Arif Patel, DO

Dr. Michael Manasterski is a board certified general psychiatrist. Before joining Talkiatry, he had the honor of working for the Department of Veterans Affairs in both outpatient and residential settings, and gained experience in improving quality of life for veterans with a wide range of troublesome to downright disabling psychiatric conditions, including severe anxiety and mood disorders, psychosis, obsessive-compulsive disorder, developmental disorders including autism spectrum and attention-deficit disorders, and post-traumatic stress disorder. These disorders have almost certainly been with us for all of recorded human history, but within the last few generations, our understanding of and ability to treat these conditions has grown by leaps and bounds.

Dr. Manasterski trained at the University of South Florida, earning his Bachelor of Science in Biology, and completing medical school and residency at the Morsani College of Medicine in Tampa, Florida. During his time in training and at the VA, his passion for teaching, both medical trainees and patients, found a productive outlet. He looks forward to bringing that experience forward to serve the broader population in these unprecedented times.

Dr. Manasterski’s practice is centered on evidence-based medication management, expertly tailored to each unique individual, informed by the best available research, using a multidisciplinary approach where appropriate to achieve the best possible outcome. He offers motivational interviewing and supportive psychotherapy, and can collaborate with a therapist on your care team when more specialized treatment is needed on your journey to wellness.

Dr. Lemaire Leo Pierre is a board certified adult psychiatric provider with over 10 years of experience. He has additional years working in the medical field as a physician assistant. Dr. Pierre's practice entails medication management accompanied by supportive psychotherapy. He frequently encourages other forms of psychotherapy with a counselor to maximize treatment outcomes. After completing medical school at Central America Health Science University, he returned to New York City and completed his psychiatry residency at New York Medical College Program at Metropolitan Hospital Center. Subsequently, he moved to Minnesota and worked with Park Nicollet Health Service/HealthPartners. He had been there for 10.5 years, where he oversaw a successful psychiatric practice and helped his patients who had been struggling with their conditions. Dr. Pierre is a member of the American Board of Psychiatry and Neurology, in addition to the American Psychiatry Association and State Psychiatry Association. He also enjoys attending conferences and reading journals to learn about cutting-edge treatments so that he is updated on the most recent FDA-approved medications.

Dr. Kirk Murphy, MD, completed residency and fellowship training in Trauma and Consultation-Liaison Psychiatry at UCLA School of Medicine. He also completed subspecialty training at UCLA’s Human Sexuality, Anxiety Disorders, and Mood Disorders Clinics. Dr. Murphy has extensive experience caring for outpatients with anxiety disorders, mood disorders, PTSD, and complex medical conditions.

Dr. Murphy takes time to understand each patient and their unique circumstances. He focuses on clarifying diagnoses and thoughtfully discussing potential treatment options, including risks and benefits. He is committed to creating a supportive, empathic, and respectful environment that prioritizes patient comfort and collaboration.

After learning about a patient’s symptoms and needs, Dr. Murphy establishes diagnoses using standardized diagnostic instruments. He reviews findings with patients and discusses treatment options in detail, ensuring understanding and aligning care with each patient’s values and preferences.

Dr. Absar Tahir is an adult psychiatrist double-boarded in psychiatry and internal medicine who specializes in evidence-based, holistic, and individualized care. He graduated from the University of Alabama at Birmingham, where he earned both his undergraduate and medical degrees. Dr. Tahir completed sequential residency training in both internal medicine at the Mayo Clinic in Rochester, Minnesota, followed by psychiatry at Emory University in Atlanta, Georgia. Dr. Tahir integrates his knowledge of psychiatry and internal medicine to address the complex interplay between mental and physical health, ensuring a comprehensive and thoughtful approach to diagnosis and treatment. Throughout his career, he has helped patients from all walks of life, from diverse backgrounds, with a compassionate and empathetic treatment style. He strives to ensure his patients feel their voice is heard while working collaboratively towards achieving their treatment goals. As a psychiatrist, he specializes in the treatment of depression, anxiety disorders, bipolar disorder, obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD), post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD), and attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder (ADHD). He is also highly experienced in treating psychiatric problems in patients with medical comorbidities.

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.

Dr. Santos is a highly experienced, Board-Certified Adult Psychiatrist with over 10 years of clinical experience in English and Spanish. He graduated from the Universidad Autónoma de Guadalajara School of Medicine and completed a rigorous 4-year psychiatric residency training in NYC at Lincoln Medical and Mental Health Center.

In his residency and post-residency practice, Dr. Santos has provided high-quality care to culturally diverse communities, and has extensive experience helping patients with Depression, Anxiety, ADHD, and other mental health conditions. He understands that choosing and seeing a psychiatrist can be stressful and is committed to providing a welcoming and non-judgmental environment where patients can feel free to discuss their concerns.

Dr. Santos takes a personalized approach to treatment, considering the unique psychology, biology, and lifestyle of each individual patient when determining the best course of action. His practice focuses on medication management in conjunction with supportive therapy, and he conducts follow-up visits in 30-minute increments. He believes that the most successful treatments integrate physical health, therapy, mindfulness, and medication, when necessary, to provide the most effective solutions for his patients.

If you are looking for a compassionate and experienced psychiatrist who is fluent in both English and Spanish, schedule an appointment with Dr. Santos today. His dedication to his patients and his extensive experience makes him an excellent choice for those seeking to improve their mental health.