Ayanna Swinton Jamison, MD

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. Arif Patel is a board-certified adult psychiatrist. He obtained his medical degree from Rowan University School of Osteopathic Medicine and completed his residency training at Authority Health, an affiliate of Michigan State University. In addition, he has completed a Psychoanalytic Psychotherapy Fellowship from the Michigan Psychoanalytic Institute. He has 4 years of clinical experience. Dr. Patel's practice focuses primarily on medication management. Follow-up appointments typically last 30 minutes and incorporate elements of supportive psychotherapy, CBT, and motivational interviewing. Dr. Patel utilizes a collaborative approach to treatment, ensuring that treatment plans align with patients' goals and values. Dr. Patel has extensive clinical experience in various psychiatric settings including inpatient, outpatient, and emergency settings. He has treated patients of various ages and of diverse cultural and spiritual backgrounds. He has extensive training in the community mental health system, where he has treated patients with severe mental illness and substance use disorders. Dr. Patel practices general adult psychiatry. His practice focuses on medication management in conjunction with supportive psychotherapy. Dr. Patel has experience in treating a wide array of psychiatric disorders including mood disorders, anxiety disorders, trauma, and ADHD.

Darcie Farrell is an ANCC Board Certified Family Psychiatric Nurse Practitioner.  She has worked exclusively in the field of psychiatry during her forty-year nursing career.  She has worked in many care settings, including as a psychiatric Home Health Nurse and as a Certified Case Manager (CCM) in Psychiatry at Blue Cross Blue Shield. During her time at Excellus Blue Cross Blue Shield, she realized the urgent need for psychiatric nurse practitioners, so enrolled in the BSN/MSN program at the University of Rochester, graduating in 2016 with her BSN and in 2018 with her MSN.  She has strong skills and experience in Motivational Interviewing, having worked as a Motivational Counselor for a University of Rochester's Pediatric Research Program.   She has worked for the past seven years as a Nurse Practitioner in Geriatric Outpatient Psychiatry.

Darcie Farrell is a compassionate provider who is client centered. I rely on evidence-based scientific research when determining the best treatment options for clients.  

Darcie Farrell has a very relaxed process for working with patients which allows the client to provide information that is pertinent to their goals for care.  Then, together, we determine which treatment options are likely to be best for the client.

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Dr. Varma grew up in an immigrant family surrounded by aspiring doctors, and her passion for understanding the human mind and behavior blossomed early. This curiosity led her to pursue extensive medical training abroad, beginning at Kasturba Medical College in Southern India, followed by clerkships at the University of the West Indies in Trinidad and Tobago. She completed her Adult psychiatry residency at the University of Florida in Gainesville and specialized further with a child/adolescent fellowship at Brookdale University Hospital in Brooklyn, NY.

Dr. Varma believes in a holistic, integrative approach to mental health. Her philosophy centers on identifying the root causes of ailments rather than merely addressing symptoms. She views mental health care as a partnership, where the mind, body, and spirit work together to achieve wellness. Dr. Varma is committed to fostering a safe, confidential therapeutic alliance to help you explore your potential for healing.

Dr. Varma embraces integrative psychiatry, which combines the best of conventional Western medicine with complementary approaches. This involves a comprehensive biopsychosocial assessment tailored to each individual, incorporating psychopharmacology alongside lifestyle adjustments in diet, movement, and breathwork. She collaborates with therapists and other professionals to create a well-rounded treatment plan that honors your unique journey.

Shelah Radke, MD, JD, is a double board-certified Child and Adolescent and Adult Psychiatrist with over a decade of extensive experience in mental health care, specializing in the well-being of children, adolescents, and young adults. She currently serves in St. Louis, MO, where she is known for her dynamic leadership as a Medical Director and her robust clinical practice. Throughout her career, Dr. Radke has held pivotal roles, including Medical Director of Crisis Psychiatry Services at Mercy Hospital and key positions in several reputable outpatient clinics across the U.S. Her clinical acumen spans a diverse range of settings, from private practice and crisis care to specialized programs in residential and educational institutions.

A staunch advocate for evidence-based approaches, Dr. Radke integrates lifestyle and pharmacological interventions to foster mental health resilience among her patients. She is particularly passionate about the shared decision-making model, which enhances patient empowerment and satisfaction by actively involving them in their treatment plans. Dr. Radke's academic contributions are equally notable. She has developed educational curriculums that significantly improve health outcomes and has shared her expertise through numerous media appearances and professional talks. Her commitment to medical education is reflected in her mentorship of nurse practitioners and her involvement in creating community psychiatry programs.

Complementing her medical expertise, Dr. Radke holds a Juris Doctorate, with a focus on public health and social policy, which enriches her understanding of the legal and systemic aspects of healthcare. Her approach is deeply holistic, informed by her training in integrative medicine and her personal commitment to wellness, which she practices through nutrition, exercise, and travel with her family. Dr. Radke's professional journey is driven by a commitment to optimizing mental health outcomes and enhancing the quality of life for her patients and their families.

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Dr. Natalie Armijo is a board-certified adult psychiatrist with over twenty years of experience. She completed medical school, internship and residency at the University of New Mexico. She has worked for private HMOs and government facilities. Her private practice combines conventional treatment with nutrition and physical activity to support total health.

Dr. Armijo treats patients, ages 18 to 64, who have conditions related to anxiety, depression, trauma and ADHD with medication and supportive therapy. Her clinical interests include integrative medicine and nutritional psychiatry.

Your first visit with Dr. Armijo will range from thirty minutes to one hour and is designed to collect and clarify information about you. Topics will include your current symptoms, previous mental health treatment, medical conditions, substance use and family history. She will review treatment options, including their risks and benefits. At the end of the visit, she will let you know if her clinical experience and the limitations of an online platform are compatible with your needs. Your safety is her priority.

Follow-up visits range from twenty to thirty minutes and will initially focus on how you are responding to treatment. As your condition stabilizes, she will help you.

- Organize a long-term mental health

- Develop discipline to accomplish your goals

- Evaluate your progress

- Maintain motivation to reach your highest potential

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