Clara Kim, MD

Serena Mirchandani is a board-certified psychiatric nurse practitioner with extensive experience treating serious mental illnesses such as bipolar disorder and schizophrenia spectrum disorders. She also provides care for individuals with depression, anxiety, PTSD, OCD, autism spectrum disorder, and substance use disorders. Serena earned both a Master of Science in Nursing and a Doctorate in Nursing Practice in psychiatry from Columbia University. She completed a Nurse Practitioner Fellowship at Community Healthcare Network and worked at Bellevue Hospital for 2.5 years, providing care on an inpatient psychiatric unit for a diverse, underserved population.

Serena’s approach is grounded in open communication, evidence-based care, and deep respect for each patient’s lived experience. She prioritizes a collaborative, safe space where individuals feel heard, respected, and empowered. Her holistic style supports honest conversation, transparency in treatment options, and patient-centered goals.

Serena begins with a comprehensive assessment to understand each patient's full story—biological, psychological, and social. She then partners with patients to develop personalized, evidence-based treatment plans that align with their values and goals. She emphasizes education, transparency, and regular follow-up to support ongoing progress and informed decision-making.

Dr. Holly Shiao is a psychiatrist who has worked extensively with medically complex patients, including a special focus in psycho-oncology with cancer patients. She is double board-certified in Consultation-Liaison Psychiatry and Adult Psychiatry. She has been practicing for over 7 years. Before Talkiatry, Dr. Shiao worked as an Assistant Professor at the University of Washington and Fred Hutchinson Cancer Center. She also worked as an Assistant Professor and was Director of Emergency Psychiatry at the University of Chicago. She has presented nationally at the Academy of Consultation-Liaison Psychiatry and written a book chapter about psycho-oncology. Dr. Shiao attended medical school at John P. and Kathrine G. McGovern Medical School at the University of Texas Health Science Center at Houston. She then completed an Adult Psychiatry residency at the University of Texas Medical Branch at Galveston, followed by a Consultation-Liaison fellowship at Dell Medical School at the University of Texas at Austin. Dr. Shiao is interested in the mind-body connection in overall emotional and mental well-being. She likes to integrate therapy modalities, such as cognitive behavioral therapy, supportive therapy, mindfulness and meditation with medication management to optimize a patient's mental health.

Dr. Luis Espinosa holds the position of adult psychiatrist with Talkiatry. His practice focuses on medication management, and typically offers this in conjunction with supportive therapy in 30-minute follow-up visits. Dr. Espinosa’s approach is holistic. Each patient’s care is driven by their unique goals and values, whether they suffer from depression, anxiety, trauma, and stress related, or obsessive-compulsive disorders.

Dr. Espinosa believes in serving patients by combining therapy with medication to provide an experience that is both therapeutic and informative and allows patients to guide their own outcomes in a supportive space.  

Dr. Espinosa completed his undergraduate studies in philosophy at the University of Florida as the 2013 Ellen Haring Award winner. He was then honored as a Docherty Foundation Scholar to attend the University of South Florida Morsani College of Medicine. He pursued his specialty training in psychiatry at Kaiser Permanente Northern California.

Dr. Espinosa believes in a treatment modality that combines wellness of mind and body to help individuals who are suffering achieve their potential.

Dr. Niles Drake is a board certified psychiatrist skilled in prescribing medications and working in psychotherapy. He combines a warm demeanor with excellent clinical skills, and has over 15 years' experience working with adult patients of all ages and many walks of life. He has special expertise combining medication and psychotherapy to help patients reduce symptoms and grow as individuals. Dr. Drake's additional training and experience in psychological modes of treatment enhance the quality of care he provides to all his patients, to meet them where they are and prioritize their individual needs and goals. He also provides medication management-only treatments for people who aren't looking for psychotherapy or who already have therapists. Dr. Drake completed his psychiatric residency at Columbia University Medical Center in New York. He also completed psychoanalytic training at the Columbia Center for Psychoanalytic Training and Research. He went on to teach classes at the Center, educating candidates about the nuances of combining psychotherapy with other treatment modalities. In addition to providing outpatient psychiatric treatment for over 10 years in private practice, he has worked extensively in psychiatric emergency settings, supervising residents as attending physician at Columbia-New York Presbyterian Hospital and Long Island Jewish Hospital psychiatric emergency rooms. He also has special expertise treating college-aged and young adult patients, having served as staff psychiatrist at Barnard College's Furman Counseling Center and worked with many students from Barnard and Columbia in his private practice. Dr. Drake offers treatment for many psychiatric conditions, including but not limited to depression, anxiety disorders, bipolar disorder, ADHD, and personality disorders. He identifies helping people ease and overcome their psychiatric conditions as his calling, and approaches each patient with humility, diligence, and a collaborative spirit.

Dr. Erica Mark is a board-certified psychiatrist with experience in both inpatient and outpatient care. She formerly served as a Staff Psychiatrist at a VA Medical Center, where she specialized in the mental health needs of veterans. Dr. Mark earned her B.S. in Biological Sciences, Summa Cum Laude, from Hampton University, received her MD from the University of Texas Medical Branch, and completed her psychiatry residency at Tulane University School of Medicine, serving as Chief Resident in 2017.

Dr. Mark fosters a warm, supportive environment where patients feel heard and respected. She values open communication and works collaboratively to set clear, personalized treatment goals. Deeply committed to service, she has supported underserved and marginalized communities through various nonprofit initiatives.

During initial sessions, Dr. Mark takes time to understand each patient’s history, concerns, and goals. She then creates individualized treatment plans aligned with each patient's unique needs and preferences. Dr. Mark encourages ongoing dialogue to adapt care plans and support long-term progress.

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.