Catherine Shim, MD

Dr. Caitlin Tillberg (she/her) is a board-certified psychiatrist. She has a BA in musicology and cognitive science from Oberlin College, an MD from Quinnipiac University in Connecticut, and completed general adult psychiatry residency at Duke University. Dr. Tillberg practices patient-centered and trauma-informed care, valuing patient autonomy and collaborative decision-making, acknowledging the burden many people carry from intersecting oppressions. She believes therapy is important � often equally important as medication, or more � and will work together with you to make a realistic treatment plan that will fit into your life. Dr. Tillberg also has a niche working with people with complicated relationships with their bodies, whether due to disordered eating, gender dysphoria, chronic illness/disability, or trauma. She welcomes LGBTQ+ patients, including trans and non-binary adults. She also enjoys working with patients with OCD, as well as autistic/neurodivergent adults (including those seeking adult autism evaluation). Please note Talkiatry is most appropriate for autistic patients with Level 1 (or case-by-case Level 2) support needs and who are verbal. Regarding eating disorders: Please note that for patient safety, per Talkiatry policy, Dr. Tillberg is unable to work with patients with current active anorexia nervosa or bulimia nervosa (or significant relapse in the last 6 months), or with patients requiring current regular medical or lab monitoring for complications of binge-eating disorder or ARFID. Bariatric surgery patients are welcome if medically stable. Patients with current disordered eating that does not rise to the level of a formal diagnosis of anorexia or bulimia, or with a past history of anorexia or bulimia in sustained remission, will be evaluated on a case-by-case basis at the first appointment. Dr. Tillberg looks forward to meeting you.

Dr. Pipalia is board-certified in both adult psychiatry and internal medicine. Since graduation from residency, he gained specialized experience in treating veterans with terminal illness, specifically Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis (aka Lou Gehrig's Disease), at the VA Medical Center in Portland, OR. He combines both psychotherapy and medication treatment to provide holistic care that addresses not only your mental health but also the parts of your life that surround and are deeply intertwined with your mental health. When more intensive psychotherapy is warranted, he collaborates with an experienced psychotherapist to serve you better. With his experience of internal medicine, he is also comfortable with navigating complex medical issues that may interact with your mental health. Dr. Pipalia is a graduate of St. George's University School of Medicine. He completed a combined Psychiatry & Internal Medicine residency training program at East Carolina University. He went on to complete a fellowship in Clinical Informatics at Oregon Health & Science University, learning how to use modern digital technologies and patient data to improve patient care. His academic activities include a presentation he has given multiple times on Illness Identity, teaching other clinicians how having an illness can change how we perceive our place in the world and how to help patients manage their relationship with illness.

Background  and credentials    

Dr. Andrew Lelin is a board-certified Psychiatrist in Adult Psychiatry. He  received his bachelor's degree from Johns Hopkins University and a master's  in Medical Humanities, Compassionate Care, and Bioethics from Stony Brook  University. Dr. Lelin earned his medical degree from Hofstra-Northwell School  of Medicine and completed his residency at Rutgers-Robert Wood Johnson School  of Medicine, where he specialized in advanced psychopharmacology with diverse  patient populations. He also has extensive training and experience in  psychotherapeutic modalities, including psychodynamic therapy,  cognitive-behavioral therapy, habit-reversal therapy, and cognitive  processing therapy. Following his training, Dr. Lelin provided inpatient  consultation and crisis intervention services in New York City.    

‍

Treatment approach    

Dr. Lelin employs a compassionate, humanistic approach designed to align  closely with his patients' personal goals and values. His method integrates  advanced psychopharmacology with psychotherapeutic techniques such as  psychodynamic, cognitive-behavioral, habit-reversal, and cognitive processing  therapies. He aims to carefully balance diagnosis, avoiding both  overdiagnosis and underdiagnosis, to ensure precise and tailored care. Dr.  Lelin’s approach is particularly effective in addressing conditions like  anxiety, depression, bipolar disorder, OCD, trauma-related issues, and other  psychiatric conditions.    

‍

What you can expect in a first visit    

During the initial visit, patients can expect a comprehensive, detailed  evaluation designed to thoroughly understand their individual experiences and  needs. Dr. Lelin prioritizes establishing a compassionate and comfortable  environment where patients can openly discuss their concerns and goals. This  initial assessment is followed by meticulous and thoughtful follow-ups,  providing clarity and direction in the treatment process.    

‍

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 speciualize in  medication management and collaborate with you on a treatment plan that fits  your needs and comfort level.

Background and credentials

Dr. Diane Lewis is board-certified in general psychiatry by the American Board of Psychiatry and Neurology. She earned both her undergraduate and medical degrees at Texas A&M University (College Station and Temple, TX) before completing her general psychiatry residency at UT Southwestern - Austin Programs (now Dell Medical School residency programs). After her residency, she practiced for eight years as a staff psychiatrist at the University of Texas' student counseling center. She also has experience working in hospital admissions and emergency department settings.

‍

Treatment approach

Dr. Lewis employs a medication-management-focused approach typically paired with supportive therapy during 30-minute follow-up visits. She strongly values a collaborative treatment approach, frequently encouraging patients to incorporate additional therapy for the best outcomes. Her primary specialty is college mental health, treating patients aged 18-45 with a range of mental health conditions from mild to complex. Dr. Lewis emphasizes authenticity, compassion, and recognizing patients beyond their diagnoses, providing care tailored to individual circumstances and goals.

‍

What you can expect in a first visit

During a first visit, patients can expect Dr. Lewis to conduct a thorough evaluation, carefully listening to their concerns, and considering their symptoms within the broader context of their lives. Her patients appreciate her down-to-earth and compassionate communication style. She aims to create an environment where patients feel understood, respected, and actively involved in shaping their personalized treatment plan, often recommending additional therapy support when beneficial for achieving optimal outcomes.

‍

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.

‍

Dr Marc Whaley is a Board Certified Psychiatrist in Adult Psychiatry, with extensive clinical experience over the past 50 years, mostly in outpatient treatment, and some in-patient settings, in addition to Forensic (legal) ones. He received his undergraduate degree at Johns Hopkins in Baltimore and his medical degree at Tufts Medical School in Boston, and then went on to train at Tufts New England Medical Center in Boston, for his psychiatry residency. He has held leadership roles, Chief of Department of Psychiatry in a community hospital, President of the local Psychiatric Chapter of the Massachusetts Psychiatric Society, and founder of a private group outpatient psychiatric practice on Cape Cod called The Psychiatric Collaborative. In 2018, he closed his private practice, seeking more free time in the later years. It did not take long, however, to get back to active practice, first by reviewing files for insurers around the issue of medical necessity, disability, and other psychiatric determinations. He got his first experience in Telepsychiatry when working remotely for a community hospital, far from his home, evaluating patients presenting to their busy ER; He experienced this as a practical and efficient way of delivering psychiatric services. When that contract ended after 3.5 years, he learned about and joined Talkiatry to work as a Staff Psychiatrist, in their well-organized comprehensive program. Dr. Whaley has been recognized by his peers for his career achievement, and he was the 2022 recipient of the Outstanding Psychiatrist Award for Clinical Psychiatry from the MA Psychiatric Society. He has also been a regular panel member, over the past 13 years, for a monthly NPR Radio Talk Show, ( WGBH Cape Cod affiliate, WCAI), The Point with Mindy Todd, focusing on multiple mental health topics.

Brittany Stef is a Licensed Mental Health Counselor (LMHC) in New York and a National Certified Counselor (NCC). With extensive experience in education and various clinical settings, she has supported individuals and families of all ages in overcoming diverse mental health challenges, including depression, anxiety, mood disorders, self-esteem issues, and significant life changes. Brittany is passionate about therapy and employs empowerment-driven, holistic approaches. Her techniques include Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT), Dialectical Behavioral Therapy (DBT), Motivational Interviewing, Solution-Focused Therapy, and Person-Centered Therapy.