Paul Pennington, LPC

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Dr. O'Brien is a board-certified adult psychiatrist who completed his medical education at Northeast Ohio Medical University. Following his graduation from NEOMED, he completed a residency in Psychiatry and Behavioral Medicine at West Virginia University/Charleston Area Medical Center. Throughout his training, he has enjoyed working in both outpatient and hospital settings and has a great passion for medical education and teaching the next generation of mental healthcare providers. Dr. O'Brien's practice focuses on medication management for a wide variety of mental health diagnoses, including anxiety disorders, depression, Bipolar Disorders, Obsessive Compulsive Disorder, Tic Disorders, and Post Traumatic Stress Disorder. In addition to medication, he offers a mixture of Cognitive Behavioral Therapy, Dialectical Behavioral Therapy, and Psychodynamic Therapy during 30 minute follow up appointments. Dr. O'Brien believes in a truly collaborative and holistic approach to mental healthcare, striving to involve patients and all members of the healthcare team in every aspect of care.‍

Marcia Morris, MD

Staff Psychiatrist

Dr. Marcia Morris is a psychiatrist with over thirty years of experience providing medication management as well as supportive psychotherapy to adult patients. She takes a positive psychiatry approach to treatment, prescribing medication while supporting patient strengths, social connections, and healthy habits. She has worked with university students as well as employees in an employee assistance program. She provides care for patients with depression, anxiety, OCD, PTSD, and ADHD. In her previous role as an Associate Professor at the University of Florida, she has done research on the increase in depression and anxiety as well as the increased use of psychiatric medications among university students. She has published academic papers and given national talks in these topics with the goal of decreasing stigma and improving mental health care for young adults. She is a founding member of the Association for College Psychiatry and a member of the American Psychiatric Association college mental health caucus. Dr. Morris provides education to the public about mental health as a writer and public speaker. Her articles have appeared in the New York Times, the Tampa Bay Times, and the Huffington Post. She also has been interviewed on NPR and several podcasts. She currently writes a Psychology Today parenting blog "College Wellness: Promoting Happiness & Health in the College Years.” Her book, "The Campus Cure: A Parent's Guide to Mental Health & Wellness for College Students,” was published January 2018. Dr. Morris has an undergraduate degree from Harvard, a medical degree from Yale, and psychiatry residency training at New York Hospital Cornell Medical Center. She is a Distinguished Life Fellow of the American Psychiatric Association.

Sherrell Lam, MD

Staff Psychiatrist

Dr. Sherrell Lam is a board-certified Psychiatrist at Talkiatry. She particularly enjoys treating PTSD, depression and OCD and working with veterans and managing women's mental health through pregnancy and lactation. Her treatment philosophy is holistic and includes consideration for nonpharmacologic methods of addressing symptoms. She originally hails from the East Coast but has lived in most parts of the country. She attended the University of Illinois College of Medicine at Rockford for medical school and completed a dual internal medicine/psychiatry residency at Walter Reed National Military Medical Center. Dr. Lam spent 13 years practicing as an Army psychiatrist and has worked as an outpatient psychiatrist, consult-liaison psychiatrist, inpatient psychiatrist and substance use disorder clinical consultant. Most recently she worked as an outpatient psychiatrist at Southern California Permanente Medical Group. In her spare time, Sherrell enjoys traveling, photography, and spending time with her family.

Whitney Cohen, LCSW

Staff Therapist

Whitney Cohen obtained her undergraduate degree from Monmouth University where she studied Psychology and Health Studies. Whitney earned her Master's degree in Clinical Social Work from New York University, where she gained a solid foundation in evidence-based practices and therapeutic techniques. She is also a licensed clinical supervisor which has allowed her to train and mentor other aspiring social workers in the field as well as nurse practitioners and other mental health professionals. ‍Whitney has worked in a variety of settings, including education, correctional facilities, substance abuse/outpatient programs, and private practice. Her diverse experiences have equipped her with a comprehensive understanding of the complexities that individuals face daily. Whitney has worked with clients of all ages, from children, adolescents, adults, the elderly, and has a special passion for working with couples and families. She specializes in treating a variety of mental health issues, including anxiety, ADHD, stress, family/relational problems, trauma and school avoidance.‍In her practice, Whitney utilizes a scope of therapeutic approaches, CBT, DBT, and Motivational Interviewing. These evidence-based techniques allow her to tailor interventions to meet the unique needs of each client, helping them achieve their goals and overcome obstacles.

Brittany Stef, LMHC

Staff Therapist

Brittany Stef is a Licensed Mental Health Counselor (LMHC) in New York and a National Certified Counselor (NCC). With extensive experience in education and various clinical settings, she has supported individuals and families of all ages in overcoming diverse mental health challenges, including depression, anxiety, mood disorders, self-esteem issues, and significant life changes. Brittany is passionate about therapy and employs empowerment-driven, holistic approaches. Her techniques include Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT), Dialectical Behavioral Therapy (DBT), Motivational Interviewing, Solution-Focused Therapy, and Person-Centered Therapy.

Kayla Garcia, LMHC

Staff Therapist

Kayla is a dedicated therapist with a robust educational background and extensive experience in the field of psychology. She earned a Bachelor of Arts in Psychology from Florida International University and completed a Master of Science at Nova Southeastern University. During her internship at Aventura Hospital and Medical Center, Kayla worked within inpatient psychiatric units, gaining valuable experience in crisis management and acute psychiatric care. Kayla has a particular interest in helping clients navigate anxiety, depression, and relationship issues. She brings empathy, understanding, and a client-centered approach to her practice, ensuring that each individual feels heard and supported on their journey to mental wellness. Outside of their professional life, Kayla enjoys spending quality time with family and her two dogs. Whether hiking or relaxing by the beach, she cherishes these moments of connection and tranquility.

Dorcas Adepoju, MD

Staff Psychiatrist

Dorcas Adepoju is from the Washington, D.C. metropolitan area. She earned her Doctor of Medicine (MD) degree in 2006 from Loma Linda University School of Medicine in California. She completed her psychiatry residency at the University of Kansas School of Medicine in Wichita, Kansas in 2010 and became board certified in Psychiatry by the American Board of Psychiatry and Neurology in 2012.‍She has a decade of experience working in community mental health centers, including the Center for Health Care Services (CHCS), where she treated people experiencing homelessness and mental illness from 2012 to 2019, and later served on the Assertive Community Treatment (ACT) team from 2019 to 2021, working with a multidisciplinary team providing wraparound services to patients with severe and persistent mental illness, in order to reduce their number of hospitalizations and to improve their quality of life. After working with the ACT Team, Dr. Adepoju worked for a little over 2 years at residential, partial day hospital, and outpatient chemical dependence treatment facilities, offering psychiatric evaluation and treatment to patients with psychiatric and/or substance use disorders. Dr. Dorcas Adepoju specializes in treating patients with severe and persistent mental illness(es) with or without substance use disorder(s). In addition, she has experience treating pregnant women with mental health challenges and continues to stay updated in this area of interest. Dr. Adepoju has a collaborative, patient-centered style of practice, focusing on whole person care and integrating psychotherapeutic techniques with medication management.

Michelle Scott, PMHNP

Staff Nurse Practitioner

Michelle Scott is a dual board certified Psychiatric, Family, and Emergency Nurse Practitioner with 16 years experience. Michelle Scott has extensive experience working in Psychiatry across the lifespan, Emergency Medicine, and Internal Medicine. Psychiatric experience specifically includes a focus on adult outpatient and inpatient psychiatry. Michelle Scott has additionally provided care as an acute care hospitalist and as an Assistant Medical Director, in multiple acute care psychiatric facilities. Michelle has additional experience in addiction treatment, CBT, motivational, and problem focused therapy. She provides holistic care, addressing the needs of mood disorders, anxiety disorders, autism, genetic disabilities, and adult mood, anxiety, and adult addiction issues. With 16 years of experience treating all ages in the areas of acute and chronic medical conditions and psychiatry, I have seen the difference the right provider can make in the lives of patients. Her goal is positive and sustainable outcomes, with an emphasis on combined treatment modalities, treating the whole person, and concurrent issues.

Vanessa Valdes, MD

Staff Psychiatrist

Dr. Vanessa Valdes is an adult psychiatrist specializing in medication management and psychotherapy, with a strong focus on nutrition, wellness, and mindfulness. She earned her combined MD/MPH degree from the University of Miami Miller School of Medicine and completed her psychiatry residency at the University of Miami/Jackson Health System, one of the nation's leading public healthcare systems.‍During her residency, Dr. Valdes gained broad experience in diverse areas of psychiatry, including inpatient psychiatry, emergency psychiatry, outpatient care, psychotherapy, hypnosis, child and adolescent psychiatry, consultation-liaison psychiatry, psycho-oncology, and addiction psychiatry.‍Dr. Valdes primarily provides supportive psychotherapy and acceptance and commitment therapy to help patients better understand and address their stressors. She takes a holistic approach to care, emphasizing the emotional, spiritual, and physical well-being of her patients. Her goal is to inspire meaningful, sustainable changes in patients' lives through compassionate, comprehensive treatment.

Ashley Arora, PMHNP

Staff Nurse Practitioner

Ashley is an ANCC board-certified Psychiatric Mental Health Nurse Practitioner with over a decade of experience in Psychiatry. She has worked in inpatient and outpatient settings, crisis centers, and psychiatric emergency rooms. Ashley is deeply committed to working collaboratively with individuals to enhance their well-being, creating a personalized care plan tailored to each person’s unique needs.

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Her approach integrates medication management, supportive psychotherapy, and lifestyle interventions. As a prescriber specializing in psychopharmacology, Ashley provides comprehensive medication management while utilizing a shared decision-making model. She actively involves clients in their treatment planning, discussing various options to determine the most effective path forward.

During the initial session, Ashley prioritizes establishing a comfortable, open environment where clients feel at ease. She will review medical and psychiatric history, discuss treatment goals, and explore different therapeutic options based on individual preferences. Ashley encourages questions throughout the process to ensure a collaborative and supportive treatment experience.

Patricia Klaine, MD

Staff Psychiatrist

Dr. Patricia Klaine is an attending physician working at Talkiatry. She is board certified in adult psychiatry. After completing her training in adult psychiatry, she continued her education by completing a fellowship in consultation-liaison psychiatry, which enables her to treat patients with a variety of medical comorbidities confidently. Dr. Klaine focuses on medication management. She offers this in addition to supportive psychotherapy in 30-minute follow up visits. For some patients, it may be important to bring in additional psychotherapy for well-rounded care. Dr. Klaine received her medical degree from St. George's University in Grenada, and after that, she completed her training in general adult psychiatry at Maimonides Medical Center in Brooklyn, New York. She went on to complete a fellowship in consultation-liaison psychiatry at Mount Sinai Hospital in New York. After completing her training, she worked on an inpatient psychiatric unit before deciding to transition into outpatient psychiatric care. She looks forward to a collaborative relationship with her patients.

Surinderpal Kahlon, MD

Staff Psychiatrist

Dr. Kahlon is an experienced Psychiatrist who spent the last 24 years of his career working in Veterans Affairs, where he was able to treat a wide variety of patients. Dr. Kahlon provides medication management along with supportive therapy. In some cases Dr. Kahlon may refer you to a counselor or therapist for further care and collaboration. He has experience treating a wide range of conditions, including major depressive disorder, panic disorder, generalized anxiety disorder, obsessive-compulsive disorder, and PTSD. Dr. Kahlon utilizes a well-rounded approach to treat the whole person, through medication, active listening, and recommending talk-centered counseling programs. Dr. Kahlon was trained in the VA system associated with Chicago Medical School (Finch University), which is located in North Chicago, Illinois. At the conclusion of his training, he was hired at the VA in Danville, Illinois until 2021. He also had a part-time private practice, which enhanced his experience in adult psychiatry. Dr. Kahlon graduated from a prestigious medical school that has consistently held a high position (4th) among the top 100 medical schools in the world.‍

Paul Pennington, LPC

Education and training

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