Absar Tahir, MD

Dr. Michael Locher completed Adult Psychiatry Residency Training at Los Angeles County, University of Southern California in which he focused two years of training in conducting Mindfulness Based Cognitive Therapy. Dr. Locher received his Bachelor of Science Undergraduate degree in 3 years with Phi Beta Kappa honors at University of Miami, Florida. In medical school at Stony Brook School of Medicine in New York, Dr. Locher was inducted into the Gold Humanism Honor Society while earning his Doctor of Medicine (MD) degree. Dr. Locher has held academic appointments at University of Southern California Keck School of Medicine, College of Osteopathic Medicine of the Pacific Western University of Health Sciences, and Ventura Community Memorial Health System Psychiatric Residency Training Program. He has an in interest working with immigrants and LGBTQ+ communities.  

Dr. Locher’s approach to medication management is that it is one tool to be used in the broader context of a multi-modal evidence-based treatment approach that draws upon psychotherapy, mindfulness skills, Buddhist psychology, psychedelic AKA “mind manifesting” studies, yoga philosophy, and other integrative practices. He understands that healing is an individualized process that cannot unfold without a safe space. Dr. Locher is dedicated to holding an approachable, empathic space where you can feel empowered to write the next chapter of your life.  

Dr. Locher is well versed in treating the full spectrum of mental illness. Having worked on multidisciplinary teams in acute inpatient psychiatric hospital settings, psychiatric emergency rooms, and mental health urgent cares for the better part of 10 years, he is comfortable helping with not just mild to moderate illness, but also the most severe cases of mental illness. Dr. Locher is especially motivated to work with you to maintain stability, avoid hospitalization, and more broadly, to achieve wellness.

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Dr. Dominique Holley is a triple board-certified psychiatrist in Adult Psychiatry, Child and Adolescent Psychiatry, and Addiction Medicine. Dr. Holley completed her post-doctoral residency and fellowship training at Walter Reed National Military Medical Center. She has served as an active US Army officer and recently separated from the US Army after 11 years of service. In her most recent role, she served as the Deputy Chief of the Department of Behavioral Health at Fort Campbell, KY where she provided clinical and administrative supervision, as well as mentorship and guidance for an interdisciplinary team of over 140 personnel. She maintained oversight of behavioral health care being delivered through 11 clinics and satellite locations, providing patient care for over 30,000 beneficiaries. While in leadership, she continued to provide direct patient care for service members and dependents including child and adolescent populations. Due to her experience with this unique population, she has extensive experience in treating individuals with trauma. She offers an holistic approach when caring for individuals dealing with mental illness as well as phase of life circumstances. She believes in treating the whole person and attending to physical, spiritual, and mental health. Dr. Holley provides supportive, cognitive behavioral, acceptance and commitment, and psychodynamic therapy skills that complement medication management in order to help improve wellness.

Dr. Michelle Hornbaker-Park is a board-certified General and Child and Adolescent Psychiatrist with over nine years of experience. Her practice focuses on medication management, which is founded not only on evidence-based medicine but also on the understanding that a trusting therapeutic relationship is the cornerstone of behavioral health healing. She incorporates CBT, supportive therapy, and psychoeducation into her medication management appointments and may refer patients for additional psychotherapy to improve outcomes. Dr. Hornbaker-Park received her Bachelor of Science degree from Ursinus College, with a dual major in Biochemistry/Molecular Biology and Neuroscience. After receiving a Health Professions Scholarship from the Army, she obtained her medical degree from Jefferson Medical College. She went on to enter active duty military service and complete General Psychiatry residency training and Child and Adolescent Psychiatry fellowship training at Tripler Army Medical Center before completing active duty service as a staff psychiatrist and 101st Airborne Division psychiatrist at Fort Campbell, KY. There she cared for active duty service members and their families to manage depression, anxiety, trauma, and the unique stressors of military service. She later transitioned to federal civilian service and served as a preceptor for Phase II Physician Assistant trainees and Army Social Work interns, reinforcing a passion for education that carried her to Walter Reed National Military Medical Center (WRNMMC). During her time at WRNMMC, she served in several roles including Deputy Medical Director of Inpatient Psychiatry, core faculty for the National Capital Consortium Psychiatry Residency Program, Associate Program Director, and associate faculty at the Uniform Services University for Health Sciences (USUHS). Prior to transitioning out of federal service to join Talkiatry, she was repeatedly recognized for excellence in academics and mentorship and received multiple teaching awards. This zeal for education and mentorship, as well as humility, personal growth, and learning, translates directly into her philosophy for patient care. She believes a whole-person approach with open, collaborative teamwork is the key to progress.

Dr. Danielle Jackson is a board certified Adult Psychiatrist by the American Board of Psychiatry and Neurology. She is a graduate of Yale University's Psychiatry Residency and Howard University College of Medicine. Dr. Jackson's practice focuses on a combination of psychopharmacology (medication) and psychotherapy techniques including supportive therapy, motivational interviewing and cognitive behavioral therapy. She approaches care from an individualized, patient-centered, collaborative perspective. She often integrates evidence-based lifestyle recommendations in areas such as nutrition, sleep hygiene, exercise, and stress management tools in treatment to help patients achieve their wellness goals. Her interests include adjustment disorder, mood disorders, anxiety disorders, ADHD and trauma-related disorders. In addition, she enjoys helping patients navigate the challenges that can accompany changes in life (careers, parenthood, relationships, chronic illness). Prior to joining Talkiatry, Dr. Jackson served as medical director for substance use and co-occurring disorders at Sunset Terrace Family Health Centers at NYU Langone. She has experience caring for a diverse patient population including those with perinatal mood disorders (postpartum anxiety/depression), substance use disorders and those from minoritized and marginalized communities.

Dr. Ye Kyung Song is a board-certified psychiatrist with both an M.D. and a Ph.D. in medical humanities and ethics from the University of Texas Medical Branch. She completed her residency at Duke University and has experience practicing in both outpatient and inpatient settings. In addition to her clinical training, Dr. Song has pursued advanced training in several therapeutic modalities, including the Collaborative Approach to Management of Suicidality (CAMS) and Radically Open Dialectical Behavioral Therapy (RO-DBT).

Dr. Song takes a collaborative, values-driven approach to treatment, emphasizing partnership in decision-making and tailoring care to each individual’s needs. She uses medication thoughtfully and only when appropriate, considering the whole picture of a patient’s health and life. Her goal is to help patients understand the underlying reasons for their symptoms by examining patterns, conflicts, and meaning. She is committed to creating a safe and supportive environment where patients can explore their experiences openly.

During the initial appointment, Dr. Song focuses on understanding a patient’s clinical history, current concerns, and personal goals. Together with the patient, she develops an individualized treatment plan that clearly outlines areas of focus and aligns with the patient’s values and objectives. Her process emphasizes getting to the root “why” behind symptoms, while using evidence-based medicine and therapy modalities best suited for the situation. Treatment plans and medications are adjusted collaboratively over time to ensure ongoing support and progress.

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.