Aneela Ali, MD

Background and credentials

Dr. Tyler Josephs is a staff psychiatrist at Talkiatry. He earned his medical degree from Kansas City University in 2017 and completed his psychiatric residency at the University of Kansas Medical Center in 2021. During his residency, he served as Chief Resident at both the University of Kansas Medical Center and the Kansas City VA Medical Center. Most recently, Dr. Josephs worked at the Kansas City VA Medical Center, where he was the psychiatric director of the outpatient mental health clinic and served as Psychiatry Executive for behavioral health services.

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Treatment approach

Dr. Josephs believes in a holistic approach to mental health treatment, integrating medication management, supportive psychotherapy, and collaboration with therapists and support staff. He tailors treatment to each patient's unique needs, ensuring a comprehensive and individualized approach to care. His expertise includes treating a variety of psychiatric diagnoses, such as depression, anxiety disorders (including OCD), ADHD, and PTSD.

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What you can expect in a first visit

In a first visit, patients can expect a thorough evaluation, where Dr. Josephs takes the time to understand their medical history, symptoms, and treatment goals. He emphasizes open communication and collaborative decision-making, ensuring that patients feel heard and supported. Based on this initial assessment, he will develop a personalized treatment plan, which may include medication management and referrals to therapy or other supportive services as needed.

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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.

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Zakiyyah Weatherspoon is a dual-certified Family Nurse Practitioner and Psychiatric Mental Health Nurse Practitioner with over a decade of experience. Since 2011, she has worked in family medicine, and since 2013, she has focused on mental health care across the lifespan. Her background includes treating children, teens and adults in hospitals, private practices, and community settings.

Since 2017, Weatherspoon specialized in helping individuals manage depression, anxiety, bipolar disorder, OCD, PTSD, ADHD, ODD, eating disorders, and substance use. She uses supportive therapy, solution-focused therapy, and cognitive behavioral therapy to help clients feel heard, understood, and empowered.

Weatherspoon is passionate about breaking the stigma around mental health. She encourages her clients to speak up, get help, and take control of their mental wellness. Her approach is based on the Mental Health Recovery Model, which focuses on hope, healing, and building a life beyond diagnosis.

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Dr. Upton Thomas is a board-certified psychiatrist who takes a warm, collaborative, and evidence-based approach to care. With a focus on treating mood disorders, anxiety, OCD, and substance use, he integrates psychopharmacology and psychotherapy to support patients in achieving meaningful change. He brings curiosity, creativity, and a deep respect for each individual’s story to his clinical work.

Patients often find Dr. Thomas easy to talk to and appreciate his calm, thoughtful demeanor. He emphasizes shared decision-making and believes that treatment works best when the patient’s values and voice are at the center. Dr. Thomas aims to create a safe space for honest dialogue and ongoing reflection as treatment evolves.

Dr. Thomas begins with a comprehensive evaluation to understand each patient’s mental health history, current concerns, and goals. He then develops an individualized treatment plan that may include medication, therapy, or both. He prefers to use the lowest effective dose of medications and often integrates psychotherapeutic strategies such as CBT, DBT, or insight-oriented work into his sessions.

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Dr. Scot McKay is board certified in Psychiatry and Child/Adolescent Psychiatry. He graduated medical school from the Medical University of South Carolina in Charleston, SC. He completed his residency and child/adolescent fellowship trainings at the University of Colorado - Anschutz Medical Center in Denver, CO. Previously, he has worked on the inpatient and partial hospitalization child/adolescent psychiatric units at Children's Hospital Colorado as well as in the school-based health clinics through Denver Health in partnership with Denver Public Schools. He has also worked in community mental health at the Mental Health Cooperative clinics throughout the Middle Tennessee region. He most recently joined a private practice before joining Talkiatry. He has been named to the Nashville Lifestyles Magazine's Top Doctors list in 2022, 2023, and 2024. He is a fellow of the American Psychiatric Association, and a member of the American Academy of Child and Adolescent Psychiatry. Dr. McKay enjoys working with patients going through life transitions such as high school to college and college to adult life. He believes it is important to understand the whole person (mind, body, and spirit) when treating them. He treats people struggling with depression, anxiety, bipolar, and ADHD, as well as trouble with relationships and family conflict. Dr. McKay provides both medication management and therapy. He believes that medication is just one of the items in a psychiatrist's toolbox and that therapy is equally important as medication.

Marie Thompson, PMHNP, has over a decade of experience practicing in outpatient settings. She earned her undergraduate, graduate, and post-graduate degrees from Ursuline College in Pepper Pike, Ohio. Marie is dual certified as a Family Nurse Practitioner and Psychiatric Mental Health Nurse Practitioner, allowing her to provide well-rounded, holistic care to her patients.

Marie uses a team-based approach to help patients meet their treatment goals. She is dedicated to creating a trusting, non-judgmental environment where individuals feel safe, heard, and supported. Her goal is to enhance daily functioning and improve each patient’s overall quality of life.

Marie creates individualized treatment plans to meet each patient's unique needs. She works collaboratively to develop patient-centered goals and uses a thoughtful, compassionate approach to guide treatment. Her process prioritizes open communication, shared decision-making, and long-term wellness.

Dr. Dominic Adams earned his medical degree from Eastern Virginia Medical School and completed his residency at the University of Mississippi Medical Center. He has experience treating a broad range of mental health conditions using both medicinal and psychotherapeutic interventions. Dr. Adams works with children, adolescents, and adults, and has training in cognitive behavioral and psychodynamic psychotherapy.

Dr. Adams strives to create a cooperative therapeutic experience that fosters open and empathetic communication. He values patient choice in treatment and prioritizes empowering patients through psychoeducation. Drawing on a variety of psychotherapeutic techniques, he tailors care to meet the unique needs of each individual.

Initial appointments with Dr. Adams include a thorough review of the patient’s concerns and the development of both patient and physician treatment goals. He discusses treatment options in detail, providing education on any medications, therapies, or interventions. Together, he and the patient select a dynamic treatment plan and set a follow-up schedule to monitor progress.