Find a Psychiatrist in Mississippi

My practice is focused on the functionality of a person in their life, including relationships, career, physical wellness, and living a robust life. My interests include providing care for various behavioral health concerns, including Adjustment disorder, Mood disorders (including Treatment resistant depression), Anxiety disorders, PTSD, Neurodegenerative illnesses, Somatic disorders, Gender Dysphoria, and LGBTQIA2S+ community inclusive care. I provide primarily medication management but also include Supportive therapy, Action Oriented therapy, Cognitive Behavioral Therapy, and Motivational interviewing when appropriate. My style is very approachable, inclusive, and always grounded in humanistic values.

I am an American Board of Psychiatry and Neurology certified psychiatrist. I earned my bachelor's degree in psychology and arts from the University of Albany, then graduated from St. Matthews University's School of Medicine in the Grand Cayman Islands. After completing my residency at the LSUHSC-Ochsner program in 2016, I worked at Ochsner Medical Center, New Orleans for 7 years. My roles there included working with patients in the field of Consultation Liaison psychiatry, serving as medical director of the behavioral medical unit (IOP), and leading the transcranial magnetic stimulation clinic.

I have been very involved in academics and won the Faculty Member of the Year, Adult Psychiatry Program, LSU-Ochsner 2021, the Teaching Excellence Award in Psychiatry, University of Queensland 2019, and the Roger Hatchette Award of Excellence in Emergency Psychiatry 2016. In 2023, I served in my community at Crescent Care FQHC clinic.

**THIS PROVIDER CANNOT PRESCRIBE CONTROLLED SUBSTANCES FOR LOUISIANA PATIENTS**

I have experience treating a wide variety of psychiatric conditions and recognize that lifestyle factors such as sleep, physical activity, and stress-reduction are foundations of good mental health. Alongside medication management, I provide brief supportive psychotherapy, psychoeducation, as well as elements of cognitive behavioral and solution-focused therapies to assist patients in meeting their goals. I often encourage patients to see a therapist in addition to a psychiatrist.

I am a board-certified adult psychiatrist. I completed my Bachelor of Arts degree at Cornell University, followed by a neuroscience research-focused Master's degree at the University of Mississippi. I then attended medical school at the University of Mississippi School of Medicine, graduating with my MD degree as a Medical Student Research Scholar and member of the Alpha Omega Alpha Honor Medical Society. I completed adult psychiatry residency training at the University of Cincinnati and have since been working primarily in telepsychiatry.

My practice focuses on medication management, and I utilize a systematic approach to ensure diagnoses are accurate and treatment plans are optimized to each individual patient. My approach is also holistic in nature, often incorporating therapy and lifestyle modification into the treatment plan. I employ multiple therapeutic approaches depending on the needs of the patient, including supportive therapy and Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT). I place great emphasis on psychoeducation so that patients are aware of the nature and prognosis of their conditions as well as the treatment options available. In addition, I also assist patients with tapering medications if they are not necessary. When multiple treatment options are reasonable, I take patient preference into account, offering flexibility to the patient experience. I treat a variety of psychiatric disorders with a particular focus on mood disorders, anxiety disorders, obsessive-compulsive disorders, and trauma-related disorders.

I am a board-certified staff psychiatrist who treats adult patients. A former engineer, I have developed a passion for guiding patients along the road to recovery. I completed my undergraduate studies at The University of Texas at Austin and later completed medical school and residency in General Psychiatry at The University of Texas Medical Branch at Galveston.

Please note: I do not prescribe long-term, daily benzodiazepines or Z-drugs; however, I am happy to help you taper off these medications and transition to a safer, long-term medication regimen. I do not prescribe controlled substances if there is any illicit substance use, cannabis or THC product use, or concerning alcohol use, and I may refer to an alternate level of care for substance use disorder treatment if I determine it is clinically indicated.

In addition, for the primary concern of difficulty with concentration or inattention, I obtain a thorough history, screen for mental health conditions that may be contributing, order labs to screen for other contributing causes, order an electrocardiogram or refer to a cardiologist if clinically indicated, and advise the patient to have a family member present if possible to clarify history of symptoms. It may take several visits for me to have a full picture to make a fully informed diagnosis and recommendation. I do not prescribe stimulant medication unless determined to be clearly clinically indicated and safe to prescribe, vitals (height, weight, blood pressure, and pulse) are provided, and workup is completed.

Dr. Usman Sharif is a board-certified psychiatrist who completed his psychiatry residency at Berkshire Medical Center. He has experience in both outpatient and inpatient psychiatric settings, treating mood disorders, anxiety, ADHD, substance use, personality, psychotic, and neurocognitive disorders. Dr. Sharif provides compassionate, evidence-based care tailored to each patient’s needs while fostering a safe, supportive, and nonjudgmental environment.

Dr. Sharif values open communication and building strong therapeutic relationships grounded in trust and collaboration. He works closely with patients to create individualized treatment plans and encourages them to remain actively involved in their care. His patient-centered approach emphasizes respect, education, shared decision-making, and helping patients feel heard and supported.

Dr. Sharif begins with a thorough evaluation of each patient’s history, symptoms, concerns, and goals. He develops personalized treatment plans that may include medication management, supportive therapy, and lifestyle recommendations. He regularly monitors progress, adjusts care as needed, and encourages ongoing feedback to support long-term wellness.

I am a board-certified psychiatrist for the lifespan, experienced in working with all ages from children and adolescents to older adults. My training includes medical school at the Keck School of Medicine at the University of Southern California, adult psychiatry residency at the University of California, Irvine, and fellowship training in child and adolescent psychiatry at the University of Colorado/Children’s Hospital of Colorado. During my final year of training, I also served as chief fellow and advocated for system-wide changes to improve the quality of care for all patients.

In addition to comprehensive and holistic diagnostic assessments with medication support as appropriate, I have a background in multiple evidence-based therapies including cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT), dialectical behavioral therapy (DBT), exposure and response prevention therapy (ERP), and family and couples therapy. I integrate therapy into our time together and can collaborate with others to give you the best opportunity for meaningful improvement.

Your first visit is a chance for us to get to know each other and make sure I understand your story and what matters most to you. My first priority is to make sure you feel safe, seen, and understood. From there, my aim is to partner with you through treatment that aligns with your goals and moves at a pace that feels right. You’ll have space to ask questions, discuss concerns, and understand your options before making a decision. By the end of our visits, you can expect to leave with a thoughtful plan tailored to you and a clear understanding of our next steps. I look forward to helping you achieve the life you desire.