Kristina Eipl, MD

What has motivated Dr. Wheatley over the course of her career as a caregiver? Dr. Wheatley is a native Houstonian who grew up in a working-class community. Through curiosity and hard work, she was able to attend a university that included people of vastly different life experiences. She was molded by both communities to appreciate the commonalities of humanity. That broad exposure extended her empathetic spectrum to grasp the needs of the American diaspora.

Dr. Wheatley uses a biopsychosocial approach to evaluate the patient. She gathers patient history with a mindset that considers the neuroscience that chemically shapes mood, thoughts, and behavior. She is able to uncover factors that can inhibit psychological growth and development. She has experience in seeing how the social conditions of the “then” can influence the resiliency of the “now”. Dr. Wheatley appreciates, and is proficient in, advances in technology, but prioritizes the analog relationship between doctor and patient.

Meeting people where they are. It is an old trope, but describes how one allows a patient to set the path forward. An open-ended interview is conducted with an open mind towards resolution. When being evaluated and treated by Dr. Wheatley, a patient can expect to be met in a cordial but professional manner. Treatments are discussed and considered based on the mental state of the patient and the clinical efficacy and scientific evidence of benefit. The patient is invited to ask questions and consider whether they wish to pursue the suggested treatment plan.

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Dr. Marla Richard is a Stanford-trained board-certified psychiatrist and is board-eligible for geriatric psychiatry from UCSD. She has been practicing in a variety of settings for the last 30 years. Dr. Richard uses an integrated health paradigm with general and geriatric patients using traditional psychopharmacology, interpersonal neurobiology practices, and personality assessments to look at root motivations for behaviors to address core issues and with medication management as needed. Dr. Marla believes that you need to take a whole-person approach to both mental and physical health. She received her undergraduate degree from the University of Minnesota, Duluth, and then attended medical school at Stanford Medical School to complete her MD. With visions of becoming a general surgeon, she went to the University Hospitals of Cleveland and completed two years of general surgery training before seeing the light and transferring to psychiatry. She completed her psychiatry training at Stanford University and geriatric training many years later at UCSD. Her focus includes an integrated approach to the consideration of mental and physical health while incorporating mindfulness tools to teach skills of stress and anxiety management in everyday life. In conjunction with medication management, she uses interpersonal neurobiology to help clients understand triggers as well as methods to calm overactive stress responses and reactivity.

Paul Fairbanks is a Licensed Clinical Professional Counselor (LCPC) with 11 years of experience supporting individuals from diverse backgrounds. He has worked in both outpatient and inpatient settings and holds a Master’s Degree in Counseling from Argosy University. He maintains independent licenses in Illinois and Arizona and is dedicated to fostering growth and well-being in his patients.

Paul uses a client-centered approach grounded in acceptance, understanding, and empathetic connection. He believes positive change is possible with the right environment and mutual commitment. He partners closely with patients, utilizing Cognitive Behavioral Therapy and other evidence-based methods to achieve the best outcomes.

Paul works collaboratively to navigate life’s challenges, whether they are personal, family, or relationship-related. He provides tailored solutions for each patient, with experience in marriage and couples counseling, blended families, individual therapy, adolescents, ADHD, anxiety, and depression. His goal is to create meaningful progress that empowers patients to succeed.

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Dr. Akshar Brahmbhatt, DO, attended the University of Tennessee, Knoxville, where he majored in Economics before earning his medical degree from Lincoln Memorial University. He completed his psychiatry residency at the University of Tennessee Health Science Center in Memphis. He has experience in both inpatient and outpatient care and brings expertise in ADHD, depression, anxiety disorders, bipolar disorder, bipolar depression, OCD, and a wide range of psychiatric conditions.

Dr. Brahmbhatt creates a warm, collaborative environment where patients feel heard and respected. He values open communication and works with patients to set meaningful, realistic goals at a pace that feels comfortable. Using evidence-based treatments, he explains the reasoning behind each approach so patients feel informed and empowered throughout their care.

In the first session, Dr. Brahmbhatt takes time to understand each patient’s history, concerns, and goals. Together, they identify key areas of focus and build an individualized treatment plan. Follow-up sessions build on progress, address challenges, and adjust the plan as needs evolve. He works at the patient’s pace, helping them explore patterns, gain insight, and develop a sustainable path forward.

Dr. Madiha Halim, MD, has experience practicing psychiatry in both Pakistan and the United States, giving her a well-rounded understanding of mental health across diverse cultures. She earned her medical degree from Army Medical College in Pakistan and completed her psychiatry residency at the University of North Dakota School of Medicine and Health Sciences, where she also served as Chief Resident Physician. In this role, she gained extensive academic and administrative experience while mentoring junior residents and contributing to program development.

Dr. Halim values open communication and strives to create a therapeutic environment rooted in empathy, warmth, and respect. She collaborates with patients to develop individualized treatment plans that integrate cultural, biological, psychological, and social factors. While her primary focus is on medication management, she often incorporates supportive therapy, cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT), dialectical behavior therapy (DBT), and motivational interviewing for a holistic and patient-centered approach.

Dr. Halim begins by taking time to understand each patient’s background, concerns, and goals during the initial session. She emphasizes collaboration, ensuring patients are informed and involved in their treatment decisions. Her process fosters empowerment and partnership, helping patients gain insight, build coping strategies, and achieve long-term mental wellness.

Dr. Kimberly Williams is a Licensed Clinical Mental Health Counselor, with more than 17 years of experience in the mental health field. She holds a master's degree in mental health counseling and a doctoral degree in mental health supervision and education. Her professional experience includes working with populations of diverse demographics, varying circumstances, an array of mental health conditions and challenges, and many other unique living experiences of individuals, families, and couples. Dr. Williams has worked extensively with many presenting issues including diagnoses related to mood disorders, bipolar disorders, anxiety disorders, psychoses, spectrum disorders, trauma and other challenging life changes. In order to provide culturally informed care and meet clients where they are, Dr. Williams has worked with people in many environments, including but not limited to personal homes or shelters, community settings, medical facilities, outpatient settings, and inpatient settings. Dr. Williams embraces humanistic and psychodynamic approaches to help clients acclimate to the counseling space and find the courage to explore, integrate and nurture one's true self throughout the counseling process. Additionally, Dr. Williams utilizes elements of Cognitive and Behavioral Therapies, Solution Focused Brief Therapy, and Systemic and Multicultural Therapies, to help clients further their growth and achieve success toward therapeutic goals.