Joshua Kane, MD

Bryce Thacker grew up in a rural community, where he learned the value of helping others achieve their best selves to support overall community health and well-being. With a passion for helping people live their best lives, he earned his undergraduate degree in biology from the University of Nebraska and completed his nursing education at Creighton University. He went on to earn a Master of Science in Nursing, specializing as a Family Nurse Practitioner and in Community Health, from Creighton University, and later completed a nursing practice degree at the University of Colorado with a focus on population and community health. He also holds a post-graduate certification in psychiatric mental health from Washburn University.

Bryce practiced family medicine for 18 years before transitioning to psychiatric mental health in 2022. His background in both physical and mental health gives him a holistic perspective on care. Since shifting his focus, he has helped individuals improve their quality of life through medication management for mood disorders, PTSD, anxiety, ADHD, and other mental health conditions. He continues to live in a rural community with his family and remains committed to helping people become their best selves.

Bryce believes that each person’s “best self” is unique and that mental health care should meet individuals where they are. He emphasizes a collaborative, client-centered approach, always keeping the individual’s goals at the heart of care. He is dedicated to helping clients identify and overcome the symptoms and stressors that interfere with their well-being, and he works to dismantle limiting beliefs or labels that may have been placed on them.

By taking the time to understand each person’s challenges and aspirations, Bryce helps clients find sustainable, holistic paths to wellness. His care is grounded in empathy, respect, and a deep commitment to supporting each person’s journey toward a fulfilling and balanced life.

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Dr. Ariela Karasov completed her psychiatry residency at Stanford, serving as Chief Resident in her final year, and pursued a fellowship in Neuropsychiatry at Stanford Hospital. She is board certified in Behavioral Neurology and Neuropsychiatry and has worked as a National Expert in bipolar disorder at the VA. She has experience treating Generalized Anxiety Disorder, Obsessive-Compulsive Disorder, Bipolar Disorder, PTSD, and Depression, as well as patients with comorbid neurologic and mental health conditions. Dr. Karasov has also taught residents as adjunct clinical faculty at the University of Wisconsin Hospital and Clinics.

Dr. Karasov takes a collaborative approach, actively engaging patients in treatment planning and decision-making. She incorporates therapy into her practice, emphasizing each individual’s values and what gives their life meaning and purpose. Patients can expect a thoughtful, empathetic, and patient-centered environment where their goals and experiences are prioritized.

She values a thorough evaluation to understand how medical, psychological, and social factors contribute to a patient’s presentation. When appropriate, she invites family members or friends to provide collateral information to ensure a complete understanding, guiding a tailored and effective treatment plan.

Dr. Dopkin is a board-certified adult and child psychiatrist dedicated to helping patients feel well and stay well. A Long Island native, he earned his bachelor’s degree from Cornell University before attending St. George’s University School of Medicine. He completed his adult and child psychiatry training at Brown University. For over two decades, Dr. Dopkin has served New York City communities across Queens, Manhattan, and the Bronx, primarily within the public hospital system. He has held clinical, academic, and administrative leadership roles and has been recognized for his excellence in teaching and mentoring psychiatry residents. He also serves as Assistant Dean of Students for the U.S. clinical program at St. George’s University

Dr. Dopkin provides patient-centered care grounded in a biopsychosocial approach. He collaborates with each patient to tailor treatment plans that integrate evidence-based medication options with interpersonal and supportive therapy. He has worked with patients of all ages and backgrounds, including individuals from marginalized communities and those coping with trauma, depression, anxiety, and comorbid medical conditions.

With warmth and respect, Dr. Dopkin meets each patient where they are, helping them find the path that works best for their unique needs and goals.

Xavier Diao, MD (he/him) is a board-certified psychiatrist. He earned his undergraduate degrees in Psychology and Biological Sciences at the University of Maryland, where he also obtained his medical degree. Dr. Diao completed his psychiatry residency at the Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai, received additional training in child and adolescent psychiatry at Columbia and Cornell, and finished a psychoanalytic fellowship at the New York Psychoanalytic Society & Institute. Prior to joining Talkiatry, he was an Assistant Professor of Clinical Psychiatry at the University of Pennsylvania, where he provided clinical care and teaching along the undergraduate-graduate medical education continuum.

Dr. Diao's therapeutic orientation is informed by psychodynamic, cognitive behavioral, and dialectical behavior modalities. He has expertise in the treatment of a diverse range of mental health conditions, including depression, anxiety, OCD, and PTSD. Dr. Diao uses a developmentally informed and LGBTQ-affirmative approach in his practice, with the aim of enriching meaning and alleviating suffering in the domains of work, play, and love.

Dr. Diao begins each encounter with gentle curiosity, inviting patients to share their stories without fear of judgment. Together, he crafts an individualized treatment plan with the patient that may include medication, psychotherapy, and/or referrals to subspecialty care, always in close collaboration with other members on the treatment team.

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Thomas Ittoop, MD has experience practicing in both academic and community settings. He earned his medical degree from Central Michigan University and completed his psychiatry residency at Baylor College of Medicine. His background reflects a commitment to comprehensive, patient-centered care grounded in clinical rigor and human understanding.

Dr. Ittoop fosters a warm, collaborative environment rooted in genuine human connection. He values uncovering core patterns, meaning, and the story beneath symptoms. His approach emphasizes curiosity, emotional insight, and self-understanding. Patients can expect transparency, clear communication, and shared goal-setting that honors their strengths, long-term vision, and capacity for resilience and wholeness.

He begins with a thorough initial evaluation exploring symptoms, personal and family history, personality patterns, and desired life changes. Together, he and his patients identify core goals and develop a personalized treatment plan. His integrative therapeutic style includes thoughtful medication management, regular check-ins, and a focus on long-term transformation—building clarity, resilience, and a grounded sense of self that extends beyond treatment.

Dr. Patel is a distinguished psychiatrist with over 24 years of experience. He completed his psychiatric residency at the University of South Dakota School of Medicine, where he served as chief resident and earned the Outstanding Resident of the Year award. He then pursued a fellowship in Consultation-Liaison Psychiatry at Harvard Medical School/Beth Israel Deaconess Medical Center.

He is triple Board certified in Adult Psychiatry, Consultation-Liaison Psychiatry, and Sleep Medicine and also holds certification in Behavioral Neurology and Neuropsychiatry from the United Council for Neurological Subspecialties. These credentials reflect his expertise in psychiatry, neurology, and the management of complex psychiatric conditions in medically ill patients.

Dr. Patel has worked in diverse settings including inpatient units, psychiatric consult services, outpatient clinics, and nursing homes. He is skilled in neuromodulation treatments such as Electroconvulsive Therapy (ECT) and Transcranial Magnetic Stimulation (TMS).

In addition to clinical practice, he has served leadership roles of chairman of a psychiatric department, medical director of a behavioral health service line in a regional health system, and founder/CEO of a private psychiatric and TMS clinic. Dedicated to ongoing professional growth, Dr. Patel remains at the forefront of psychiatric advancements in psychiatric care, earning a reputation as a respected leader in the field.

Dr. Patel combines deep knowledge of neurobiology, behavioral health, and the mind-body connection to offer a collaborative, evidence-based, and holistic approach to care. He integrates diet, exercise, yoga, meditation, and lifestyle modifications with psychotherapy and medication management.

His approach emphasizes active listening, curiosity, compassion, and even humor—creating a warm and supportive environment. By encouraging patients to integrate their unique life experiences into their treatment, he fosters ownership, empowerment, and active participation in the healing process.

During your first visit, Dr. Patel will review your symptoms, medical and psychiatric history, past treatments, substance use, psychosocial factors, and family history. He will discuss treatment options—including risks and benefits—and determine if his expertise and the telehealth platform are the right fit for your needs. Your safety is his top priority.

Follow-up visits focus on monitoring progress, adjusting treatments, maintaining stability, and supporting your motivation to achieve your fullest potential.