Robert Whelpley, MD

Dr. Rania Elkhatib is a board-certified general psychiatrist with extensive experience in clinical care, teaching, and research. She earned her medical degree from the University of Texas Medical Branch in Galveston and completed her psychiatry residency at UTHealth Science Center in Houston, where she later served as an Assistant Clinical Professor. During that appointment, Dr. Elkhatib was heavily involved in medical education and has developed courses in cultural psychiatry and psychiatry boot camps for medical students.

Dr. Elkhatib specializes in treating a wide range of psychiatric conditions, including Major Depressive Disorder, Anxiety Disorders, Bipolar Disorder, OCD, ADHD, and PTSD. Dr. Elkhatib focuses on evidence-based medication management but will also incorporate supportive therapy and cognitive-behavioral techniques to optimize treatment management and patient’s wellness. She is fluent in Arabic and English and has a strong interest in working with diverse patient populations.

Dr. Elkhatib has a holistic approach with focus on medication management while incorporating supportive therapy and cognitive-behavioral techniques to optimize patient wellness.

Dr. Vargas is an adult psychiatrist who received her medical degree from the University of Texas Health Science Center of San Antonio. She subsequently completed her psychiatry residency training at UT Health San Antonio.

Dr. Vargas has a patient-centered and thorough approach to treatment. She has experience treating a broad spectrum of mental health disorders, with particular interest in depression, anxiety, and post-traumatic stress disorder. She has also worked in clinic with severely mentally ill patients at the South Texas VA in San Antonio.

Dr. Vargas's primary focus is medication management with an emphasis on shared decision-making; however, she frequently also utilizes supportive therapy, cognitive behavioral therapy, and psychodynamic therapy principles in her approach. She may refer patients to a therapist if further support would be beneficial.

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Michelle Scott is a dual board-certified Psychiatric, Family, and Emergency Nurse Practitioner with 16 years of experience. She has an extensive background in psychiatry across the lifespan, emergency medicine, and internal medicine. Her psychiatric expertise includes a strong focus on adult outpatient and inpatient care. Michelle has also served as an acute care hospitalist and held leadership roles, including Assistant Medical Director, in multiple acute psychiatric facilities.

She brings additional experience in addiction treatment and is skilled in cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT), motivational interviewing, and problem-focused therapy. Michelle provides holistic care that addresses a wide range of needs, including mood and anxiety disorders, autism, genetic disabilities, and adult addiction issues.

With over a decade and a half of experience treating individuals of all ages for both acute and chronic medical and psychiatric conditions, Michelle understands the profound impact the right provider can have on a patient’s life. Her goal is to achieve positive, sustainable outcomes through a comprehensive approach that integrates multiple treatment modalities and addresses the whole person.

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Dr. Robben proudly served in the U.S. Air Force and has been practicing psychiatry for 17 years. He is happy to have completed his medical school education, as well as his residency in general psychiatry and fellowship in addiction psychiatry, all at the University of South Florida in Tampa. Dr. Robben is board certified in both general psychiatry and addiction psychiatry. He has experience in many roles over the span of his career to include working with Veterans diagnosed with posttraumatic stress disorder and substance use disorders, managing specialty clinics for patients with treatment-resistant depression, and working in general outpatient psychiatry clinics, as well as emergency and inpatient psychiatric settings. Dr. Robben also previously served as the Training Director for the University of South Florida Morsani College

of Medicine Addiction Psychiatry Fellowship Program. He is currently the Medical Director at a residential substance use disorder treatment center in Florida. Additionally, Dr. Robben is a certified Medical Review Officer and has additional qualifications in transcranial magnetic stimulation (TMS) and Spravato.

(esketamine). Dr. Robben has been voted as Addiction Medicine "Top Doctor" in Tampa Bay, FL by physicians for 8 of the last 9 years. Dr. Robben specializes in treating depression, bipolar disorder, anxiety, PTSD, OCD, ADHD and substance use disorders.

Dr. Robben uses a supportive, patient-centered approach, taking into account each individual's personal values and goals when formulating a treatment plan. He educates patients on the most up to date scientific evidence and provides multiple treatment options to help each person determine the most appropriate plan for them.  

Dr. Robben believes in a collaborative and holistic approach to working with his patients. Dr. Robben spends a significant amount of time educating his patients on all forms of mental health treatment, from medications and psychotherapy, to nutrition, exercise, meditation and sleep hygiene. What works well for

One person may not work well for another person. Having options and understanding the potential benefits and risks of each treatment empowers patients to take an active role in their own healthcare.

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Dr. Pallavi Tatapudy, MD, earned her medical degree from the Renaissance School of Medicine at Stony Brook University, where she was inducted into the Gold Humanism Honor Society. She completed Stony Brook’s combined residency in Adult Psychiatry and fellowship in Child and Adolescent Psychiatry, along with the Leadership Education in Neurodevelopmental Disabilities Fellowship. Board certified in adult psychiatry and board eligible in child and adolescent psychiatry, she has worked across inpatient, emergency, outpatient, and school settings. Her training includes expertise in Cognitive Behavioral Therapy, Psychodynamic Psychotherapy, and Motivational Interviewing, and she incorporates principles from Supportive Psychotherapy, Dialectical Behavior Therapy, and Family Systems Therapy.

Dr. Tatapudy’s warm, approachable style values each patient’s lived experience. She practices attunement to align with her patients and prioritizes cura personalis—care for the whole person. She is skilled in medication management for a wide age range and integrates therapeutic skill-building. Outside of work, she enjoys nature, visiting national parks, water activities, Indian Bhangra dance, music, and reflecting on meaningful quotes.

Dr. Tatapudy sets a collaborative agenda, listens attentively, and thoroughly reviews patient history. She includes perspectives from support systems when appropriate, offers psychoeducation with creative examples, and encourages open questions and feedback. She shares credible resources, supports learning together, and helps patients define realistic goals and measurable benchmarks for progress.

Background and credentials

Dr. Ian Goldberg is a board-certified adult and child/adolescent psychiatrist and a licensed physician in New York state. He has been practicing since 1988 and has extensive experience working with patients in private practice, hospital settings, and community-based mental health programs. His professional career has included work both in and outside of the United States.

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Treatment approach

Dr. Goldberg takes an eclectic approach to psychiatric care, integrating various treatment modalities, including psychodynamic perspectives and medication management. His focus is on improving his patients' overall quality of life by tailoring treatment strategies to their unique needs.

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What you can expect in a first visit

During the initial visit, patients can expect a comprehensive and individualized evaluation. Dr. Goldberg values collaboration and strives to create a treatment plan that is both effective and adaptable. His experience allows him to approach each case with insight and flexibility, ensuring that patients receive care that is aligned with their personal goals and circumstances.

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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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