Emily Sykes, MD

Background and credentials

Dr. Nereida Gonzalez-Berrios is a general psychiatrist fluent in English and Spanish. She earned her bachelor’s degree in Microbiology from the University of Puerto Rico and her medical doctorate from Ponce School of Medicine (now Ponce Health Sciences University). She completed her General Psychiatry Training Program at the University of Puerto Rico Medical Sciences Campus, graduating in 2008. After practicing privately in Puerto Rico, she relocated to Texas, where she worked for over five years at the Michael E. DeBakey VA Health System, providing mental health care to veterans. She has also gained extensive experience in telemedicine, working both within the VA system and as a locum tenens provider.

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Treatment approach

Dr. Gonzalez-Berrios has extensive experience treating a wide range of psychiatric conditions, including mood disorders, anxiety disorders, psychotic disorders, intellectual impairment, ADHD, eating disorders, PTSD, and personality disorders. She integrates traditional psychiatric treatment with a holistic wellness approach, drawing on her background as a motivational speaker, wellness coach, certified personal fitness trainer, nutrition coach, and weight-loss specialist. Her approach emphasizes improving overall mental and physical well-being through personalized treatment plans that incorporate psychiatric care, wellness strategies, and lifestyle modifications.

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What you can expect in a first visit

Patients can expect a comprehensive psychiatric evaluation where Dr. Gonzalez-Berrios carefully assesses their symptoms, medical history, and personal wellness goals. She takes a collaborative and patient-centered approach, ensuring that treatment is tailored to each individual’s mental and physical health needs. As an experienced telemedicine provider, she offers accessible and flexible mental health care, combining medication management and holistic wellness strategies to help patients achieve lasting well-being.

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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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Dr. Bloom is a psychiatrist with over 30 years of clinical experience. She earned her medical degree from the University of Rochester School of Medicine & Dentistry in Rochester, NY, and completed her psychiatry residency at the University of Cincinnati.

"What should a new patient know about working with you?"

Throughout her career, Dr. Bloom has worked in a variety of settings including inpatient, outpatient, emergency, and consultation services, with a focus on the public sector. She has been privileged to treat underserved populations and military veterans and has enjoyed mentoring medical students and psychiatry residents. Dr. Bloom has expertise in treating a wide range of psychiatric conditions, including clinical depression, post-traumatic stress disorder, and other anxiety disorders.

Dr. Bloom takes a collaborative approach to care, believing that the best outcomes are achieved through a close partnership with her patients. She views them as experts in their own experiences and works with them to combine their insights with her expertise in medication management to minimize suffering. Patient education is a cornerstone of her practice. She typically combines supportive psychotherapy with medication management and is also trained in mindfulness techniques and Internal Family Systems psychotherapy.

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Shannon McElhone is a Licensed Mental Health Counselor in New York and Massachusetts. She has over ten years' experience working in the mental health field. Shannon has experience working with children, adolescents, and adults seeking assistance in managing their experiences with depression/mood challenges, anxiety, life transitions, self-esteem, trauma, attention focus, and relationship issues. Shannon utilizes humanistic, person-centered, collaborative, strength based, cognitive behavioral, mindfulness based, solution focused and emotionally focused approaches to therapy while maintaining an open, flexible, creative atmosphere to remain aware of the unique and individual needs of each client. Shannon seeks to create a non-judgmental and safe environment where a caring relationship can be built with her clients to utilize and add to their strengths. Through her practice, a collaboration can bring her clients towards achieving their goals and living the life they desire. Shannon completed her Bachelor of Arts in Human Relations from St. Joseph's College and received her Master of Science in School Counseling and Extended Master of Science in Clinical Mental Health Counseling from Long Island University. Shannon's years of experience include working as a Rehabilitation specialist/therapist at a Pros program, a psychotherapist at an outpatient clinic, a Child and Youth Behavioral Military Family Life counselor working with children and families on a Military base in New York. More recently, Shannon has held a role as a psychotherapist on an online platform that provides virtual therapy and continues to engage in this role at Talkiatry. Shannon's specialties include: Depression, Anxiety, OCD- Obsessive Compulsive Disorder, ADHD, Trauma, Grief & Loss, Stress management, Life transitions, Self-esteem issues and Relationship issues.

Dr. David Gomez is a board-certified psychiatrist who is bilingual and fluent in English and Spanish. He earned his Doctor of Medicine degree from Florida International University and completed a residency in Psychiatry at the University of Miami / Jackson Memorial Hospital. During his training, he worked closely with a diverse array of patients, including minority and underserved communities, military veterans, trauma survivors, medically complex individuals with HIV and cancer, geriatric patients, and individuals with severe mental illness in both outpatient and inpatient settings. He received additional training through his participation in specialty clinics focused on mood and anxiety disorders, trauma-related conditions, and geriatric / memory disorders.

Dr. Gomez specializes in providing comprehensive mental health care to diverse patient populations. He combines psychotropic medications with supportive therapy using a psychodynamic listening approach to understand his patients and achieve their treatment goals.

He believes in tailoring treatment plans to meet individual needs, fostering a collaborative environment that empowers patients in their recovery. Known for his warm demeanor and attentive listening skills, Dr. Gomez creates a safe space for patients to express themselves safely. He emphasizes the importance of a strong therapeutic alliance and integrates psychodynamic principles, mindfulness techniques, and lifestyle modifications into his practice.

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Dr. Parrish is a board-certified adult psychiatrist with extensive experience in community psychiatry, academic psychiatry, veterans' mental health, and correctional psychiatry. She completed medical school and adult psychiatry residency at University of Miami/Jackson Memorial Hospital and a Master of Public Health from University of Virginia. She graduated with honors from University of Southern California with a Bachelor of Arts in Communication.  

Dr. Parrish is a member of the prestigious Alpha Omega Alpha national medical honor society. She has also produced over 20 peer-reviewed papers and posters.  

Dr. Parrish has worked with geriatric patients, individuals who identify as LGBTQ+, patients with serious mental illness, women with perinatal and postpartum needs, individuals with cancer, patients with co-occurring substance use disorders, and combat veterans.  

Dr. Parrish takes a patient-centered collaborative approach to tailor treatment plans to meet each individual's goals. Her technique promotes overall wellness. Utilizing her expertise in diagnosis and pharmacology, she optimizes care, monitors progress and ensures treatment success. Dr. Parrish incorporates behavioral activation techniques to promote improved mental health and overall well-being, with the ultimate goal of helping patients feel their best.

Dr. Ani Maria Tejada is a double board-certified child, adolescent, and adult psychiatrist who provides holistic, comprehensive outpatient psychiatric care at Talkiatry via telehealth. She is fully bilingual in English and Spanish and works with patients of all ages. Dr. Tejada has a special interest in caring for individuals with developmental disabilities, including Autism and Asperger’s, and treats a wide range of conditions such as ADHD, anxiety disorders, OCD, trauma-related disorders, mood disorders, postpartum depression, personality disorders, and other mental health conditions that affect daily functioning.

Dr. Tejada takes a warm, compassionate, and collaborative approach to care. She deeply respects each patient’s dignity, autonomy, and personal values, and believes informed patients are empowered patients. She provides clear education on treatment options, benefits, and risks based on current national guidelines, creating a judgment-free space where patients feel heard, understood, and supported as active partners in their care.

During the initial visit, Dr. Tejada takes time to understand the patient’s full personal history and current circumstances to better see the world through their perspective. Ongoing visits use measurement-based tools to guide treatment decisions, including medication adjustments when appropriate. She supports patients in building coping skills, reducing negative thought patterns, and developing healthy habits that promote long-term emotional well-being and improved quality of life.