Patricia Grendell, PMHNP

Dr. Ciara Styles is a board-certified adult psychiatrist. Originally from Orlando, Florida, she’s a proud “Double-Gator” completing both her undergraduate and medical school training at the University of Florida. She completed her psychiatric residency at the Medical University of South Carolina, where she also recently finished a fellowship in child and adolescent psychiatry. She plans to complete her child board certification later this year. She enjoys treating patients of diverse and minoritized backgrounds. She has experience related to the special needs of the LGBTQ+ population, pregnant & postpartum people, and neurodivergent youth.

Dr. Styles employs a warm, patient-centered approach to treatment. She connects with patients by “matching their energy,” creating a foundation of trust before exploring difficult conversations. She also values input from loved ones and encourages collaborative appointments to optimize treatment outcomes.

Her process begins by creating a safe, supportive space where patients feel heard and respected. Early sessions focus on building rapport and gaining a clear understanding of the patient’s background, interpersonal relationships, and goals for treatment. From there, she collaborates with each patient to develop a personalized treatment plan aiming to use the lowest amount of medication needed to support and improve overall well-being.

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Xavier Diao, MD (he/him) is a board-certified psychiatrist. He earned his undergraduate degrees in Psychology and Biological Sciences at the University of Maryland, where he also obtained his medical degree. Dr. Diao completed his psychiatry residency at the Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai, received additional training in child and adolescent psychiatry at Columbia and Cornell, and finished a psychoanalytic fellowship at the New York Psychoanalytic Society & Institute. Prior to joining Talkiatry, he was an Assistant Professor of Clinical Psychiatry at the University of Pennsylvania, where he provided clinical care and teaching along the undergraduate-graduate medical education continuum.

Dr. Diao's therapeutic orientation is informed by psychodynamic, cognitive behavioral, and dialectical behavior modalities. He has expertise in the treatment of a diverse range of mental health conditions, including depression, anxiety, OCD, and PTSD. Dr. Diao uses a developmentally informed and LGBTQ-affirmative approach in his practice, with the aim of enriching meaning and alleviating suffering in the domains of work, play, and love.

Dr. Diao begins each encounter with gentle curiosity, inviting patients to share their stories without fear of judgment. Together, he crafts an individualized treatment plan with the patient that may include medication, psychotherapy, and/or referrals to subspecialty care, always in close collaboration with other members on the treatment team.

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Dr. Holly Shiao is a psychiatrist who has worked extensively with medically complex patients, including a special focus in psycho-oncology with cancer patients. She is double board-certified in Consultation-Liaison Psychiatry and Adult Psychiatry. She has been practicing for over 7 years. Before Talkiatry, Dr. Shiao worked as an Assistant Professor at the University of Washington and Fred Hutchinson Cancer Center. She also worked as an Assistant Professor and was Director of Emergency Psychiatry at the University of Chicago. She has presented nationally at the Academy of Consultation-Liaison Psychiatry and written a book chapter about psycho-oncology. Dr. Shiao attended medical school at John P. and Kathrine G. McGovern Medical School at the University of Texas Health Science Center at Houston. She then completed an Adult Psychiatry residency at the University of Texas Medical Branch at Galveston, followed by a Consultation-Liaison fellowship at Dell Medical School at the University of Texas at Austin. Dr. Shiao is interested in the mind-body connection in overall emotional and mental well-being. She likes to integrate therapy modalities, such as cognitive behavioral therapy, supportive therapy, mindfulness and meditation with medication management to optimize a patient's mental health.

Dr. Jaffarzad is a board eligible adult psychiatrist who completed her undergraduate training at the University of Texas at Austin and earned her medical degree at the American University of the Caribbean. She completed her psychiatry residency at Louisiana State University Our Lady of the Lake Psychiatry Residency Program. After completing residency, she worked in an outpatient setting and provided consultation liaison services at Our Lady of the Lake Hospital. Moreover, she held volunteer academic positions supervising and instructing residents and medical students. She has experience treating culturally diverse patient populations with a variety of mental health conditions. Dr. Jaffarzad primarily offers medication management in conjunction with supportive therapy during follow-up visits. She values the importance of open communication and a strong doctor-patient therapeutic alliance.

Dr. Jacob T. Kannarkat is an adult psychiatrist. Dr. Kannarkat's practice focuses on medication management. In his visits, he uses an integrative approach, blending an empathic, problem-solving orientation with an understanding that the reasons for an individual's condition can be complex. He has experience dealing with many forms of mental illness and works collaboratively with his patients and their other treatment providers in making a plan for recovery. Dr. Kannarkat completed undergraduate studies at the University of Florida. After receiving his medical degree at the University of Miami Miller School of Medicine, Dr. Kannarkat continued for residency at the University of Miami/Jackson Health System. He ultimately completed his training as Chief of Psychiatric Emergency Services at Yale School of Medicine. Dr. Kannarkat has experience working with adults of all ages who are dealing with depression, anxiety, bipolar disorder, PTSD, substance use disorders, and many other conditions.‍

Dr. Ruiz is a compassionate psychiatrist specializing in adult and maternal mental health. She develops personalized treatment plans to address anxiety, depression, bipolar disorder, ADHD, OCD, PTSD, PMDD, and perinatal conditions. Her goal is to help patients reconnect with their values and live balanced, fulfilled, and meaningful lives.

Her passion for medicine began in childhood, inspired by curiosity about the mind and body. She earned an Honors Chemistry degree with  magna cum laude and completed her medical training and psychiatry residency at Texas Tech University Health Sciences Center. With a strong scientific foundation, Dr. Ruiz understands the role of medications, and embraces holistic healing through connection, gratitude, and spirituality.

Dr. Ruiz has experience in diverse clinical settings and has received national awards including the AWP International Fellowship and ADMSEP Innovations Award. She is dedicated to advancing maternal mental health screening and treatment through clinical care and education.

Dr. Ruiz combines pharmacotherapy (medication) with psychotherapy to create individualized treatment plans. Therapy provides powerful tools to manage thoughts, emotions, and behaviors that support balanced brain chemistry. Research shows that medication helps restore this balance more quickly and effectively, especially in moderate to severe cases.  

Dr. Ruiz likens medication for the brain to fertilizer for a garden. Imagine your mental health as a vibrant garden—when well-nourished, it can thrive with resilience, beauty, and balance. But when symptoms like depression, anxiety, ADHD, or mood instability take hold, they act like invasive weeds, crowding out healthy growth and making it hard to enjoy the space. Medication acts like fertilizer, strengthening the garden’s natural systems so the healthy parts can reclaim their place and flourish. Just as some gardens need only seasonal care while others require more consistent tending, medication plans are personalized to support each person’s long-term mental wellness. When the garden is healthy, there's more room to grow, connect, and fully enjoy life.

With a strong background in chemistry and pharmacology, Dr. Ruiz prioritizes educating her patients about how medications work and why they can be helpful. She believes patients should take an active role in understanding their diagnosis and treatment. Her approach emphasizes diagnostic clarity, medication management, patient education, and brief psychotherapy based on cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT) and acceptance and commitment therapy (ACT).

Your first appointment is a supportive, in-depth conversation to share your story, challenges, and goals. Dr. Ruiz will review your medical and psychiatric history and assess symptoms using a whole-person approach that considers biological, psychological, and social factors.

Together, you’ll develop a personalized plan that may include lab work, medication, and therapy. Initial visits last 60 minutes for thorough evaluation; follow-ups typically last 20–30 minutes, focusing on medication management and brief therapy. If needed, Dr. Ruiz can refer you to in-house or community therapists for add-on therapy support.  

Throughout your care, Dr. Ruiz prioritizes shared decision making to ensure you feel informed, empowered, and supported.

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