Emily Sykes, MD

Dr. Pilar Bare is an adult psychiatrist who completed her psychiatry residency at TriStar Centennial Medical Center in Nashville, Tennessee, where she served as Chief Resident. She earned her medical degree from Western University of Health Sciences College of Osteopathic Medicine of the Pacific Northwest in Oregon, where she studied osteopathic medicine which shaped her holistic view of health. She completed an intern year in Family Medicine at the University of Arkansas for Medical Sciences West. She holds a bachelor's degree in chemistry and biology from the University of Arkansas, where she graduated with honors.

Outside of work, she enjoys hiking, backpacking, visiting national parks, and spending time with her senior dog.

Dr. Bare believes that each individual's background plays a significant role in their mental health, and understanding a patient's personal story is critical to their healing journey. She believes in a respectful, collaborative relationship built on trust and open communication. While Dr. Bare integrates evidence-based medication management when clinically appropriate, she also emphasizes the therapeutic benefit of addressing lifestyle, relationships, and internal narratives.

Dr. Bare begins care with a thorough evaluation, exploring developmental history, impactful life events, and emotional patterns. From there, she develops a comprehensive treatment plan that may include medications, wellness strategies, and therapist collaboration. She considers each patient's strengths and challenges to guide care that promotes long-term recovery and personal growth.

‍

Dr. Mary O'Malley is board certified in Adult Psychiatry and Sleep Medicine. She received her medical degree from Weill Cornell Medical School and PhD in Neurobiology from The Rockefeller University. She completed her Psychiatry residency and Sleep Medicine Fellowship training at the New York University Medical Center. In her psychiatric practice, Dr. O'Malley uses an integrative approach to health, combining evidence-based concepts in neurobiology with psychological, social and spiritual/existential worldviews to understand and treat every patient. Her primary practice is medication management. She also integrates elements of psychotherapy into her work, typically within 30-minute follow-up visits. In addition to medication and psychotherapy, she incorporates wellness tools into visits, such as mindfulness exercises and sleep management strategies. If she believes that additional psychotherapy is needed, she will recommend that you add a therapist to your care team. Dr. O'Malley has extensive experience working with people from many stages of life, with diverse world views and cultural backgrounds. She has always had an inclusive practice and welcomes people who identify as LBGTQIA+. As part of her own life path she became an Interfaith Minister and enjoys including spirituality and the supportive role it can play in healing for her patients. Her primary focus is working with adults with mood and anxiety disorders, trauma symptoms, ADHD, and problems with sleep. She enjoys working with people facing life transitions, especially older adults and women who are struggling with mental health challenges related to pregnancy and post-partum health. Prior to joining Talkiatry, Dr. O'Malley was working at Hartford Healthcare with adults in intensive outpatient programs and at Hackensack Meridian Health outpatient clinics. She was the medical director of the Consultation Liaison Service at Berkshire Medical Center in Pittsfield, Massachusetts, and an assistant professor at UMass Medical School. She has published and presented widely on topics related to Wellness in Psychiatry, Ethics and Sleep Medicine. She is an advocate for finding your voice in medical decision-making and enjoys using sound healing for relaxation and stress management.

Dr. Alexis Kropf is a board-certified adult psychiatrist beginning her practice at Talkiatry after four years of clinical experience in residency. Dr. Kropf primarily focuses on providing medication management during 30-minute follow-up visits, weaving in elements of supportive therapy according to the needs of her clients. When additional therapy is indicated to promote recovery, Dr. Kropf may recommend that her clients work with a therapist as part of the treatment team. Dr. Kropf credits her undergraduate education at Southwestern University, a small liberal arts college, for strengthening her curiosity about and dedication to serving others. She received her medical degree from the University of Texas Southwestern Medical Center in Dallas, Texas, where she also completed her psychiatry residency training. During residency, she was involved in medical student education and resident leadership, serving as a chief resident during her final year of training. She also utilized her fluency in Spanish and medical Spanish interpreter training to serve Spanish-speaking patients and to lead Spanish-language group therapy sessions. In addition to psychopharmacology, Dr. Kropf studied psychotherapeutic interventions, including psychodynamic and cognitive behavioral therapies. She has experience working with clients experiencing many different mental health challenges, with a primary clinical focus including the treatment of anxiety, depression, and PTSD.

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. Laura Mayol is double-boarded in child and adolescent psychiatry and adult psychiatry. She has been practicing for over 12 years. Dr. Mayol practice focuses on medication management, which is offered in conjunction with supportive therapy offered in 30 min visit follow-up visits. However occasionally Dr. Mayolmay believe additional therapy is needed and ask you to bring a therapist into your care team to provide the best outcome.

Dr. Mayol received her medical degree from the University of Puerto Rico School of Medicine in San Juan, Puerto Rico. She completed her residency in adult psychiatry at Jackson Memorial Hospital in Miami, FL. She pursued her fellowship in child and adolescent psychiatry at the University of Florida, in Gainesville. After completing training, Dr. Mayol worked with children and adult in a variety settings including Community Mental Health Centers and hospitals, providing both inpatient and outpatient services.

Dr. Mayol then became a Clinical Assistant Professor for the University of Florida Department of Psychiatry and provided clinical services for UF Student Mental Health at the Counseling and Wellness Center. While treating a wide variety of patients, her clinical focus has been on treating adolescents and young adults with mood and anxiety disorders

Dr. Elena Perea is a board-certified psychiatrist.  She completed her undergraduate training at Wake Forest University followed by medical school and residency training at The University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill (UNC).

Dr. Perea holds an adjunct academic appointment at UNC and has been involved in medical education for her entire career.  She most recently served as Residency Program Director for the Mountain Area Health Education Center (MAHEC) psychiatry residency in Asheville, NC.  She remains involved in didactic education there for both residents and medical students.

She has a genuine interest in treating a vast array of psychiatric disorders including depression, anxiety, bipolar disorders, post-traumatic stress disorders and obsessive compulsive and related disorders. She is a skilled psychopharmacologist and interested in the mind-body connection. She believes physical health greatly affects mental health and vice versa and loves helping patients with medical comorbidities to feel well.

Patients looking for a psychiatrist will find that Dr. Perea has a comprehensive approach to diagnosis and management of her patients. She believes in the principle that body and mind are interconnected and utilizes psychoeducation and psychotherapeutic approaches in addition to medications for total wellness.