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Chelsea Karson, MD

Staff Psychiatrist
Languages
English
Conditions Treated
Anxiety
Bipolar Disorder
Depression
Obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD)
PTSD/Trauma

Education and training

  • Chicago Medical School Doctor of Medicine (MD)

Get to know

Chelsea Karson, MD

Dr. Chelsea Karson is a board-certified psychiatrist who completed her residency training at Advocate Lutheran General Hospital where she was Chief Resident of her program. Dr. Karson is passionate about patient care, believing in caring for the whole person. While completing her residency training, she led an interprofessional team to bring miniature-therapy horses to the inpatient psychiatry unit and thereby forge a relationship between the organization and all of Advocate Aurora Healthcare. Dr. Karson partnered with a mental health counselor to create a virtual therapy program of resources, the Bridge Project, to close the gap between inpatient and outpatient care that is now used throughout the Advocate Aurora network. At graduation Dr. Karson received the 2024 Advocate Lutheran General Hospital Ruggie Humanitarian Award. The Ruggie Award selects and honors a graduating resident or fellow who displays academic excellence, commitment to the education of others, professional bearing, and a concern for the patient within the light of Human Ecology. Dr. Karson attended undergraduate at Elmhurst University, a biology major with minors in chemistry and medical humanities. She went to medical school at Rosalind Franklin University and was chosen to join the Gold Humanism Honor Society for her dedication to compassionate patient care.

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Vincent is a licensed professional counselor who has earned his full licensure from the State of Texas. Vincent earned his bachelor's degree in Criminal Justice with a Minor in History from the University of Texas at San Antonio. He earned his Master of Arts in Counseling and Guidance from Texas A&M San Antonio. Vincent's counseling approach is eclectic, utilizing various modalities including, but not limited to Gestalt, Reality, Narrative, and Solution focused therapy. He is devoted to empowering individuals to free themselves from the excessive burdens of life by a remorseless society. He encourages you to become genuinely free and absolutely understand that you are the master of your own destiny. Vincent's treatment specialties and experience include working with adults, seniors, and adolescents from diverse populations and cultures. Whose suffering included, but not limited to anger, depression, career dilemmas, anxiety, stress, marital problems, collegiate status, self-esteem, family issues, as well as other unforeseen predicaments life unveils. Vincent uses these modalities in a holistic approach assessing clients within their culture, environment, community, and family system to gain a better insight into your distinctive reality. This holistic approach allows us to work together and tailor therapy to your needs. Allowing our collaboration to address the root causes of your current state of wellbeing. Our sessions, along with my education, background, and extensive life experience, have given me a reinforced foundation to assist you in facing the harsh realities of the world. Vincent will inspire you to live your life to its fullest without regret and create healthy tools of positive armor that will guide you eternally. Vincent's platform of therapy will fortify your weaknesses, enhance your strengths, and alleviate your fears where your voice is amplified and capable of surviving the vile discernment of others.

Anantharam Peesapati, MD

Staff Psychiatrist

Dr. Anantharam Peesapati is a board-certified adult psychiatrist who graduated from General Psychiatry Residency training at Rutgers Robert Wood Johnson Medical School. There, he honed his skills by treating a diverse patient population suffering from various diagnoses, including major depression, bipolar disorder, anxiety disorders, PTSD, ADHD, and substance use disorders. Prior to residency, Dr. Peesapati earned his medical degree from Florida Atlantic University Charles E. Schmidt College of Medicine & his bachelor's degree in Psychology with a specialization in Behavioral & Cognitive Neuroscience from the University of Florida. Dr. Peesapati is committed to providing comprehensive care to his patients, with a focus on medication management & psychoeducation, as well as supportive psychotherapy and cognitive-behavioral therapy. His approach is guided by psychodynamic principles and steeped in mindfulness, ensuring a holistic and personalized treatment plan for each individual. Dr. Peesapati's goal is to help every patient achieve their best mental health and well-being, which may include collaboration with a therapist while also considering the impact of lifestyle on their health.

Robert Whelpley, MD

Staff Psychiatrist

Background and credentials

Dr. Robert Whelpley, M.D., is board-certified in both Child and Adolescent Psychiatry and Adult Psychiatry. He completed his undergraduate studies at Binghamton University and earned his medical degree from Upstate Medical University in Syracuse, New York. He then went on to complete his residency and fellowship training at the University of Rochester. Throughout his career, he has worked with patients and families across the lifespan in inpatient, outpatient, and emergency psychiatric settings.

Treatment approach

Dr. Whelpley believes in collaborative care, working closely with treatment providers, patients, and families to ensure that mental health concerns are addressed as a team. His approach integrates talk therapy techniques, including motivational interviewing, cognitive-behavioral therapy (CBT), mindfulness, and supportive psychotherapy, alongside medication management. He customizes treatment to maximize each patient’s mental health and overall wellness, sometimes incorporating a therapist into the care plan when beneficial.

What you can expect in a first visit

During the first visit, patients can expect a comprehensive evaluation where Dr. Whelpley takes time to understand their symptoms, background, and treatment goals. His approach is patient-centered and team-oriented, ensuring that care is personalized and collaborative. He works with patients to develop a treatment plan that balances medication management with therapeutic interventions, fostering long-term mental wellness.

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.

Joni Courtney, LCSW

Staff Therapist

Joni Courtney is a Licensed Clinical Social Worker (LCSW) who provides compassionate, individualized therapy to clients of all ages. Originally from Arizona, she holds a master’s degree in social work from Arizona State University and relocated to Texas three years ago. Her background includes experience as a clinical therapist and working with students experiencing homelessness in the school system. Joni creates a safe, supportive space for clients to explore thoughts, emotions, and behaviors that foster healing and growth.

Joni believes therapy is a collaborative relationship rooted in trust, self-awareness, and growth. She values active listening, thoughtful questioning, and believes clients are the experts of their own lives. She partners with individuals to develop personalized treatment goals that align with their experiences and values, blending grace and accountability throughout the therapeutic process.

During the first session, Joni starts with brief introductions and explores the challenges the client is facing. Together, they develop goals and a treatment plan, which they continue to refine in follow-up sessions. Joni tailors her approach using techniques from multiple therapeutic models to best support each client’s unique journey.

Megan Marumoto, MD

Staff Psychiatrist

Dr. Megan Marumoto provides holistic and personalized care as an integrative psychiatrist board-certified in General Psychiatry, Child & Adolescent Psychiatry, Integrative Medicine, and Lifestyle Medicine. She takes a root cause approach to treating mental health conditions as a certified Functional Medicine practitioner. Dr. Marumoto treats a wide range of mental health conditions in children, adolescents, and young adults, including ADHD, anxiety, depression, phobias, OCD, and trauma-related conditions. Patients may expect a comprehensive assessment with evidence-based treatment focusing on nutrition and healthy lifestyle interventions as well as medication management in 20�30-minute sessions. She enjoys working collaboratively with therapists and health coaches to achieve the best outcomes. She also provides supportive therapy and other therapies when indicated. She received her medical degree from the John A Burns School of Medicine and completed her Psychiatry Residency and Child & Adolescent Psychiatry fellowship at the University of Hawaii. Wishing to provide comprehensive care beyond medication management and therapy, Dr. Marumoto completed a second fellowship in Integrative Medicine at the University of Arizona. She has over 20 years of clinical experience working with military and civilian populations.

Jerry Sayers, MD

Staff Psychiatrist

Dr. Jerry Sayers is a double board-certified psychiatrist in General Psychiatry and Consultation-Liaison Psychiatry. Dr. Sayers completed an Internal Medicine internship in Youngstown, Ohio. He then completed his residency in General Psychiatry at The Johns Hopkins Hospital followed by fellowship training in Neuropsychiatry and Behavioral Neurology at Johns Hopkins Bayview. He most recently finished his fellowship in Consultation-Liaison Psychiatry at the University of Maryland. Dr. Sayers has had the opportunity to care for a diverse group of patients with neuropsychiatric, neurological, and other general medical conditions. His work allowed him to work on a proactive, collaborative psychiatric consultation team designed to be involved early in the care of vulnerable patients with complex neuropsychiatric conditions. Dr. Sayers has experience in outpatient, inpatient, residential, and partial hospitalization programs. He works hard to tailor therapy to the needs of the individual patient by adapting techniques that have been successful across different treatment settings. His desire to ensure exceptional care is evident in his ability to relate to and understand an individual patient's needs and concerns.

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Specialties
Anxiety
Bipolar Disorder
Depression
Obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD)
PTSD/Trauma
States
Illinois
New York
Texas
Languages
English
Takes insurance
Virtual visits
years experience