Marla Richard, MD

Staff Psychiatrist
Languages
English
Conditions Treated
Anxiety
Bipolar Disorder
Depression
Obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD)
Phobias
Postpartum Depression
Geriatric

Education and training

  • University of Minnesota, BA
  • Stanford University, MD
  • University Hospitals Cleveland Medical Center, Internship
  • Stanford University, Residency
  • University of California San Diego, Fellowship

Get to know

Marla Richard, MD

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.

Get matched with a clinician like this one

Ready to book your first appointment? Take our 10-minute assessment. We’ll match you with a clinician who meets your needs, has availability, and takes your insurance.

Get started
More Clinicians

Scott Tuckman, LMHC

Richard McColl, MD

Candice Charles, LCSW

Avedon Elliott, LPC

LaTonya Washington, LCSW

David Sahadevan, MD

Staff Psychiatrist

Dr. Sahadevan took an adventurous path to Talkiatry. After perhaps thinking a little too hard about Intro to Philosophy in college - "the unexamined life is not worth living” - he first used his chemistry degree to work in pharmaceutical research. He changed course, working in computer network engineering, before deciding to find a more meaningful path. He worked as an EMT, then earned a Master's in Physiology before finally landing in medical school at Ohio State. Finding a surprising interest in psychiatry, he stayed at Ohio State for residency, and then a fellowship in forensic psychiatry. He is board-certified in both Psychiatry and Forensic Psychiatry. He previously worked as a forensic psychiatrist and evaluator at Ohio's maximum-security state psychiatric facility, as an attending psychiatrist running an inpatient unit for violent or dangerous patients, performing court-ordered evaluations, writing reports, and testifying when necessary. Dr. Sahadevan has also worked as a consultation-liaison psychiatrist, performing psychiatric consults at several general hospitals in Central Ohio's largest hospital system. He found great enjoyment in teaching successive generations of residents and medical students, serving as an adjunct faculty member at Ohio State, Ohio University, Wright State, and OhioHealth Riverside Methodist Hospital. He is excited for the next chapter of his journey, exploring another area of psychiatry at Talkiatry!

Violetta Aranda, LPC

Staff Licensed Professional Counselor

Violetta Aranda, LPC is a native South Texan and second generation Mexican- American. She is a 2011 graduate of St. Edward's University in Austin, Texas and obtained full LPC licensure in Texas in August of 2017. Her practice focuses on cognitive behavioral modalities within a humanistic client-centered approach to foster healing through self-acceptance and self-awareness. She has over a decade's worth of experience working within the mental health field and fifteen years working directly with children and adolescents in various capacities. Before joining Talkiatry, Miss Aranda practiced exclusively within the community health sector and these experiences provided the opportunity to become fully immersed in Trauma and Crisis Management and fostered the passion for evolving research in the treatment of trauma-informed care. She now aspires to utilize these allocated experiences and passion for the field to promote mental health awareness, client advocacy, and quality of care.

David Gomez, MD

Staff Psychiatrist

Dr. David Gomez is a board-certified psychiatrist who is bilingual and fluent in English and Spanish. He earned his Doctor of Medicine degree from Florida International University and completed a residency in Psychiatry at the University of Miami / Jackson Memorial Hospital. During his training, he worked closely with a diverse array of patients, including minority and underserved communities, military veterans, trauma survivors, medically complex individuals with HIV and cancer, geriatric patients, and individuals with severe mental illness in both outpatient and inpatient settings. He received additional training through his participation in specialty clinics focused on mood and anxiety disorders, trauma-related conditions, and geriatric / memory disorders.

Dr. Gomez specializes in providing comprehensive mental health care to diverse patient populations. He combines psychotropic medications with supportive therapy using a psychodynamic listening approach to understand his patients and achieve their treatment goals.

He believes in tailoring treatment plans to meet individual needs, fostering a collaborative environment that empowers patients in their recovery. Known for his warm demeanor and attentive listening skills, Dr. Gomez creates a safe space for patients to express themselves safely. He emphasizes the importance of a strong therapeutic alliance and integrates psychodynamic principles, mindfulness techniques, and lifestyle modifications into his practice.

Ashley Sharp, LPC/MHSP

Staff Therapist

Ashley Sharp is a Licensed Professional Counselor with Mental Health Service Provider designation, who has experience working in multiple settings within the mental health field including private practice counseling, school-based counseling, and in a behavioral health hospital. This has allowed Ashley to work closely with individuals of various demographics and a wide spectrum of mental health conditions. Ashley obtained her undergraduate degree in psychology from Bryan College in Dayton, TN, and her graduate degree in clinical mental health counseling from Richmont Graduate University in Chattanooga, TN. Ashley has been working in the mental health field for 4 years and focuses on mood and anxiety disorders, as well as personality disorders, challenges in relationship dynamics, and difficult life transitions such as grief and divorce. Ashley tailors her treatment modalities for the greatest benefit of the individual, being considerate of the background and needs of each client. Ashley uses an eclectic approach to therapy founded in Cognitive Behavioral Therapy and incorporates elements of Dialectical Behavior Therapy such as mindfulness, distress tolerance, and emotional regulation.

Jacqueline Rodgers, LPC

Staff Therapist

Dr. Jacqueline A. Rodgers, LPC-S, is a seasoned therapist who has operated a successful private practice in Texas for over a decade. She holds a Doctorate in Christian Counseling from Andersonville Theological Seminary, as well as dual Master’s degrees in Professional Counseling and Education/School Counseling from Amberton University. With specialized training as a Level 3 Gottman Method Therapist and a certified Prepare-Enrich Facilitator, Dr. Rodgers brings an advanced skill set to her work with couples and families.

She is also certified in treating depression, anxiety, grief, trauma (EMDR), and anger management. Known for her warm and empowering approach, Dr. Rodgers blends evidence-based practices with a compassionate, client-centered style. When requested, she integrates faith-based perspectives to support emotional and spiritual growth.

Her clients appreciate her ability to offer clarity, hope, and practical strategies for overcoming life’s challenges. Whether working on short-term goals or long-term healing, her therapeutic process includes individualized assessments, collaborative treatment planning, and regular progress evaluations.

Meena Shah, MD

Staff Psychiatrist

Dr. Meena Shah is a board-eligible psychiatrist and has been practicing for over 16 years. She specializes in child and adolescent psychiatry. Dr. Shah's practice focuses on medication management in conjunction with supportive and emotionally focused therapy in 30-minute follow up visits. Dr. Shah believes in the importance of building a therapeutic relationship with her patients and families to help achieve their emotional goals. Dr. Shah completed her residency training through Richmond University Medical Center with NY Medical College and completed her fellowship at Brookdale University Medical Center in Brooklyn, NY. Dr. Shah has extensive experience with the child and adolescent population and worked with foster care programs as well as juvenile residential facility programs .Dr. Shah served as Children's Associate Medical Director at Directions for Living Mental Health Clinic and went on to become Medical Director at Sequel Care of Florida. In addition, Dr. Shah also received her Master's degree in Hyperbaric Medicine. She completed her undergraduate studies at the University of Florida with a major in psychology. Dr. Shah's primary clinical focus has been treating children, and young adults with ADHD, mood disorders, anxiety, and helping them establish coping skills to overcome any life obstacle.

Ready to get matched?

Start our short assessment
Specialties
Anxiety
Bipolar Disorder
Depression
Obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD)
Phobias
Postpartum Depression
Geriatric
States
Colorado
Florida
California
New York
Kansas
Languages
English
Takes insurance
Virtual visits
32 years experience