
Adeeb Yacoub, MD
I focus on the interconnectivity of the mind, body, and soul. I am an excellent diagnostician with expertise in complex mood disorders, psychotic disorders, interventional psychiatry, and advanced psychopharmacology. In addition to medication management, I am proficient in supportive and interpersonal psychotherapy. I am dedicated and empathetic to all my patients.
I received my medical degree from Alexandria University and completed my psychiatry residency at Stony Brook University Hospital. I am double board certified in both general adult psychiatry and consultation & liaison psychiatry with over 20 years of clinical experience. After serving as chief resident, I joined Stony Brook University and became Associate Professor in clinical psychiatry. During my tenure at Stony Brook, I served as director of the ECT service, treating many patients with complex psychiatric disorders, including treatment-resistant depression, severe bipolar disorders, psychotic disorders, anxiety disorders, obsessive compulsive disorder, and post traumatic stress disorder. I also served as director of the medical student psychiatry clerkship, where I received numerous teaching awards including Alpha Omega Alpha and the Aesculapius Award for Excellence in Medical Education. I have multiple publications and abstracts presented.
I have treated adults, geriatric patients, and diverse populations including but not limited to LGBTQ+ and veterans.

Akshar Brahmbhatt, DO
I create a warm, collaborative environment where patients feel heard and respected. I value open communication and work with patients to set meaningful, realistic goals at a pace that feels comfortable. Using evidence-based treatments, I explain the reasoning behind each approach so patients feel informed and empowered throughout their care. I bring expertise in ADHD, depression, anxiety disorders, bipolar disorder, bipolar depression, OCD, and a wide range of psychiatric conditions.
In the first session, I take time to understand each patient's history, concerns, and goals. Together, we identify key areas of focus and build an individualized treatment plan. Follow-up sessions build on progress, address challenges, and adjust the plan as needs evolve. I work at the patient's pace, helping them explore patterns, gain insight, and develop a sustainable path forward.
I attended the University of Tennessee, Knoxville, where I majored in Economics, before earning my medical degree from Lincoln Memorial University. I completed my psychiatry residency at the University of Tennessee Health Science Center in Memphis. I have experience in both inpatient and outpatient care.

Albert Luong, MD
I am a Board Certified adult psychiatrist who integrates a friendly and collaborative approach to treating psychiatric conditions. For me, building strong therapeutic relationships is key to helping patients achieve their goals. In line with holistic treatment, I utilize psychotherapy and medication management to implement a safe, empathic, and individualistic framework that allows for healing and wellness. I work primarily with patients dealing with depression, anxiety, stress management, and lack of fulfillment, among other life challenges.
I completed undergraduate studies at the University of California, Berkeley, majoring in biological sciences and graduating with the highest distinction. I received my medical degree from New York University School of Medicine and completed an adult psychiatry residency at Albert Einstein College of Medicine. As part of my training, I was the Chief Resident of the Adult Outpatient Psychiatry Department, supervising trainees and treating patients with various psychiatric illnesses.

Aleena Vargas, MD
My primary focus is medication management with an emphasis on shared decision-making; however, I frequently also utilize supportive therapy, cognitive behavioral therapy, and psychodynamic therapy principles in my approach. I have a patient-centered and thorough approach to treatment, with experience treating a broad spectrum of mental health disorders and particular interest in depression, anxiety, and post-traumatic stress disorder. I may refer patients to a therapist if further support would be beneficial.
I received my medical degree from the University of Texas Health Science Center of San Antonio and subsequently completed my psychiatry residency training at UT Health San Antonio. I have also worked in clinic with severely mentally ill patients at the South Texas VA in San Antonio.

Alero Mayuku-Dore, MD
Dr. Alero Mayuku-Dore is a board-certified psychiatrist with experience in outpatient, inpatient, emergency, and community mental health settings. She earned her medical degree from the College of Health Sciences, University of Ilorin, Nigeria, completed psychiatry residency at St. Barnabas Hospital in New York, and fellowship training in Child and Adolescent Psychiatry at Yale New Haven Hospital. She is certified in CFTSI, SIPS, Circle of Security, and trained in SPACE and Parent Management Training.
Dr. Mayuku-Dore provides collaborative, evidence-based, and culturally sensitive care. She partners with patients to create treatment plans that reflect their goals, values, and preferences while practicing with compassion, integrity, and respect. She fosters a warm, welcoming, and nonjudgmental environment where patients feel heard, supported, and empowered through open communication and shared decision-making.
Dr. Mayuku-Dore begins by building rapport and completing a comprehensive evaluation that considers each patient's psychiatric, medical, social, and personal history. She develops individualized treatment plans that may include medication management, psychotherapy, lifestyle recommendations, and referrals, while involving patients in every step of the decision-making process.
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Alessandra Buonopane, MD
I practice a holistic approach, combining psychiatric medications with elements of psychotherapy and mindfulness. I offer individualized and comprehensive treatment plans that address the whole person, including lifestyle and social engagement, because the latest research findings show that both play an important role in mental and physical health. Education on mental illness and recommendations on diet and exercise are always discussed with my patients according to each individual's needs. I spend time listening to patients and make plans based on clinical evidence without an authoritative approach, taking into consideration the patient's level of comfort and views because, in my experience, the best outcomes are always reached when patients fully understand and agree with the management of their conditions. I have extensive experience in psychopharmacology and offer state-of-the-art medication management with compassion and empathy, with a focus on mood disorders and anxiety.
I am Board Certified in Adult Psychiatry by the American Board of Psychiatry and Neurology. I obtained my medical degree with Laude from the University of Rome, La Sapienza, and completed my residency in Psychiatry at Yale School of Medicine. I have been in practice for more than twenty years and have extensive experience in general Adult Psychiatry. I have led clinical programs and taught medical students, residents, and fellows in psychiatry and addiction in various clinical settings, including private institutions and universities such as Yale School of Medicine. Prior to joining Talkiatry, I had my own in-person clinical services for over ten years and telehealth services over the past four years, treating patients suffering mainly from depression, bipolar disorder, and anxiety. During my time in private practice, I received the Compassionate Doctor Recognition (Vitals) and the Patient's Choice Awards (Vitals), both based on patients' reviews.

Alexa Hall, MD
I provide a supportive, non-judgmental environment where patients feel heard, respected, and understood. I take a collaborative approach, working in partnership with patients to set and achieve individualized wellness goals. My practice emphasizes whole-person care, integrating both mental and physical well-being into each treatment plan. I begin by listening closely to understand each patient's history, experiences, and concerns, then collaborate with patients to identify their personal treatment and wellness goals and develop individualized treatment plans focused on supporting meaningful progress and long-term well-being.
I am a board-certified adult psychiatrist with extensive training and experience across inpatient, partial hospitalization, intensive outpatient, and outpatient psychiatry settings. I earned my medical degree from Saint Louis University School of Medicine and completed my psychiatry residency at Harvard South Shore. Through my clinical work with the Harvard Medical School system and the Boston VA Healthcare System, I developed expertise in caring for diverse patient populations. I have also served as Medical Director for multiple psychiatry practices, overseeing services such as outpatient medication management, Spravato, IV Ketamine, and Transcranial Magnetic Stimulation (TMS).
Outside of work, I enjoy cooking and spending time with my family.

Alexandra Dunn, MD
I'm a board-certified adult psychiatrist. I completed my medical training at the University of California Irvine School of Medicine, then moved to New York for my psychiatric residency at Mount Sinai Beth Israel. During training, I gained extensive clinical experience across psychiatric inpatient, outpatient, and emergency settings, which gave me the opportunity to treat patients of all ages and backgrounds. I also co-led a mindfulness group at the outpatient clinic, worked with students at Baruch College, and rotated with the Assertive Community Treatment team at MSBI.
Ultimately, I chose to specialize in outpatient care, focusing on treating patients with mood and anxiety disorders. While my practice primarily emphasizes medication management, I also incorporate supportive and cognitive behavioral therapy techniques in my sessions. If appropriate, I'll refer you for psychotherapy and collaborate with your therapist to support your care. I look forward to meeting and working with you to help you feel better.
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Amit Suneja, MD
I practice psychiatry through a collaborative, integrative, disability and healing justice-informed lens. I reject oversimplified binaries, recognizing that healing requires embracing complexity. My approach integrates psychiatric and psychotherapeutic practices with complementary, alternative, and natural therapies, as well as harm reduction. My approach is neurodivergence-, queer-, and gender-affirming as well as trauma-informed. Rejecting the binary of "mentally ill" vs. "mentally healthy," I recognize the mind, body, and soul's inherent complexity. My clinical interests include anxiety, OCD, women's reproductive mental health, climate stress, intergenerational trauma, immigrant and refugee mental health, and substance use concerns.
I provide a healing space that prioritizes each service user's goals and lived experiences, and I tailor care to each service user. The first session explores goals, treatment options, and optimal meeting frequency. In many cases, visits are more frequent at the beginning of treatment and spaced out over time. I prefer visits at least every 4–6 weeks and integrate psychotherapy into all treatment plans, with many service users benefiting from ongoing deeper therapeutic work.
My training includes Columbia, Johns Hopkins, and a global mental health fellowship at UCSF.
Based in Tucson, I enjoy desert life, reading, baking, making art, and spending time with my two dogs.

Anastasia Ruiz, MD
I am a psychiatrist specializing in adult and maternal mental health. I develop personalized treatment plans to address anxiety, depression, bipolar disorder, ADHD, OCD, PTSD, PMDD, and perinatal conditions. My goal is to help patients reconnect with their values and live balanced, fulfilled, and meaningful lives. I combine pharmacotherapy (medication) with psychotherapy to create individualized treatment plans. Therapy provides powerful tools to manage thoughts, emotions, and behaviors that support balanced brain chemistry, and research shows that medication helps restore this balance more quickly and effectively, especially in moderate to severe cases.
I liken medication for the brain to fertilizer for a garden. Imagine your mental health as a vibrant garden: when well-nourished, it can thrive with resilience, beauty, and balance. But when symptoms like depression, anxiety, ADHD, or mood instability take hold, they act like invasive weeds, crowding out healthy growth and making it hard to enjoy the space. Medication acts like fertilizer, strengthening the garden's natural systems so the healthy parts can reclaim their place and flourish. Just as some gardens need only seasonal care while others require more consistent tending, medication plans are personalized to support each person's long-term mental wellness. My approach emphasizes diagnostic clarity, medication management, patient education, and brief psychotherapy based on cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT) and acceptance and commitment therapy (ACT). I believe patients should take an active role in understanding their diagnosis and treatment.
Your first appointment is a supportive, in-depth conversation to share your story, challenges, and goals. I will review your medical and psychiatric history and assess symptoms using a whole-person approach that considers biological, psychological, and social factors. Together, we will develop a personalized plan that may include lab work, medication, and therapy. Initial visits last 60 minutes for thorough evaluation; follow-ups typically last 20–30 minutes, focusing on medication management and brief therapy. If needed, I can refer you to in-house or community therapists for add-on therapy support. Throughout your care, I prioritize shared decision making to ensure you feel informed, empowered, and supported.
My passion for medicine began in childhood, inspired by curiosity about the mind and body. I earned an Honors Chemistry degree with magna cum laude and completed my medical training and psychiatry residency at Texas Tech University Health Sciences Center. With a strong scientific foundation, I understand the role of medications and embrace holistic healing through connection, gratitude, and spirituality. I have experience in diverse clinical settings and have received national awards including the AWP International Fellowship and ADMSEP Innovations Award. I am dedicated to advancing maternal mental health screening and treatment through clinical care and education.

Bethany McCann, DO
I provide evidence-based medication management for a variety of psychiatric conditions, including depression, anxiety, bipolar disorder, ADHD, PTSD, and OCD, while incorporating therapeutic techniques that are tailored to the individual and their goals. Although I have had experience working in a variety of settings, I have maintained a passion for outpatient psychiatry and building a strong, therapeutic relationship with my patients.
I am a board-certified Adult and Forensic Psychiatrist. I obtained my Bachelor of Arts degree in Psychology at Kent State University and my medical degree from Ohio Heritage College of Osteopathic Medicine. I then completed my Psychiatry Residency training at The Ohio State University, where I served as a Chief Resident for two years. Following residency, I pursued an additional year of training through Ohio State, completing a Forensic Psychiatry Fellowship. A large portion of that time was spent in the state hospital system, where I learned more about the interplay between psychiatry and the law, provided high-quality psychiatric services to an inpatient forensic population, conducted forensic evaluations, and educated the Court on psychiatric topics through expert testimony.

Blanca Osorio Candelaria, MD
I am a board-certified adult psychiatrist and have been practicing for over 16 years. My practice focuses on medication management, which I typically combine with supportive therapy in 30-minute follow-up visits. If I feel you would benefit from working with a therapist in conjunction with medication management, I welcome collaboration with your therapist to make for the best outcome. I specialize in psychopharmacology, especially tailoring individualized treatment to serve the needs of patients with a variety of conditions. I have a lot of experience in treating patients with depression, anxiety, bipolar disorders, post-traumatic stress disorders, insomnia, and ADHD, as well as experience in treating patients with medical comorbidities.
I am a graduate of the University of Puerto Rico School of Medicine in San Juan, PR. I completed my residency at Tripler Army Medical Center in Hawaii, followed by a fellowship in Child and Adolescent Psychiatry. My years of experience started as a medical officer for the Army, including a deployment to Iraq. My working experience after my military service includes working as a medical director of a community health center, a medical director of a community hospital, a medical director of an inpatient unit, and working for an Assertive Community Treatment Team (ACT) specializing in the Serious Mentally Ill population.
Find a psychiatrist in Oakland, CA
Finding a psychiatrist in Oakland, CA who is taking new patients can feel like a full-time job. Talkiatry makes it simpler by matching you with a psychiatrist licensed in California who sees you by secure video, from anywhere in the Oakland area.
Because care is online, you are not limited to the few providers with an opening near you. You choose a time that works and meet from home.
How online psychiatry works for Oakland residents
The process is straightforward. You complete a short assessment, get matched with a psychiatrist licensed in California, and meet by secure video. When you share your preferences, such as a provider's specialty or background, we use that to help find a good match.
Your first appointment lasts 60 minutes, giving you room to explain what you are experiencing and build a plan together. Follow-ups usually run about 30 minutes, so your care can adjust as you go.
What a psychiatrist in Oakland can help with
A psychiatrist is a medical doctor who can diagnose mental health conditions and manage treatment over time. Talkiatry psychiatrists work with people managing anxiety, depression, and ADHD, as well as conditions like bipolar disorder, OCD, and PTSD.
If medication is part of your plan, your psychiatrist can prescribe and manage it when clinically appropriate and legally permissible. A prescription is never guaranteed, and some medications may not be available for online prescribing. Your psychiatrist will discuss the options with you.
Therapy may also be part of your care, depending on your needs and availability.
Does insurance cover a psychiatrist in Oakland?
Talkiatry is in-network with major insurers, so many patients pay less than they expect. We verify your coverage during the free assessment, before you schedule your first visit. Your out-of-pocket cost depends on your plan, so it is worth confirming the specifics with your insurance company.
Mental health care in Oakland
Demand for psychiatric care in California far outpaces supply. According to KFF's analysis of federal shortage data, California has 627 designated mental health professional shortage areas. Only about 23.5% of the state's need for mental health practitioners is currently met. Closing that gap would take an estimated 598 more psychiatrists.
Online psychiatry helps expand your options by connecting you with a psychiatrist licensed anywhere in California, rather than limiting you to those with an office near you.
Psychiatry across California
For psychiatrists licensed statewide, visit our California psychiatrist page. You can also explore online care in nearby San Francisco and San Jose.
Start with a free assessment
Getting started is simple. Take our free online assessment, answer a few questions, and get matched with a psychiatrist licensed in California. From there, you can schedule your first video visit, often within days.
Can I go straight to a psychiatrist?

In most cases, yes. Talkiatry does not require a referral to start. You take the free online assessment and get matched with a psychiatrist licensed in California. Some insurance plans still ask for a referral, so check with your insurer first.
What is the 3 month rule in mental health?

There is no official three-month rule in psychiatry. People sometimes use the phrase to describe giving a new medication or routine time to work, which can take several weeks. Your psychiatrist decides follow-up timing based on your treatment and how you respond.
How much does it cost to see a psychiatrist in California?

Your cost depends on your insurance plan. Talkiatry is in-network with major insurers, and we verify your coverage during the free assessment before you schedule. Because plans differ, your out-of-pocket amount is set by your insurer, so confirm the details with them.
Why is it so difficult to see a psychiatrist?

Demand for psychiatric care is high and the number of psychiatrists is limited, especially in shortage areas. That mismatch leads to long waits and full schedules. Online psychiatry helps by connecting you with a psychiatrist licensed anywhere in California, not only those with an office near you.