Emily Sykes, MD

Background  and credentials    

Dr. Christa DeFries is a board-certified Adult Psychiatrist. She earned her  medical degree from UT Southwestern Medical School in Dallas, Texas, and  completed her residency in Adult Psychiatry at Baylor Scott & White in  Temple, Texas. Following residency, Dr. DeFries gained additional experience  treating homeless and formerly homeless populations in New York City,  particularly focusing on individuals with histories of trauma and substance  addiction, prior to joining Talkiatry.    

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Treatment approach    

Dr. DeFries practices Adult Psychiatry, employing an integrative treatment  approach combining medication management, psychotherapeutic methods, and  lifestyle modifications. She recognizes that each patient benefits from a  personalized mix of these three aspects of care. Dr. DeFries specializes in  treating diverse psychiatric conditions, including those related to trauma,  substance addictions, and various mental health disorders.    

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What you can expect in a first visit    

In a first visit with Dr. DeFries, patients can expect a comprehensive  evaluation aimed at understanding their individual mental health history,  specific concerns, and overall treatment goals. Dr. DeFries emphasizes an  individualized approach, carefully exploring the best combination of  medication, therapy, and lifestyle adjustments tailored specifically to each  patient's needs. Patients can anticipate an empathetic and collaborative  environment focused on their personal experiences and goals.    

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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.

Dr. Kodali is an adult psychiatrist who completed his psychiatry residency training at Trinity Health Hospital in Livonia, MI, where he was selected to be chief resident. Prior to this, he received his undergraduate bachelor’s degree in Neurology and Anthropology from Johns Hopkins University in Baltimore, MD and received his medical degree from Wayne State University in Detroit, MI. He completed the psychodynamic psychotherapy fellowship from the Michigan Psychoanalytic Institute and is adept at incorporating psychotherapy principles in all patient care encounters. He provides psychiatric medication management as well as a combination of therapeutic interventions such as supportive, cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT), psychodynamic, and lifestyle interventions. Dr. Kodali is trained in treating multiple disorders and diagnoses including depression, anxiety, bipolar disorder, panic attacks, obsessive compulsive disorder (OCD), attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD), and posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD) as well as others. He has experience treating adult patients of all ages in multiple treatment settings including outpatient clinics, inpatient hospitals, and emergency departments.

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Dr. Pereira is a board-certified adult psychiatrist who is dedicated to providing compassionate care for a wide range of mental health concerns. He received his Bachelor of Arts from Harvard University and his medical degree from The Donald and Barbara Zucker School of Medicine at Hofstra/Northwell, where he graduated with the Department of Psychiatry's award of distinction. He went on to complete his psychiatric residency training at Northwell Health's Zucker Hillside Hospital, with a specialization in the assessment and treatment of obsessive compulsive disorder and related conditions. Dr. Pereira's clinical approach emphasizes building trust with his patients and working collaboratively to develop an individualized treatment plan. He uses medication management along with cognitive behavioral therapy, exposure and response prevention, psychodynamic psychotherapy, interpersonal psychotherapy, and supportive therapy as needed. His practice treats a wide range of conditions, including depression, anxiety, OCD, family and relationship struggles, and other mental health issues. He has been trained in a wide range of settings including inpatient, outpatient, emergency departments, and behavioral health crisis centers. He also has experience teaching and supervising medical students and psychiatry residents.

Dr. Dhaliwal is an integrative psychiatrist with an MPH, a 1-year fellowship through Psychiatry Redefined, as well in intensive inpatient and outpatient training. A Boston University School of Medicine graduate and former Chief Resident at FAU, she blends research-based care, emotional insight, and life optimization. She treats depression, bipolar, anxiety, ADHD, PTSD, substance use, and psychotic-spectrum disorders with a holistic, results-driven approach.

Dr. Dhaliwal works with individuals who feel stuck—functioning on the outside but "not like myself" inside. Her warm, structured, and research-driven approach combines medication when needed with integrative tools such as CBT, lifestyle changes, "24-hour approach", and a bio-psycho-social-spiritual lens. She focuses on root causes and helps individuals gain clarity, momentum, and purpose to function at their highest level across home, career, and life.

Dr. Dhaliwal begins with a 360-degree assessment exploring emotional patterns, routine, physical health, neurobiology, and values. Her 24-hour optimization model supports intentional living, clarity, and structure. She fine-tunes medications and augments with an integrative tools to enhance mood, resilience, and wellbeing. Her care is shaped by years in psychiatry and over a decade of coaching future physicians, researchers, and life coaches to reach their highest academic and career potential.

Dr. Barbara Lampert is a board certified psychiatrist, diplomat of The American Board of Addiction Medicine, and Fellow of the American Society of Addiction Medicine. She trained at the Downstate School of Medicine in Brooklyn, NY, completed her internship at Georgetown University in Washington, DC, and her residency in Psychiatry at the David Geffen School of Medicine at UCLA in Los Angeles. Over 30 years, she has worked in inpatient and outpatient settings, taught 3rd-year residents psychopharmacology in the Mood Disorder clinic she created, consulted in the prison system, and volunteered in the aftermath of natural disasters. She joined the New Mexico Medical Reserve Corps and was active in the Corps while working in her private practice. She continued to study the effects of trauma when she returned to California in 2008. She received specialized training in EMDR and Dialectic Behavior Therapy. In addition, she studied substance abuse problems and became a Diplomate of the American Board of Addiction Medicine. Empathy forms the core of Dr. Lampert's approach to treating patients. Working with trauma survivors, she believes that the goal is not to dwell on "the story” because patients often need time to reconstruct an accurate history. Rather, helping patients manage the challenge of living in the present moment is a worthy goal. Dr. Lampert has been named one of the Best Doctors in America for the treatment of mood disorders and one of the Best Doctors in California. She has remained dedicated to the dual path she's followed for years: excellence in Biological Psychiatry and psychology. She looks forward to working with you to help you achieve your treatment goals.

Dr. Daniel Azzopardi was born and raised in Malta where he attended medical school and worked in internal medicine for several years before moving to New York in 2017. He then completed a psychiatry residency at SUNY Downstate and stayed on for his Child and Adolescent Psychiatry fellowship, which he completed in June 2024. Dr. Azzopardi is a dedicated adult and child and adolescent psychiatrist who treats individuals of all ages and uses his strong foundation in internal medicine to handle complex cases requiring intricate medication management. This combination of skills allows for comprehensive care that addresses both mental and physical health challenges. Dr. Azzopardi's holistic approach ensures that each patient receives tailored treatment, fostering improved outcomes and overall well-being.