James Ritchie, DO

Dr. William Richie is an adult General and Forensic Psychiatrist. He earned his undergraduate and medical degrees from the University of Missouri Kansas City, completed his psychiatry residency at Howard University Hospital in Washington, DC, and later served as a Major in the United States Air Force. After his service, he returned to Howard as Chief of the Inpatient Psychiatric Service and completed fellowship training in Forensic Psychiatry at LSU Medical Center. Dr. Richie specializes in personality and dissociative disorders, pre-trial evaluations, and is especially interested in Men’s Mental Health.

Dr. Richie brings decades of clinical and academic experience to his practice. He believes that the foundation of effective care lies in a strong, respectful patient-psychiatrist relationship. His interpersonal and dialectical approach fosters collaboration, trust, and deeper understanding.

Dr. Richie takes time to listen carefully, ask thoughtful questions, and offer meaningful feedback. He works closely with each patient to develop a personalized treatment plan that supports long-term well-being and meaningful progress.

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Dr. Cheng is a board-certified psychiatrist who provides medication management alongside supportive therapy. She takes an individualized, patient-centered approach, creating comprehensive treatment plans tailored to each person's needs. With an approachable and caring demeanor, she helps patients address both immediate concerns and underlying stressors. Dr. Cheng believes in evidence-based practices while maintaining sensitivity to each patient's unique mental health journey.

Dr. Upton Thomas is a board-certified psychiatrist who takes a warm, collaborative, and evidence-based approach to care. With a focus on treating mood disorders, anxiety, OCD, and substance use, he integrates psychopharmacology and psychotherapy to support patients in achieving meaningful change. He brings curiosity, creativity, and a deep respect for each individual’s story to his clinical work.

Patients often find Dr. Thomas easy to talk to and appreciate his calm, thoughtful demeanor. He emphasizes shared decision-making and believes that treatment works best when the patient’s values and voice are at the center. Dr. Thomas aims to create a safe space for honest dialogue and ongoing reflection as treatment evolves.

Dr. Thomas begins with a comprehensive evaluation to understand each patient’s mental health history, current concerns, and goals. He then develops an individualized treatment plan that may include medication, therapy, or both. He prefers to use the lowest effective dose of medications and often integrates psychotherapeutic strategies such as CBT, DBT, or insight-oriented work into his sessions.

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Dr. Scot McKay is board certified in Psychiatry and Child/Adolescent Psychiatry. He graduated medical school from the Medical University of South Carolina in Charleston, SC. He completed his residency and child/adolescent fellowship trainings at the University of Colorado - Anschutz Medical Center in Denver, CO. Previously, he has worked on the inpatient and partial hospitalization child/adolescent psychiatric units at Children's Hospital Colorado as well as in the school-based health clinics through Denver Health in partnership with Denver Public Schools. He has also worked in community mental health at the Mental Health Cooperative clinics throughout the Middle Tennessee region. He most recently joined a private practice before joining Talkiatry. He has been named to the Nashville Lifestyles Magazine's Top Doctors list in 2022, 2023, and 2024. He is a fellow of the American Psychiatric Association, and a member of the American Academy of Child and Adolescent Psychiatry. Dr. McKay enjoys working with patients going through life transitions such as high school to college and college to adult life. He believes it is important to understand the whole person (mind, body, and spirit) when treating them. He treats people struggling with depression, anxiety, bipolar, and ADHD, as well as trouble with relationships and family conflict. Dr. McKay provides both medication management and therapy. He believes that medication is just one of the items in a psychiatrist's toolbox and that therapy is equally important as medication.

Dr. Absar Tahir is an adult psychiatrist double-boarded in psychiatry and internal medicine who specializes in evidence-based, holistic, and individualized care. He graduated from the University of Alabama at Birmingham, where he earned both his undergraduate and medical degrees. Dr. Tahir completed sequential residency training in both internal medicine at the Mayo Clinic in Rochester, Minnesota, followed by psychiatry at Emory University in Atlanta, Georgia. Dr. Tahir integrates his knowledge of psychiatry and internal medicine to address the complex interplay between mental and physical health, ensuring a comprehensive and thoughtful approach to diagnosis and treatment. Throughout his career, he has helped patients from all walks of life, from diverse backgrounds, with a compassionate and empathetic treatment style. He strives to ensure his patients feel their voice is heard while working collaboratively towards achieving their treatment goals. As a psychiatrist, he specializes in the treatment of depression, anxiety disorders, bipolar disorder, obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD), post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD), and attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder (ADHD). He is also highly experienced in treating psychiatric problems in patients with medical comorbidities.

Dr. Dominic Adams earned his medical degree from Eastern Virginia Medical School and completed his residency at the University of Mississippi Medical Center. He has experience treating a broad range of mental health conditions using both medicinal and psychotherapeutic interventions. Dr. Adams works with children, adolescents, and adults, and has training in cognitive behavioral and psychodynamic psychotherapy.

Dr. Adams strives to create a cooperative therapeutic experience that fosters open and empathetic communication. He values patient choice in treatment and prioritizes empowering patients through psychoeducation. Drawing on a variety of psychotherapeutic techniques, he tailors care to meet the unique needs of each individual.

Initial appointments with Dr. Adams include a thorough review of the patient’s concerns and the development of both patient and physician treatment goals. He discusses treatment options in detail, providing education on any medications, therapies, or interventions. Together, he and the patient select a dynamic treatment plan and set a follow-up schedule to monitor progress.