Rajesh Gaddam, MD

Dr. Cheryl Thomas' experience spans nearly two decades working with many who struggle to find their way through different life challenges. She will collaborate with you to identify and attain goals. Getting to know you is the first step and that is achieved through a variety of approaches that are grounded in family systems, cognitive behavioral therapy, and understanding any types of trauma that may have been experienced. Many have had trauma and what she has learned is that talking about the details of the trauma is not always helpful. It may be a component of healing, but there may be other ways to make progress. Dr. Thomas utilizes a combination of approaches to be helpful in working with clients. Some may include person-centered, solution focused, motivational interviewing, cognitive behavioral therapy, and EMDR (Eye Movement Desensitization Reprocessing. She has experience in different treatment settings in Ohio and enjoys working with those who have mental health and substance use disorders. Dr. Thomas works with ages 18 and up that include mental health issues like depression, anxiety, grief, stress management, trauma, communication, and relationship issues. She enjoys seeing a client shift perspectives and report feeling more at peace as they reach their goals. Dr. Thomas completed her doctorate degree in Counselor Education & Supervision in Counseling and Marriage and Family Therapy in 2012.

Dr. Melody Santos is dual-trained in Internal Medicine and Psychiatry, with experience in both outpatient and inpatient settings. She served as Chief Resident and Deputy Chief Resident in East Carolina University’s combined residency program, where she led academic and clinical initiatives. Dr. Santos has published research on topics including adult ADHD and metabolic psychiatry, with presentations at national conferences. She earned her MD from the American University of the Caribbean and a BS in Biology with a minor in Jazz Piano from the University of Tampa. A native Spanish speaker, she is active in community service and church-based outreach.

Dr. Santos values open and clear communication, creating a safe, non-judgmental space where patients feel heard and respected. She blends traditional and innovative approaches, including metabolic psychiatry and dietary strategies, to support wellness. Her care is culturally sensitive and patient-centered, always tailored to each individual’s needs and values. Through empathy and education, she empowers patients and fosters resilience.

Dr. Santos begins with a thorough assessment of each patient’s medical, psychiatric, and lifestyle history. She collaborates with patients to build personalized, evidence-based treatment plans that reflect their goals and preferences. Her holistic care model considers social, cultural, and environmental influences, and she ensures consistent follow-up to adjust care as needed, promoting informed, long-term wellness.

Matthew Green is a Licensed Mental Health Counselor in the state of New York with over seven years of experience in outpatient settings, both in person and virtual. He earned his master’s degree from St. Bonaventure University and began his career at Olean Counseling Center, where he also completed his internship. Licensed since 2022, Matthew brings compassion and clinical expertise to each session.

Matthew strives to create a warm, supportive, and open space where clients feel safe, heard, and respected. He believes trust is essential to meaningful therapeutic work and values open communication to set clear, collaborative goals. His approach is grounded in mutual respect and genuine connection.

In the first session, Matthew gathers a thorough history to understand the full scope of a client’s experiences and goals. He then creates an individualized treatment plan and focuses initially on coping strategies to support day-to-day functioning. As therapy progresses, the work shifts toward deeper issues and goal achievement.

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Michelle Shya, Licensed Clinical Social Worker (LCSW) at Talkiatry, has provided care in the field for almost a decade. Working with individuals and families, she has connected and fostered ties with a broad spectrum of clients, including adolescent, adult, and geriatric services. Michelle's practice style centers on providing a safe and understanding space for clients to share, learn, identify, and address their unique therapeutic needs. Using cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT), Michelle focuses on the relationships between thoughts, emotions, and behaviors to assist the client in discovering their personal strengths and motivation to realize their individual life goals. Michelle completed her undergraduate Social Work education at Millersville University. Later at Marywood University, she earned her Master's in Social Work, with a specialization in Child and Family Practice. Michelle has had a wide variety of experiences working as a Social Worker in therapeutic and social service settings. She has provided case management and therapeutic care in domestic violence shelters, treatment foster care, community organizations, and hospice in-home support. In Michelle's experience in providing therapy, she has maintained a generalist practice, working with a variety of individuals facing personal barriers and challenges. By taking a step-by-step therapeutic approach, the client is able to better understand and process their thoughts as well as feelings to drive actionable change.

Kara Burdelski is a Licensed Professional Counselor who has been working as an experienced psychotherapist for over the last twelve years. She has worked with a variety of demographics in various settings such as health care settings, community mental health, and even mobile therapy. Kara attended undergraduate school in Springfield, MO and obtained her graduate degree, a Master's of Science in Counseling Psychology, from Chatham University in Pittsburgh, PA. Over the last six years, she has worked predominately with adults with serious and persistent mental illness (SPMI) in a health care setting with patients who have been diagnosed with HIV/AIDS as well as other varieties of chronic conditions. Kara has experience in working with individuals who have disorders like depression, anxiety, psychosis, PTSD, bipolar, trauma, chronic medical issues, grief, and substance abuse disorders. She allows her clients to direct the type of treatment they need since every human is an expert of their own experience. The style of treatment Kara uses is tailored to meet the needs of each individual client with compassion and respect. She values the entire person. Kara utilizes unconditional positive regard with each individual she works with. Kara specializes in working with minorities, and the LGBTQAI+ community, and has considerable experience serving individuals who face chronic pain and disabling health conditions. She also practices in a harm reduction approach. Kara engages in a respectful position towards people using substances including alcohol and can assist with strategies for reduction including abstinence-based recovery. She believes in an all-inclusive approach that utilizes mindfulness, cognitive behavioral therapy, solution focused, behavioral activation techniques, and acceptance and commitment therapy. Kara is committed to providing you with a space to grow, learn self-acceptance, and focus on your commitment to yourself.

Dr. Jessica Grimes is a board-eligible child and adolescent and adult psychiatrist. She is originally from Sylva, NC. She earned a bachelor's degree in religion and minored in biology at The University of the South in Sewanee, TN. She graduated cum laude and was inducted into the order of the gownsmen, an honor society. She earned her doctorate from the West Virginia School of Osteopathic Medicine in Lewisburg, WV. Dr. Grimes completed a traditional rotating internship through WVSOM at Our Lady of Bellefonte Hospital in Ashland, KY and completed residency training in psychiatry at Lake Erie College of Osteopathic Medicine in Erie, Pennsylvania. While in residency, she earned a master's degree in medical education from LECOM. She completed a fellowship in child and adolescent psychiatry at the University of South Carolina School of Medicine, Greenville. During her second year of fellowship at USC-Greenville, she received the "Child & Adolescent Psychiatry Fellow of the Year� award.