Peter McGowan, MD

Dr. Goel holds the position of Staff Psychiatrist at Talkiatry. She has completed adult psychiatry training and is board certified. She has been actively involved in mental health care in various capacities over the past 7 years.

Dr. Goel's practice focuses on psychopharmacological interventions. Typically, she combines this with a strong emphasis on Cognitive Behavior Therapy (CBT). Dr. Goel also strongly believes that the best outcomes are achieved, when you treat a person and not just illness.

She received her medical degree from one of the largest publicly funded medical schools in India, L.L.R.M. Medical College, Meerut, India, before moving to the US. She gained experience in mental and behavioral health in various roles at some of the most prestigious institutions in the US, namely Northwestern University, Emory University, and North Shore-LIJ. She completed her residency at Nassau University Medical Center, East Meadow, NY. Dr. Goel has been a co-author of several research papers. Her team's research work has also been presented at national and international meetings as well.

While Dr. Goel enjoys working with adults with various psychiatric disorders, her primary focus is on treating adults with various anxiety and depressive disorders. Dr. Goel also has a special interest in co-occuring sleep disorders with these conditions.

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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.

Alana Ward is a board certified psychiatric mental health nurse practitioner (PMHNP). Alan has been practicing since 2018 and has experience with individuals of all ages. Prior to becoming a PMHNP, Alana worked as a registered nurse in critical care and psychiatry. As a PMHNP, she has experience working on inpatient adult and geriatric psychiatric units, as well as providing psychiatric evaluations and consultations to individuals on medical units and emergency rooms at hospitals. Alana is very experienced working in outpatient settings managing various psychiatric diagnoses. She has also helped manage individuals in long term care facilities and assisted living facilities. When Alana is not providing direct patient care, she will on occasion help with instructing future nurses at Kent State University. Alana graduated with her Master's of Science in Nursing from Kent State University, and is board certified as a Psychiatric Mental Health Nurse Practitioner through the American Nurse Credentialing Center. Alana enjoys treating a variety of mental health diagnoses including depression, anxiety, obsessive compulsive disorder, mood disorders such as bipolar disorder, and various psychotic disorders. She believes in client-centered care, where clients get a say in their treatment in order to help make them feel their best. Alana truly believes that therapy is a crucial part of successfully treating any mental health diagnosis, in combination with medication management when warranted. Alana likes to add mindfulness and cognitive behavioral therapy techniques to her medication management appointments to help individuals receive effective, quality care.

Kenneth Kavanagh is board certified as both a Psychiatric/Mental Health Nurse Practitioner and an Adult Nurse Practitioner.  His career has spanned 30 years with the last 17 years devoted exclusively to psychiatry.  He integrates his knowledge of psychiatry and primary care into evidence-based medication management strategies.  He also possesses a good working knowledge of alternative treatments and integrating alternative treatments into more traditional approaches.  When needed to enhance patient care outcomes, he frequently works collaboratively with psychotherapists, primary care providers, and/or medical specialists.  

Kenneth currently focuses on managing depressive disorders, anxiety disorders, adjustment disorders, ADHD, somatic disorders, OCD, and bipolar disorders.  Kenneth has significant experience in working with diverse groups, including urban and rural populations across socioeconomic spectrums, professionals and college students on all levels, members of the LGBTQ community, individuals confronting life stage transitions, and people living with chronic medical conditions.  

Kenneth’s psychotherapeutic methods are diverse and evolve to meet collaboratively developed treatment goals.  Kenneth’s interaction style is always empathic and respectful but can range from comforting and supportive to more directive and therapeutically confrontational strategies to maximize treatment goals, often with significant doses of humor throughout the therapeutic relationship.

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.

Dr. Dopkin is a board-certified adult and child psychiatrist dedicated to helping patients feel well and stay well. A Long Island native, he earned his bachelor’s degree from Cornell University before attending St. George’s University School of Medicine. He completed his adult and child psychiatry training at Brown University. For over two decades, Dr. Dopkin has served New York City communities across Queens, Manhattan, and the Bronx, primarily within the public hospital system. He has held clinical, academic, and administrative leadership roles and has been recognized for his excellence in teaching and mentoring psychiatry residents. He also serves as Assistant Dean of Students for the U.S. clinical program at St. George’s University

Dr. Dopkin provides patient-centered care grounded in a biopsychosocial approach. He collaborates with each patient to tailor treatment plans that integrate evidence-based medication options with interpersonal and supportive therapy. He has worked with patients of all ages and backgrounds, including individuals from marginalized communities and those coping with trauma, depression, anxiety, and comorbid medical conditions.

With warmth and respect, Dr. Dopkin meets each patient where they are, helping them find the path that works best for their unique needs and goals.