Michael Underriner, MD

More Clinicians

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.

Michael Lukowski, MD

Staff Psychiatrist

Dr. Michael Lukowski is an adult psychiatrist who holds board certification with the American Board of Psychiatry and Neurology. He has been practicing medicine for over 4 years. Dr. Lukowski focuses on medication management combined with supportive therapy in 30-minute follow-up visits. He practices whole-person medicine, caring for the wellness of your mind, body, and spirit and helping you enjoy your relationships with those around you. Dr. Lukowski received his medical degree from the University of Nevada School of Medicine in Reno, NV, before moving to southern California to complete his residency at Loma Linda University. After completing training, Dr. Lukowski began working with the Southern California Permanente Medical Group in Riverside, CA, where he treated a variety of psychiatric disorders in an outpatient setting. In March of 2020, as the pandemic changed life and medicine forever, Dr. Lukowski adopted a strictly telepsychiatry role at his clinic. He has also held a staff psychiatrist position as an adult inpatient psychiatrist in Tennessee. Dr. Lukowski treats a wide variety of psychiatric disorders within the adult demographic.

Niles Drake, MD

Staff Psychiatrist

Dr. Niles Drake is a board certified psychiatrist skilled in prescribing medications and working in psychotherapy. He combines a warm demeanor with excellent clinical skills, and has over 15 years' experience working with adult patients of all ages and many walks of life. He has special expertise combining medication and psychotherapy to help patients reduce symptoms and grow as individuals. Dr. Drake's additional training and experience in psychological modes of treatment enhance the quality of care he provides to all his patients, to meet them where they are and prioritize their individual needs and goals. He also provides medication management-only treatments for people who aren't looking for psychotherapy or who already have therapists. Dr. Drake completed his psychiatric residency at Columbia University Medical Center in New York. He also completed psychoanalytic training at the Columbia Center for Psychoanalytic Training and Research. He went on to teach classes at the Center, educating candidates about the nuances of combining psychotherapy with other treatment modalities. In addition to providing outpatient psychiatric treatment for over 10 years in private practice, he has worked extensively in psychiatric emergency settings, supervising residents as attending physician at Columbia-New York Presbyterian Hospital and Long Island Jewish Hospital psychiatric emergency rooms. He also has special expertise treating college-aged and young adult patients, having served as staff psychiatrist at Barnard College's Furman Counseling Center and worked with many students from Barnard and Columbia in his private practice. Dr. Drake offers treatment for many psychiatric conditions, including but not limited to depression, anxiety disorders, bipolar disorder, ADHD, and personality disorders. He identifies helping people ease and overcome their psychiatric conditions as his calling, and approaches each patient with humility, diligence, and a collaborative spirit.

Michael Murphy, MD

Staff Psychiatrist

Dr. Michael A. Murphy is board-certified in General Psychiatry as well as Child and Adolescent Psychiatry by the American Board of Psychiatry and Neurology. He has over 20 years of experience practicing medicine in outpatient, acute, and residential settings. He provides psychiatric assessments and medication management along with brief supportive psychotherapy. He is a strong advocate of collaboration between psychiatric care and psychotherapeutic interventions and encourages the utilization of therapists and counselors. Dr. Murphy holds a bachelor's degree in Chemistry Pre-med from Florida A & M University and a Medical Degree from the University of Florida College of Medicine. He completed both his residency in General Psychiatry and Fellowship in Child and Adolescent Psychiatry at the University of Virginia. He formally served as Chief of Behavioral Health Services at Ft. Eustis, Virginia. He has previously provided acute care and residential treatment at Newport News Behavioral Health Center, outpatient services in the community, and the foster care system. He has recently served as medical director of Harbor Point Behavioral Health Center. Dr. Murphy has an extensive history of providing care for both the adult and child population. He specializes in the treatment of children with Mood Disorders, Anxiety Disorders, ADHD, and Pervasive Developmental Disorders.

Michael Kim, DO

Staff Psychiatrist

Dr. Michael Kim, DO, is an accomplished attending psychiatrist dedicated to providing comprehensive mental health care. He earned his medical degree from Liberty University College of Osteopathic Medicine and completed his residency at HCA's The Medical Center of Aurora North. With a diverse clinical background, Dr. Kim has honed his expertise across various settings including inpatient, outpatient, PHP/IOP, and specialized areas such as geriatrics, eating disorders, addiction, and child and adolescent psychiatry. Dr. Kim is proficient in innovative treatments like Electroconvulsive Therapy (ECT) and Transcranial Magnetic Stimulation (TMS). He is passionate about employing supportive and psychodynamic therapy approaches, tailoring treatment plans to meet each patient's unique needs. Embracing a holistic approach to psychiatry, Dr. Kim integrates medication management with a focus on nutrition, diet, and lifestyle factors to foster overall well-being. Dr. Kim is committed to delivering high-quality, personalized care to his patients. Outside of his professional commitments, he is an advocate for personal health and wellness. He enjoys enhancing his fitness and nutrition, engaging with enlightening podcasts, and exploring the great outdoors. Dr. Kim's holistic approach to psychiatry reflects his belief in treating the whole person, ensuring optimal mental and physical health for each individual he serves.

Rae Insalaco, DO

Staff Psychiatrist

Dr. Rae Insalaco is a board-certified psychiatrist who completed her residency in 2011 at the University of Rochester, where she served as the chief resident of ambulatory services. During this time, she also received the Richard Carl Albert Jaenike award for outstanding performance in clinical psychiatry. Dr. Insalaco uses the bio-psycho-social model as a blueprint to understanding her patients' challenges. Since residency, she has provided direct patient care in CPEP (Comprehensive Psychiatric Emergency Program) and outpatient, ambulatory clinics, treating a wide range of psychiatric illnesses. She has also served as the collaborating psychiatrist for psychiatric nurse practitioners, psychiatry residents, care managers, social workers, and therapists at a community mental health center affiliated with the University of Rochester. Dr. Insalaco completed medical school at the New York College of Osteopathic Medicine and continues to use the principles of osteopathic medicine in her care of patients. She believes that treating the whole person is important, and not simply treating your individual symptoms in isolation. Dr. Insalaco also examines how your habits of sleep, exercise, and nutrition can contribute to your overall wellness. She believes there are many paths that lead to healing, starting with hearing your story.

Cody Chua, LCSW

Staff Licensed Clinical Social Worker

Cody Chua is a licensed clinical social worker with extensive experience working in the mental health field. He has a passion for helping individuals, children, couples, and families by assisting them in finding their inner strengths and natural capabilities that aid in creating positive change and fostering healthy relationships. Cody completed school at the University of Houston's Graduate College of Social Work, in Houston, TX, while completing his practicum at Texas Children's Hospital Outpatient Psychiatry Clinic. Cody has 3 years of experience as a therapist in inpatient, outpatient, and virtual settings, offering individual, group, and family counseling to teens and adults. He specializes in working with clients with mood disorders, behavioral issues, grief and trauma, substance abuse, and co-occurring disorders. Cody tailors his treatment approach to each individual client, and has experience with various modalities, including mentalization based therapy, logotherapy, and cognitive based therapy. Outside the therapy room, Cody is passionate about cooking, travel, hiking, drawing, music, and theater. He enjoys spending time with his dog, and his family.

Sumaiyah Qureshi, MD

Staff Psychiatrist

Dr. Qureshi is a Board-Certified General Psychiatrist. She was born and raised in Hyderabad, India. She underwent her medical training at Mamata Medical College, India and completed residency at Maimonides Medical Center, Brooklyn, NY. Dr. Qureshi has gained extensive training in psychiatric inpatient, outpatient, and emergency settings and has worked with diverse populations. She has practiced Telepsychiatry since her graduation, including working at community mental health centers serving the serious mentally ill in underserved areas. Dr. Qureshi's practice includes management of psychiatric disorders in adults including Depression, Anxiety, Bipolar disorder, PTSD, OCD, and others. She is interested in treating issues related to women's health as well. Dr. Qureshi has an empathetic and culturally sensitive approach that is patient-centered and focused on building a strong therapeutic alliance. She believes in collaborating with other providers involved in the patient's care. Her approach involves medication management in tandem with therapy techniques like CBT, Supportive therapy, IPT, and motivation therapy.

Akif Khawaja, MD

Staff Psychiatrist

Akif A. Khawaja M.D. is a Clinical General Psychiatrist. He has worked in this field since graduating and obtaining his residency from the University of Mississippi Medical Center Department of Neurology and Behavioral Sciences in 1996. He has worked mostly with adults ranging from 18 to 90 years of age. He has served as a director of Intensive Outpatient Programs in the state of Mississippi. He currently focuses on medical management of patients above 50 years of age and has served as a director of Geriatric Psychiatric Units.

He has a particular interest in treating mood, anxiety, and cognitive disorders, including ADHD. Patients working with him can expect thorough and detailed appointments, as he places special emphasis on gathering comprehensive medical and psychiatric histories, including specific dates of past treatments. During initial visits, he carefully reviews previous medical interventions, particularly procedures such as electroconvulsive therapy (ECT) and vagus nerve stimulation (VNS).

His approach prioritizes thorough evaluations to ensure accurate diagnoses. He strongly believes that honesty is essential for achieving the best possible treatment outcomes.

Leah Clary, LPC

Staff Licensed Professional Counselor

Leah E. Clary is a Licensed Professional counselor at Talkiatry. She has years of experience working with individuals of all ages from childhood to older adults. Leah E. Clary utilizes an eclectic counseling style. She understands that each and every person is unique and has individual needs, and is willing to adapt to what would benefit the individual. Leah believes that coordinating with all providers is important to achieving successful therapeutic experiences for the length of the engagement. After receiving her master's degree from Liberty University, Leah participated in an internship in Philadelphia working with first responders for crisis debriefing. While participating in this program, Leah also actively worked as an older adult protective services investigator within the city limits. In order to achieve her goal of becoming an LPC, Leah began working with families in a community-based program focusing on relational components. In this program, Leah worked with therapists of different backgrounds, building on her knowledge of communication techniques and team-based therapy, and even training new team members as needed. Throughout her professional career, Leah has worked with individuals with various diagnosed and undiagnosed conditions and adapted to their individual needs. Her passion is to assist the underserved demographic of individuals working through infertility issues and processing the idea of adoption.

Joyln Ferrell, MD

Staff Psychiatrist

Background and credentials

Dr. Joyln Ferrell is a board-certified psychiatrist with specialized training in treating depression and anxiety disorders. She earned her medical degree from Howard University College of Medicine and also holds a doctorate in pharmacy from the University of Georgia. She completed her residency training in psychiatry at VA Boston/Harvard Medical School and gained significant clinical experience at McLean Hospital. Additionally, she completed a fellowship in psychoanalytic psychotherapy at Columbia University Center for Psychoanalytic Training and Research.

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Treatment approach

Dr. Ferrell focuses on providing patient-centered care, emphasizing improving quality of life and helping patients reach their specific treatment goals. Her approach integrates medication management with supportive therapy. She believes in a collaborative treatment process and may recommend additional therapy support when necessary to optimize outcomes. She takes a cautious and limited approach to the use of controlled medications, ensuring responsible medication management.

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What you can expect in a first visit

During the first visit, patients can expect a comprehensive assessment of their symptoms, medical history, and treatment goals. Dr. Ferrell takes a thoughtful and individualized approach to care, working with patients to develop a treatment plan that incorporates medication management and supportive therapy. Follow-up visits typically last 20-30 minutes and focus on monitoring progress and adjusting treatment as needed. In some cases, she may recommend involving an additional therapist to further enhance the effectiveness of the treatment plan.

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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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Jennifer Twing, MD

Staff Psychiatrist

Dr Jennifer Twing is a board-certified physician in Psychiatry. She completed her undergraduate studies in Neuroscience and Behavior at Vassar College in New York, medical education at Trinity College in Dublin, Ireland and Psychiatry Residency at the University of North Dakota in Fargo, ND. She has experience working in a variety of settings treating psychiatric conditions across the lifespan. She is also currently training to be certified in Psychedelic Assisted Psychotherapy.

Dr Twing has a warm approach to patient care, is easy to talk to and aims to cultivate a safe and comfortable atmosphere. She is empathetic and understanding, ensuring that her patients feel heard and are supported.

Her main focus is in treating anxiety, depressive disorders and trauma through medication management. She also integrates a holistic approach encompassing lifestyle, spiritual and nature-based healing practices to help reduce stress, improve mood, and enhance overall quality of life. She recommends that you work with a therapist or counselor as well to optimize treatment outcomes.

Michael Underriner, MD

Education and training

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