Maxine Minto, MD

Dr. Michael Padua is a graduate from the University of Nevada, Reno School of Medicine and completed his psychiatry residency training at Loyola University Medical Center at Maywood, IL. He is trained and experienced in diagnosing and treating various psychiatric disorders including depression, anxiety, psychosis, and bipolar disorder with a focus on posttraumatic stress disorder, women's mental health, and cultural psychiatry. He combines his clinical expertise with a passion for working with underserved populations and the LGBTQIA+ population to address mental health needs across various communities. Dr. Padua has experience working in a variety of settings, which includes working as an outpatient psychiatrist at a federally qualified health center (FQHC), and as a correctional psychiatrist at the Washoe County Sherriff's Office in Reno, NV. In addition to his clinical work, Dr. Padua has also participated in research and education, and has co-authored peer-reviewed articles in the fields of psychiatry and biology.

Dr. Kat Atadjanova is a board-certified psychiatrist dedicated to providing holistic and compassionate care for individuals navigating mental health challenges. She earned her MD from Tulane University School of Medicine and completed a combined residency in Internal Medicine and Psychiatry at Tulane. With experience in both fields, she is especially comfortable caring for patients with medical comorbidities and takes an integrative approach to treatment.

Dr. Atadjanova values collaboration and believes that treatment works best when patients are active participants in their own care. She is committed to creating a safe, supportive environment where patients feel heard and respected. Her approach combines evidence-based medication management with psychotherapy and lifestyle guidance, tailoring each treatment plan to the unique needs and goals of the individual.

In her work, Dr. Atadjanova begins by taking time to understand a patient’s history, strengths, and challenges. From there, she develops a personalized plan that may include medication, therapy, or supportive interventions. She emphasizes shared decision-making, patient education, and holistic strategies—such as nutrition, exercise, and sleep hygiene—to help patients achieve sustainable improvements in their mental health and overall well-being.

Damaris Chukwura, DNP, PMHNP-BC, is a Board-Certified Family Psychiatric Mental Health Nurse Practitioner with over a decade of experience in mental health care. She began her nursing career in 2007 and has been practicing as a psychiatric nurse practitioner since 2014. Damaris has worked in a wide range of settings including inpatient hospitals, residential treatment centers, partial and intensive outpatient programs, correctional psychiatry, and substance abuse treatment. Her clinical experience spans various conditions such as ADHD, eating disorders, mood disorders, psychotic disorders, PTSD, and treatment-resistant depression. She earned her BSN from Texas Christian University, MSN from The University of Texas at Arlington, and her DNP from The University of Alabama in Huntsville.

Damaris values open communication and collaboration with her patients. She creates a warm, caring environment where individuals feel heard and respected. Her approach is both evidence-based and supportive, blending professionalism with a welcoming demeanor. She is passionate about mental health advocacy and reducing stigma. Outside of work, Damaris enjoys spending time with her husband and three children, traveling, decorating, and watching reality TV.

During initial psychiatric evaluations, Damaris takes time to fully understand each patient’s history, concerns, and goals. She develops individualized treatment plans that align with these goals and may include supportive therapy or referrals for more intensive therapy if needed. Follow-up appointments typically last 30 minutes, allowing time to track progress and make adjustments as necessary.

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!

Dr. Jackie Long is an adult psychiatrist who recently completed her residency at the Institute of Living. During her training, she received extensive training caring for a diverse patient population in a variety of settings including emergency, inpatient, partial hospitalization, and outpatient settings.

Dr. Long blends clinical expertise with a holistic, thoughtful approach individually tailored to each patient’s needs. At the core of Dr. Long’s approach is a belief that healing is most effective when it is collaborative, personalized, and grounded in a strong therapeutic relationship.

Dr. Long provides medication management combined with supportive therapy. She treats a variety of patients with a focus in mood and anxiety disorders and has a clinical interest in cross cultural psychiatry.

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Dr. Ellis is a graduate of Robert Wood Johnson Medical School in Piscataway, NJ. He completed his psychiatric residency at Cooper Hospital/University Medical Center in Camden, NJ, where he served as Chief Resident his senior year. Dr. Ellis has served as Assistant Medical Director of the community mental health center of Gloucester County for 28 years, providing care to a diverse population. Additionally, Dr. Ellis maintained a private practice for 15 years, treating individuals and their families with ongoing collaboration with therapists and other health care providers