Aurianna Santos, MD

Elyse Sipka is a board-certified Psychiatric Mental Health Nurse Practitioner (PMHNP) with over a decade of experience as a mental health RN in outpatient, inpatient, and residential settings, including eating disorder treatment centers, inpatient psychiatric units, and crisis units. She earned her Master of Science in Nursing from Indiana Wesleyan University in 2021 and has been practicing as a PMHNP in an outpatient setting for over four years, caring for adults with a wide range of mental health needs including depression, anxiety, OCD, bipolar disorder, ADHD, PTSD, substance use, eating disorders, and severe mental illness.

Elyse creates a safe and supportive environment where patients feel heard and valued. She is warm, empathetic, and approachable, providing comprehensive and holistic care that combines medication management, therapy, and lifestyle interventions to help clients achieve their treatment goals.

Elyse begins with an in-depth initial assessment exploring physical, mental, emotional, and spiritual health. She collaborates with clients to develop individualized treatment plans, integrating medication management with psychotherapy using principles of supportive therapy, Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT), and Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT).

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.

Roel Sepulveda is a board-certified psychiatric mental health nurse practitioner (PMHNP-BC) with a Master of Science in Nursing from the University of Alabama at Birmingham. Certified by the American Nurses Credentialing Center (ANCC), he has over 10 years of experience providing mental health care in psychiatric emergency rooms, outpatient psychiatry, and telehealth settings. Roel is committed to delivering comprehensive and accessible care that supports patients across diverse needs and backgrounds.

As a provider, Roel values creating a compassionate and collaborative environment where patients feel comfortable sharing their experiences. He takes a patient-centered approach, meeting individuals where they are and working together to identify treatment goals. Patients can expect a nonjudgmental space where their concerns are heard, respected, and addressed with empathy and understanding.

When working with patients, Roel begins by taking time to understand their history, symptoms, and current challenges. He develops individualized treatment plans that may include a combination of medication management, lifestyle strategies, and coordination with therapy or other supports. His goal is to provide evidence-based care while empowering patients to actively participate in their mental health journey and achieve lasting well-being.

Background and credentials

Dr. Matthew Koller is a board-certified adult psychiatrist who completed his undergraduate training at The University of Texas at Austin. He earned his medical degree from The University of Texas Health Science Center at San Antonio and completed his general adult psychiatry residency at Baylor College of Medicine in Houston, TX, where he served as Chief Resident of Education in his final year of training.

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Treatment approach

Dr. Koller believes that understanding a patient fully is essential before treatment begins, emphasizing a collaborative and patient-centered approach to care. His practice is primarily focused on medication management, but he also incorporates supportive therapy and other therapeutic modalities as needed. He may recommend including a therapist in the treatment plan to ensure comprehensive, well-rounded care. He has experience treating a wide range of mental health conditions, including depression, anxiety, insomnia, personality disorders, bipolar disorder, PTSD, and psychotic disorders.

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What you can expect in a first visit

During the first visit, patients can expect a thorough and individualized psychiatric evaluation, where Dr. Koller takes the time to understand their symptoms, history, and treatment goals. He prioritizes open communication and shared decision-making, working closely with patients to develop personalized treatment plans. While medication management is the foundation of his approach, he remains flexible and adaptive, incorporating therapy and other interventions as needed to help patients achieve optimal mental health.

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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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Dr. Paul has worked in outpatient private practice psychiatry for nearly 20 years. Throughout her career, she has combined medication management with talk therapy, to provide comprehensive care tailored to each patient's needs. Dr. Paul received her MD from The University of Iowa. She completed an intern year in Obstetrics and Gynecology at The University of Illinois, Chicago, and went on to psychiatry residency at Lutheran General Hospital in Park Ridge, IL. Dr. Janeen Paul is board certified in Adult Psychiatry. She specializes in Women's Issues, including pregnancy, postpartum and menopause, and has extensive experience treating depression, bipolar disorder and anxiety disorders, including OCD and PTSD. The mind/body connection is at the forefront of her care, with attention paid to diet and exercise as well as breathing and meditation. She often collaborates with primary care physicians and therapists to provide a team approach to treatment. She treats patients over age 18.‍

Sherra St. Clair is a board-certified Psychiatric Mental Health Nurse Practitioner with over a decade of experience supporting individuals with a wide range of mental health concerns. Her areas of expertise include attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD), depressive and anxiety disorders, obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD), bipolar disorder, and trauma-related conditions.

She completed her advanced nursing degree at the University of Wyoming, where she was recognized for her compassionate and welcoming approach to patient care. Before becoming a nurse practitioner, Sherra was inspired to pursue further education while working as part of an inpatient treatment team that included psychiatrists, psychologists, patients, and their families. Witnessing the profound improvements patients experienced after a crisis motivated her to transition toward outpatient and preventative care.

Prior to her nursing career, Sherra worked as a medical illustrator and animator, having studied at the University of Michigan’s medical school. She enjoyed creating educational materials for patients, physicians, and attorneys.

Sherra is passionate about working with individuals of all genders and socioeconomic backgrounds. She uses a collaborative, strengths-based approach that incorporates evidence-based medication management, psychotherapy, and patient education. She believes each person is the expert in their own life and strives to empower individuals to build on their self-worth, progress, and potential.

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