Lori Peppers, MD

Lance Briggs is a dedicated Psychiatric Nurse Practitioner with over a decade of clinical and leadership experience. A graduate of the University of North Dakota, Lance began as a psychiatric RN in acute inpatient settings before becoming a psychiatric RN supervisor in a major Houston hospital while pursuing advanced practice.

After becoming a PMHNP, Lance initially worked with outpatient addiction treatment and severe mental illness populations, later expanding into bariatric psychiatry to support patients preparing for weight-loss surgery. When the COVID-19 pandemic paused bariatric procedures, Lance founded a private practice—Grey Matters Mental Health—in Seattle, which was later sold to a larger healthcare organization in Minnesota. Lance then transitioned into correctional mental health, serving underserved populations within the criminal justice system. Currently, Lance is working at Talkiatry, providing compassionate, high-quality care informed by experience across diverse and challenging environments.

Lance understands that every patient is unique. His approach is grounded in Carl Rogers’ principle of unconditional positive regard, creating a safe, calming space where patients feel heard and valued. Lance takes time to explore developmental history, family background, and major life events, recognizing how past experiences shape present challenges. He aims to understand each symptom fully and offers thoughtful, collaborative treatment options.

Dr. Liu is board certified in Adult Psychiatry. She primarily focuses on medication management but integrates therapeutic support into her sessions. For more in-depth therapy needs, Dr. Liu encourages patients to have their own individual therapist. She received her undergraduate and medical degrees at the University of South Carolina in Columbia, SC. She then moved to Morgantown, West Virginia to complete her psychiatry residency. Dr. Liu has experience working with patients from different backgrounds in inpatient, outpatient, and partial hospitalization settings. She particularly enjoys working with young adults and in areas related to women's health, such as perinatal mental health. She welcomes people from all cultures and is LGBTQ+ friendly.

Dr. Prit Patel is a board-certified adult psychiatrist. He obtained his medical degree from the University of South Florida and subsequently completed his residency training at the University of Texas at Austin and Northwell Health's Zucker Hillside Hospital. During his training, Dr. Patel also served as chief resident of Zucker's Hillside Hospital's outpatient psychiatric department. Following his training, Dr. Patel has previously worked at New York Presbyterian's Gracie Square Hospital, where he served as an inpatient psychiatrist treating a variety of mental health conditions, utilizing a combination of medication management and therapeutic techniques in helping those experiencing distress due to their conditions. Throughout his training and career thus far, Dr. Patel has received several awards for his clinical care and contribution to medical and psychiatric education, such as Zucker Hillside's Psychiatric Educator award. Dr. Patel has also contributed to medical research in the domains of psychiatry and LGBTQ+ healthcare .Dr. Patel has an interest in not only treating disorders but also helping patients improve their overall well-being. He treats a variety of conditions including depression, bipolar disorder, anxiety disorders, obsessive-compulsive disorders, and trauma-related disorders, through the use of medication and therapy. He has particular experience and interest in treating LGBTQ+ patients as well as young professionals and young adults.

Dr. Krithika Mittakanti is a board-certified psychiatrist with experience in both outpatient and inpatient settings. She earned a Bachelor of Science in Biomedical Engineering from The University of Texas at Austin and her medical degree from the University of Texas Southwestern Medical Center in Dallas. She completed her psychiatry residency at Baylor College of Medicine Menninger Department of Psychiatry and Behavioral Sciences in Houston, TX. Dr. Mittakanti previously served as a Staff Psychiatrist at the Michael E. DeBakey Veterans Affairs Medical Center for over seven years, where she evaluated and treated veterans with a wide range of psychiatric conditions including depression, anxiety and panic disorders, PTSD, bipolar-related disorders, ADHD, and substance use disorders.

Dr. Mittakanti practices with empathy, compassion, and active listening, maintaining a non-judgmental approach to create a safe and respectful environment. She values open communication and works closely with patients to establish clear, shared treatment goals.

Dr. Mittakanti begins by gaining a thorough understanding of each patient’s history, concerns, and goals. She takes a holistic approach, considering biological, psychological, social, and environmental factors. Treatment plans are individualized and may include medication, psychotherapy, and lifestyle changes, with a collaborative team-based approach when appropriate.

Dr. Nieves-Alvarado is a Board-certified psychiatrist who completed medical training at Duke University Psychiatry Program. Originally from Puerto Rico, she is fluent in both English and Spanish, which allows her to connect deeply with a diverse patient population.

Her practice combines medication management with insight-oriented therapy during every visit, promoting a comprehensive approach to mental health care. She advocates for her patients to engage in therapy alongside medication management, as she believes this integrated approach leads to better outcomes and sustained improvement. Dr. Nieves-Alvarado's practice is rooted in a collaborative, team-based approach, working closely with her patients to achieve long-term mental wellness.

Dr. Nieves-Alvarado earned her medical degree from the Universidad Central del Caribe School of Medicine in Bayamon, PR. Afterward, she moved to North Carolina, where she completed her residency at Duke University Hospital. During her training, she was nominated for a fellowship in psychodynamic practice by the Psychoanalytic Center of the Carolinas, showcasing her expertise in this area. She is also a dedicated advocate against childhood sexual trauma.

Her diverse training includes significant experience in jail and forensic psychiatry, as well as the treatment of military veterans under the veteran affairs health care system. She has experience in medically assisted treatments (MAT) for substance use disorders, Electroconvulsive therapy (ECT), and family therapy, enabling her to care for patients with complex needs.

Dr. Nieves-Alvarado treats patients across a wide age range, from young adults to the elderly. Passionate about improving access to mental health care, she joined Talkiatry to help patients facing time or transportation challenges receive the care they need.  

In addition to her clinical practice, Dr. Nieves-Alvarado remains involved with her alma mater’s Behavioral Health Department, contributing to academic education and maintaining a connection with the next generation of medical professionals. She continues to seek ongoing improvement in her field, remaining engaged with medical associations including North Carolina Psychiatric Association, American Psychiatric Association, and Alpha Omega Alpha national medical honor society. Dr. Nieves-Alvarado is committed to working hand-in-hand with her patients to achieve mental wellness.”

Dr. Michael Heneghan earned his medical degree from Cardiff University in Wales, United Kingdom, and practiced in both inpatient and outpatient settings in the UK and Australia before moving to the United States. He completed his psychiatry residency at Tufts Medical Center in Boston and a fellowship in forensic psychiatry at the University of Colorado. Board certified in Psychiatry and Neurology, Dr. Heneghan draws on experience with psychodynamic psychotherapy, CBT, and ACT to provide well-rounded, evidence-based care.

Dr. Heneghan brings a calm, kind, thoughtful, and thorough approach to his work. He prioritizes creating a safe and supportive space where patients feel respected and understood, helping them feel comfortable sharing openly as they move toward recovery and personal growth.

In the initial session, Dr. Heneghan carefully listens to each patient’s concerns, explores their history, and works to understand their goals. He provides a clear assessment and explanation before collaborating on a personalized treatment plan. His process is rooted in open communication, shared decision-making, and a commitment to empowering patients in their journey toward wellness.