Victor Arballo, DO
I provide evidence-based medication management and psychotherapy to address mental health conditions. I am a strong advocate for patient autonomy, quality improvement, and psychoeducation.
I am a board-certified psychiatrist who completed medical school at Lake Erie College of Osteopathic Medicine. I received residency training at University of Texas Health - San Antonio, where in addition to clinical training I was appointed resident chair of the Quality Improvement and Patient Safety Committee. Since graduation, I have been a staff psychiatrist and the military unit director at Cumberland Hall Hospital, providing comprehensive care to child, adolescent, adult, and geriatric patients.
Zafar Zaidi, MD
My goal when working with patients is to not come to a generic diagnosis; rather, it is to get to know about the client and try and manage their symptoms in the best way possible. Overall, the process is collaborative, and both parties need to be comfortable with the decisions moving forward. I enjoy getting to learn about patients and working collaboratively to provide the best treatment possible, be it medications or talk therapy. I have vast experience treating Major Depressive Disorder, Bipolar Disorder, PTSD, among many others.
I graduated residency from University Hospitals/Case Western Reserve University in 2015. After residency, I worked at the Michael E. DeBakey VA Medical Center as a staff psychiatrist. I eventually took on the role of Mental Health Lead Psychiatrist and Interim Clinic Director at the Tomball VA Outpatient Clinic. I then transferred to a telepsychiatry role at VISN 15, providing mental health coverage for rural areas in Kansas, Missouri, and Illinois. I have over 15 years of experience in treating different mental health conditions and am currently board certified by the American Board of Psychiatry and Neurology.
I reside in Houston, Texas and enjoy spending time with my family, being outdoors, and watching/playing sports such as Football, Basketball, and Soccer.
Talkiatry psychiatrists licensed in Ohio see people across Columbus by video. You meet from home, on your own schedule, with no commute and no local waitlist. Because care is virtual, you are not limited to the few psychiatrists who happen to have a Columbus office.
Online psychiatry for Columbus residents
Getting started is simple. You answer a few questions online, then get matched with a psychiatrist licensed in Ohio. From there you schedule a video visit, often within days.
Your first visit runs about 60 minutes, so there is time to talk through what is going on. Follow-up visits are usually around 30 minutes. A psychiatrist must be licensed in the state where you are during your visit, so you will be matched with a doctor licensed in Ohio.
What a psychiatrist in Columbus can help with
Psychiatrists are medical doctors. They can diagnose conditions, prescribe and manage medication, and coordinate therapy when it helps.
Talkiatry psychiatrists work with patients on many common conditions, including anxiety, depression, and ADHD. Care also covers bipolar disorder, OCD, PTSD, and postpartum mental health.
Does insurance cover a psychiatrist in Columbus, OH?
Talkiatry is in-network with major insurers, and your coverage is checked during the free assessment. Costs vary by plan, so confirm the details with your insurance company. You will not need to look up your plan information before you start.
Mental health care in Columbus
Access to psychiatry is limited across Ohio. Ohio has 138 federally designated mental health professional shortage areas, and only about 33.7% of the state's need for mental health practitioners is met. An estimated 247 more psychiatrists would be needed to lift those shortage designations, according to KFF. Video care helps close that gap by connecting Columbus residents with Ohio-licensed psychiatrists without a local wait.
Psychiatry across Ohio
Talkiatry psychiatrists are licensed across Ohio, not just in Columbus. To see the full list of psychiatrists licensed statewide, visit our Ohio psychiatrist page. If you are closer to another metro, you can also see our Cincinnati psychiatrist page.
Start with a free assessment
Ready to get started? Answer a few questions online, get matched with a psychiatrist licensed in Ohio, and schedule your first video visit. Take our free online assessment.
Can I go straight to a psychiatrist in Columbus?
In most cases, yes. You usually do not need a referral to start with a Talkiatry psychiatrist. You begin with a short online assessment, then get matched with a doctor licensed in Ohio. Some insurance plans do ask for a referral, so it is worth checking yours.
What is the 3 month rule in mental health?
There is no single, formal "3 month rule" in mental health, and people use the phrase in different ways. Some use it to describe how long a medication can take to show its full effect. Others use it to describe how long symptoms are tracked before a plan is adjusted. If you have heard it in a specific context, your psychiatrist can explain what applies to you.
Why is it so difficult to see a psychiatrist?
Demand is high and there are not enough psychiatrists, especially in shortage areas. That leads to long waits in many places. Because Talkiatry care is virtual, Columbus residents can often be seen within days rather than months.
Is it better to see a psychiatrist or a psychologist?
It depends on what you need. Psychiatrists are medical doctors who can diagnose conditions and prescribe medication. Psychologists focus on therapy and testing, and in most states they do not prescribe. Many people work with both, and a psychiatrist can help you decide.
Can I get a prescription from an online psychiatrist in Columbus?
Sometimes. Medication is prescribed only when it is clinically appropriate and legally permissible. A prescription is never guaranteed, and some medications may not be available for online prescribing. Your psychiatrist will talk through the options with you.