Find a Psychiatrist in Raleigh, NC

Dr. Eddiel Cruz-Hernandez is a board-eligible adult psychiatrist with experience across outpatient, inpatient, emergency, and consultation-liaison settings. He completed his psychiatry residency at East Carolina University and earned his medical degree from Ponce Health Sciences University in Puerto Rico. Prior to medicine, he studied chemical engineering at the University of Puerto Rico, Mayagüez, shaping his structured clinical approach. He is fluent in English and Spanish.

Dr. Cruz-Hernandez creates a calm, respectful space where patients feel comfortable speaking openly. He prioritizes careful listening and clear understanding, using a collaborative and straightforward style. He explains clinical impressions and options so decisions feel informed. Care may include medication alongside supportive, practical therapeutic approaches tailored to each patient.

He begins with a comprehensive evaluation of symptoms, history, and goals, then develops a personalized plan that may include medication, therapy-informed strategies, or both. Follow-ups focus on progress and adjustments. He emphasizes clarity, safety, and steady improvement, and coordinates with other providers when appropriate.

Dr. Elena Perea is a board-certified psychiatrist.  She completed her undergraduate training at Wake Forest University followed by medical school and residency training at The University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill (UNC).

Dr. Perea holds an adjunct academic appointment at UNC and has been involved in medical education for her entire career.  She most recently served as Residency Program Director for the Mountain Area Health Education Center (MAHEC) psychiatry residency in Asheville, NC.  She remains involved in didactic education there for both residents and medical students.

She has a genuine interest in treating a vast array of psychiatric disorders including depression, anxiety, bipolar disorders, post-traumatic stress disorders and obsessive compulsive and related disorders. She is a skilled psychopharmacologist and interested in the mind-body connection. She believes physical health greatly affects mental health and vice versa and loves helping patients with medical comorbidities to feel well.

Patients looking for a psychiatrist will find that Dr. Perea has a comprehensive approach to diagnosis and management of her patients. She believes in the principle that body and mind are interconnected and utilizes psychoeducation and psychotherapeutic approaches in addition to medications for total wellness.

I am dedicated to promoting mental health awareness and family and patient psychoeducation. I emphasize a joint decision-making approach to treatment options and utilize local resources to provide wrap-around support. My areas of interest focus on neurodevelopmental disorders such as ADHD, Autism, and Intellectual Delay.

I earned my M.D. from St. George's University School of Medicine and hold a Bachelor of Science in Child Development from Appalachian State University, where I graduated summa cum laude. My passion for working with children and families developed during my involvement in a pre-K Head Start Program in Rural North Carolina. I completed my General Psychiatry Residency and Child & Adolescent Psychiatry Fellowship at Jerry M. Wallace School of Osteopathic Medicine at Campbell University. I obtained ABPN Board Certification in General Psychiatry in 2023 and am working towards Board Certification in Child & Adolescent Psychiatry. I have received honors and awards for my contributions to psychiatry, including the Laughlin Fellowship through The American College of Psychiatrists and Resident of the Year at Cape Fear Valley Health System in 2022. I am affiliated with professional organizations including AACAP and APA.

My extensive education, accolades, research contributions, professional affiliations, and community involvement reflect my commitment to making a positive impact in my patients' lives and the broader community.

I earned my Bachelor of Science in Chemistry from Centre College of Kentucky in 1980, followed by a Master’s degree in Biochemistry from the University of Texas Graduate School of Biomedical Sciences in Houston in 1986. I received my Medical Degree from the University of Texas Medical School–Houston in 1992 and completed a combined Internal Medicine/Psychiatry residency at Duke University Medical Center in 1997. I later served on the faculty of Duke’s Departments of Medicine and Psychiatry and have practiced both psychiatry and internal medicine in private practice. I have also served as Medical Director and Chief Medical Officer at several hospitals in North Carolina.

My background in both internal medicine and psychiatry allows me to consider the connection between physical and mental health when caring for patients. I strive to provide thoughtful, comprehensive care while taking each patient’s individual needs and circumstances into account.

I begin by developing a thorough understanding of each patient’s concerns, history, and overall health. From there, I work collaboratively with patients to identify appropriate treatment goals and develop a thoughtful, individualized approach to care.

I work with patients to create an environment where they feel comfortable and supported. I focus on medication management along with supportive therapy. Normally visits are 30-minute follow-ups that allow time to focus on areas of support needed. If additional therapy is recommended, I will request a therapist be added to your care team to meet all your needs. I have a passion for treating both adult and child and adolescent patients with anxiety and depression.

I am a board-certified adult psychiatrist, fellowship-trained in Child and Adolescent Psychiatry, and have been in practice for 11 years. I received my medical degree from the Medical University of South Carolina, then completed my residency training and child and adolescent fellowship at the Medical College of Georgia.

I have worked in both inpatient and outpatient settings with adult, child, and adolescent populations. I have worked in private practice as well as community mental health, where I focused on reaching under-served communities.

In my daily practice, I focus on evidence-based treatments utilizing the latest clinical guidelines and current approved treatments. In addition to medication management, I also incorporate psychotherapy in the treatment of mental health conditions. I am passionate about taking a collaborative approach with my patients to help them reach their potential.

I am a board-certified psychiatrist specializing in adult psychiatry. I completed residency training at East Carolina University in both internal medicine and psychiatry. After residency, I pursued my passion in psychiatry and stayed on as a clinical assistant professor in the department of psychiatry at East Carolina University. In this role, I specialized in treating adults with mental illness in both the inpatient and outpatient settings. I have spent a considerable amount of time teaching residents and medical students and have published several papers focusing on the neuroscience pathways of mental health conditions.

I am a board-certified psychiatrist who specializes in adult psychiatry and minority mental health. My approach focuses on evidence-based medication management and incorporates supportive therapy techniques as well as psychoeducation to address presenting issues in a compassionate and competent manner. I have experience treating various psychiatric disorders including depression, anxiety, bipolar disorder, and ADHD. Throughout my professional career, I have remained passionate about educating individuals about sustaining better mental health and eradicating the stigma of mental illness. If additional therapy is needed, I may recommend that a therapist is part of the treatment team.

I am a graduate of Morehouse College and received my medical degree from Meharry Medical College in Nashville, TN. After graduating from Meharry, I completed my psychiatry residency at the University of South Carolina/Palmetto Health in Columbia, SC and a forensic psychiatry fellowship at Tulane University. After completing my training, I entered private practice in Rock Hill, SC and served the community for 11+ years. During that time, I also served as Staff Psychiatrist at Winthrop University. Prior to joining Talkiatry, I served as an Attending Psychiatrist and Medical Director of an inpatient psychiatric unit.

I value patient autonomy and strive to provide the knowledge needed for patients to make informed decisions. I prioritize building a strong therapeutic alliance and integrating evidence-based medicine to guide care. I begin by listening to the patient's full story to understand them as a whole, exploring their past, present, and future to create a comprehensive treatment plan designed to empower patients to move forward and improve their mental health. I also specialize in interventional treatments, including Electroconvulsive Therapy (ECT) and Transcranial Magnetic Stimulation (TMS).

I earned my Bachelor's degree from Duke University and my M.D., along with completing my psychiatry residency, at Wake Forest University School of Medicine. I am board-certified in psychiatry and bring extensive experience from both outpatient and inpatient settings.

Dr. Jessamine Fazli-Ahmed is a physician with extensive experience across inpatient, outpatient, consult-liaison, and emergency psychiatric settings. She completed her undergraduate studies at Barnard College, earned her medical degree from SUNY Downstate Health Sciences University, and completed her residency and consultation-liaison psychiatry fellowship at Mount Sinai Morningside-West.

Dr. Fazli-Ahmed values open communication and takes an empathetic approach to care. She prioritizes creating a supportive environment and understanding each patient’s unique story. Her therapeutic style is grounded in psychodynamic psychotherapy, with flexibility to incorporate supportive and CBT-oriented techniques based on individual needs.

Dr. Fazli-Ahmed begins by gaining a comprehensive understanding of a patient’s medical and psychiatric history to provide holistic care. She collaborates with patients to set meaningful goals and develops personalized treatment plans to help them make steady, meaningful progress.

Dr. Johnathan Heller is a board-certified psychiatrist in general and forensic psychiatry with over a decade of experience treating complex mental health conditions across diverse settings. He earned his medical degree from Texas Tech University Health Sciences Center, completed residency in Portsmouth, Virginia, and fellowship training at Walter Reed National Military Medical Center. A retired U.S. Navy physician of over 20 years, Dr. Heller also holds an MBA, bringing a systems-level, objective approach to patient care.

Dr. Heller takes a straightforward, non-judgmental approach grounded in clarity and honesty. He believes patients deserve open conversations about diagnoses, treatment options, and trade-offs. He views patients as experts in their own lives and focuses on early identification of concerns before they escalate. His style fosters a calm, structured space where patients feel respected and understood.

Dr. Heller begins with a thorough, unhurried evaluation of history, current concerns, and personal goals. He emphasizes early or subtle symptoms that impact quality of life and develops individualized, evidence-based plans combining medication and practical strategies. He explains the reasoning behind each recommendation and closely monitors progress, adjusting care as needed.

I take a collaborative approach to psychiatric care, integrating medication management with supportive therapy to provide well-rounded treatment. My primary focus is on treating adults with mood and anxiety disorders, PTSD, and ADHD. I prioritize patient involvement in treatment decisions, ensuring that care plans align with individual needs and goals.

I am a board-certified adult psychiatrist. I earned my medical degree from Ross University School of Medicine and completed my residency in Adult Psychiatry at the University of Central Florida, affiliated with North Florida Regional Medical Center. After completing my training, I remained at North Florida Regional as an adult psychiatrist and supervising physician, gaining experience treating patients in inpatient, outpatient, partial hospitalization, and intensive outpatient program (IOP) settings.

Patients meeting me for the first time can expect a thorough evaluation where I assess their symptoms, treatment history, and personal goals. I foster a supportive and collaborative environment, working closely with patients to create a personalized treatment plan that incorporates medication management and therapeutic interventions tailored to their specific needs.

I focus on providing patient-centered care, emphasizing improving quality of life and helping patients reach their specific treatment goals. My approach integrates medication management with supportive therapy. I believe in a collaborative treatment process and may recommend additional therapy support when necessary to optimize outcomes. I take a cautious and limited approach to the use of controlled medications, ensuring responsible medication management.

I am a board-certified psychiatrist with specialized training in treating depression and anxiety disorders. I earned my medical degree from Howard University College of Medicine and also hold a doctorate in pharmacy from the University of Georgia. I completed my residency training in psychiatry at VA Boston/Harvard Medical School and gained significant clinical experience at McLean Hospital. Additionally, I completed a fellowship in psychoanalytic psychotherapy at Columbia University Center for Psychoanalytic Training and Research.

During the first visit, patients can expect a comprehensive assessment of their symptoms, medical history, and treatment goals. I take a thoughtful and individualized approach to care, working with patients to develop a treatment plan that incorporates medication management and supportive therapy. Follow-up visits typically last 20-30 minutes and focus on monitoring progress and adjusting treatment as needed. In some cases, I may recommend involving an additional therapist to further enhance the effectiveness of the treatment plan.