Katelyn Thompson, DO

Dr. Tahira Akbar specializes in adult psychiatry, she completed her four years of residency training at Bergen New Bridge Medical Center in Paramus NJ and additional two years of geriatric psychiatry fellowship from SUNY Downstate Medical Center in Brooklyn, NY. During her final year of the of residency training, she was appointed as the chief of research. She utilized her extensive research experience to guide and mentor her fellow residents. Under her supervision the program submitted maximum number of research papers and presented medical posters to various psychiatric platforms including American Psychiatric Association.

Dr. Akbar was introduced to tele-psychiatry during the second year of her fellowship due to the COVID-19 pandemic. She appreciated that tele-psychiatry allowed her to continue to serve her patients in the comfort of their own homes. During the challenging times of social distancing, she recognized the importance of collaborative care involving family members, social workers, medical team, and therapist to work together in the best interest of her patients while protecting their privacy and individuality.

Dr. Akbar has excellent communication skills, she believes that an open communication is essential for any relationship to prosper especially that of doctor-patient relationship. She provides a comforting environment for her patients to be able to express their needs and encourages feedback while preparing their individual treatment plan. She is experienced in providing psychiatric care to all age groups while her clinical interest focuses on taking care of adults and geriatric population. Dr. Akbar emphases on medication management utilizing a multidisciplinary methodology when treating each patient based on their requirements and tailoring treatment appropriately.

Dr. Ahmed Valdes is a board certified adult psychiatrist and burgeoning Geriatric Psychiatrist. After completing his undergraduate education at Florida State University, he attended medical school at the University of Miami Miller School of Medicine where he graduated with a combined M.D./M.S. in Genomic Medicine. He subsequently completed psychiatry residency at Jackson Health System/University of Miami and further subspecialized with a fellowship in Geriatric Psychiatry. Dr. Valdes has had the opportunity of working with a diverse array of patients including veterans, inmates, the severely mentally ill, geriatric, and cancer patients across three distinct hospital systems. Dr. Valdes has had varied clinical experiences in specialty inpatient psychiatry units (detox, geriatric, mood disorder), emergency psychiatry, consultation liaison psychiatry, psycho-oncology, and outpatient specialty clinics (HIV, dementia, integrative and collaborative care) via telemedicine and face to face interactions .Dr. Valdes has experience working with adults of all ages, particularly those with depression, anxiety, bipolar disorder, substance use disorders, PTSD, and more. Dr. Valdes employs empathic listening, supportive psychotherapy techniques, and a comprehensive and methodological approach to his visits. Given his broad and diverse training experiences, he enjoys problem solving and working collaboratively with patients to navigate their complex issues and jointly focusing on simple solutions to work towards improving their mental health.

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.

Background and credentials

Dr. Nilesh Tannu is a board-certified psychiatrist by the American Board of Psychiatry and Neurology. He earned his medical degree from B.J. Medical College in Pune and completed his adult psychiatry residency at the University of Texas Medical School at Houston, where he served as chief resident. During his training, he received awards from the Society of Biological Psychiatry, the American Academy of Addiction Psychiatry, and the American Psychiatric Institute for Research and Education. He has been practicing General Psychiatry and Consultation-Liaison Psychiatry for the past seven years at Texas Medical Center in Houston, Texas. Additionally, he has served as an assistant professor of psychiatry at the Texas Medical Center, working at UT Physicians Clinics and Memorial Hermann Hospital. He is also a member of the Editorial Board for BMC Genomics Journal.

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Treatment approach

Dr. Tannu follows the bio-psycho-social model to provide evidence-based psychopharmacologic treatment. He integrates supportive therapy and cognitive-behavioral therapy (CBT) modalities into his practice to create personalized and comprehensive treatment plans. He is committed to mental health care, education, and helping patients achieve optimal functioning in their personal and professional lives. His clinical expertise includes ADHD, anxiety disorders, depressive disorders, bipolar disorder, psychotic disorders, insomnia, eating disorders, and complex medical comorbidities.

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What you can expect in a first visit

During the first visit, patients can expect a comprehensive assessment where Dr. Tannu takes the time to understand their symptoms, treatment history, and personal goals. He employs a collaborative approach to develop a tailored treatment plan that may include medication management and therapy interventions. His focus is on evidence-based care, ensuring that patients receive treatments that are scientifically backed and aligned with their individual needs.

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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. Michael Fiori is Board Certified in Adult Psychiatry and Addiction Medicine. He has practiced general psychiatry for 37 years, and has also sub-specialized in Addiction Psychiatry for the past 20 years. Dr. Fiori's practice emphasizes Diagnostic Clarification, which is an ongoing process. He is highly trained and experienced in the biological and psychosocial underpinnings of psychiatric problems. He typically follows diagnostic evaluations with 30-minute follow up visits for medication adjustments and brief therapy. Dr. Fiori often enjoys collaborating with outside therapists when needed. Dr. Fiori graduated from Amherst College and received his medical degree from NY Medical College. He subsequently completed his residency in psychiatry at the Mount Sinai Medical Center in NYC. He excelled in Academic Psychiatry as both a teacher and a mentor. His practice has always combined medications with evidence-based therapies to alleviate suffering and maximize functioning. In addition to his work as a Board Certified Adult Psychiatrist, he has specialized in helping patients suffering from Substance Use Disorders. Dr. Fiori is Board Certified in Addiction Medicine, and helps patients understand the interrelationships between their Substance Use Disorders and their Psychiatric illnesses.

Ashley LaBanca provides medication management and supportive psychotherapy services. She has worked in mental health for over 12 years. A graduate of the University of North Dakota, she began her career in an outpatient setting, later transitioning into a lead nurse practitioner role before moving into telehealth services. Her goal is to reach individuals in need when in-person care is not feasible. Ashley lives in North Dakota with her family and enjoys traveling, reading, and spending quality time with them.

Ashley views medication as a tool rather than a cure. She incorporates alternative treatments by assessing physical health, exploring natural alternatives to medication, focusing on nutrition, and helping clients develop coping skills to manage daily stressors. Her guiding principle is the integration of therapy and medication management to support healing and growth. She encourages clients to be active participants in their treatment, fostering a collaborative, respectful, and open therapeutic relationship.

Ashley tailors her collaborative approach to each individual’s needs. She draws from Dialectical Behavioral Therapy (DBT), Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT), and other treatment modalities, combining them with evidence-based prescribing to create personalized care plans. She also considers the social dimensions of mental health, addressing relationships, self-esteem, and internal healing.

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