Xavier Diao, MD
I begin each encounter with gentle curiosity, inviting patients to share their stories without fear of judgment. Together, I craft an individualized treatment plan with the patient that may include medication, psychotherapy, and/or referrals to subspecialty care, always in close collaboration with other members on the treatment team. My therapeutic orientation is informed by psychodynamic, cognitive behavioral, and dialectical behavior modalities. I have expertise in the treatment of a diverse range of mental health conditions, including depression, anxiety, OCD, and PTSD. I use a developmentally informed and LGBTQ-affirmative approach in my practice, with the aim of enriching meaning and alleviating suffering in the domains of work, play, and love.
I am a board-certified psychiatrist. I earned my undergraduate degrees in Psychology and Biological Sciences at the University of Maryland, where I also obtained my medical degree. I completed my psychiatry residency at the Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai, received additional training in child and adolescent psychiatry at Columbia and Cornell, and finished a psychoanalytic fellowship at the New York Psychoanalytic Society & Institute. Prior to joining Talkiatry, I was an Assistant Professor of Clinical Psychiatry at the University of Pennsylvania, where I provided clinical care and teaching along the undergraduate-graduate medical education continuum.
Find a psychiatrist in Pittsburgh, PA
Waiting months for a psychiatrist appointment in Pittsburgh is common, and it can feel like the hardest part of getting help. Talkiatry connects you with a licensed psychiatrist who treats people across Pennsylvania by video, so you can be seen from home anywhere in the Pittsburgh area or across the state.
Online psychiatry for Pittsburgh residents
Getting started is straightforward. You answer a few questions online about your location, what you are dealing with, and your mental health history, then you get matched with a psychiatrist licensed in Pennsylvania. Visits happen over secure video from home, so a psychiatrist across the state is as reachable as one in your neighborhood.
Your first appointment lasts 60 minutes, which gives you time to talk through your symptoms, ask questions, and work with your psychiatrist on a plan that fits your life. Follow-ups are usually about 30 minutes, so you can check in on how treatment is working and adjust as needed. Because your psychiatrist is licensed in Pennsylvania, you can be seen from anywhere in the state, including any Pittsburgh neighborhood.
What a psychiatrist can help with
Psychiatrists are medical doctors who evaluate what you are experiencing, work with you on a diagnosis, and build a treatment plan around your needs. Depending on your situation, that plan may include medication, and therapy may be part of it too when it fits your goals and availability. Talkiatry psychiatrists treat a range of conditions, including:
- Anxiety, including ongoing worry, panic, and social anxiety
- Depression, from persistent low mood to loss of interest in daily life
- ADHD, including trouble focusing, organizing, and following through
- Bipolar disorder, OCD, and PTSD
If you are searching for an anxiety psychiatrist or an ADHD psychiatrist in Pittsburgh, this is the same online care, matched to what you are dealing with.
Does insurance cover a psychiatrist in Pittsburgh?
Talkiatry is in-network with major insurers. During your free assessment, your coverage is checked before you schedule, so you know where you stand up front. What you pay out of pocket depends on your specific plan, so it is worth contacting your insurer for an estimate of any copay or deductible. If you have been looking for a psychiatrist in Pittsburgh that takes insurance, online care is one way to use your existing benefits without a long search.
Mental health care in Pittsburgh
Access to psychiatric care is tight across Pennsylvania. The state has 128 designated mental health Health Professional Shortage Areas covering about 1.02 million people, and only about 32.1% of the need for psychiatric care is currently met (KFF State Health Facts, as of December 31, 2025). That gap is one reason appointments can be hard to find near you. Online psychiatry helps by connecting you with a licensed psychiatrist anywhere in Pennsylvania, rather than limiting your options to the providers in your immediate area.
Psychiatry across Pennsylvania
Pittsburgh is one of many Pennsylvania communities Talkiatry serves. For the full list of psychiatrists licensed statewide, see our Pennsylvania psychiatry page. If you are closer to the eastern side of the state, you can also find online psychiatrists serving Philadelphia.
Start with a free assessment
Answer a few questions in our free online assessment, get matched with a psychiatrist licensed in Pennsylvania, and schedule a video visit, often within days. Take our free online assessment.
Can I see a psychiatrist online in Pittsburgh?
Yes. Talkiatry matches you with a psychiatrist licensed in Pennsylvania, and you meet over secure video from home. You can be seen from anywhere in the Pittsburgh area, with no office visit required.
Do I need a referral to see a psychiatrist?
No. You can start on your own by taking the free online assessment. You do not need a referral from your primary care doctor to get matched and schedule a first visit.
Does insurance cover online psychiatry in Pittsburgh?
Talkiatry is in-network with major insurers, including Medicare. Your coverage is verified during the free assessment before you schedule, and your out-of-pocket cost depends on your plan, so check with your insurer for an estimate.
Can I get a prescription from an online psychiatrist in Pittsburgh?
A psychiatrist can prescribe and manage medication when it is clinically appropriate and legally permitted. Medication is one possible part of a treatment plan, not an automatic outcome, and a prescription is never guaranteed.
Why is it so hard to get a psychiatry appointment near me?
Pennsylvania has a shortage of psychiatric providers, with only about 32.1% of the need for care currently met (KFF State Health Facts, as of December 31, 2025). Online psychiatry helps by connecting you with a licensed psychiatrist statewide, not just those near you.
How quickly can I see a psychiatrist in Pittsburgh?
Many people are matched and scheduled within days rather than months. Timing depends on your needs and availability, so we cannot promise an exact date, but online care usually means a shorter wait than a local office.