Find a Psychiatrist in North Carolina

I use a holistic, biopsychosocial approach tailored to each patient's unique background and needs. I integrate evidence-based pharmacotherapy with insight-oriented psychotherapy, aiming to foster self-awareness and long-term change. My patient-centered philosophy emphasizes a collaborative, respectful therapeutic alliance. I work with individuals of all ages and cultural backgrounds, and I have treated a wide range of conditions including depression, anxiety/OCD, bipolar disorder, trauma-related disorders, ADHD, and other psychiatric concerns.

I earned my medical degree from Columbia University College of Physicians & Surgeons and completed my psychiatry training at The University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill. My clinical experience spans diverse settings including outpatient clinics, inpatient units, and emergency departments.

Outside of clinical practice, I am also a passionate musician who plays piano and composes music for media. Learn more at www.aidinashoori.com.

I combine both psychotherapy and medication treatment to provide holistic care that addresses not only your mental health but also the parts of your life that surround and are deeply intertwined with your mental health. When more intensive psychotherapy is warranted, I collaborate with an experienced psychotherapist to serve you better. With my experience in internal medicine, I am also comfortable navigating complex medical issues that may interact with your mental health.

I am board-certified in both adult psychiatry and internal medicine. I am a graduate of St. George's University School of Medicine and completed a combined Psychiatry & Internal Medicine residency training program at East Carolina University. Following residency, I completed a fellowship in Clinical Informatics at Oregon Health & Science University, learning how to use modern digital technologies and patient data to improve patient care. Since graduation from residency, I also gained specialized experience in treating veterans with terminal illness, specifically Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis (aka Lou Gehrig's Disease), at the VA Medical Center in Portland, OR.

My academic activities include a presentation I have given multiple times on Illness Identity, teaching other clinicians how having an illness can change how we perceive our place in the world and how to help patients manage their relationship with illness.

I specialize in both psychiatric medication management and various forms of psychotherapy. I believe that effective psychiatric treatment requires attention to multiple domains, including the establishment of a strong doctor/patient relationship, the development of a sound understanding of who the patient is as an individual, and a comprehensive assessment of spiritual and biological factors contributing to mental health. As such, my practice includes both pharmacological and psychotherapeutic interventions that aim to treat the whole person on an individualized basis. I see patients of all ages, specializing in older adults, and treat all psychiatric conditions.

I am a graduate of the New York-Presbyterian Hospital/Weill Cornell Medical Center General Psychiatry residency and the Duke University Geriatric Psychiatry fellowship programs, and I am board certified in Psychiatry by the ABPN. I received the 2023 Distinguished House Staff Award from the New York Weill Cornell Medical Center Alumni Council, which is awarded to one graduating house staff member from each department annually for excellence during training. I have conducted research on depression and PTSD, published a number of papers in peer-reviewed journals, presented posters at conferences, and written a chapter for a book on medical education. I practice in both English and German.

I was born and raised in New York and now live in North Carolina.

Dr. Brian Schultz earned his PhD in Molecular and Cellular Biology and his MD from the University of Washington. He completed his psychiatry residency at Northwestern University in Chicago and is board-certified in adult psychiatry. Dr. Schultz has served on the teaching and clinical faculties of the University of Hawai‘i and the University of Washington. His experience includes inpatient psychiatry, outpatient community clinics, cancer treatment centers, and psychiatric consultation in hospital medical settings. He has treated patients from college age through late life and, as the spouse of an active-duty military service member, understands many aspects of military family life.

Dr. Schultz engages with patients in a casual, conversational style and believes that medication, when appropriate, is only one part of a comprehensive treatment plan. He strives to create a supportive, non-judgmental environment where patients feel comfortable sharing their experiences, concerns, and goals. He values honest, open communication and welcomes discussions of the gray areas of diagnosis and treatment. Dr. Schultz encourages active participation in the healing process and tailors care to each individual’s unique story.

Dr. Schultz begins by listening to each patient’s concerns, experiences, goals, and history, followed by a discussion of clinical impressions and treatment options. He uses an evidence-based approach to develop personalized treatment plans, recommending medication when indicated and incorporating other strategies such as cognitive and behavioral techniques. Dr. Schultz collaborates with other healthcare providers when appropriate and recommends additional behavioral health resources when beneficial. Ongoing follow-up focuses on assessing progress and adjusting treatment to support patients’ goals.

I am a board-certified psychiatrist dedicated to the bio-psycho-sociocultural model. This has been reflected in my pursuit of treating patients suffering from diverse medical and psychiatric conditions, respective psychological mindedness, and varied socio-economic and cultural backgrounds. I am fascinated by the human mind, its mechanisms to pursue goals, and the cyclical patterns seen in maladaptation and suffering. I believe in understanding patients' experiences and developing comprehensive treatment plans towards reconciliation. I honor active listening, analytic understanding, supportive psychotherapy techniques, and evidence-based and methodological treatment for patient care and actualization. My goal is to assist patients in navigating short- and long-term goals as well as improved quality of life. I focus on medication management, offered in conjunction with supportive therapy, in 1-hour initial and 30-minute follow-up visits. I believe that appropriate patients can benefit from additional exploratory and self-actualizing therapy from other valued and specialized therapists to support targeted goals, and I will not hesitate to recommend and promote consultations with therapists for such patients who are ready to pursue. Ultimately, I seek to understand, validate, and treat patients in a collaborative therapeutic alliance.

I completed my medical education at the East Carolina Brody School of Medicine as a Brody Scholar, and subsequently completed psychiatry residency at Jackson Health System/University of Miami. I have had the opportunity to work with a diverse array of patients including high-functioning patients, veterans, trafficking victims, the severely mentally ill of low socio-economic status, and cancer patients across three distinct hospital systems via telemedicine and face-to-face interactions. My experience includes working with patients suffering from post-traumatic stress disorder, adjustment disorder, mood disorders, generalized anxiety disorder, panic disorder, and more.

I am board-certified in adult psychiatry with experience in a wide variety of psychiatric disorders including depression, anxiety, women's mental health, and ADHD. My practice is focused on medication management with supportive therapy offered in 30-minute follow-up visits. I enjoy treating patients across the lifespan from young adulthood through senior care, and I see each patient as a unique individual, working together with them to develop a treatment plan specific to their needs and goals.

I received my medical degree from the University of Texas Southwestern Medical Center in Dallas, Texas, where I received the North Texas Society of Psychiatric Physicians' Award for outstanding medical student in Psychiatry. I pursued my residency in adult psychiatry at Brown University in Providence, Rhode Island, with particular interest and training in child, adolescent, and young adult Psychiatry. After completing training, I worked with children and adults in a variety of treatment settings including Community Mental Health Centers and hospitals, providing inpatient, residential, and outpatient services. Prior to joining the Talkiatry team, I participated in psychiatric research developing new treatment methods for complex psychiatric disorders.

I practice patient-centered and trauma-informed care, valuing patient autonomy and collaborative decision-making, and acknowledging the burden many people carry from intersecting oppressions. I believe therapy is important, often equally important as medication, or more, and will work together with you to make a realistic treatment plan that will fit into your life. I also have a niche working with people with complicated relationships with their bodies, whether due to disordered eating, gender dysphoria, chronic illness/disability, or trauma. I welcome LGBTQ+ patients, including trans and non-binary adults. I also enjoy working with patients with OCD, as well as autistic/neurodivergent adults (including those seeking adult autism evaluation). Please note Talkiatry is most appropriate for autistic patients with Level 1 (or case-by-case Level 2) support needs and who are verbal.

Regarding eating disorders: please note that for patient safety, per Talkiatry policy, I am unable to work with patients with current active anorexia nervosa or bulimia nervosa (or significant relapse in the last 6 months), or with patients requiring current regular medical or lab monitoring for complications of binge-eating disorder or ARFID. Bariatric surgery patients are welcome if medically stable. Patients with current disordered eating that does not rise to the level of a formal diagnosis of anorexia or bulimia, or with a past history of anorexia or bulimia in sustained remission, will be evaluated on a case-by-case basis at the first appointment.

I am a board-certified psychiatrist with a BA in musicology and cognitive science from Oberlin College, an MD from Quinnipiac University in Connecticut, and I completed my general adult psychiatry residency at Duke University.

I believe in building strong therapeutic relationships with my patients, integrating conservative psychological treatments and lifestyle modifications to enhance overall well-being and quality of life. I primarily provide medication management combined with supportive or emotionally focused therapy, and I emphasize creating individualized care plans tailored to each patient's unique needs. While medication and supportive therapy are central to my approach, I occasionally recommend involving an additional therapist to optimize treatment outcomes. I specialize in managing a broad range of psychiatric conditions, including depression, anxiety, bipolar disorder, postpartum depression, OCD, and PTSD.

Patients meeting me for the first time can expect a thoughtful and comprehensive assessment focused on building rapport and understanding their personal and clinical needs. I emphasize creating a strong therapeutic relationship and developing an individualized care plan designed specifically to address each patient's symptoms and lifestyle. Follow-up appointments typically last around 30 minutes, during which medication management and supportive therapy are provided. Depending on patient needs, I might suggest incorporating additional therapeutic support to achieve the best possible results.

I am board-certified by the American Board of Psychiatry and Neurology. I earned a Bachelor of Science in Biological Sciences from the University of Miami in Coral Gables, Florida, and obtained my medical degree in Osteopathic Medicine from the West Virginia School of Osteopathic Medicine. I completed my psychiatry residency training at Palm Beach Consortium for Graduate Medical Education in Tamarac, Florida. After my training, I served as an attending psychiatrist with the Department of Veterans Affairs in Miami, Florida, and as an attending psychiatrist and mentor for psychiatry residents in training at the University of Miami, Florida International University, and University Hospital and Medical Center in Tamarac.

I combine a wealth of knowledge and experience with a compassion for meeting the patient "where they are" in their healing process. I believe in allowing the patient to feel heard in every session. I fully explain the risks and benefits of each treatment option, and then in collaboration, my patient and I agree on the next step to take toward their treatment goals. I am dedicated to providing hope and healing in a trusting environment, combining empathy with a patient-centered and evidence-based approach in helping patients reach their treatment goals. My clinical expertise includes treating adults with depressive disorders, bipolar disorders, anxiety disorders, substance-related and addictive disorders, and trauma-related disorders.

I am a board-certified adult psychiatrist with over 20 years of experience. I grew up in Detroit, Michigan. I obtained my Bachelor of Science from the University of Michigan and received my medical degree from Wayne State University. I completed a General Psychiatry Residency at University Health Center of Pittsburgh, Western Psychiatric Institute and Clinic. I have worked in a variety of mental health care settings, including academia, community mental health centers, and a substance use treatment center.

I employ a collaborative, supportive, and patient-centered approach to psychiatric care, integrating medication management with therapy tailored specifically to each patient. I utilize supportive therapy along with cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT), adjusted according to individual patient needs. My specialty areas include the treatment of depression, bipolar disorder, psychotic disorders, PTSD, and a broad range of mental health conditions.

I am a board-certified adult psychiatrist with over 12 years of experience. I received my medical degree from Carol Davila University of Medicine in Romania and completed my psychiatry residency at Wayne State University in Detroit. Following residency, I gained extensive clinical experience practicing psychiatry in diverse outpatient settings, including a multi-specialty center in North Dakota and community mental health centers in Ohio and Michigan. I have also served as an assistant professor at the University of North Dakota and Michigan State University, where I taught and supervised medical students and residents.

Patients can expect an initial appointment with me to include a thorough evaluation focusing on their unique psychiatric symptoms, personal experiences, and treatment goals. I offer a supportive and compassionate atmosphere, carefully combining medication management with individualized therapy recommendations, to create a personalized treatment plan that effectively addresses each patient's specific needs.

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.