Kevin Lu, MD

Shanika is a dedicated and compassionate board-certified Psychiatric Mental Health Nurse Practitioner (PMHNP-BC) with over a decade of experience in the mental health field. She holds a Bachelor of Science in Nursing, a Masters in Nursing Education, and a Post-Master’s Certificate as a Family Psychiatric Nurse Practitioner. Shanika is known for her patient-centered approach, prioritizing empathy, respect, and individualized care. She is committed to building strong therapeutic relationships grounded in trust and open communication.

New patients can expect a warm, non-judgmental environment where they feel heard and supported. Shanika collaborates closely with each patient to create personalized treatment plans, helping them feel empowered in their mental health journey.

Shanika begins with a comprehensive psychiatric evaluation to understand each patient’s history, symptoms, and goals. Her treatment may include medication management, supportive therapy, and psychoeducation. She specializes in anxiety, depression, bipolar disorder, ADHD, trauma/PTSD, mood disorders, and women’s mental health. Shanika has extensive experience providing care for both adolescents and adults in outpatient settings, with a particular focus on underserved communities.

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Dr. He is board-certified in adult psychiatry and addiction medicine. She is passionate about providing quality and accessible mental health care while considering each patient's concerns, values, and life circumstances. She received her medical doctorate degree from State University of New York (SUNY) Downstate Medical Center, and completed her psychiatry residency at George Washington University Hospital in DC. Prior to medical school, she completed a Master of Public Health from Yale School of Public Health. Dr. He has special clinical interests in providing trauma-informed and culturally competent care in the treatment of mental health conditions. She has experience working with special populations, such as minorities, immigrants, perinatal women, and LGBTQ+ communities. She holds a certificate from Harvard in Global Mental Health: Trauma and Recovery Program. She currently serves on the Board of Directors for a non-profit organization in Washington DC to prepare people recovering from mental illness to improve their quality of life. Although Dr. He's practice primarily focuses on medication management, she looks forward to getting to know you and incorporating her experiences with insight-oriented therapy in 20 or 30 minute follow-up visits.

Dr. Jennifer Ruch is a board-certified psychiatrist who strives to understand her patients' lived experiences and aspirations to develop supportive therapeutic relationships through empathetic listening, mutual trust, and respect. She collaboratively creates individualized care plans that align with personal treatment goals in a safe and judgment-free environment. After completing her Bachelor of Science degree in Human Biology with a focus in psychology from the University of California, Merced, she earned her medical degree from Lake Erie College of Osteopathic Medicine. Dr. Ruch completed her General Psychiatry Residency at Arnot Ogden Medical Center in New York. Her clinical experience involves treating individuals of all age groups from diverse populations and socioeconomic backgrounds suffering from anxiety, depression, bipolar disorder, psychotic disorders, neurodevelopmental disorders, and neurocognitive disorders. She has provided care in inpatient and outpatient psychiatric facilities, the Veterans Affairs Medical Center, emergency rooms, state facilities, and an inpatient chemical dependency center. She also performed pre-procedure psychological evaluations for bariatric and spinal cord surgeries, and psychiatric consult liaison services on medical units and has clinical training in inpatient and outpatient neurology. Her clinical experience incorporated treatment modalities such as pharmacotherapy and interventional psychiatry, including Transcranial Magnetic Stimulation and Spravato. Dr. Ruch integrates a wide array of psychotherapy as needed; however, her practice primarily focuses on medication management while utilizing referrals to therapists and providing collaborative care for optimal outcomes.

Dr. Tobias Murphy is a psychiatrist with Talkiatry who is licensed to provide care in the states of Ohio, West Virginia, and New York. He completed medical school and psychiatry residency at Marshall University's School of Medicine. He has additional training in neuropsychiatry and geriatric psychiatry. During his training, Dr. Murphy was actively involved in teaching medical students and residents. His most frequent lectures included LGBT and transgender mental health. He is a member of the American Psychiatric Association, the American Association of Gay and Lesbian Psychiatrists, the Gay and Lesbian Medical Association, the World Professional Association for Transgender Health. He was inducted into the Gold Humanism Honor Society and given awards for Inclusion and Advocacy as well as Honors in Community Service during training. He has published papers, presented at conferences, and served as an ad-hoc reviewer for medical journals. Dr. Murphy approaches medication management through the lens of compassionate listening and psychotherapy, seeking to reduce the stigma of mental illness and put patients at ease during their visits. He has experience treating a variety of conditions, including bipolar disorder, depression, OCD, PTSD, ADHD, and anxiety. He enjoys working with a diverse population of patients providing culturally informed care. Follow-up patient visits will include both supportive therapy and medication management during 30-minute encounters.

Background and credentials

Dr. Munoz is a board-eligible adult psychiatrist. He earned his medical degree from Rutgers, New Jersey Medical School and completed his psychiatric residency at Mount Sinai Beth Israel. Throughout his training, he gained experience in a variety of clinical settings, including outpatient and inpatient care, as well as psychiatric emergency services.

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Treatment approach

Dr. Munoz provides compassionate psychiatric care through a combination of pharmacotherapy and supportive therapy. He specializes in treating depression, anxiety, bipolar disorder, and psychotic disorders. He has extensive experience working with LGBTQ+ and Spanish-speaking communities. His treatment philosophy is holistic, viewing patients as whole individuals and addressing their specific needs at different stages of life. He also emphasizes the importance of exercise, relationships, and overall well-being in his approach to mental health care.

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What you can expect in a first visit

During the first visit, patients can expect a comprehensive and patient-centered evaluation. Dr. Munoz takes the time to understand each patient’s symptoms, background, and personal goals. He collaborates with patients to develop an individualized treatment plan that may include medication management, supportive therapy, and lifestyle modifications to support their overall well-being.

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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. Thomas O’Brien holds a Bachelor of Science degree from the University of Wisconsin–Madison and earned his medical degree from Midwestern University Chicago College of Osteopathic Medicine. He completed his psychiatry residency at Loyola University Medical Center. Dr. O’Brien has experience practicing across outpatient, PHP, IOP, and inpatient settings.

He strives to create a supportive environment where patients feel heard, respected, and understood. His approach emphasizes a holistic, whole-person method to healing, guided by the patient’s own goals and values. Dr. O’Brien integrates psychotherapy with medication management, drawing on his background in psychodynamic psychopharmacology and acceptance and commitment therapy.

Dr. O’Brien focuses on understanding each patient as a whole to create individualized treatment plans. This begins with a comprehensive history during the initial session to identify biopsychosocial factors. Treatment is then tailored to align with the patient’s unique goals and values, promoting meaningful progress.