Alexandra Blaes, MD

Nakia is a Licensed Professional Counselor Supervisor and Certified Sex Therapist with a Master of Education in Counseling and Development from Sam Houston State University. With extensive experience in education and private practice, she has helped individuals and couples navigate life's challenges and create meaningful change. Her expertise includes issues related to sexual health, intimacy, relationships, depression, anxiety, self-esteem, life transitions, and grief and loss. Specializing in working with individuals and couples, Nakia creates a warm and supportive environment where others feel heard and empowered. She guides them in making choices to change hindering situations and gain clarity through clinical tools to interpret and respond differently to life's challenges. Her approach is collaborative and tailored, ensuring therapy meets the unique needs of each person while celebrating progress. Nakia uses a holistic approach that integrates Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT), Solution-Focused Therapy, and Person-Centered Therapy. She is also trained in Gottman Levels 1 and 2, providing evidence-based techniques to strengthen relationships and improve intimacy and communication. She believes change happens when individuals are honest with themselves and willing to do the work. As Carl Rogers said, "One must accept themselves as they are before change can occur.” Nakia considers it a privilege to support others as they heal, grow, and embrace life's possibilities.

Dr. Meagan Maas is a double board-certified psychiatrist in Child and Adolescent Psychiatry and Adult Psychiatry. She completed residency training at Western Michigan University Homer Stryker M.D. School of Medicine and a fellowship at Rush University Medical Center. She earned her MD from American University of the Caribbean, an MPH from Boston University, and a BS in Brain, Behavior, and Cognitive Science from the University of Michigan. Dr. Maas has primarily worked in outpatient psychiatry.

Dr. Maas works collaboratively with patients, families, and care teams to tailor treatment that fosters growth and positive change. She values open communication, clear goals, and meeting patients where they are. She aims to empower and advocate for patients by exploring educational, therapeutic, and holistic supports alongside medication. She is an LGBTQIA+ affirming provider specializing in child and adolescent care, with a focus on depression, anxiety, OCD, autism spectrum disorder, and mood disorders.

Dr. Maas creates a safe, inclusive space where patients feel comfortable expressing concerns. Her sessions are collaborative, with a focus on personalized treatment aligned with patient goals. Initial evaluations are 75 minutes; follow-ups are 45. She is a real human dedicated to helping patients and families live authentically and with confidence.

Deora Johnson, PMHNP, is a board-certified adult psychiatric nurse practitioner with 24 years of experience. He is passionate about providing clients with a holistic approach to mental health care, incorporating both pharmacologic and non-pharmacologic interventions. Deora works with adult and senior populations, focusing on the assessment, diagnosis, and treatment of mental health conditions. He collaborates closely with clients to guide them through understanding and selecting the most effective interventions and medication management options for their needs. Supportive therapy, solution-focused therapy, and motivational interviewing are integral components of his medication management sessions.

Deora earned his Master of Science in Nursing from Vanderbilt University in Nashville, Tennessee, and completed a nursing practice degree at the University of Alabama in Birmingham. He has experience treating patients in a variety of outpatient and inpatient settings.

His areas of specialty include the treatment of major depressive disorder, anxiety disorders, bipolar disorder, ADHD, PTSD, and insomnia. His research focused on non-pharmacologic interventions for insomnia in individuals with depression.

Deora also has experience working with military veterans. At the VA Outpatient Clinic in Baltimore, Maryland, he treated veterans returning from Operation Iraqi Freedom and Operation Enduring Freedom, as well as those from the Vietnam and Korean War eras. His clinical work focused on PTSD, major depressive disorder, anxiety disorders, and bipolar disorder.

Deora believes the therapeutic relationship offers a unique opportunity to work collaboratively through life’s challenges. He views medication management as an important part of a comprehensive treatment plan that also includes therapy.

‍

*THIS PROVIDER CANNOT PRESCRIBE CONTROLLED SUBSTANCES FOR NH PATIENTS* Doctor Phillip Sullivan is a staff psychiatrist at Talkiatry. He is board certified in both adult psychiatry and child and adolescent psychiatry. His interest in psychiatric treatment was originally triggered by the humanistic writings of Abraham Maslow, Carl Rogers, and Rollo May. As he earned his medical degree and started post-graduate psychiatric training, he went on to learn psycho-pharmacological, cognitive-behavioral, and psychodynamic treatment approaches. He combines these perspectives in diagnosing and treating psychiatric conditions including depression, bipolar spectrum disorders, anxiety, stress and trauma related disorders, adjustment problems, maternal mental health, OCD, ADHD and other disorders. His practice focuses on supportive pharmacological treatment, and he sees listening and empathy as essential elements of the treatment process. He strives to provide a comfortable experience in which doctor and patient work together to understand the presenting problems, develop a treatment plan, reduce symptoms, and optimize functioning. Doctor Sullivan supports and encourages concurrent psychotherapy and will work collaboratively with therapists to optimize the best treatment results. Doctor Sullivan received his MD degree from Brown University Alpert School of Medicine. After completing a medical-surgical internship, he went on to a residency in adult psychiatry and a fellowship in child and adolescent psychiatry at Harvard Medical School's Massachusetts Mental Health Center. He has held academic appointments at Harvard Medical School and the University of New England School of Osteopathic Medicine. In the 36 years following completion of his training, he has worked as the medical director of a mental health center on the under-served Eastern Shore of Maryland, as the medical director of a child and adolescent psychiatric inpatient unit, as a staff psychiatrist at New Hampshire's Dartmouth Hitchcock Clinic, and as the medical director of child and adolescent psychiatric services at Concord New Hampshire's mental health center. Before joining Talkiatry, he served for 18 years as the chief of psychiatry at Southern New Hampshire Medical Center where he also spent three years as the hospital's chief of staff.

Dr. Rachel Sherhart is a board-certified adult psychiatrist who has been in practice for over 4 years. She specializes in medication management with 30-minute follow-up visits. This may be accompanied by elements of supportive therapy, Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT), Dialectical Behavior Therapy (DBT), and psychodynamic therapy. If more in-depth work is needed, she may refer patients to a collaborating psychotherapist. ‍Dr. Sherhart received her medical degree from Texas A&M Health Science Center and completed her psychiatry residency training at the University of Texas Southwestern in Dallas, Texas. She has served as faculty at Texas A&M University College of Medicine, providing education and supervision for psychiatry residents and medical students. ‍She has experience treating adult patients from many walks of life with a broad range of diagnoses, including depression, anxiety, bipolar disorder, ADHD, and trauma-related disorders. Dr. Sherhart has a passion for providing excellent patient care and education. Her goal is for patients to feel heard and find a safe place to discuss their concerns. She is motivated to work collaboratively with patients to find a solution that best fits their treatment goals and improves their overall quality of life.‍

Bryce Thacker grew up in a rural community, where he learned the value of helping others achieve their best selves to support overall community health and well-being. With a passion for helping people live their best lives, he earned his undergraduate degree in biology from the University of Nebraska and completed his nursing education at Creighton University. He went on to earn a Master of Science in Nursing, specializing as a Family Nurse Practitioner and in Community Health, from Creighton University, and later completed a nursing practice degree at the University of Colorado with a focus on population and community health. He also holds a post-graduate certification in psychiatric mental health from Washburn University.

Bryce practiced family medicine for 18 years before transitioning to psychiatric mental health in 2022. His background in both physical and mental health gives him a holistic perspective on care. Since shifting his focus, he has helped individuals improve their quality of life through medication management for mood disorders, PTSD, anxiety, ADHD, and other mental health conditions. He continues to live in a rural community with his family and remains committed to helping people become their best selves.

Bryce believes that each person’s “best self” is unique and that mental health care should meet individuals where they are. He emphasizes a collaborative, client-centered approach, always keeping the individual’s goals at the heart of care. He is dedicated to helping clients identify and overcome the symptoms and stressors that interfere with their well-being, and he works to dismantle limiting beliefs or labels that may have been placed on them.

By taking the time to understand each person’s challenges and aspirations, Bryce helps clients find sustainable, holistic paths to wellness. His care is grounded in empathy, respect, and a deep commitment to supporting each person’s journey toward a fulfilling and balanced life.

‍