Maria Carvajal Ramirez, MD

Dr. Bangs earned a Bachelor of Science in Biology from Nicholls State University and a Master of Science in Acupuncture from Texas Health and Science University. She completed both her MD and General Psychiatry training at Texas Tech Paul Foster School of Medicine, which was followed by specialized training in Child and Adolescent Psychiatry at the University of Texas School of Medicine. Her clinical approach is grounded in psychodynamic psychotherapy, and she continually expands her knowledge by incorporating tools from a variety of therapeutic modalities.

Dr. Bangs is warm, open-minded, and introspective and is fascinated with the connectedness of the conscious and subconscious mind, body, and spirit.   She approaches treatment through the lens of growth-mindset.  She is prioritizes creating a safe space where patients can strengthen their courage to be vulnerable and authentic. She views therapy as a journey of helping patients explore their inner world, where she acts as a mirror in order for patients to gain insight into their motivations, patterns, values, and higher purpose.

Dr. Bangs prefers knowing her patients on deep level, and highly values the therapeutic process, which requires patience over speed.  She acknowledges that it takes many sessions before even a preliminary understanding of the human being in front of her can be formulated.  She honors the truth that her patients are the experts of themselves, and prefers empowering them over micromanagement.  As subconscious patterns emerge, Dr. Bangs will highlight these, as they are often blind spots to the patient.  Dr. Bangs understands that when it comes to mental health, quick fixes are not the most appropriate or effective means to healing.  However, she respects the use of medications when indicated in addition to talk therapy.

Background and credentials

Dr. Tyler Josephs is a staff psychiatrist at Talkiatry. He earned his medical degree from Kansas City University in 2017 and completed his psychiatric residency at the University of Kansas Medical Center in 2021. During his residency, he served as Chief Resident at both the University of Kansas Medical Center and the Kansas City VA Medical Center. Most recently, Dr. Josephs worked at the Kansas City VA Medical Center, where he was the psychiatric director of the outpatient mental health clinic and served as Psychiatry Executive for behavioral health services.

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Treatment approach

Dr. Josephs believes in a holistic approach to mental health treatment, integrating medication management, supportive psychotherapy, and collaboration with therapists and support staff. He tailors treatment to each patient's unique needs, ensuring a comprehensive and individualized approach to care. His expertise includes treating a variety of psychiatric diagnoses, such as depression, anxiety disorders (including OCD), ADHD, and PTSD.

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What you can expect in a first visit

In a first visit, patients can expect a thorough evaluation, where Dr. Josephs takes the time to understand their medical history, symptoms, and treatment goals. He emphasizes open communication and collaborative decision-making, ensuring that patients feel heard and supported. Based on this initial assessment, he will develop a personalized treatment plan, which may include medication management and referrals to therapy or other supportive services as needed.

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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. Mo Basith is a board-certified psychiatrist in the field of general adult psychiatry. He offers a mix of pharmacotherapy in conjunction with psychotherapy in 30-minute sessions. Dr. Basith's approach to clinical practice is rooted in fostering a safe atmosphere in which to explore biological and psychosocial factors that affect mental health. He views medication as a tool that patients can use while also engaging in psychotherapy and making lifestyle changes to optimize their mental health. He encourages patients to be actively involved in their healthcare decisions. Although he has an integrative psychotherapy style, Dr. Basith may occasionally believe additional therapy is needed and ask that you bring a therapist into your care team to provide the best outcome. Dr. Basith received his medical degree at Jefferson Medical College in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. He then went on to complete a general psychiatry residency training at Penn State College of Medicine in Hershey, Pennsylvania. Since completing his training, Dr. Basith has been working with a wide variety of adults, including as a staff psychiatrist at Georgetown University's Counseling and Psychiatric Service. He has experience treating patients with a wide range of psychiatric concerns including various anxiety disorders, depression, bipolar spectrum disorders, obsessive-compulsive disorder, and substance use disorders. Dr. Basith utilizes pharmacotherapy along with facets of cognitive behavioral therapy, psychodynamic psychotherapy, and supportive therapy as needed.

Dr. Morales is a board-certified psychiatrist who is dedicated to the bio-psycho-sociocultural model. This has been reflected in Dr. Morales' pursuit of treating patients suffering from diverse medical and psychiatric conditions, respective psychological mindedness, and varied socio-economic and cultural backgrounds. As an individual, Dr. Morales is fascinated by the human mind, its mechanisms to pursue goals, and the cyclical patterns seen in maladaptation and suffering. He believes in understanding patients' experiences and developing comprehensive treatment plans towards reconciliation. After completing his medical education at the East Carolina Brody School of Medicine, as a Brody Scholar, he subsequently completed psychiatry residency at Jackson Health System/University of Miami. Dr. Morales has had the opportunity to work with a diverse array of patients including high-functioning patients, veterans, trafficking victims, the severely mentally ill of low socio-economic status, and cancer patients across three distinct hospital systems via telemedicine and face-to-face interactions. His experience includes working with patients suffering from post-traumatic stress disorder, adjustment disorder, mood disorders, generalized anxiety disorder, panic disorder, and more. He honors active listening, analytic understanding, supportive psychotherapy techniques, and evidence-based and methodological treatment for patient care and actualization. His goal is to assist patients in navigating short- and long-term goals as well as improved quality of life. As a result, Dr. Morales focuses on medication management, which is offered in conjunction with supportive therapy, which is offered in 1-hour initial and 30-minute follow-up visits. Dr. Morales believes that appropriate patients can benefit from additional exploratory and self-actualizing therapy from other valued and specialized therapists to support targeted goals. He will not hesitate to recommend and promote consultations with therapists for such patients who are ready to pursue. Ultimately, Dr. Morales seeks to understand, validate, and treat patients in a collaborative therapeutic alliance.

Dr. Lauren Morris is a board-certified psychiatrist and a graduate of the Duke Psychiatry residency program. She is originally from NC - she studied Neuroscience at NCSU, and attended medical school at ECU. Dr. Morris's practice focuses on medication management, and incorporates insight-oriented therapy during visits. Dr. Morris takes a patient-centered evidenced based approach to psychiatry. Dr. Morris is joining the Talkiatry team after working as a staff psychiatrist at the Durham VA, where she also served as a consulting professor for the Duke psychiatry residency program. In her free time, Dr. Morris enjoys hiking and traveling.

Dr. Wilbur is a Double Board Certified Psychiatrist in Adult and Addiction Psychiatry. He completed his undergraduate degree in Public Health Studies at Johns Hopkins University and his medical education at the UMass Chan Medical School. Dr. Wilbur completed his psychiatry residency training and addiction psychiatry fellowship training at Yale School of Medicine. His practice focuses on medication management, typically offered in conjunction with supportive therapy in 30-minute follow-up visits. Dr. Wilbur has an interest in treating patients with a wide range of psychiatric conditions including but not limited to depression, anxiety, obsessive compulsive disorder, trauma- and stressor-related disorders, and bipolar disorders. He also has experience treating psychiatric conditions in patients experiencing co-occurring medical illness. Dr. Wilbur believes that successful treatment begins with mutual trust between a patient and their doctor. He uses a warm, nonjudgmental, and collaborative approach. His assessments consider the biological, psychological, and social, and cultural factors that impact mental health. He implements a range of evidence-based treatments to alleviate psychiatric symptoms and improve wellbeing.