Michelle Hamilton, PMHNP

Paula Bennett, LPC, has been in practice for over 20 years. She specializes in CBT and individual therapy. Paula strives to provide a client-centered approach based on the individual’s needs.

Paula has a specific passion for victims of trauma. As a teen and young adult, she struggled with depression. There weren’t many treatment options at that time but she found a counselor who inspired her to help other with mental health issues.

Outside of work, Paula is known to enjoy reading, swimming, animals, spending time with family and watching movies. She also loves being able to help people and watch them grow.

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Dr. Ismail is double board-certified by the American Board of Psychiatry and Neurology in both Adult Psychiatry and Child and Adolescent Psychiatry. She earned her medical degree from Cairo University, where she also completed her neurology residency at Cairo University Hospitals. Following this, she pursued psychiatric training at New York Medical College at St. Vincent’s Hospitals, where she was appointed Chief Resident and recognized as Resident of the Year.

Dr. Ismail further specialized with a fellowship in Child and Adolescent Psychiatry at UMDNJ/Rutgers Robert Wood Johnson Medical School. Her career includes multiple leadership roles, notably serving as Chief of the Child and Adolescent Partial Hospital Programs (PHP) at Rutgers University in Newark, NJ, where she provided direct care to young patients. She has also held Medical Director positions across various clinical settings, including child and adolescent inpatient units, outpatient programs, and intensive outpatient services for both adolescents and adults with mental health and co-occurring substance use disorders.

An active educator, Dr. Ismail has been a teaching faculty member, delivering lectures and providing supervision and evaluations for medical residents and child and adolescent psychiatry fellows. Her academic contributions extend to research, where she has served as a principal investigator on multiple studies.

Throughout her career in leadership and teaching, Dr. Ismail maintained an integrative private practice in New Jersey, serving residents of the NJ and NY metropolitan areas before relocating to North Carolina.

Dr. Ismail is passionate about integrative medicine, which combines evidence-based alternative therapies with conventional treatments to optimize outcomes. Her approach focuses on promoting overall wellness, keeping both the body and mind in harmony.

During the diagnostic evaluation, Dr. Ismail will review your medical history and past treatments to develop a comprehensive, personalized treatment plan that prioritizes your overall wellness. In addition to medication management, she incorporates supportive, cognitive, or psychodynamic psychotherapy during follow-up visits, as time allows. When appropriate, she may also recommend referrals to specialized psychotherapists to address your individual needs as part of a holistic treatment approach.

Dr. Shafi completed his undergraduate studies in biology at the University of Nevada Las Vegas. He then earned his medical degree from Touro University Nevada College of Osteopathic Medicine. He went on to complete his psychiatry residency at the Kirk Kerkorian School of Medicine at UNLV, where he was awarded “Master of the PRITE” for achieving the highest score on the Psychiatry Resident In-Training Examination.

Dr. Shafi specializes in the treatment of various psychiatric conditions including anxiety, depression, bipolar disorder, ADHD, and PTSD. He has practiced in multiple settings including inpatient psychiatric facilities, outpatient mental health clinics, and the VA system.  

Dr. Shafi primarily focuses on medication management in conjunction with supportive psychotherapy. Using a collaborative and patient-centered approach, he provides personalized care by tailoring treatment to his patients’ unique needs. Dr. Shafi’s curiosity and compassionate nature allow him to connect with patients from all walks of life. He is committed to creating a supportive environment where patients feel comfortable expressing their mental health concerns.

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Dr. Michael Bartolac is a board-certified psychiatrist with experience in both outpatient and inpatient psychiatric care. He has treated a wide range of psychiatric conditions including affective, psychotic, anxiety, trauma-related, substance use, neurodevelopmental, personality, and neurocognitive disorders. His clinical experience includes hybrid remote outpatient work, inpatient psychiatry on locked units, consultation for medically hospitalized patients, and performing electroconvulsive therapy (ECT). He earned his medical degree from Lake Erie College of Osteopathic Medicine and completed psychiatry residency at West Virginia University/Charleston Area Medical Center.

Dr. Bartolac values creating a space where patients feel comfortable voicing their concerns. His treatment style is rooted in open communication and trust. He primarily focuses on medication management and supportive therapy, while incorporating psychodynamic and cognitive behavioral techniques during 30-minute follow-up visits.

Dr. Bartolac is committed to providing competent and compassionate care. He takes a collaborative approach, working closely with patients and their healthcare team to ensure all aspects of care are aligned with the patient’s needs and goals.

Dr. Shalin Shah earned his undergraduate degree from Northwestern University, his medical degree from Texas A&M University College of Medicine, and completed psychiatry residency at the University of Colorado Anschutz School of Medicine. He is ABPN certified in Psychiatry and completed a rigorous 3-year psychotherapy scholars track, gaining experience across multiple therapeutic modalities. During residency, he served as outpatient chief resident and was recognized with a selective service excellence and leadership award. Before medical school, he worked as a project manager for a large electronic health corporation.

Dr. Shah believes trust is the foundation of meaningful treatment. He aims to create a space where patients feel seen and supported yet thoughtfully challenged, using genuine curiosity, warm humor, humility, and a direct style. He collaborates with each patient to develop holistic, realistic treatment plans that may or may not include medication. His therapeutic work blends psychodynamic and humanistic approaches, with availability for a limited number of weekly psychotherapy patients.

In the first appointment, Dr. Shah explores each patient’s life story, asking detailed questions to understand them as a whole person. He then focuses on their immediate concerns and works collaboratively over time to refine a treatment plan that balances symptom relief with deeper, long-term healing. He thinks integrative and holistically, considering medical and mental health history, lifestyle, self-narrative, psychological structure, cultural and spiritual background, and broader societal influences.

Dr. Satveet Khela is a board certified physician specializing in adult psychiatry. She has been practicing since 2021. In addition to focusing on medication management, Dr. Khela's practice also prioritizes a whole person approach, incorporating aspects of nutrition, lifestyle, mindfulness, and supportive or brief cognitive behavioral therapy into the treatment plan. Occasionally, Dr. Khela may believe that additional therapy is also needed and ask that you see a separate therapist to provide the best outcome. Dr. Khela received her undergraduate degree from the University of California, Berkeley and her medical degree from A.T. Still University. She completed her residency at University of California San Francisco Fresno, where she served as chief resident in her final year. After completing her training, Dr. Khela worked with medically ill patients with co-morbid psychiatric illnesses. Throughout her career, Dr. Khela has worked with a diverse set of patients in various stages of their lives. Dr. Khela focuses on treating patients with anxiety, depression, PTSD, bipolar, OCD, and other mental health issues. She believes in empowering her patients to be active players in their treatment plans to facilitate the best care possible.