Skip to main content

Akif Khawaja, MD

Staff Psychiatrist
Languages
English
Conditions Treated
ADHD
Anxiety
Bipolar Disorder
Depression
Obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD)
PTSD/Trauma
Postpartum Depression
Geriatric

Education and training

  • Dow Medical College Foreign - Bachelor of Medicine and Surgery (MBBS)
  • University of Mississippi School of Medicine (Residency)

Get to know

Akif Khawaja, MD

Akif A. Khawaja M.D. is a Clinical General Psychiatrist. He has worked in this field since graduating and obtaining his residency from the University of Mississippi Medical Center Department of Neurology and Behavioral Sciences in 1996. He has worked mostly with adults ranging from 18 to 90 years of age. He has served as a director of Intensive Outpatient Programs in the state of Mississippi. He currently focuses on medical management of patients above 50 years of age and has served as a director of Geriatric Psychiatric Units.

He has a particular interest in treating mood, anxiety, and cognitive disorders, including ADHD. Patients working with him can expect thorough and detailed appointments, as he places special emphasis on gathering comprehensive medical and psychiatric histories, including specific dates of past treatments. During initial visits, he carefully reviews previous medical interventions, particularly procedures such as electroconvulsive therapy (ECT) and vagus nerve stimulation (VNS).

His approach prioritizes thorough evaluations to ensure accurate diagnoses. He strongly believes that honesty is essential for achieving the best possible treatment outcomes.

Get matched with a clinician like this one

Ready to book your first appointment? Take our 10-minute assessment. We’ll match you with a clinician who meets your needs, has availability, and takes your insurance.

Get started
More Clinicians

Sujith Maracheril, MD

Staff Psychiatrist

Dr. Sujith Maracheril is a board-eligible psychiatrist who provides comprehensive patient care while building a physician-patient relationship centered on communication, empathy, and respect. His primary focus is medication management, and he also provides supportive psychotherapy to help patients work toward long-term improvements. While aligning treatment toward patient goals, he takes a practical approach to changes that can be made to empower patients in their lives. Dr. Maracheril is a graduate of the Sophie Davis Biomedical Education Program at the CUNY School of Medicine, a 7-year BS/MD program. He completed his residency training in psychiatry at the Zucker School of Medicine/Northwell Health at Mather Hospital. He has trained in many settings including inpatient psychiatric units, general and specialized outpatient clinics, and at a partial hospitalization program. Dr. Maracheril has experience treating a broad range of mental health conditions including depressive disorders, bipolar disorder, anxiety disorders, ADHD, and OCD. He understands that people may experience these conditions in different ways, and he aims to treat each patient in an individualized and holistic way.

Agnes Tolentino, MD

Staff Psychiatrist

Dr. Agnes Tolentino is a board-certified adult psychiatrist with over 20 years of practice experience.  She obtained her undergraduate degree at the University of the Philippines and completed medical school at the University of the East.  She finished her psychiatry residency at the Harvard South Shore program as chief resident in her final year.  She has a strong background in psychotherapy as an adjunct to medication management.  She has extensive experience in treating PTSD, medically ill patients, elderly patients and those with terminal illnesses. She spent the last 15 years treating the geriatric population and those adjusting to co-morbid medical problems.  

She is an empathic listener and collaborative clinician, focused on treating the whole person.  She emphasizes the need to use healthy coping mechanisms as well as lifestyle changes to complement medication management.  In keeping with the “whole person” focus, the role of physical well-being is important. A thorough medical history will be obtained on your initial appointment.  

Gathering a thorough psychiatric and medical history is paramount in a successful therapeutic relationship.  And with time, a trusting therapeutic environment should be fostered.

Derek Robben, MD

Staff Psychiatrist.

Dr. Robben proudly served in the U.S. Air Force and has been practicing psychiatry for 17 years. He is happy to have completed his medical school education, as well as his residency in general psychiatry and fellowship in addiction psychiatry, all at the University of South Florida in Tampa. Dr. Robben is board certified in both general psychiatry and addiction psychiatry. He has experience in many roles over the span of his career to include working with Veterans diagnosed with posttraumatic stress disorder and substance use disorders, managing specialty clinics for patients with treatment-resistant depression, and working in general outpatient psychiatry clinics, as well as emergency and inpatient psychiatric settings. Dr. Robben also previously served as the Training Director for the University of South Florida Morsani College

of Medicine Addiction Psychiatry Fellowship Program. He is currently the Medical Director at a residential substance use disorder treatment center in Florida. Additionally, Dr. Robben is a certified Medical Review Officer and has additional qualifications in transcranial magnetic stimulation (TMS) and Spravato.

(esketamine). Dr. Robben has been voted as Addiction Medicine "Top Doctor" in Tampa Bay, FL by physicians for 8 of the last 9 years. Dr. Robben specializes in treating depression, bipolar disorder, anxiety, PTSD, OCD, ADHD and substance use disorders.

Dr. Robben uses a supportive, patient-centered approach, taking into account each individual's personal values and goals when formulating a treatment plan. He educates patients on the most up to date scientific evidence and provides multiple treatment options to help each person determine the most appropriate plan for them.  

Dr. Robben believes in a collaborative and holistic approach to working with his patients. Dr. Robben spends a significant amount of time educating his patients on all forms of mental health treatment, from medications and psychotherapy, to nutrition, exercise, meditation and sleep hygiene. What works well for

One person may not work well for another person. Having options and understanding the potential benefits and risks of each treatment empowers patients to take an active role in their own healthcare.

Lillian Cole, MD

Staff Psychiatrist

Background and credentials

Dr. Lillian Cole is a board-certified adult psychiatrist. She completed her undergraduate education at the University of North Carolina Wilmington and went on to earn both a master’s in biomedical sciences and a medical degree from Texas Tech University. She completed her psychiatry residency training at the University of Texas Southwestern Medical Center, where she gained experience working with a diverse range of patient populations across different ethnic, socioeconomic, and clinical backgrounds.

Treatment approach

Dr. Cole emphasizes a holistic, patient-centered approach that integrates evidence-based medicine, psychotherapeutic techniques, lifestyle interventions, and psychoeducation. She believes that listening, collaboration, and compassion are essential to guiding patients toward recovery. Her practice primarily focuses on psychiatric medication management, and she has extensive experience treating mood disorders, anxiety, trauma-related disorders, and substance use disorders. When additional therapy is necessary for the best outcome, she may recommend integrating a therapist into the treatment plan.

What you can expect in a first visit

Patients can expect a thorough and compassionate initial evaluation, where Dr. Cole takes the time to understand their symptoms, medical history, and treatment goals. She focuses on fostering a strong doctor-patient relationship and collaborates with each patient to create a personalized treatment plan that may include medication management, therapy, and lifestyle interventions. If additional therapy is indicated, she will coordinate with other providers to ensure comprehensive care tailored to the patient’s needs.

Why Talkiatry?

We’re a virtual mental health practice that makes it easy to find great care. We combine quality and convenience to help you thrive—faster. Our providers, like this one, are highly trained experts who specialize in medication management and collaborate with you on a treatment plan that fits your needs and comfort level.

Shama Milon, MD

Staff Psychiatrist

Background and credentials

Dr. Shama Milon is a triple-board eligible physician in Pediatrics, Psychiatry, and Child and Adolescent Psychiatry. She earned her undergraduate degree from Duke University and her medical degree from the University of Cincinnati College of Medicine. She completed her combined training in Pediatrics, Psychiatry, and Child and Adolescent Psychiatry at the Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai in New York, where she served as chief resident during her final year of training.

Treatment approach

Dr. Milon specializes in treating mood disorders, anxiety, PTSD, ADHD, OCD, and patients with co-occurring psychiatric and medical conditions. She is dedicated to outpatient care, focusing on long-term relationships with her patients. Her treatment approach is comprehensive, integrating medication management with psychotherapy, including psychodynamic psychotherapy, cognitive-behavioral therapy (CBT), dialectical behavior therapy (DBT), play therapy, dyadic therapy, and family therapy. She emphasizes creating an empathetic, judgment-free space where patients and families feel supported and understood. If she believes additional therapy is necessary, she may recommend adding a therapist to the care team.

What you can expect in a first visit

During the first visit, patients can expect a comprehensive psychiatric evaluation, where Dr. Milon carefully assesses physical, emotional, and psychological needs. She takes a holistic and patient-centered approach, ensuring that treatment plans are tailored to each individual’s unique circumstances. She prioritizes open communication and collaboration with both patients and families to create a structured, effective treatment plan that may include medication management and therapy interventions.

Why Talkiatry?

We’re a virtual mental health practice that makes it easy to find great care. We combine quality and convenience to help you thrive—faster. Our providers, like this one, are highly trained experts who specialize in medication management and collaborate with you on a treatment plan that fits your needs and comfort level.

Rayal Gorrepati, MD

Staff Psychiatrist

Dr. Rayal Gorrepati is double board certified in both adult and geriatric psychiatry. He has been practicing for over 12 years. Dr. Gorrepati's practice focuses on medication management. Typically, he offers this in conjunction with supportive psychotherapy in 30-minute follow-up visits. However, occasionally Dr. Gorrepati may believe that additional therapy is also needed and ask that you bring a therapist into your care team to provide the best possible outcome. He received his medical degree from the American University of the Caribbean School of Medicine. His general psychiatry residency was completed at Cooper University Hospital in New Jersey. He then completed a Geriatric Psychiatry Fellowship at the University of Hawaii. After completing training, he returned to his hometown of Chicago and began working at a Federally Qualified Health Center providing care to an underserved low-income population for nearly 12 years. While at the clinic, he treated a wide range of diagnoses, the most common ones being depression, anxiety, bipolar disorder, etc. His primary clinical focus is treating adults with depression, anxiety, and bipolar disorder.

Ready to get matched?

Start our short assessment
Specialties
ADHD
Anxiety
Bipolar Disorder
Depression
Obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD)
PTSD/Trauma
Postpartum Depression
Geriatric
States
Mississippi
New York
Languages
English
Takes insurance
Virtual visits
years experience