Rita Shaughnessy, MD

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Dr. Tony Tu is a board certified adult psychiatrist who emphasizes patient education and a psychodynamic approach to outpatient psychiatry. His passion for empowering patients with knowledge stems from his academic experience in psychiatry residency training. Dr. Tu's practice focuses on blending medication management together with psychotherapy. He also prioritizes collaboration with your therapist and encourages working together as a team. Dr. Tu is a graduate of the University of Chicago Pritzker School of Medicine where he completed an MD and PhD combined program which helped develop his "doctors as teachers” style of practice. Dr. Tu completed his psychiatry residency training at Loyola University Medical Center in Illinois. Dr. Tu served as an Associate Program Director of Loyola's Psychiatry residency training program for two years, and now maintains an Affiliate Assistant Professor of Psychiatry role with Loyola. He continues to contribute to residency training, as well as mentorship of medical students and psychology externs. Over the years, Dr. Tu has received several awards that demonstrate his affinity for teaching, including the Educator of the Year Award in 2022 from the Loyola Psychiatry Residency Program. Areas of specialization include psychopharmacology, patient-centered medicine, and combination treatment of psychiatry and psychotherapy. Dr. Tu understands that medications are not the end-all-be-all of treatment, but just the beginning. For trauma and acute stress, he understands that the journey starts at the tip of the iceberg, with much to explore as you feel more ready.

Mu Xu, MD

Staff Psychiatrist

Mu Xu, MD is a Psychiatrist at Talkiatry. He obtained his medical doctorate degree from the University of Chicago Pritzker School of Medicine and PhD from New York University. He completed his psychiatry residency at New York University. Dr Xu is licensed to practice in California, New York, New Jersey, Connecticut, Pennsylvania, and Maryland. Dr. Xu provides both medication management for a variety of psychiatric conditions. Dr. Xu is fluent in English and Mandarin. Dr. Xu is a general adult psychiatrist specializing in medication management. He values building strong connections with patients from all walks of life and tailoring treatments to their unique needs. His working style is characterized by attentive listening, detailed follow-up questions, and straightforward communication, fostering a collaborative and empathetic environment.

Absar Tahir, MD

Staff Psychiatrist

Dr. Absar Tahir is an adult psychiatrist double-boarded in psychiatry and internal medicine who specializes in evidence-based, holistic, and individualized care. He graduated from the University of Alabama at Birmingham, where he earned both his undergraduate and medical degrees. Dr. Tahir completed sequential residency training in both internal medicine at the Mayo Clinic in Rochester, Minnesota, followed by psychiatry at Emory University in Atlanta, Georgia. Dr. Tahir integrates his knowledge of psychiatry and internal medicine to address the complex interplay between mental and physical health, ensuring a comprehensive and thoughtful approach to diagnosis and treatment. Throughout his career, he has helped patients from all walks of life, from diverse backgrounds, with a compassionate and empathetic treatment style. He strives to ensure his patients feel their voice is heard while working collaboratively towards achieving their treatment goals. As a psychiatrist, he specializes in the treatment of depression, anxiety disorders, bipolar disorder, obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD), post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD), and attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder (ADHD). He is also highly experienced in treating psychiatric problems in patients with medical comorbidities.

Leslie Chavez, MD

Staff Psychiatrist

Dr. Leslie Chavez is a board-certified adult psychiatrist with a diverse background in clinical and academic medicine. She completed her medical school and residency at the University of New Mexico, where she later served as a psychiatrist and assistant professor, treating high-need patients and teaching residents and medical students. During the pandemic, she transitioned to telehealth and has been dedicated to this field for the past four years. Dr. Chavez is known for making her patients feel seen and heard, using both medication management and supportive psychotherapy. Dr. Chavez began her academic journey as a physics major at UNM and then studied biophysics at the University of San Diego, California. During her postdoctoral fellowship at Los Alamos National Laboratories, she was inspired by presentations about professionals working with patients in African countries, which sparked her interest in medicine. During this time, her father died of cancer, and she saw the impact of mental health therapy on his quality of life, further solidifying her motivation to attend medical school. Witnessing the profound impact of mental health on her patients and family, she specialized in psychiatry. Dr. Chavez is a seasoned psychopharmacologist and emphasizes the importance of nutrition, exercise, and community in mental health. She enjoys all aspects of medicine and combines her extensive knowledge with a patient-centered approach.

Richard Rise, MD

Staff Psychiatrist

Dr. Richard Rise has created a successful career as a psychiatrist over the past 30 years. He has participated in a variety of treatment settings and has developed a wealth of experience at both prescribing medications, providing therapy, counseling, and even coaching. He takes an individual approach to treating others, recognizing individuals as unique and worthy of love, respect, and acceptance. He is compassionate, non-judgmental, and truly enjoys helping others. He tends to gravitate towards a combination of medication management (if indicated) and psychotherapy where he treats all facets of the individual. Dr. Rise believes that we are all unique and should be treated as such. He spent most of his career in private practice until deciding to retire in 2014. After this he spent the next 3 1/2 years, reading, studying, traveling, and spending time with his loved ones. In 2018 he was offered a position as a consultant overseeing Ketamine infusion therapy for treating treatment-resistant depression. When the pandemic hit in March of 2020, Dr. Rise was asked to assist a local psychiatric hospital deal with the unique and often deadly consequences of the virus. This proved to be a wonderful opportunity for personal growth and to improve the quality of life of many others. After working at the hospital for the 2 years, Dr. Rise joined Talkiatry to continue providing high-quality psychiatric care to others in a very loving, supportive, creative, and collaborative environment.

Lynnea Carder, MD

Staff Psychiatrist

Dr. Carder has been practicing for over 20 years in general adult psychiatry. She is board certified by the American Board of Psychiatry and Neurology and has a certification in Elder Law. She has advanced training in psychopharmacology, which she earned with distinction. Dr. Carder's practice focuses on medication management. Typically, she offers this in conjunction with supportive therapy in 30-minute follow-up visits. However, occasionally Dr. Carder may believe that additional therapy is also needed and ask that you bring a therapist into your care team to provide the best outcome. She received her medical degree from the University of Toledo, College of Medicine and Life Sciences, where she was given the outstanding medical student award by the Department of Head and Neck Surgery. She completed her internship with the Department of Family Medicine and completed her residency with the Department of Psychiatry both at the University of Toledo, College of Medicine and Life Sciences. Throughout her career, she has been the Medical Director of two Community Mental Health Centers and is also the Corporate Medical Director for a company providing neuropsychiatric and general psychiatric care to patients residing in nursing facilities. She received her certification in Elder Law through the Mitchell Hamline School of Law. She has also been a preceptor for numerous universities and has trained advanced practice providers in psychiatry. In addition to general adult and geriatric psychiatry, Dr. Carder's areas of interest include complex psychiatric and medical conditions, neuropsychiatric issues, and treatment-resistant cases. She enjoys using her medical expertise to solve difficult cases. She has an interest in exploring combined traditional psychiatric practice with complementary and holistic approaches to treatment and believes in keeping her patients healthy rather than only addressing illness.

Jonathan Hertz, MD

Staff Psychiatrist

Dr. Jonathan Hertz is board-certified in adult psychiatry. He completed fellowships in child and adolescent and public psychiatry and has been practicing psychiatry for over 18 years. Dr. Hertz's practice focuses on medication management which is offered with supportive and/or dynamic psychotherapy within 30-minute follow-up sessions. If patients have individual psychotherapists, Dr. Hertz will work collaboratively with these providers within a treatment-team approach to patient care delivery. Dr. Hertz received his medical degree from Tufts University School of Medicine in Boston. He remained in Boston to complete a residency in adult psychiatry at Cambridge Health Alliance and a fellowship in child and adolescent psychiatry at Children's Hospital Boston. Dr. Hertz subsequently returned to his hometown of NYC and completed a fellowship in public psychiatry. Dr. Hertz has clinical and administrative experience in the field of psychiatry. These positions include ACT Team community psychiatrist, director of adult outpatient clinic, and medical directorship in behavioral health within community hospitals. With training in child/adolescent, adult, and public psychiatry, Dr. Hertz has a developmental approach to mental health care. That is, he collaboratively explores the bio-psychosocial factors that may have influenced the development of mental disorders. Dr. Hertz believes an ecological approach enables a broader view of the multip

Mary O'Malley, MD

Staff Psychiatrist

Dr. Mary O'Malley is board certified in Adult Psychiatry and Sleep Medicine. She received her medical degree from Weill Cornell Medical School and PhD in Neurobiology from The Rockefeller University. She completed her Psychiatry residency and Sleep Medicine Fellowship training at the New York University Medical Center. In her psychiatric practice, Dr. O'Malley uses an integrative approach to health, combining evidence-based concepts in neurobiology with psychological, social and spiritual/existential worldviews to understand and treat every patient. Her primary practice is medication management. She also integrates elements of psychotherapy into her work, typically within 30-minute follow-up visits. In addition to medication and psychotherapy, she incorporates wellness tools into visits, such as mindfulness exercises and sleep management strategies. If she believes that additional psychotherapy is needed, she will recommend that you add a therapist to your care team. Dr. O'Malley has extensive experience working with people from many stages of life, with diverse world views and cultural backgrounds. She has always had an inclusive practice and welcomes people who identify as LBGTQIA+. As part of her own life path she became an Interfaith Minister and enjoys including spirituality and the supportive role it can play in healing for her patients. Her primary focus is working with adults with mood and anxiety disorders, trauma symptoms, ADHD, and problems with sleep. She enjoys working with people facing life transitions, especially older adults and women who are struggling with mental health challenges related to pregnancy and post-partum health. Prior to joining Talkiatry, Dr. O'Malley was working at Hartford Healthcare with adults in intensive outpatient programs and at Hackensack Meridian Health outpatient clinics. She was the medical director of the Consultation Liaison Service at Berkshire Medical Center in Pittsfield, Massachusetts, and an assistant professor at UMass Medical School. She has published and presented widely on topics related to Wellness in Psychiatry, Ethics and Sleep Medicine. She is an advocate for finding your voice in medical decision-making and enjoys using sound healing for relaxation and stress management.

Suzann Gordon, PMHNP

Staff Nurse Practitioner

Dr. Suzann Gordon is a board certified psychiatric mental health nurse practitioner who graduated with her Doctor in Nursing Practice from the University of Nevada Reno. Her years of experience in the mental health field began when she became a behavioral health counselor working with adolescents, then as a psychiatric nurse working with patients across the life span. She's worked in various healthcare settings including pediatric and adolescent residential treatment, acute inpatient care and outpatient as a nurse case manager on the Assertive Community Treatment (ACT) Team for the state hospital.

Since Dr. Gordon has become a psychiatric mental health nurse practitioner, she has worked in community health clinics providing both psychiatric medication management and medication-assisted treatment to patients. She has treated patients with various diagnoses including anxiety, depression, post-traumatic stress disorders, obsessive compulsive disorders, bipolar disorders, schizoaffective disorders, schizophrenias, alcohol abuse disorder and substance use disorders.

As a nurse practitioner, she believes in focusing on patient-centered care, providing a holistic approach to patient management and having a collaborative approach to mental health treatment. She uses supportive psychotherapy and at times cognitive behavioral therapy to help her patients change their thoughts and behaviors in managing their stressors.

Lisa Citarella, LPC

Staff Licensed Professional Counselor

Lisa is a Licensed Professional Counselor in the states of PA, NJ, and CT. She has worked in the mental health field for 18 years in a variety of settings including homes, communities, schools, and offices. During that time, she has worked as a case manager, family therapist, and outpatient therapist. Lisa's clients have included people from diverse cultural and economic backgrounds. She particularly enjoys working with families, adolescents and young adults, and with the neurodivergent and LGBTQIA+ populations.

Lisa's primary treatment philosophy is that people are doing the best they can with what they know. With supportive listening, care, and education, people can grow and reach their goals. She draws on her knowledge of Cognitive Behavioral Therapy, Dialectical Behavioral Therapy, Internal Family Systems, and mindfulness to deliver personalized care for each client. Lisa is also experienced in working with trauma, and is certified in Trauma-Focused Cognitive-Behavioral Therapy.

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Kara Burdelski, LPC

Staff Therapist

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.

Carly Moskowitz, MD

Staff Psychiatrist

Dr. Moskowitz (she/her) is a licensed adult psychiatrist. She earned her medical degree from Albert Einstein College of Medicine and completed her psychiatry residency at the University of Arizona. She has extensive experience treating a wide range of mental health conditions, including depression, anxiety, ADHD, bipolar disorder, PTSD, OCD, and psychotic disorders. Dr. Moskowitz is especially passionate about working with transgender and other LGBTQ+ patients, offering inclusive, identity-affirming care tailored to each individual’s experience and needs.

Dr. Moskowitz takes a warm, collaborative approach grounded in empathy and trust. She believes in meeting patients where they are and working together to build a therapeutic relationship that supports healing, self-understanding, and personal growth. Patients can expect a nonjudgmental, respectful environment where their goals and concerns are genuinely heard and addressed.

Dr. Moskowitz integrates elements of psychodynamic, supportive, and cognitive-behavioral therapy into her work and offers medication management when appropriate. She emphasizes a personalized treatment plan for each patient, designed to align with their unique values, history, and goals. Her process includes thorough assessment, open dialogue, and flexible adjustments as needs evolve over time.

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Rita Shaughnessy, MD

Education and training

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