Nakia Roberson, LPC

Dr. Kimberly Ford completed her psychiatry residency training at Harvard University in Boston, Massachusetts. She has enjoyed treating patients for over 25 years in a variety of settings such as inpatient, outpatient mental health clinics, emergency room, and multidisciplinary clinics. She is talented in her ability to connect, understand, and empathize with her patients.‍She has expertise in treating patients with mood disorders, anxiety, PTSD, and incorporates psychopharmacology when needed, psychodynamic and supportive psychotherapy. She wholeheartedly believes that treating her patients holistically is of high importance, with a focus on their physical, emotional, mental, and spiritual well-being.

Dr. Stephanie Jarvie is a board-certified psychiatrist and has been practicing for over eight years. Stephanie completed her Bachelor's degree at the University of Bristol in her native United Kingdom. She attended Saint George's University school of medicine in Grenada and completed her residency training in psychiatry at New York Medical College Metropolitan Hospital in NYC, New York. As chief resident, Dr. Jarvie learned to balance her clinical experience with organizational duties and scholarly activities. She has played a crucial role, both clinically, and has been a part of multi-disciplinary treatment teams. More recently, she has been an inpatient clinical psychiatrist at Banner University medical center in Arizona and has served as an assistant professor of psychiatry at the University of Arizona for four years. Stephanie is from Edinburgh, Scotland. Her studies and training have taken her on a journey from the United Kingdom and the Caribbean to New York City and Arizona. She uses her exposure to diverse patient populations from around the world to help with her clinical skills and treatment plans. Dr. Jarvie has a wealth of knowledge and experience in treating a diverse range of psychiatric disorders such as major depression disorder, anxiety, bipolar spectrum disorder, and post-traumatic stress disorders. Dr. Jarvie's practice focuses on medication management. She offers this in conjunction with supportive therapy in 30-minute follow-up. She works collaboratively with patients to develop individualized treatment plans to help them achieve their goal, which may include medication management, lifestyle interventions, and stress reduction techniques. Dr. Jarvie believes that additional therapy may be necessary and asks that you bring a therapist into your care team to provide the best outcome.

Dr. John Hendrick is a practicing psychiatrist who has recently served as medical director for clinical services at Erlanger Behavioral Health Hospital in Chattanooga, TN. After several years of private practice, he had served as Chief of Inpatient Psychiatric Services and then as Chief of Psychiatry at Mountain Home VA Medical Center. During his time at Mountain Home VA he was also a Professor of Psychiatry at Quillen Medical School at East Tennessee State University where he taught General Psychiatry courses and the Neurosciences of Psychiatry. His specialties include affective and anxiety disorders and he has specific expertise in neuropsychiatry, psychopharmacology and alternative treatments for affective disorders. He is a Distinguished Life Fellow of the American Psychiatric Association and is a Past President of both the Tennessee Psychiatric Association and the Southern Psychiatric Association. He has been awarded a Distinguished Service Award from the United States Public Health Service. He has been twice named the Outstanding Teacher Award from the ETSU Psychiatry Residency program and was awarded Course Director of the year for the Neurosciences residency course he developed. He holds an Irma J. Bland Award for Excellence in Psychiatric Education from the APA. He has an extensive psychiatric background in practice and as a teacher. He practices psychotherapy from an Eriksonian perspective and is well versed in individual and psychodynamic psychotherapies.

Alanna Montalvan is a Board-Certified Psychiatric Mental Health Nurse Practitioner (PMHNP) with over 15 years of nursing experience, including 10+ years as a PMHNP. She has supported individuals with anxiety, depression, ADHD, trauma-related disorders, bipolar disorder, and chronic mental health needs across outpatient, inpatient, and psychiatric emergency settings. Alanna holds a Master of Science in Nursing from Hunter College with a PMHNP concentration and is expanding her clinical expertise through Family Nurse Practitioner training. She values patient-centered care and multidisciplinary collaboration.

Alanna prioritizes creating a warm, non-judgmental space where patients feel heard, respected, and supported. She takes a collaborative approach, partnering with patients to identify goals, explore treatment options, and build long-term wellness strategies. Open communication, transparency, and a holistic perspective that integrates emotional and physical health guide her practice. Patients can expect thoughtful, evidence-based care that considers life stressors, identity, family dynamics, and wellness behaviors.

Alanna begins with a comprehensive assessment to understand each patient’s history, concerns, strengths, and goals. She develops individualized treatment plans, including medication management, psychotherapy-informed strategies, lifestyle recommendations, and coordination with other providers as needed. Treatment goals are regularly revisited to ensure care evolves with the patient. She emphasizes empowerment and education, helping patients feel confident and informed throughout their mental health journey.

Akili’s approach is centered around the individual. His goal is to help people embrace their authentic self. He believes that counseling and the therapeutic process is experiential. He has been through most of the life struggles we all have been through. Akili has also written several books - the latest of which, “Be an Anomaly”, is about the autism spectrum. Beyond his passion for helping others, Akili is passionate about his family, drawing, music, and basketball.

Akili utilizes multimedia resources, oftentimes with an emphasis on writing and creativity. He works to create a warm atmosphere of welcoming energy and connection. Therapeutic modalities used include REBT, CBT, Positive Psychology, ACT, and Gottman Method.

The tools that Akili uses are those hidden within you. He uses creative therapy and behavioral techniques to help you get where you want to be. Your collaboration is a trip that you will embark on together. Akili will help you find the best solutions to the answers you have.

Dr. Niles (he/him) holds the position of Staff Psychiatrist at Talkiatry. He has four years of experience in outpatient psychiatry and is board-certified for adult psychiatry. He has received training in the use of cognitive behavioral therapy, supportive therapy, motivational interviewing, psychodynamic therapy, and dialectical behavioral therapy skills. He uses his training in therapy in tandem with medicine management to provide holistic, person-centered care. During his undergraduate studies at the University of Pittsburgh, while completing his pre-medical classes, he also pursued certification in the history and philosophy of medicine. Additionally, he studied the effect of culture and ethics on healthcare. He earned a Bachelor of Science in Psychology with a minor in Chemistry. He attended medical school at the West Virginia School of Osteopathic Medicine. His psychiatry residency training was completed at Charleston Area Medical Center. While in residency, he worked to improve cultural awareness in the outpatient setting. Dr. Niles is interested in treating patients with a wide variety of diagnoses. He treats mood disorders, anxiety disorders, trauma-related disorders, personality disorders, OCD, comorbid addiction, mild eating disorders, neurodevelopmental disorders such as autism spectrum disorder, and more. He also strives to provide care that affirms LGBTQIA+ identities and underwent additional training in transgender mental healthcare.