Deborah Edelman, DO

Dr. Cheryl Person is the National Director of Clinical Quality at Talkiatry. She is board certified in general adult psychiatry and has been in practice for 20 years. Dr. Person focuses on medication management but believes that is only part of successful treatment. She will spend her time providing motivational interviewing or supportive therapy, and believes it is often critical to have a therapist as part of the treatment team. Dr. Person received her medical degree from Tulane University School of Medicine. She completed her psychiatric residency at Johns Hopkins and a psychiatric epidemiology fellowship at Johns Hopkins Bloomberg School of Public Health with a focus on disaster mental health. After relocating to Texas in 2010, she worked as Director of Psychiatric Services of a large safety-net hospital in Houston. Prior to Talkiatry, she most recently was the executive director/chief physician of a large university student health center and campus pharmacy. In addition to adult psychiatry, Dr. Person has worked extensively with victims of acute trauma and her primary focus is on working with patients who have anxiety and mood disorders.

Dr. Yolan Shaw earned her medical degree from the University of Texas Medical Branch in Galveston, TX and completed her psychiatry residency at UT Southwestern Medical Center in Dallas, TX. She has experience in both outpatient and inpatient care through her work at the Michael E. DeBakey VA Medical Center in Houston, TX, where she served veterans and caregivers. As a faculty member at Baylor College of Medicine, she also taught and supervised medical students and residents.

Dr. Shaw creates a warm, supportive environment where patients feel heard, understood, and respected. She values open communication and believes in working collaboratively with patients to establish clear, achievable treatment goals that reflect their individual needs and preferences.

Dr. Shaw begins the treatment process by thoroughly understanding each patient's history, concerns, and goals during the initial session. From there, she develops an individualized treatment plan designed to align with those goals and support meaningful progress over time.

Michelle Scott is a dual board-certified Psychiatric, Family, and Emergency Nurse Practitioner with 16 years of experience. She has an extensive background in psychiatry across the lifespan, emergency medicine, and internal medicine. Her psychiatric expertise includes a strong focus on adult outpatient and inpatient care. Michelle has also served as an acute care hospitalist and held leadership roles, including Assistant Medical Director, in multiple acute psychiatric facilities.

She brings additional experience in addiction treatment and is skilled in cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT), motivational interviewing, and problem-focused therapy. Michelle provides holistic care that addresses a wide range of needs, including mood and anxiety disorders, autism, genetic disabilities, and adult addiction issues.

With over a decade and a half of experience treating individuals of all ages for both acute and chronic medical and psychiatric conditions, Michelle understands the profound impact the right provider can have on a patient’s life. Her goal is to achieve positive, sustainable outcomes through a comprehensive approach that integrates multiple treatment modalities and addresses the whole person.

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Dr. Tim Kelly is a board-certified psychiatrist who specializes in adult psychiatry. His practice focuses primarily on medication management but often incorporates aspects of supportive, psychodynamic, and cognitive behavioral therapies into his 30-minute follow-up visits. Dr. Kelly also strongly believes in working in conjunction with therapists to achieve the best possible outcomes for his patients. He feels it is important to create strong therapeutic relationships with his patients in order to help patients achieve their treatment goals. Dr. Kelly received his undergraduate degrees in Human Biology and Spanish from Michigan State University. He then completed his medical education and a master's degree in medical humanities and bioethics at Northwestern University. He completed his adult psychiatry residency at the University of Washington. He has authored papers in medical education and LGBTQ advocacy. Dr. Kelly now lives in Pennsylvania with his husband, Kevin, and three dogs: Taquito, Fergie and Mimi. While Dr. Kelly treats adults of all backgrounds, he has a particular interest in working with young adults, students, and LGBTQ individuals.‍

For the past 20 years, Dr. Lavin has worked at the University of Denver Health and Counseling Center, where she has treated undergraduate and graduate students. She also worked at a training clinic for students pursuing their PsyD degree. She has supervised and taught psychiatry residents. She taught a psychopharmacology and differential diagnosis course to psychology trainees. Dr. Lavin has a strong interest in functional medicine and alternative therapies. Dr. Lavin has been in practice for 35 years. She is board certified in adult psychiatry. Dr. Lavin focuses on a comprehensive medical assessment, medication management, psychoeducation, wellness, and alternative therapies. She enjoys treating young adults. Dr. Lavin did her undergraduate work at the University of Rochester. She earned her MD from Cornell University Medical College in New York City. Her psychiatry residency was at the University of Boston Medical Center. After training, Dr. Lavin held administrative and clinical positions at Kaiser Permanente in Denver, CO and at the Harvard Community Health Plan in Braintree, Massachusetts. She has written clinical triaging guidelines and patient information pamphlets.‍

Background and credentials

Dr. Ian Goldberg is a board-certified adult and child/adolescent psychiatrist and a licensed physician in New York state. He has been practicing since 1988 and has extensive experience working with patients in private practice, hospital settings, and community-based mental health programs. His professional career has included work both in and outside of the United States.

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Treatment approach

Dr. Goldberg takes an eclectic approach to psychiatric care, integrating various treatment modalities, including psychodynamic perspectives and medication management. His focus is on improving his patients' overall quality of life by tailoring treatment strategies to their unique needs.

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What you can expect in a first visit

During the initial visit, patients can expect a comprehensive and individualized evaluation. Dr. Goldberg values collaboration and strives to create a treatment plan that is both effective and adaptable. His experience allows him to approach each case with insight and flexibility, ensuring that patients receive care that is aligned with their personal goals and circumstances.

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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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