Michael Escamilla, MD

Dr. Absar Tahir is an adult psychiatrist double-boarded in psychiatry and internal medicine who specializes in evidence-based, holistic, and individualized care. He graduated from the University of Alabama at Birmingham, where he earned both his undergraduate and medical degrees. Dr. Tahir completed sequential residency training in both internal medicine at the Mayo Clinic in Rochester, Minnesota, followed by psychiatry at Emory University in Atlanta, Georgia. Dr. Tahir integrates his knowledge of psychiatry and internal medicine to address the complex interplay between mental and physical health, ensuring a comprehensive and thoughtful approach to diagnosis and treatment. Throughout his career, he has helped patients from all walks of life, from diverse backgrounds, with a compassionate and empathetic treatment style. He strives to ensure his patients feel their voice is heard while working collaboratively towards achieving their treatment goals. As a psychiatrist, he specializes in the treatment of depression, anxiety disorders, bipolar disorder, obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD), post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD), and attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder (ADHD). He is also highly experienced in treating psychiatric problems in patients with medical comorbidities.

Roel Sepulveda is a board-certified psychiatric mental health nurse practitioner (PMHNP-BC) with a Master of Science in Nursing from the University of Alabama at Birmingham. Certified by the American Nurses Credentialing Center (ANCC), he has over 10 years of experience providing mental health care in psychiatric emergency rooms, outpatient psychiatry, and telehealth settings. Roel is committed to delivering comprehensive and accessible care that supports patients across diverse needs and backgrounds.

As a provider, Roel values creating a compassionate and collaborative environment where patients feel comfortable sharing their experiences. He takes a patient-centered approach, meeting individuals where they are and working together to identify treatment goals. Patients can expect a nonjudgmental space where their concerns are heard, respected, and addressed with empathy and understanding.

When working with patients, Roel begins by taking time to understand their history, symptoms, and current challenges. He develops individualized treatment plans that may include a combination of medication management, lifestyle strategies, and coordination with therapy or other supports. His goal is to provide evidence-based care while empowering patients to actively participate in their mental health journey and achieve lasting well-being.

Dr. Katelyn Thompson is board certified in Adult Psychiatry.  

Patients looking for a psychiatric provider will find that Dr. Thompson has a gentle and approachable style.  She believes that each patient was created on purpose and for a purpose.  

The brain is deeply wired for resilience and Dr. Thompson is blessed to witness that while supporting that in her patients.  She focuses on medication management with supportive psychotherapy as she treats a wide variety of psychiatric diagnoses.

Ashlyn Tellers is a board-certified Psychiatric Mental Health Nurse Practitioner. She earned her nursing degree with an emphasis in psychiatry in 2020 from the University of Arizona. With over twelve years of experience, she has cared for mental health patients across long-term care, inpatient, residential, and outpatient settings.

Ashlyn specializes in treating adults with depression, anxiety disorders, bipolar disorder, ADHD, and OCD through medication management and supportive therapy. She emphasizes patient education and works collaboratively to build therapeutic and safe treatment plans. She encourages open discussions about past mental health history and current stressors to help identify root causes and develop healthy coping strategies. When appropriate, she refers patients to therapists for more specialized care.

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Background and credentials

Dr. Kristina Schnitzer is a board-certified psychiatrist. She earned her medical degree from the New York University School of Medicine and completed her residency in Adult Psychiatry at the Massachusetts General Hospital/McLean Adult Psychiatry Residency Program. She further specialized by completing a one-year clinical and research fellowship in Public and Community Psychiatry through Massachusetts General Hospital and the Massachusetts Department of Mental Health. In addition to her medical training, she holds a Master of Public Health (MPH) from the Harvard T.H. Chan School of Public Health. She has over three years of experience practicing psychiatry across inpatient, emergency, and outpatient settings.

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Treatment approach

Dr. Schnitzer focuses on medication management as the foundation of her treatment approach, typically combining it with supportive or emotionally focused therapy during 30-minute follow-up visits. She takes a collaborative and individualized approach to patient care and, when needed, may recommend additional therapy by integrating a therapist into the care team to ensure the best possible outcomes. She has experience treating a broad range of psychiatric disorders in various clinical settings.

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What you can expect in a first visit

Patients can expect a thorough and structured evaluation in their first visit, where Dr. Schnitzer carefully assesses their symptoms, medical history, and treatment goals. She emphasizes open communication and collaboration, ensuring that patients are fully involved in shaping their treatment plans. Follow-up visits typically last 30 minutes, during which she monitors progress, adjusts treatment as needed, and may recommend additional therapeutic support for comprehensive care.

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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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Dawn Parks, LMHC, has worked in hospitals, forensics, community clinics, private practice, and research with Harvard Medical School, where she served as project director for a two-year addictions study for couples. She holds an undergraduate degree in exercise physiology, a master’s in clinical psychology, and a PhD in psychology. Dawn is a HeartMath practitioner with certifications in clinical stress, anxiety, and self-regulation treatment, as well as trauma-sensitive interventions. She also holds advanced certifications in addictions and Mindfulness-Based Stress Reduction and has extensive training in trauma work, couples therapy, nutrition for mental health, and healthy lifestyle development.

Dawn values open communication and works with patients to set clear treatment goals. She creates a warm, supportive environment where patients feel heard and respected. She emphasizes the mind-body connection, encouraging movement toward health from both perspectives, and meets patients where they are, providing a non-judgmental, trusting space conducive to growth.

She begins by thoroughly understanding each patient’s history, concerns, and goals during the initial session. Dawn develops individualized treatment plans aligned with patient objectives. Using a collaborative approach, she matches interventions to each client’s needs, fostering teamwork and supporting patients in achieving sustainable progress.

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