
Melody Santos, MD
I value open and clear communication, creating a safe, non-judgmental space where patients feel heard and respected. I blend traditional and innovative approaches, including metabolic psychiatry and dietary strategies, to support wellness. My care is culturally sensitive and patient-centered, always tailored to each individual's needs and values. Through empathy and education, I empower patients and foster resilience. I begin with a thorough assessment of each patient's medical, psychiatric, and lifestyle history, then collaborate with patients to build personalized, evidence-based treatment plans that reflect their goals and preferences. My holistic care model considers social, cultural, and environmental influences, and I ensure consistent follow-up to adjust care as needed, promoting informed, long-term wellness.
I am dual-trained in Internal Medicine and Psychiatry, with experience in both outpatient and inpatient settings. I served as Chief Resident and Deputy Chief Resident in East Carolina University's combined residency program, where I led academic and clinical initiatives. I have published research on topics including adult ADHD and metabolic psychiatry, with presentations at national conferences. I earned my MD from the American University of the Caribbean and a BS in Biology with a minor in Jazz Piano from the University of Tampa.
A native Spanish speaker, I am active in community service and church-based outreach.

Michael Kim, DO
I am an accomplished attending psychiatrist dedicated to providing comprehensive mental health care. I am passionate about employing supportive and psychodynamic therapy approaches, tailoring treatment plans to meet each patient's unique needs. Embracing a holistic approach to psychiatry, I integrate medication management with a focus on nutrition, diet, and lifestyle factors to foster overall well-being, reflecting my belief in treating the whole person and ensuring optimal mental and physical health for each individual I serve.
I earned my medical degree from Liberty University College of Osteopathic Medicine and completed my residency at HCA's The Medical Center of Aurora North. With a diverse clinical background, I have honed my expertise across various settings including inpatient, outpatient, PHP/IOP, and specialized areas such as geriatrics, eating disorders, addiction, and child and adolescent psychiatry. I am also proficient in innovative treatments like Electroconvulsive Therapy (ECT) and Transcranial Magnetic Stimulation (TMS).
Outside of my professional commitments, I am an advocate for personal health and wellness. I enjoy enhancing my fitness and nutrition, engaging with enlightening podcasts, and exploring the great outdoors.

Michele Kerbow, MD
I believe strongly in the interconnectivity of mental and physical health, especially as it relates to trauma. I have a particular interest in the treatment of Veterans' issues and trauma, and my most recent work saw me caring for both Veterans and Active Duty military through the Fayetteville VA Medical Center in Jacksonville, NC and the Naval Hospital Jacksonville in Florida. I place an emphasis on the importance of both therapy and medication management in the treatment of mental health, and have a strong history of collaboration with therapists and counselors in order to enact the best treatment plan possible.
I am a board certified psychiatrist with more than 20 years of clinical experience. I completed my undergraduate training at Clemson University before continuing to the University of South Carolina School of Medicine in Columbia, SC. From there, I completed my General Psychiatry Internship and General Adult Psychiatry Residency through the University of Virginia in Roanoke. Though I have a wide array of experience in psychiatric care and psychological assessment, my clinical focus has centered on Veterans' issues and trauma.
.jpeg)
Michele Schaefer, MD
My practice primarily focuses on medication management, which I offer in conjunction with supportive therapy and elements of cognitive-behavioral therapy (CBT). I take a patient-centered and collaborative approach, ensuring that treatment is tailored to each individual's needs. If additional therapy is required, I may recommend working with a therapist as part of a comprehensive care plan. My primary focus areas include depression, anxiety disorders, and obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD).
I am a board-certified adult psychiatrist with over 16 years of experience. I earned my medical degree from the University of Nebraska Medical Center in Omaha, NE, and completed my adult psychiatry residency at Oregon Health and Science University in Portland, OR. I then specialized further by completing a forensic psychiatry fellowship at Yale University. I have worked as a staff psychiatrist at Atrium Health System for over 16 years.
During the first visit, patients can expect a thorough psychiatric evaluation, where I carefully assess their symptoms, treatment history, and mental health goals. I work collaboratively with patients to develop a personalized treatment plan, which may include medication management and therapy recommendations. Follow-up visits are typically 30 minutes and focus on monitoring progress, adjusting treatment as needed, and ensuring the best possible patient outcomes.

Mona Ismail, MD
I am passionate about integrative medicine, which combines evidence-based alternative therapies with conventional treatments to optimize outcomes. My approach focuses on promoting overall wellness, keeping both the body and mind in harmony. During the diagnostic evaluation, I will review your medical history and past treatments to develop a comprehensive, personalized treatment plan that prioritizes your overall wellness. In addition to medication management, I incorporate supportive, cognitive, or psychodynamic psychotherapy during follow-up visits, as time allows. When appropriate, I may also recommend referrals to specialized psychotherapists to address your individual needs as part of a holistic treatment approach.
I am double board-certified by the American Board of Psychiatry and Neurology in both Adult Psychiatry and Child and Adolescent Psychiatry. I earned my medical degree from Cairo University, where I also completed my neurology residency at Cairo University Hospitals. Following this, I pursued psychiatric training at New York Medical College at St. Vincent's Hospitals, where I was appointed Chief Resident and recognized as Resident of the Year. I further specialized with a fellowship in Child and Adolescent Psychiatry at UMDNJ/Rutgers Robert Wood Johnson Medical School.
My career includes multiple leadership roles, notably serving as Chief of the Child and Adolescent Partial Hospital Programs (PHP) at Rutgers University in Newark, NJ, where I provided direct care to young patients. I have also held Medical Director positions across various clinical settings, including child and adolescent inpatient units, outpatient programs, and intensive outpatient services for both adolescents and adults with mental health and co-occurring substance use disorders. As an active educator, I have served as a teaching faculty member, delivering lectures and providing supervision and evaluations for medical residents and child and adolescent psychiatry fellows, and I have served as a principal investigator on multiple studies. Throughout my career in leadership and teaching, I maintained an integrative private practice in New Jersey, serving residents of the NJ and NY metropolitan areas before relocating to North Carolina.

Natalia Roque, MD
I believe in building a strong therapeutic alliance grounded in empathy, respect, and curiosity. I value collaboration and open communication, ensuring that patients feel like active partners in their care. My goal is to create a safe, supportive space where individuals feel understood as whole people, not defined solely by their symptoms. I also prioritize incorporating cultural background and social determinants of health, including financial stressors and systemic barriers, into treatment planning.
In my work, I begin by taking time to understand each patient's unique story, experiences, and goals. I approach care through a trauma-informed lens and with cultural sensitivity to ensure treatment feels safe, respectful, and relevant. My process integrates evidence-based approaches, including psychodynamic therapy and cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT), while tailoring care plans to meet both clinical needs and patient preferences. I regularly check in on progress, invite feedback, and adjust treatment collaboratively to support an ongoing, responsive therapeutic process.
I received my BA in Biology from the University of Chicago and my medical degree from Loyola University Chicago Stritch School of Medicine. I returned to the University of Chicago to complete my psychiatry residency, where I served as Chief Resident of the outpatient psychiatry clinics and was a member of the Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion Committee. I have experience treating patients across inpatient, outpatient, and consultation-liaison psychiatry settings, with additional training in treatment-resistant depression, trauma, neuropsychiatry, ECT, ketamine, geriatric psychiatry, student counseling, LGBTQ+ mental health, women's mental health, and culturally sensitive care.

Natalie Cummings, MD
I primarily focus on medication management and supportive psychotherapy, but have extensive training in utilizing various therapy modalities, including cognitive behavioral therapy, interpersonal therapy, reminiscence therapy, and psychodynamic psychotherapy. When appropriate, I will refer for more extensive psychotherapy and/or collaborate with your established psychotherapist for comprehensive care. I strongly believe that addressing psychosocial and interpersonal factors (including relationship health, economic stressors, social isolation and loneliness) is as essential as pharmacologic management in treating mental health conditions. I have particular experience and interest in treating older adults and those suffering from memory disorders, but provide treatment for a variety of psychiatric conditions including depression, anxiety, bipolar disorder, obsessive-compulsive disorders, trauma-related disorders, and substance use disorders.
I am a board-certified adult psychiatrist and board-eligible geriatric psychiatrist. I obtained my medical degree from the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill and completed my residency training in psychiatry at the University of Miami Miller School of Medicine and Jackson Memorial Hospital. I then completed my geriatric psychiatry fellowship at Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai Beth Israel. During my fellowship, I participated in Mount Sinai's Visiting Doctors Program, providing patient-centered and compassionate care to homebound elder adults in New York City. I also received training at Coler Rehabilitation and Nursing Care Center on Roosevelt Island and presented at the American Association for Geriatric Psychiatry annual meeting. During my training, I gained extensive experience providing psychiatric care to various patient populations in multiple settings, including the outpatient clinic, inpatient unit, and emergency department.
Following my training, I worked at New York Presbyterian's Gracie Square Hospital, serving first as float psychiatrist across every inpatient psychiatric unit (including the young adult/college student program, Orthodox Jewish program, psychotic disorders program, crisis-stabilization program, dual focus program, and Asian Psychiatry program), before transitioning to an established psychiatric attending for the older adult program. During my time at Gracie Square Hospital, I received the Physician of the Year Award and served as a Clinical Assistant Professor of Psychiatry at Weill Cornell Medicine. I worked closely alongside staff psychologists, social workers, and nurses to provide multidisciplinary, collaborative care to patients suffering from a variety of mental health conditions. I am a member of the American Psychiatric Association and the American Association for Geriatric Psychiatry.

Parker Loy, MD
I enjoy treating a wide variety of conditions, including mood and anxiety disorders. I incorporate therapeutic techniques into medication management visits when indicated, and I may also recommend collaboration with therapists.
I hold the position of Staff Psychiatrist at Talkiatry. After finishing my undergraduate studies at the University of Tennessee, Knoxville, I completed the University of Tennessee Health Science Center (UTHSC) Master of Science program before enrolling in medical school at the same institution. After graduating from medical school, I completed my residency at UTHSC, during which I trained in a variety of inpatient and outpatient settings and treated a broad spectrum of mental health conditions.

Phillip Jones, MD
Dr. Phillip Bryce Jones is a psychiatrist with experience caring for adults in outpatient, inpatient, emergency, and consultation-liaison settings. He completed medical school, residencies in internal medicine and psychiatry, and a fellowship in Psychosomatic Medicine/Consultation-Liaison Psychiatry. He is board certified in General Psychiatry and Consultation-Liaison Psychiatry and treats depression, anxiety, bipolar disorder, psychosis, trauma-related conditions, substance use, and psychiatric symptoms related to medical illness.
Dr. Jones takes a collaborative, thoughtful, and respectful approach to care. He works to understand each patient's symptoms within the context of their relationships, values, goals, and life experiences. He emphasizes careful diagnosis, evidence-based treatment, medication safety, and open discussions about treatment options, with the goal of helping patients build resilience, stability, and meaningful, lasting improvement.
Dr. Jones begins with a comprehensive evaluation of each patient's history, symptoms, medical background, prior treatment, strengths, and goals. He develops individualized treatment plans that may include medication management, psychoeducation, behavioral strategies, lifestyle changes, and coordination with other clinicians. Follow-up visits focus on tracking progress, adjusting treatment, and helping patients achieve better functioning and long-term well-being.

Shari Sengupta, MD
My practice focuses on medication management from a holistic perspective, informed by a background in psychotherapy. I believe that mental health is the cornerstone of overall well-being and that treatment is a collaborative journey toward improved health and function in life, work, and relationships. I have experience treating a variety of mental health concerns but have a particular interest in depression, anxiety, and mental health in the perinatal period. I offer culturally sensitive treatment to people from all backgrounds and sexual orientations.
I attended the University of OK as a National Merit Scholar and went on to graduate with my MD from Eastern Virginia Medical School. I specialized in Adult Psychiatry at the University of NC Hospitals, where I was a chief resident. I received psychotherapy training in insight-oriented and cognitive-behavioral approaches and trained at the Psychoanalytic Institute of the Carolinas. I have 18 years of experience providing medication management and psychotherapy in both private practice and community mental health settings, and over 10 years of experience in telepsychiatry providing care to underserved communities.

Sharon Kahler, MD
I am committed to providing compassionate, high-quality mental health care. I foster a therapeutic, nonjudgmental environment where patients can openly share their concerns and values. Viewing treatment as a partnership, I encourage patients to play an active role in their care and take a whole-person approach, considering lifestyle, environmental, and social factors that contribute to healing. My clinical interests include mood and anxiety disorders, PTSD, and childhood psychiatric disorders.
I begin with a comprehensive assessment to understand each patient's history, background, and treatment priorities. I develop individualized treatment plans using evidence-based approaches, supporting patients in navigating life's challenges and finding a path to mental wellness.
I am Board Certified in Adult and Child & Adolescent Psychiatry and treat patients of all ages. I earned my medical degree from New York Medical College, completed Adult Psychiatry Residency at New York-Presbyterian/Weill Cornell, and completed Child and Adolescent Fellowship training at NYU Langone and Bellevue Hospital. I have over a decade of experience in both community mental health centers and private practice, working with individuals from diverse backgrounds.

Shi Xun Fang, MD
My current practice is primarily focused on medication treatment, though I utilize my training as a therapist to ensure that patients feel understood and empowered to discuss any other issues they might be facing. With experience in many modalities of therapy including Psychodynamic, Supportive, Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT), and Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT), I know that one size does NOT always fit all. If more in-depth therapy is felt to be beneficial, I may refer clients to a separate therapist.
I am a board-certified psychiatrist who completed my psychiatry residency at Duke University, where I received extensive training in Psychopharmacology, Psychotherapy (Talk Therapy), Transcranial Magnetic Stimulation (TMS), and Electroconvulsive Therapy (ECT). I have also practiced in multiple settings including a college mental health clinic, an adult ADHD clinic, a perinatal psychiatry clinic, a VA hospital, and a residential recovery program.
Throughout my life, I have lived in various places such as China, Canada, Upstate New York, Maine, and North Carolina, where I currently reside. This rich cultural experience allows me to connect with individuals from diverse backgrounds, which is crucial in the field of psychiatry where treatment is so highly personal.
Find a psychiatrist in Raleigh, NC
Talkiatry psychiatrists are licensed in North Carolina and see Raleigh residents by video. If you have been searching for a psychiatrist in Raleigh, NC, care happens from home, on your schedule, with no commute and no local waitlist. Because visits are online, you are not limited to the psychiatrists who happen to have a Raleigh office.
Online psychiatry for Raleigh residents
You start by answering a few questions online about where you live, what you are dealing with, and your history. Talkiatry matches you with a psychiatrist licensed in North Carolina, and you meet by video from home.
First visits are 60 minutes, and follow-ups are usually about 30 minutes. That first hour gives you and your psychiatrist time to talk through what is going on and build a plan.
A psychiatrist has to be licensed in the state where you are during the visit. That is why this page is organized by state and city. As long as you are in North Carolina for your appointment, an online psychiatrist in Raleigh works the same as one down the street.
What a psychiatrist can help with
Psychiatrists at Talkiatry treat a range of conditions, including anxiety, depression, and ADHD. They also work with people who have bipolar disorder, OCD, PTSD, postpartum depression, insomnia, and substance use disorder.
Whether you want an ADHD psychiatrist in Raleigh or help with anxiety, care is matched to what you need.
Psychiatrists are medical doctors, so they can prescribe and manage medication when it fits your plan. Medication is prescribed 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 options.
If you also want talk therapy, Talkiatry has therapists who work alongside your psychiatrist.
Does insurance cover a psychiatrist in Raleigh?
Talkiatry is in-network with major insurers, and your coverage is checked during the free assessment. Costs depend on your plan, so it is a good idea to confirm the details with your insurance company. If you have been looking for a psychiatrist in Raleigh that takes insurance, you can see your coverage before you book.
Mental health care in Raleigh
Access to psychiatric care is tight across North Carolina. The state has 218 federally designated mental health professional shortage areas, and only about 12.5% of its need for mental health practitioners is met. An estimated 256 more psychiatrists would be needed to remove those shortage designations, according to KFF.
Online psychiatry helps close that gap by connecting you with a North Carolina-licensed psychiatrist without a local wait.
Psychiatry across North Carolina
For the full list of psychiatrists licensed across the state, visit our North Carolina psychiatrist page. If you are closer to another metro, you can also see psychiatrists serving Charlotte.
Start with a free assessment
Talkiatry is a national psychiatry practice that makes it easier to get care from doctors who listen. Start by answering a few questions online, then get matched with a psychiatrist licensed in North Carolina.
From there you can schedule a video visit, often within days, and meet with your provider from home. First visits are 60 minutes, so there is time to talk through what is going on and build a treatment plan together. Talkiatry is in-network with major insurers, and you can check your coverage during the assessment.
Take our free online assessment
This page is for general education and is not medical advice. If you are in crisis or thinking about harming yourself, call or text 988 to reach the Suicide and Crisis Lifeline, or call 911.
Can I go straight to a psychiatrist?

In most cases, yes. You do not need a referral to book with a Talkiatry psychiatrist. You start with a short online assessment and get matched with a provider. Some insurance plans still ask for a referral, so it is worth checking your plan first.
What is the 3 month rule in mental health?

There is no single official "three-month rule" in psychiatry. The phrase usually points to the fact that some diagnoses depend on how long symptoms last. Clinicians often look at how many weeks or months certain symptoms have been present before naming a condition. A psychiatrist can walk you through what the timing means for your situation.
Do I have a mental illness or am I overreacting?

A page cannot answer that, but a psychiatrist can help you sort it out. If your mood, sleep, focus, or worry have changed in ways that affect daily life for more than a couple of weeks, that is worth looking at. Clinicians ask about your symptoms, how long they have lasted, and how much they affect you. Feeling unsure does not mean you are overreacting.
How do I get tested for mental disorders?

There is no single lab test for most mental health conditions. Diagnosis usually starts with an evaluation, where a psychiatrist asks about your symptoms, history, and daily life and rules out physical causes. At Talkiatry, that first visit is 60 minutes, so there is time to go through it carefully. You can also start with a free online screening tool and bring the results to your visit.