
Dr. Surya Sabhapathy, MD
I am an experienced general psychiatrist specializing in LGBTQ+ and women's mental health. I previously directed UIC's psychiatric Gender and Sexuality Clinic, providing LGBTQ+ affirming care with an emphasis on support for gender-expansive patients. I have contributed to the National Curriculum on Reproductive Psychiatry and continue to manage mental health issues during pregnancy and postpartum. My other clinical interests include PTSD, ADHD, co-occurring medical conditions, and culturally sensitive care. I value warmth, curiosity, and shared decision-making. Initial sessions focus on comprehensive psychiatric evaluation and understanding individual goals. From there, I work with patients to develop treatment plans that may combine medication management, supportive therapy, and positive lifestyle changes.
I am a board-certified adult psychiatrist based in Chicago, IL. I earned my medical and public health degrees from the University of Michigan, then completed residency training at the University of Illinois - Chicago. I served on the UIC faculty as an attending psychiatrist for several years before joining Talkiatry.

Dr. Thomas Mullenix, MD
I am a board-certified adult psychiatrist who strives to form strong therapeutic and collaborative environments with patients and values patient empowerment. My practice focuses primarily on medication management, or pharmacotherapy, and I routinely incorporate supportive therapy into my 30-minute follow-up visits. My interests and expertise are in helping patients struggling with depression, anxiety, including social/obsessive compulsive and generalized anxiety disorders, and ADHD. I provide psychiatric medication management along with supportive, cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT) and other modalities of therapeutic treatment. I may occasionally recommend that a therapist be part of the care team to provide optimal outcomes. The philosophy of my practice is to actively involve patients in the decision-making process to improve adherence to treatment and build trusting relationships with all patients.
I received my medical degree from the Chicago Medical School and then went on to complete my residency in psychiatry at Advocate Lutheran General Hospital.

Dr. Thomas O'Brien, DO
I strive to create a supportive environment where patients feel heard, respected, and understood. My approach emphasizes a holistic, whole-person method to healing, guided by the patient's own goals and values. I integrate psychotherapy with medication management, drawing on my background in psychodynamic psychopharmacology and acceptance and commitment therapy. I focus on understanding each patient as a whole to create individualized treatment plans. This begins with a comprehensive history during the initial session to identify biopsychosocial factors. Treatment is then tailored to align with the patient's unique goals and values, promoting meaningful progress.
I hold a Bachelor of Science degree from the University of Wisconsin-Madison and earned my medical degree from Midwestern University Chicago College of Osteopathic Medicine. I completed my psychiatry residency at Loyola University Medical Center. I have experience practicing across outpatient, PHP, IOP, and inpatient settings.

Dr. Tony Tu, MD
I am a board certified adult psychiatrist who emphasizes patient education and a psychodynamic approach to outpatient psychiatry. My practice focuses on blending medication management together with psychotherapy, and I prioritize collaboration with your therapist, encouraging working together as a team. I understand that medications are not the end-all-be-all of treatment, but just the beginning. For trauma and acute stress, I understand that the journey starts at the tip of the iceberg, with much to explore as you feel more ready. Areas of specialization include psychopharmacology, patient-centered medicine, and combination treatment of psychiatry and psychotherapy.
I am a graduate of the University of Chicago Pritzker School of Medicine, where I completed an MD and PhD combined program, which helped develop my "doctors as teachers" style of practice. I completed my psychiatry residency training at Loyola University Medical Center in Illinois. My passion for empowering patients with knowledge stems from my academic experience in psychiatry residency training. I served as an Associate Program Director of Loyola's Psychiatry residency training program for two years and now maintain an Affiliate Assistant Professor of Psychiatry role with Loyola. I continue to contribute to residency training, as well as mentorship of medical students and psychology externs. Over the years, I have received several awards that demonstrate my affinity for teaching, including the Educator of the Year Award in 2022 from the Loyola Psychiatry Residency Program.

Dr. Velda Pugh, MD
I value open communication and believe in building a warm, respectful environment where patients feel heard. I work collaboratively with patients to set clear treatment goals and tailor my approach to meet each person's unique needs. My practice emphasizes both medication management and supportive therapy to promote long-term well-being. During initial sessions, I take time to understand each patient's history, concerns, and goals, and I use a team-based approach, partnering with patients in treatment planning and decision-making to ensure care is both effective and aligned with their values.
I am a Board-Certified Psychiatrist with over three decades of experience in both outpatient and inpatient settings. I earned my medical degree from the University of Alabama School of Medicine and completed my psychiatry residency at University Hospital. I have previously served as Chief of Mental Health at a VA Hospital and have maintained a successful private practice focused on medication management and supportive therapy.
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Dr. Zeshen Wu, MD
I focus on effective and safe medication management as well as supportive and psychodynamic therapy in my practice. I take a gentle, collaborative, and patient-centered approach, specializing in forming individualized pharmacological treatments as well as taking time to explore stressors and psychological issues to achieve complete and comprehensive care.
I am an ABPN board certified psychiatrist with more than 10 years of experience. I completed my undergraduate studies at the University of Texas at Austin, followed by medical school at the University of Texas Medical Branch, and completed my residency in psychiatry at Dell Medical School in Austin. I previously served as assistant professor of psychiatry at UTHealth McGovern Medical School in Houston and have been involved in many years of teaching and mentorship. At UTHealth, I also served as clinical faculty in one of the nation's largest inpatient psychiatric campuses and am experienced in treating a wide range of adult mental illnesses including mood disorders, anxiety, OCD, and ADHD.
Find a psychiatrist in Illinois
Booking a psychiatrist in Illinois often means long waits and a short list of names taking new patients. Talkiatry connects you with a psychiatrist licensed in Illinois whom you see by video, so where you live in the state does not limit your options. Most people start care within days, not months, from home and on their own schedule.
How online psychiatry works in Illinois
You begin with a free online assessment about your history, symptoms, and what you want to work on. From there, you get matched with a psychiatrist licensed in Illinois and meet by secure video.
Your first appointment lasts 60 minutes, which gives you time to talk through your symptoms, ask questions, and start building a treatment plan together. Follow-up visits usually run about 30 minutes. Because your psychiatrist is licensed in Illinois, you can be seen from anywhere in the state, as long as you are in Illinois during the visit.
What a psychiatrist in Illinois can help with
A psychiatrist in Illinois can evaluate and treat a wide range of mental health conditions. Talkiatry psychiatrists work with people managing:
* Anxiety, including panic, social anxiety, and constant worry
* Depression, from low mood to loss of interest in daily life
* ADHD, including trouble focusing, restlessness, and follow-through
Psychiatrists are medical doctors, so they can prescribe and manage medication when it fits your needs. Medication is one possible part of a plan, not the automatic result of a visit. Depending on what you are working on and what is available, therapy may also be part of your care. Your psychiatrist listens, evaluates, and personalizes the approach with you.
Does insurance cover a psychiatrist in Illinois?
Talkiatry is in-network with major insurers, so many patients pay a standard specialist copay rather than out-of-pocket rates. Your coverage is checked during the free assessment before you schedule, so you know where you stand up front. What you pay out of pocket depends on your specific plan, so confirm the details with your insurer.
Getting mental health care in Illinois
Access to care is a real barrier in Illinois. The state has 228 designated mental health professional shortage areas covering about 7.0 million people, and only about 22.9% of the need for psychiatric care is currently met. Federal estimates say about 301 more practitioners would be needed to lift those shortage designations (KFF).
For you, that shortage often shows up as long waits and few local openings. Online psychiatry helps by connecting you with a psychiatrist licensed anywhere in Illinois, rather than limiting you to the handful of providers near your address.
Cities we serve in Illinois
Talkiatry treats people across Illinois by video, including major metro areas. You can start from anywhere in the state.
Start with a free assessment
Ready to get started? Take the free online assessment, get matched with a psychiatrist licensed in Illinois, and schedule your first video visit, often within days. Take our free online assessment.
Can I see a psychiatrist online in Illinois?

Yes. Talkiatry matches you with a psychiatrist licensed in Illinois, and you meet by secure video from home. You do not need to travel anywhere or sit on a local waitlist to get started.
Do I need to live in Illinois to be seen?

You need to be physically located in Illinois during your visit, because your psychiatrist is licensed to treat patients in the state where you are. If you live in Illinois or are there for your appointments, you can be seen.
Does insurance cover online psychiatry in Illinois?

Often, yes. Talkiatry is in-network with major insurers, and your coverage is verified during the free assessment before you schedule. Your out-of-pocket cost depends on your plan, so it is worth confirming the specifics with your insurer.
Can a psychiatrist prescribe medication online in Illinois?

Yes, when it is clinically appropriate and legally permissible. Your psychiatrist evaluates your symptoms and history during the 60-minute first visit and talks through medication options with you. A prescription is never guaranteed, and medication is only one part of a possible treatment plan.
How soon can I be seen?

Many people schedule a first visit within days rather than the months a local practice might require. Your exact timing depends on availability when you complete the assessment and get matched.