Find a Psychiatrist in Austin, TX

Dr. David Schlager is a board-certified psychiatrist with extensive experience across inpatient, outpatient, and telemedicine settings. He specializes in treating depression and bipolar disorders, anxiety and sleep disorders, ADHD, and mental health issues associated with complex medical conditions or co-occurring substance use concerns. Dr. Schlager earned his medical degree from Tufts University School of Medicine, completed his psychiatry residency at Mount Sinai Hospital in New York City, and completed a research fellowship at Columbia University/New York State Psychiatric Institute, where he later conducted research focused on seasonal depression and sleep disorders.

Over long years of practice Dr. Schlager has witnessed, and so in every new case aims for, marked improvement in both emotional distress and day to day function. He is known for being attentive, compassionate, and nonjudgmental and eagerly supports Talkiatry's mission to provide expert mental health care by reducing geographic and insurance obstacles that traditionally limited access.

Dr. Schlager begins by listening openly to each patient's story, including any past experiences of trauma that may be contributing to their current distress. Interviews progress from conversational overview to more specific and problem focused discussion. Diagnosis and treatment response are often best determined by what patients report rather than by conventional blood testing or imaging. As such, he takes care at every stage to help patients articulate their condition and specific concerns, to recognize their meaning in a psychological and social context, and to regularly update goals of care.

Believing that each patient is more than a diagnosis, I take a personalized approach, collaborating closely with individuals to develop tailored treatment plans. I view myself as an advisor and facilitator, empowering patients to take charge of their recovery. My areas of focus include ADHD (Focus & Cognitive Function), Anxiety & Depression (Mood, Sleep, & Energy Concerns), and Stress & Brain Fog (Cognitive & Emotional Well-Being).

I am a highly experienced psychiatrist and medical doctor with dual specialties in psychiatry and primary care medicine. My comprehensive approach integrates both disciplines, allowing me to address mental health concerns with a deep understanding of their medical and psychological aspects. I earned my Doctor of Medicine (MD) from Southern Illinois University School of Medicine and pursued advanced training at Walter Reed Army Medical Center, Harvard University, and Georgetown University Medical Center. I am Board-Certified in General Psychiatry and Fellowship-Trained in Forensic Psychiatry and Occupational Medicine, equipping me with the expertise to diagnose and treat a broad spectrum of mental health conditions, considering both medical and psychiatric factors.

I am an experienced, compassionate, and dedicated advocate for my patients' mental and physical health. I strongly believe in a collaborative, patient-centered approach to treatment, helping individuals achieve their personal and professional goals. Guided by the ethos, "Treat them like you would your own family," I am dedicated to providing compassionate, high-quality care.

Committed to a well-balanced life, I am married and have two married daughters, two grandsons, and three dogs. My wife, a clinical psychologist, helps ground my therapeutic approach, emphasizing the importance of integrating therapy with medication to enhance overall well-being.

Deborah Gross, MD, earned her medical degree from the University of Texas Health Science Center in San Antonio and completed her psychiatric residency at the University of Washington. She is board certified by the American Board of Psychiatry and Neurology and has extensive experience treating mood and anxiety disorders, trauma, addiction, disordered eating, and personality disorders in both outpatient and inpatient settings. She is also ASAM-certified in addiction medicine and holds a lifetime certificate from the American Board of Addiction Medicine. Dr. Gross is the author of a three-book series supporting women with disordered eating.

Dr. Gross creates a warm, supportive environment where patients feel heard and respected. As a writer, she values each patient’s story and uses it to better understand their challenges and guide treatment. She prioritizes open communication and collaborates closely with patients to establish clear, meaningful goals.

Dr. Gross begins with a comprehensive understanding of each patient’s history, concerns, and goals. She develops individualized treatment plans aligned with those goals and remains attentive as care progresses, adjusting strategies as new insights emerge.

My practice primarily focuses on medication management, though I use a holistic approach in developing individualized treatment plans. I typically incorporate elements of various psychotherapy modalities, including supportive, cognitive behavioral (CBT), dialectical behavioral (DBT), and insight-oriented therapy, in 30- or 45-minute follow-up visits. Occasionally, I may believe that more intensive therapy is needed and recommend that you bring a dedicated therapist into your care team for an optimal outcome. I aim to provide mental health care that helps patients live more fulfilling lives.

I am a board-certified adult psychiatrist. I received my medical doctorate degree from the University of Texas Southwestern Medical School and completed my residency training in general psychiatry at the University of Michigan. During my training, I gained extensive experience treating psychiatric disorders in diverse populations, including college students, LGBTQ+ individuals, perinatal women, veterans, and those with socioeconomic disadvantages. I have worked with experts on cases of treatment-resistant depression and provided consultations for patients considering procedural interventions, such as transcranial magnetic stimulation (TMS), electroconvulsive therapy (ECT), and ketamine infusion therapy.

I value therapeutic partnership, working with patients to balance symptom relief with meaningful self-exploration. I take a collaborative, patient-centered approach, creating a warm and nonjudgmental environment. I listen deeply, ask thoughtful questions, and encourage honest exploration of symptoms and underlying patterns. I value authenticity, curiosity, and respect for each patient's unique experiences. While symptom relief is important, my goal is to foster self-understanding and long-term growth. My expertise spans medication management, supportive therapy, and psychodynamic therapy, and I work best with patients open to collaboration and motivated for change, whether through medication management, therapy, or both.

I begin with a consultation phase to ensure a good fit, listening carefully to understand each patient's challenges and goals. Together, my patients and I build a working alliance by clarifying difficulties, identifying realistic changes, and exploring deeper patterns. When appropriate, I prescribe medication thoughtfully, aiming to support therapy rather than replace it. Each session integrates supportive and psychodynamic elements, combining medication review with therapeutic dialogue. Treatment plans are regularly revisited, allowing flexibility and growth, with the ultimate aim of empowering patients toward lasting change.

I earned my BS in Psychology from the University of California, Davis, and my MD from Ross University School of Medicine. I completed my psychiatry residency at Los Angeles County + University of Southern California Medical Center and a consultation-liaison psychiatry fellowship at Stanford University Medical Center. I am triple-board-certified in psychiatry, consultation-liaison psychiatry, and addiction medicine, and hold psychoanalytic psychotherapy training certification from the Psychoanalytic Center of California. I am currently a psychoanalyst-in-training at the New Center for Psychoanalysis.

Dr. Elena Volfson is a double board-certified psychiatrist in General Adult Psychiatry and Addiction Psychiatry. She earned her medical degree from St. Petersburg Pavlov Medical University, completed advanced training in the U.S., and has held leadership, teaching, and clinical roles at nationally recognized institutions. She has also been honored as a Top Doctor and named a Distinguished Fellow of the American Psychiatric Association.

Dr. Volfson believes medication can support recovery but is not a replacement for psychotherapy. Her treatment philosophy combines thoughtful medication management with evidence-based psychotherapy, creating an individualized approach that helps patients build lasting skills and achieve meaningful progress.

Dr. Volfson partners with each patient to understand their goals, concerns, and unique needs. She develops personalized treatment plans that integrate psychotherapy into every visit, using medication when appropriate while emphasizing collaboration, education, and long-term wellness.

I emphasize a holistic approach to mental health care, combining medication management with supportive therapies. I believe in a collaborative approach, working closely with my patients to develop treatment goals and adjust treatment strategies as needed. I am committed to providing ongoing support and guidance, ensuring that patients feel confident and supported throughout their mental health journey.

I am a board-certified psychiatrist. I earned my medical degree from the College of Medicine at the University of Arkansas for Medical Sciences. I completed my psychiatry residency and fellowship at the University of Alabama at Birmingham, and I completed a forensic fellowship at the University of Arkansas for Medical Sciences.

I specialize in treating depressive disorders, bipolar disorders, anxiety, substance use disorders, ADHD, and trauma-related disorders. I employ medication management combined with supportive therapy and motivational interviewing techniques, and I emphasize building strong therapeutic relationships, tailoring treatment to each patient's unique goals and needs.

I am board-certified in both General Psychiatry and Addiction Psychiatry. I received my medical degree from the Medical School of Nanjing University in China and completed my Ph.D. in Neuroscience at the State University of New York in Buffalo. I conducted neuroscience research at Tufts University and Columbia University. I completed my residency in Psychiatry at the University of Texas Health Science Center at Houston, McGovern Medical School (UTHealth), and a fellowship in Addiction Psychiatry at Baylor College of Medicine. I have held academic positions at Baylor College of Medicine, supervising medical students, residents, and physician assistant students.

In the initial visit, patients can expect a detailed, personalized evaluation. I will explore symptoms, medical history, personal goals, and treatment preferences to design an individualized care plan. Patients can expect a compassionate, collaborative approach with clear communication about medication management options and supportive therapeutic strategies aimed at improving their overall well-being.

I specialize in treating complex psychiatric conditions, including depression, anxiety, PTSD, OCD, bipolar disorder, and insomnia. As a proponent of holistic care, I integrate psychotherapy into medication management and emphasize lifestyle modifications and evidence-based integrative medicine. New patients receive comprehensive evaluations to rule out medical causes of symptoms, followed by tailored treatment plans combining therapy, medication, and lifestyle adjustments. Follow-up visits focus on symptom management through supportive, brief dynamic, or cognitive behavioral therapy, with frequent appointments until stabilization is achieved. I am committed to collaborative, patient-centered care that addresses both mental and physical well-being.

I am board certified in psychiatry by the American Board of Psychiatry and Neurology (ABPN). I earned my medical degree from Kansas City University and completed my psychiatry residency at John Peter Smith Hospital in Fort Worth, Texas. During medical school, I pursued advanced training as an Osteopathic Manipulative Medicine fellow. As a resident, I served as Chief Academic Resident and earned accolades such as Intern of the Year and Outstanding Educator of the Year twice consecutively. I have presented case studies and quality improvement projects at national conferences, including the American Psychiatric Association (APA), Academy of Consultation-Liaison Psychiatry, and Association for Academic Psychiatry.

A combat veteran, I served in the U.S. Marine Corps, including a tour in Iraq, and was honored with the Navy and Marine Corps Achievement Medal and a Certificate of Commendation for exemplary leadership.

I value ongoing patient input and strive to create a collaborative treatment environment where patients are actively involved in decision-making. I emphasize a warm, supportive approach that helps patients feel heard, respected, and understood throughout their care. I begin by developing a thorough understanding of each patient's psychiatric, medical, family, developmental, and substance use history, while also exploring the patient's concerns and goals. I then work collaboratively with the patient to develop an individualized treatment plan tailored to their unique needs and objectives.

I am a board-certified psychiatrist with experience across outpatient, inpatient, and emergency settings, including many years within the John Peter Smith Healthcare System. I have also practiced in federal correctional psychiatric settings and outpatient care through Tarrant County MHMR. I have been extensively involved in psychiatric education for medical students and psychiatry residents. I have participated in organized psychiatry for many years through the Texas Society of Psychiatric Physicians, serving on multiple committees and previously as President of the Texas Psychiatric Society. I earned my medical degree from the University of Texas Medical Branch in Galveston and completed my psychiatry residency at Timberlawn Psychiatric Hospital in Dallas. I am a Distinguished Life Fellow of the American Psychiatric Association.

I employ a collaborative and patient-centered approach, primarily focusing on medication management in combination with supportive therapy. I am a strong advocate of psychoeducation, believing it to be an integral part of effective psychiatric care. I specialize in treating adults experiencing depression, anxiety, PTSD, and insomnia, and I am also experienced in managing patients with psychiatric conditions complicated by medical comorbidities such as obesity, hypertension, chronic pain, and diabetes.

I am a board-certified adult psychiatrist. I obtained my bachelor's degree in Biological Sciences from the University of California at Irvine and graduated cum laude with my medical degree from the American University of Antigua. I completed my psychiatry residency training at the University of Central Florida, where I was elected chief resident.

Patients visiting me for the first time can anticipate a comprehensive evaluation conducted in a collaborative and supportive environment. I prioritize understanding each patient's individual needs and concerns, creating a personalized treatment plan that integrates medication, supportive therapy, and psychoeducation. Follow-up visits typically last about 30 minutes, allowing time to adjust treatment and reinforce therapeutic strategies.

I use a collaborative, narrative-informed approach that centers each patient's lived experience and values. My integrative method helps individuals recognize emotional and behavioral patterns shaped by cultural, relational, and systemic factors. I am committed to providing culturally responsive and identity-affirming care, with a particular focus on immigrant communities, LGBTQIA+ individuals, and high-performance professionals. In clinical practice, I combine evidence-based medication management with appropriate psychotherapy techniques and elements of executive coaching. This comprehensive approach supports patients navigating high-pressure environments, helping them achieve greater clarity, resilience, and confidence across both personal and professional domains.

I earned my undergraduate degree in Materials Science and NanoEngineering from Rice University, my medical degree from the University of Texas Southwestern Medical Center, and completed my psychiatry residency training at the University of Mississippi Medical Center. Now based in New York City, I bring a broad geographic and cultural perspective, having previously lived in China, Canada, Illinois, California, Texas, and Mississippi.