychiatrist
Languages
English
Specialties
Medication Management

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.

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Satveet Khela, DO
Staff Psychiatrist
Languages
English
Specialties
Medication Management

Dr. Satveet Khela is a board certified physician specializing in adult psychiatry. She has been practicing since 2021.

In addition to focusing on medication management, Dr. Khela's practice also prioritizes a whole person approach, incorporating aspects of nutrition, lifestyle, mindfulness, and supportive or brief cognitive behavioral therapy into the treatment plan. Occasionally, Dr. Khela may believe that additional therapy is also needed and ask that you see a separate therapist to provide the best outcome.

Dr. Khela received her undergraduate degree from University of California Berkeley and her medical degree from A.T. Still University. She completed her residency at University of California San Francisco Fresno, where she served as chief resident in her final year. After completing her training, Dr. Khela worked with medically ill patient's with co-morbid psychiatric illnesses. Throughout her career, Dr. Khela has worked with a diverse set of patient in various stages of their lives.

Dr. Khela focuses on treating patients with anxiety, depression, PTSD, bipolar, OCD, and other mental health issues. She believes in empowering her patients to be active players in their treatment plans to facilitate the best care possible.

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Michael Lukowski, MD
Staff Psychiatrist
Languages
English
Specialties
Medication Management

Dr. Michael Lukowski is an adult psychiatrist who holds board certification with the American Board of Psychiatry and Neurology. He has been practicing medicine for over 4 years.

Dr. Lukowski focuses on medication management combined with supportive therapy in 30-minute follow-up visits. He practices whole-person medicine, caring for the wellness of your mind, body, and spirit and helping you enjoy your relationships with those around you.

Dr. Lukowski received his medical degree from the University of Nevada School of Medicine in Reno, NV, before moving to southern California to complete his residency at Loma Linda University. After completing training, Dr. Lukowski began working with the Southern California Permanente Medical Group in Riverside, CA, where he treated a variety of psychiatric disorders in an outpatient setting. In March of 2020, as the pandemic changed life and medicine forever, Dr. Lukowski adopted a strictly telepsychiatry role at his clinic. He has also held a staff psychiatrist position as an adult inpatient psychiatrist in Tennessee.

Dr. Lukowski treats a wide variety of psychiatric disorders within the adult demographic.

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Laura Obler, MD
Staff Psychiatrist
Languages
English
Specialties
Medication Management

Dr. Laura Obler is board-certified in adult psychiatry. She received her medical degree from David Geffen School of Medicine at UCLA in Los Angeles, California, where she stayed to complete her psychiatry residency at the UCLA Semel Institute for Neuroscience. During residency she received specialized training in reproductive psychiatry (the treatment of women who are considering pregnancy or are pregnant or postpartum) and acted as Chief Resident of the Women’s Life Center at UCLA.

Dr. Obler has experience working with a diverse group of patients. She has previously worked in community clinics in the greater Los Angeles area and as a staff psychiatrist at UCLA. She prefers a holistic approach to psychiatric treatment and therefore uses a combination of medication management and talking therapies to treat patients. Techniques she may utilize include cognitive behavioral therapy, experiential psychodynamic therapy, mentalization based therapy, and medical hypnosis.

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Tulsie Patel, MD
Staff Psychiatrist
Languages
English
Specialties
Medication Management

Tulsie Patel is a board certified psychiatrist who treats adults. She graduated Cum Laude from Drexel University and attended medical school at the University of Miami Miller School of Medicine. She completed her psychiatry residency at the University of Texas Southwestern (UTSW) and was elected to serve as Chief Resident during her final year of training. She has worked as an outpatient psychiatrist in California and Florida and has experience in medication management, individual and group therapy, and transcranial magnetic stimulation (TMS.)

She is dedicated to constantly learning and has previously published numerous articles and book chapters on various topics in the fields of psychiatry, dermatology, and psychodermatology.

She is also very passionate about education and medical journalism. During her residency training, she worked at ABC News in New York City as a member of their medical unit. She provided consultation on medical stories for programs including Good Morning America and World News with David Muir. She has published a number of articles on the websites for ABC News and Good Morning America. She also has experience presenting as an on-air expert for ABC News and for mental health podcasts.

She is committed to continuously evolving as a provider in order to provide the best care for her patients. Her focus is always to provide patient-centered care by prioritizing open communication and collaboration with her patients. She has experience providing care for a variety of psychiatric illnesses. The conditions
she treats include but are not limited to depression, anxiety, panic disorder, OCD, PTSD, and ADHD.

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Boski Patel, MD
Staff Psychiatrist
Languages
English
Gujarati
Specialties
Medication Management, Geriatric

Dr. Boski Patel holds the position of psychiatrist at Talkiatry. She is double board-certified in geriatric and adult psychiatry and she has been practicing for over 3 years.

Dr. Patel's practice focuses on medication management and she typically she offers this in conjunction with supportive therapy in 30-minute follow-up visits. On occasion, Dr. Patel may believe that additional therapy is also needed and asks that you bring a therapist into your care team to provide the best outcome.

She received her undergraduate degree from the University of Pittsburgh, and then went on to receive her medical degree from Penn State University. Following medical school, she completed general psychiatry residency training at the University of Connecticut where she was Chief resident of outpatient psychiatric services. During that time she was also chosen as a Honors scholar with the American Association of Geriatric Psychiatry. After training she moved to California to do her geriatric psychiatry fellowship at Stanford. Following her fellowship, she worked at Kaiser Permanente in clinical roles of outpatient, geriatric and C/L.

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Kristin Ratz, MD
Staff Psychiatrist
Languages
English
Specialties
Medication Management

Dr. Kristin Ratz is a Board-Certified psychiatrist who is an expert in the diagnosis, treatment, and prevention of mental, emotional and behavioral disorders. She specializes in medication management combined with supportive therapy during 30-minute follow-up sessions.

Dr. Ratz recognizes that each patient is unique and believes in an environment of collaboration, in which the patient and psychiatrist work together in order to develop the best individualized treatment plan.

A California local, Dr. Ratz obtained her undergraduate education at University of California, Davis, graduating magna cum laude with a degree in Human Development. She then attended medical school at Loma Linda University School of Medicine, obtaining her Medical Doctorate. Following this, she completed her adult psychiatry residency training at the distinguished University of California, Irvine.

Dr. Ratz has worked in a diverse range of healthcare settings, including county and community clinics, and is very experienced in telepsychiatry. She pays close attention to not only an individual’s emotional state, but also their physical, spiritual, and social well-being, in order to provide her patients with exceptional holistic care.

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Marla Richard, MD
Staff Psychiatrist
Languages
English
Specialties
Medication Management, Geriatric

Dr. Marla Richard is Stanford trained board-certified psychiatrist and board eligible in geriatric psychiatry from UCSD. She has been practicing in a variety of settings for the last 30 years. Dr. Richard uses an an integrated health paradigm with general and geriatric patients using traditional psychopharmacology, interpersonal neurobiology practices, and personality assessments to look at root motivations for behaviors to address core issues and with medication management as needed. Dr. Marla believes that you need to take a whole-person approach to both mental and physical health.

She received her undergraduate degree from the University of Minnesota, Duluth, and followed by medical school at Stanford Medical School to complete her MD. With visions of becoming a general surgeon, she went to the University Hospitals of Cleveland and completed two years of general surgery training before seeing the light and transferring to psychiatry. She completed her psychiatry training at Stanford University and geriatric training many years later at UCSD.

Her focus includes an integrated approach to the consideration of mental and physical health, while incorporating tools of mindfulness to teach skills of stress and anxiety management in everyday life. In conjunction with medication management, she uses interpersonal neurobiology to help clients understand triggers as well as methods to calm overactive stress responses and reactivity.

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Jennifer Ruch, DO
Staff Psychiatrist
Languages
English
Specialties
Medication Management

Dr. Jennifer Ruch is a board-certified psychiatrist who strives to understand her patients’ lived experiences and aspirations to develop supportive therapeutic relationships through empathetic listening, mutual trust, and respect. She collaboratively creates individualized care plans that align with personal treatment goals in a safe and judgment-free environment.

After completing her Bachelor of Science degree in Human Biology with a focus in psychology from the University of California, Merced, she earned her medical degree from Lake Erie College of Osteopathic Medicine. Dr. Ruch completed her General Psychiatry Residency at Arnot Ogden Medical Center in New York. Her clinical experience involves treating individuals of all age groups from diverse populations and socioeconomic backgrounds suffering from anxiety, depression, bipolar disorder, psychotic disorders, neurodevelopmental disorders, and neurocognitive disorders.

She has provided care in inpatient and outpatient psychiatric facilities, the Veterans Affairs Medical Center, emergency rooms, state facilities, and an inpatient chemical dependency center. She also performed pre-procedure psychological evaluations for bariatric and spinal cord surgeries, and psychiatric consult liaison services on medical units and has clinical training in inpatient and outpatient neurology. Her clinical experience incorporated treatment modalities such as pharmacotherapy and interventional psychiatry, including Transcranial Magnetic Stimulation and Spravato.

Dr. Ruch integrates a wide array of psychotherapy as needed; however, her practice primarily focuses on medication management while utilizing referrals to therapists and providing collaborative care for optimal outcomes.

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Sabera Saklayen, MD
Staff Psychiatrist
Languages
English
Specialties
Medication Management, LGBTQ+

Dr. Sabera Saklayen is a board-certified psychiatrist licensed in Adult Psychiatry. She obtained her bachelor's degree from Ohio State University and her medical degree from Wright State University Boonshoft School of Medicine. She completed training from Stony Brook University Hospital where she served as chief resident and was a recipient of the William Turner Award for outstanding performance in psychiatry residency.

Dr. Saklayen treats all patients from ages 18 and up. She treats a variety of diagnoses including depression, bipolar disorder, generalized anxiety, panic disorder, social anxiety, OCD, insomnia, and substance use disorders, as well as those navigating difficult life circumstances or transitions. Dr. Saklayen particularly excels in treating college students. She has worked extensively with vulnerable and underserved populations at Bellevue Hospital, where she served as an outpatient psychiatrist for two years. Throughout her experience in New York City and within her own background, Dr. Saklayen has unique insight into the needs of a diverse patient population, and enjoys continuously learning and evolving with her patients.

Dr. Saklayen primarily focuses on medication management, however will often bring in integrative therapy approaches such as supportive, CBT and MI within each 30 min follow visit. If she feels more in depth therapy may be beneficial, she may refer you to a therapist on the care team to best suit your needs.

Overall, Dr. Saklayen has a patient-centered and holistic approach to care. She will work with you to understand you and include you in your individualized treatment plan, and to ultimately help you feel comfortable with your mental health treatment.

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Seth Sherman, MD
Staff Psychiatrist
Languages
English
Specialties
Medication Management, LGBTQ+

Dr. Seth Sherman is a board-certified adult psychiatrist who has been in practice for over ten years. At the heart of Dr. Sherman’s clinical approach is a strong emphasis on establishing trust, rapport, and therapeutic alliance to help persons to feel and live well and to progress toward their goals, both in treatment and in life.

Dr. Sherman begins with consultation, a compassionate, collaborative process of discovery that culminates in a working diagnostic impression and, in turn, treatment recommendations. For those with whom he engages in a treatment relationship, Dr. Sherman provides psychoeducation, medication management, and individual psychotherapy, this last modality predominantly drawing from both psychodynamic and behavioral psychological models to tailor treatment to each patient. On some occasions, Dr. Sherman may believe that additional therapy is needed and ask that you bring a therapist into your care team to provide the best outcome.

Dr. Sherman received his medical degree from Stanford University and went on to complete his residency in psychiatry at Harvard University. After completing training, he cultivated a private practice of psychiatry in San Francisco, California, treating persons with a variety of psychiatric illnesses, while also providing consultation and clinical supervision to psychotherapists in day-treatment and office-based practices.

Next, Dr. Sherman served as a psychiatry professor at the Florida Atlantic University Charles E. Schmidt College of Medicine in Florida, where, as Associate Director of the Psychiatry Residency Training Program, he provided psychiatric inpatient treatment while bringing leadership, scholarship, teaching, supervision, and mentoring to psychiatry residents and medical students.

Most recently, Dr. Sherman worked as a Senior Medical Officer/Consultant Psychiatrist in New Zealand’s public health system, serving local communities with expert diagnosis of and treatment for a wide range of mental health conditions. He also continued to supervise U.S.-based psychiatrists, along with New Zealand psychotherapists, in advanced and complex clinical psychopharmacology and psychotherapy.



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Stuart Silverman, MD
Staff Psychiatrist
Languages
English
Specialties
Medication Management, Child/Adolescent

Dr. Stuart Silverman is Board Certified in Child, Adolescent, and Adult Psychiatry and has been practicing for over thirty years. He completed his medical training at Tel Aviv University in Israel. After completing his medical training, Dr. Silverman completed two years of residency training in pediatrics at The Brookdale Hospital Medical Center and an additional two years of residency training in adult psychiatry at The Mount Sinai Medical Center. He also completed a fellowship in child and adolescent psychiatry at Columbia Presbyterian Medical Center-New York State Psychiatric Institute, where he served as Chief Fellow in his final year.

To further his holistic approach, Dr. Silverman graduated from the Institute for Integrative Nutrition in New York in 2019 and completed the Chef’s Diploma at the Natural Gourmet Institute in New York City in 2012. Through these experiences, Dr. Silverman has learned innovative coaching methods, practical lifestyle management techniques, and dietary theories.

Dr. Silverman offers insight-oriented psychotherapy. This is a longer-term option with less structure than cognitive-behavioral therapy. He also enjoys transpersonal therapy and, if the patient is interested, discussing psycho-spiritual issues. His approach to medicine is holistic and integrative.

He has traveled to and worked in many areas of the country, including New York City, New Mexico, Alaska, and Hawaii, working with people of various backgrounds. Dr. Silverman’s primary focus is working with individuals and groups through incorporating a more holistic approach to treatment, thereby optimizing positive outcomes.

Dr. Silverman’s education has equipped him with extensive, cutting-edge knowledge in psychiatry and health, wellness, and prevention. Drawing on his expertise, he treats clients with talk therapy, medication management when indicated and supports clients in making lifestyle changes and choosing health-promoting strategies that produce sustained results.

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Mustafa Taquee, MD
Staff Psychiatrist
Languages
English
Hindi
Gujarati
Specialties
Medication Management

Dr. Mustafa Taquee is a board-certified Adult Psychiatrist. After receiving his undergraduate degree from Wayne State University in Detroit, he completed his medical degree at Oakland University William Beaumont in Rochester, MI. He is a graduate of the Adult Psychiatry Residency Program at St. Mary Mercy Hospital in Livonia, MI. As a testament to Dr. Taquee’s desire to help patients reach their full potential, he has also completed a psychotherapy fellowship through the Michigan Psychoanalytic Institute.

Dr. Taquee believes that every patient brings their own mosaic of experiences embedded in a unique story. He understands that building a strong therapeutic relationship through empathy, compassion, trust, and respect is essential. He enjoys taking time to understand his patient's goals, offer psychoeducation, and create a collaborative plan for treatment with the patient. He believes in a holistic approach to mental health treatment, which includes medication management, supportive and cognitive behavioral therapy techniques, as well as mind-body medicine techniques. He also has a special interest in psychodynamic therapy, an in-depth therapy modality, which he incorporates in all patient interactions and sessions.

Due to the diversity and richness of culture in southeast Michigan, Dr.Taquee has experience working with patients from varied backgrounds. He enjoys the challenge such a heterogeneous environment brings and is particularly fond of working with young adults experiencing life transitions. He also has experience working with patients from the lower socioeconomic backgrounds, adolescents, and geriatric populations.

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Duy Tran, MD
Staff Psychiatrist
Languages
English
Specialties
Medication Management, LGBTQ+

Dr. Duy Tran is a board-eligible adult psychiatrist. He received his Medical Doctor degree from the University of Texas Southwestern Medical School and completed his residency training in general psychiatry at the University of Michigan. Dr. Tran aims to provide mental health care that helps patients live more fulfilling lives.

In his training, Dr. Tran gained extensive experience treating psychiatric disorders in diverse populations, including college students, LGBTQ+ individuals, perinatal women, veterans, and those with socioeconomic disadvantages. He has worked with experts on cases of treatment-resistant depression and provided consultations for patients considering procedural interventions, such as transcranial magnetic stimulation (TMS), electroconvulsive therapy (ECT), and ketamine infusion therapy.

Although Dr. Tran's practice primarily focuses on medication management, he uses a holistic approach in developing individualized treatment plans. He typically incorporates elements of various psychotherapy modalities, including supportive, cognitive behavioral (CBT), dialectical behavioral (DBT), and insight-oriented therapy, in 30- or 45-minute follow-up visits. Occasionally, Dr. Tran may believe that more intensive therapy is needed and recommend that you bring a dedicated therapist into your care team for an optimal outcome.

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John Whittier, MD
Staff Psychiatrist
Languages
English
Specialties
Medication Management

Dr. John Whittier is a board-certified psychiatrist specializing in the treatment of depression, anxiety, adjustment disorders, PTSD, insomnia, bipolar disorder, and ADHD.

Dr. Whittier is primarily focused on medication management of general psychiatric conditions. He approaches each client as an individual, using the one-hour initial intake to get a comprehensive look at each person’s unique needs. From there he works with his clients to provide options and flexibility in the treatment plan utilizing a combination of supportive therapy, medications, and evidence-based alternative therapies. Follow-ups typically last 20 to 30 minutes with the goal to evaluate the treatment plan and adjust accordingly. He also maintains a psychodynamic psychotherapy panel for hour-long appointments where he works with his clients to understand developmental and relational patterns that contribute to their symptoms.

Dr. Whittier attended the University of Colorado at Boulder for a Bachelor of Arts in Molecular, Cellular, and Developmental Biology prior to obtaining his master’s degree in Medical Science at Loyola University Chicago. He completed his training in medicine at the Robert Larner, M.D. College of Medicine at The University of Vermont and then returned to Colorado to attend residency in psychiatry at the University of Colorado School of Medicine. He specialized in the psychotherapy scholars program there and has4 years of experience treating psychiatric conditions through telehealth.

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Adeeb Yacoub, MD
Staff Psychiatrist
Languages
Arabic
English
Specialties
Medication Management

Dr. Yacoub received his medical degree from Alexandria University and completed his psychiatry residency at Stony Brook University Hospital. He is double board certified in both general adult psychiatry and consultation & liaison psychiatry with over 20 years of clinical experience. After serving as chief resident, he joined Stony Brook University and became Associate Professor in clinical psychiatry.

During his tenure at Stony Brook, Dr. Yacoub was director of the ECT service treating many patients with complex psychiatric disorders which include- treatment resistant depression, severe bipolar disorders, psychotic disorders, anxiety disorders, obsessive compulsive disorder and post traumatic stress disorder. He also served as director of the medical student psychiatry clerkship where he received numerous teaching awards like Alpha Omega Alpha and Aesculapius Award for Excellence in Medical Education.

Dr. Yacoub is an excellent diagnostician with expertise in complex mood disorders, psychotic disorders, interventional psychiatry, and advanced psychopharmacology. He has multiple publications and abstracts presented. Dr. Yacoub focuses on the interconnectivity of the mind, body, and soul. His care is only exceeded by his vast medical knowledge. In addition to medication management, he is proficient in supportive and interpersonal psychotherapy. He has treated adults, geriatric patients and diverse populations including but not limited to LGBTQ+ and veterans. He is dedicated and empathetic to all his patients.

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How it works

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Tip #1
Online assessment
Tell us how you've been feeling. It only takes about 10 minutes.
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Tip #2
Meet your psychiatrist
Have your first visit in days with a psychiatrist that fits your needs.
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Tip #3
Treatment plan
Treatment can include medication and supportive therapy.
Start our short assessment

Insurance accepted

The majority of our visits cost patients $30 or less.*
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*Includes all types of patient costs: copayment, deductible, and coinsurance. Excludes no-shows and includes $0 payments.

Care by the numbers

825

,000+

visits completed

300

+

expert psychiatrists

75

,000+

people matched with a psychiatrist

Mental health care that cares

Our team includes board-certified psychiatrists, adheres to the highest standards, and provides judgment-free care.
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Frequently asked questions

What is a psychiatrist?

Psychiatrists are medical doctors who specialize in diagnosing and treating mental health conditions through medication management and supportive therapy. Think of a psychiatrist as a doctor for your mind. If you’re struggling with your mental health and aren’t sure where to start, a psychiatrist can help.

Take our 10-minute assessment to see if Talkiatry is right for you and get matched with a psychiatrist in

California

who meets your needs.

Is it better to see a psychiatrist or psychologist?

You may not need to choose between a psychologist and a psychiatrist—although there are differences in the types of treatment and expertise mental health professionals can provide, they often collaborate on your care.

That said, here’s a quick guide to help you decide if a psychologist or psychiatrist is the best starting place.

See a psychiatrist if:

  • You’re experiencing symptoms of a mental health condition that are making it hard to go about your day-to-day life.
  • You’re experiencing symptoms of a mental health condition and/or have a family history of mental health issues.
  • You’re interested in exploring psychiatric medications, such as antidepressants, for mental health treatment.

See a psychologist if:

  • You’re looking for a psychotherapy outlet to help address behavioral or emotional challenges.
  • The concern you’re hoping to address is specific to relationship challenges, stress, grieving, or a life transition.  

Not sure if your symptoms are severe enough to warrant medication? We always recommend consulting with a psychiatrist first to discuss your options. Also, keep in mind that if you’re looking for virtual care, you need to be sure your doctor or psychologist is registered to practice in

California

(or, for non-

California

residents, the state where you live).

What is a psychiatrist vs therapist?

The term “therapist” can apply to a range of professionals including social workers, mental health counselors, psychologists, professional counselors, marriage and family therapists, and psychoanalysts. Working with a therapist generally involves regular talk therapy sessions where you discuss your feelings, problem-solving strategies, and coping mechanisms to help with your condition.

Psychiatrists are doctors who have specialized training in diagnosing and treating complex mental health conditions through medication management. If you are experiencing symptoms of a mental health condition such as depression, anxiety, bipolar disorder, PTSD, or similar, a psychiatrist may be a good place to start. Other signs that you should see a psychiatrist include:

  • Your primary care doctor or another doctor thinks you may benefit from the services of a psychiatrist and provides a referral
  • You are interested in taking medication to treat a mental health condition
  • Your symptoms are severe enough to regularly interfere with your everyday life

While both therapy and psychiatry are both available online, you’ll still need to be sure that the therapist or clinician is licensed to practice in

California

(or, for non-

California

residents, the state where you live).

What to expect from your first psychiatrist visit?

It’s ok to be a little nervous about your first visit with your psychiatrist. But remember, they’re there to help you feel better. Psychiatrists have years of experience working with new patients and will help you feel comfortable during your sessions.

Here’s what to expect in your first visit at Talkiatry:

Evaluation: During your first visit with a Talkiatry psychiatrist, you’ll get to meet each other and answer questions about your current symptoms, personal history, medical history, and mental health goals.

Diagnosis: Based on the information you’ve shared, your psychiatrist will be able to provide a diagnosis of your condition, if you have one. Getting a diagnosis can feel scary, but it can also feel validating to finally put a name to what you've been experiencing. Your psychiatrist will help you navigate any emotions that come up and work with you on a path to move forward.

Treatment plan: You’ll collaborate with your psychiatrist on the best way to manage your symptoms. If medication is appropriate, you’ll discuss your options, including the benefits and potential side effects of each medication. Your psychiatrist will provide supportive therapy throughout your session and may also recommend working with one of our therapists. Our therapists partner with our psychiatrists in a collaborative model to provide holistic care.

To get started, take our free online assessment, to see if Talkiatry is right for you and get matched with a psychiatrist.

Will I need medication?

Medication can be an effective part of your treatment plan but medication is not right for everyone. Your psychiatrist will work with you to determine if medication is right for you.  

Ready to talk with a psychiatrist? Take our 10-minute online assessment

to see if Talkiatry is right for you and get matched with a psychiatrist who serves in

California

.

Also note that prescribing laws can vary from state to state. During your first visit, your doctor will be able to talk you through how it works in

California

(or, for non-

California

residents, the state where you live).

What is the cost of a psychiatrist visit in
California

The main factor that determines the cost of your visit is your insurance coverage. The majority of our patients pay $25 or less per visit.* If you have a deductible plan and haven’t met your deductible yet, the average cost is between $325 and $414. The best way to get an estimate of your total cost is to contact your insurance company and ask about their coverage for outpatient psychiatric services.

*Includes all types of patient costs: copayment, deductible, and coinsurance. Excludes no-shows and includes $0 payments.

What treatments are available for mental disorders?

Medication and talk therapy (also called psychotherapy) are the gold standard for treating mental health conditions but treatment is highly personalized. A treatment that works for you may not work for someone else. Luckily, psychiatrists are experts in treating mental health conditions and can guide you through different treatment options and help you find one that’s right for you.

At Talkiatry, we make it easy to find a psychiatrist in

California

who matches your needs. Take our 10-minute online assessment to see if Talkiatry is right for you.

What can’t Talkiatry treat?

Our goal is to help you find the best treatment option for your needs and there may be some cases where virtual care isn't the right fit. If this is the case, your psychiatrist will be able to recommend other treatment options within your first visit. Our 10-minute online assessment will also help you determine whether or not Talkiatry is the right fit for your care.

What we can’t treat: Schizophrenia or schizoaffective disorders: This is a complex condition that responds best to treatments that aren’t safe to provide in an online-only setting. Since we’re a virtual practice, we aren’t able to treat patients with schizophrenia or schizoaffective disorders.

Certain personality disorders, like borderline personality disorder: Generally, borderline personality disorder doesn’t respond well to medication. As a psychiatry practice, one of our main focuses is medication management. One of the most effective treatments for borderline personality disorder is dialectical behavioral therapy, which is something our clinicians aren’t specialized in.

Patients who have been hospitalized or required to stay overnight in a clinic or in-patient setting for a mental health condition in the last 6 months: Our goal is to provide safe, effective care. For patients who have been required to stay overnight for a condition, a virtual practice can’t provide the right level of care.

Patients looking for therapy only: Our psychiatrists specialize in medication management. While we do have some therapists on staff to support patients who’d benefit from both medication and dedicated therapy, we don’t treat patients looking for talk therapy only.

We have excellent clinicians serving in

43

states, including

California

. Want to find a psychiatrist in

California

? We’ll match you with one through our online assessment. It just takes 10 minutes.

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