Paula Bennett, LPC

Dr. Kothari's treatment approach begins with establishing a good therapeutic rapport with her patients and listening to her patients so that they feel heard. Dr. Kothari likes to spend time providing psychoeducation on medications when discussing the treatment plan. Dr. Kothari's practice focuses on medication management primarily, but may incorporate supportive psychotherapy during medication visits. Dr. Kothari may recommend additional psychotherapy if she feels a patient may benefit from this. Dr. Kothari's current practice does not include the use of any controlled substance medications, such as stimulants, benzodiazepines, and certain sleep aids.

Katy Childress, LPC, has been licensed in Arizona since 2004. She holds a Master of Counseling degree from the University of Phoenix and has worked in a variety of treatment settings. With extensive experience supporting children, adults, couples, and families, Katy brings a well-rounded and compassionate approach to every session.

Katy is deeply passionate about being a therapist and considers it a privilege to walk alongside people on their journey toward healing and growth. She prioritizes building a strong therapeutic relationship by creating a welcoming, safe space where clients feel heard and respected. She values open, honest communication and actively invites feedback throughout the process.

Katy’s approach is client-centered and flexible, focusing on meeting people where they are emotionally and mentally. She works collaboratively with clients to develop meaningful goals and tailor treatment plans that align with their needs, energy levels, and readiness for change. Her process emphasizes steady progress and mutual trust.

Barbara Thomas is a Licensed Marriage and Family Therapist (LMFT) with 8 years of experience in outpatient and in-home settings. She earned her Master of Science in Marriage and Family Therapy from Seton Hall University and a Bachelor of Science in Psychology from Pennsylvania State University. Licensed in Pennsylvania for 5 years and recently in North Carolina, Barbara provides trauma-focused, culturally competent care for Anxiety, Depression, Mood Disorders, Autism Spectrum Disorder, and LGBTQ+ issues.

Barbara offers systemic, client-centered, and cognitive behavioral therapy for children, adults, couples, and families. She tailors each session to individual needs, incorporating family systems and relational dynamics. She creates a safe, open environment that fosters collaboration and growth, helping patients explore new perspectives, achieve goals, and strengthen personal fulfillment.

Barbara begins with an intake session that includes a psychosocial assessment and discussion of the client’s history and goals. She develops individualized treatment plans in collaboration with patients and begins sessions with open-ended prompts to focus on client priorities. Through ongoing assessment, dialogue, and adaptable session structure, she builds trust, promotes change, and ensures each patient’s needs are met.

Background and credentials

Dr. Matthew Koller is a board-certified adult psychiatrist who completed his undergraduate training at The University of Texas at Austin. He earned his medical degree from The University of Texas Health Science Center at San Antonio and completed his general adult psychiatry residency at Baylor College of Medicine in Houston, TX, where he served as Chief Resident of Education in his final year of training.

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Treatment approach

Dr. Koller believes that understanding a patient fully is essential before treatment begins, emphasizing a collaborative and patient-centered approach to care. His practice is primarily focused on medication management, but he also incorporates supportive therapy and other therapeutic modalities as needed. He may recommend including a therapist in the treatment plan to ensure comprehensive, well-rounded care. He has experience treating a wide range of mental health conditions, including depression, anxiety, insomnia, personality disorders, bipolar disorder, PTSD, and psychotic disorders.

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What you can expect in a first visit

During the first visit, patients can expect a thorough and individualized psychiatric evaluation, where Dr. Koller takes the time to understand their symptoms, history, and treatment goals. He prioritizes open communication and shared decision-making, working closely with patients to develop personalized treatment plans. While medication management is the foundation of his approach, he remains flexible and adaptive, incorporating therapy and other interventions as needed to help patients achieve optimal mental health.

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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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Dr. Sabish Balan is a Board-Certified Psychiatrist with subspecialty certifications in Geriatric Psychiatry, Psychosomatic Medicine, and Addiction Medicine. He completed his medical education in India at Government Medical College, Kozhikode, followed by psychiatry training at the All India Institute of Medical Sciences (AIIMS), New Delhi. After relocating to the United States, he pursued residency at St. Luke’s Roosevelt Hospital Center and advanced fellowships at The Zucker Hillside Hospital and St. Luke’s Roosevelt Hospital Center. With over 17 years of psychiatry experience in the U.S., he has held leadership roles at NYC Health + Hospitals – Harlem and currently provides care at Northwell Health Phelps Hospital Addiction Treatment Services and the BeHealth Program. Fluent in English, Hindi, Urdu, and Malayalam, Dr. Balan brings a global perspective to patient care.

Dr. Balan strives to meet patients where they are, offering a warm and supportive environment that values the whole person. He integrates a bio-psycho-social approach to care, ensuring that patients feel heard, respected, and understood throughout their treatment journey.

In initial sessions, Dr. Balan takes a detailed history to understand each patient’s concerns, background, and goals. From there, he collaborates with patients to develop individualized treatment plans that align with their personal values and objectives, fostering partnership and long-term wellness.

Entisar Hamid, Ed.D., LPC, LCPC, LPCC, LMHC, NCC, is a dedicated psychotherapist and life coach committed to fostering change in the community. Licensed in Arizona, Illinois, Ohio, and Indiana, she has over 13 years of experience supporting clients remotely and in person. She values holistic, culturally sensitive care and believes each client is the expert in their own story. In her free time, she enjoys cooking for her family and engaging with her community.

Entisar creates a safe, supportive space where clients can share their experiences openly. She emphasizes building rapport and mutual understanding, empowering clients to explore their strengths while navigating challenges such as stress, anxiety, trauma, relationship issues, grief, and self-esteem concerns. Her approach is collaborative, compassionate, and tailored to each individual’s needs.

She combines evidence-based therapies including ACT, CBT, DBT, EFT, Narrative Therapy, Solution-Focused Therapy, and Trauma-Informed approaches. Sessions focus on helping clients process emotions, develop coping skills, and achieve meaningful, lasting change. Her goal is to support clients in managing life challenges, improving mental wellness, and cultivating self-love and resilience.