Lindsay Legnon, MD

Dr. Anil Joseph (AJ) Kulangara completed additional training in Psychiatry at the University of Washington after working primarily in women’s health, primary care, and military medicine as a Battalion Surgeon in the United States Army.  Following his military service, he trained in Psychiatry and served the mental health needs of our Veteran population. He is excited to now bring his unique expertise and experiences to Talkiatry, as well as his additional training in Women’s Mental Health, Reproductive and Perinatal Psychiatry, PTSD, and trauma-informed ADHD evaluation and treatment.

Dr. AJ’s approach focuses on behavioral change, with medication management and supportive therapies serving as important (and often essential) adjuvants to optimizing mental health.

During your first meetings with Dr. AJ, you should expect a thorough evaluation of your clinical and social histories, as well as some introductory psychoeducation.  Following that screening, anticipate a discussion about his approach to your condition and an initial treatment plan.  Please feel free to bring up any questions or concerns at any time during this process, and note-taking is highly encouraged!

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Dr. John Hendrick is a practicing psychiatrist who has recently served as medical director for clinical services at Erlanger Behavioral Health Hospital in Chattanooga, TN. After several years of private practice, he had served as Chief of Inpatient Psychiatric Services and then as Chief of Psychiatry at Mountain Home VA Medical Center. During his time at Mountain Home VA he was also a Professor of Psychiatry at Quillen Medical School at East Tennessee State University where he taught General Psychiatry courses and the Neurosciences of Psychiatry. His specialties include affective and anxiety disorders and he has specific expertise in neuropsychiatry, psychopharmacology and alternative treatments for affective disorders. He is a Distinguished Life Fellow of the American Psychiatric Association and is a Past President of both the Tennessee Psychiatric Association and the Southern Psychiatric Association. He has been awarded a Distinguished Service Award from the United States Public Health Service. He has been twice named the Outstanding Teacher Award from the ETSU Psychiatry Residency program and was awarded Course Director of the year for the Neurosciences residency course he developed. He holds an Irma J. Bland Award for Excellence in Psychiatric Education from the APA. He has an extensive psychiatric background in practice and as a teacher. He practices psychotherapy from an Eriksonian perspective and is well versed in individual and psychodynamic psychotherapies.

Dr. Farias is a board-certified physician in both adult and child & adolescent psychiatry, with a focus on the diagnosis and treatment of depressive disorders, anxiety disorders, trauma- and stressor-related disorders, and ADHD. Dr. Farias graduated magna cum laude with a Bachelor of Science degree from the University of Houston, majoring in Biology with a minor in Chemistry. She then pursued her medical education at Texas Tech University Health Sciences Center, earning her Doctor of Medicine degree. Dr. Farias completed a three-year psychiatric residency at TTUHSC, followed by fellowship training in child and adolescent psychiatry. She completed her first year of fellowship at the University of Texas Medical Branch in Galveston and her second year at TTUHSC. With a diverse clinical background, Dr. Farias has gained experience in a variety of settings, including academic psychiatry, consult liaison psychiatry, intensive outpatient programs (IOP), partial hospitalization programs (PHP), emergency psychiatry, and outpatient psychiatry. This broad range of experience allows her to provide comprehensive, individualized care to patients at all stages of life. Dr. Farias takes a holistic approach to treatment, incorporating both medication management and psychotherapy. She utilizes principles from Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT), Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT), and supportive psychotherapy, recognizing that a combined approach leads to better outcomes for patients.

Michael Huang is a psychiatric mental health nurse practitioner who takes a holistic, collaborative, and non-judgmental approach to mental health care. He graduated from Boston College with his MSN after many years of working in inpatient psychiatry at McLean Hospital in Belmont, MA, and has over a decade of experience in mental health care. He has worked in various outpatient settings, first in Boston and more recently in Las Vegas, gaining extensive experience with individuals from diverse socio-economic and cultural backgrounds.

Michael strongly believes that each person’s struggle is unique, and the solutions and treatments should be individualized based on the person’s goals. Having experienced childhood trauma himself, he is particularly passionate about and experienced in treating C-PTSD, OCD, ADHD, and borderline personality disorder. His focus is on helping others find peace, whether momentary or lasting, in their chaotic and often overwhelming lives.

The first appointment with Michael includes a comprehensive psychiatric evaluation and a discussion about your goals for treatment. While pharmacological treatment may be part of the plan, Michael prefers to focus on the therapeutic aspect of care, as he believes therapy is an essential component of healing. With Michael, you can expect to collaboratively create a treatment plan that you feel comfortable with, rather than simply being told what to do.

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Ashley is an ANCC board-certified Psychiatric Mental Health Nurse Practitioner with over a decade of experience in Psychiatry. She has worked in inpatient and outpatient settings, crisis centers, and psychiatric emergency rooms. Ashley is deeply committed to working collaboratively with individuals to enhance their well-being, creating a personalized care plan tailored to each person’s unique needs.

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Her approach integrates medication management, supportive psychotherapy, and lifestyle interventions. As a prescriber specializing in psychopharmacology, Ashley provides comprehensive medication management while utilizing a shared decision-making model. She actively involves clients in their treatment planning, discussing various options to determine the most effective path forward.

During the initial session, Ashley prioritizes establishing a comfortable, open environment where clients feel at ease. She will review medical and psychiatric history, discuss treatment goals, and explore different therapeutic options based on individual preferences. Ashley encourages questions throughout the process to ensure a collaborative and supportive treatment experience.

Dr. Cyndia Choi has been board certified in psychiatry since 1991. She has 30 years of experience treating a diverse population of cultures, LGBTQ issues, and different age groups from young adults to seniors. After attending Johns Hopkins University in Baltimore for her bachelor's degree, Dr. Choi received her medical degree from The University of Medicine and Dentistry of New Jersey at Rutgers Medical School. She went on to complete a general medical internship at Hahnemann University Hospital in Philadelphia and then her Psychiatric residency at the University of Pennsylvania .Dr. Choi has treated patients who have had a broad spectrum of diagnoses including major depressive disorder, post-traumatic stress, bipolar disorder, OCD, panic and anxiety, and addiction. Although the majority of her work has been in outpatient care, Dr. Choi has worked in emergency settings, inpatient units, and as a consultation-liaison to medical units. She has also enjoyed the honor of working with US military veterans. Dr. Choi's specialty is medication management, however, she believes that a therapeutic relationship is crucial to treatment. Dr. Choi values the privilege of getting to know each patient personally to develop a patient-centered plan of care.‍Typical follow-up appointments with Dr. Choi are 30 minutes in length to check on medication effects and for supportive therapy. If she believes that you may benefit from more in-depth therapy, she may recommend adding a therapist to your treatment team. Dr. Choi also believes in a holistic approach toward helping you achieve a healthy and fulfilling quality of life.