Robynn Cavaliere, PMHNP

Dr. Mayra Valdivia Carlisle is a bilingual Spanish and English-speaking board-certified Adult Psychiatrist and Child & Adolescent Psychiatrist. She earned her master's degree in public health and her medical degree from Oklahoma State University Center for Health Sciences. She went on to complete her residency training in Adult Psychiatry at the University of Texas Health Science Center in San Antonio and subsequently completed her fellowship in Child and Adolescent Psychiatry. She was awarded the Excellence in Public Health Award by the U.S. Public Health Service and Surgeon General for her work addressing health disparities in healthcare. Dr. Carlisle has extensive experience in outpatient and community mental health settings.

Dr. Carlisle provides patient-centered and compassionate psychiatric care combining medication management, psychotherapeutic methods, and lifestyle modifications to create a unique treatment plan. She recognizes that each person benefits from a personalized and holistic approach to healing. Dr. Carlisle specializes in treating diverse psychiatric conditions including ADHD, anxiety disorders, depression, and post-traumatic stress disorder in children, adolescents, and adults.

During an initial visit one can expect a comprehensive evaluation aimed at understanding individual mental health history, specific concerns, and overall treatment goals. Dr. Carlisle practices a holistic approach to treating mental disorders. This is done through an individualized plan for each patient with careful consideration to medication management, therapy techniques, and lifestyle modifications. Patients can expect an empathetic and collaborative environment focused on their personal experiences and goals.

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Background and credentials

Dr. Schaefer is a board-certified adult psychiatrist with over 16 years of experience. She earned her medical degree from the University of Nebraska Medical Center in Omaha, NE, and completed her adult psychiatry residency at Oregon Health and Science University in Portland, OR. She then specialized further by completing a forensic psychiatry fellowship at Yale University. She has worked as a staff psychiatrist at Atrium Health System for over 16 years.

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Treatment approach

Dr. Schaefer’s practice primarily focuses on medication management, which she offers in conjunction with supportive therapy and elements of cognitive-behavioral therapy (CBT). She takes a patient-centered and collaborative approach, ensuring that treatment is tailored to each individual’s needs. If additional therapy is required, she may recommend working with a therapist as part of a comprehensive care plan. Her primary focus areas include depression, anxiety disorders, and obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD).

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What you can expect in a first visit

During the first visit, patients can expect a thorough psychiatric evaluation, where Dr. Schaefer carefully assesses their symptoms, treatment history, and mental health goals. She works collaboratively with patients to develop a personalized treatment plan, which may include medication management and therapy recommendations. Follow-up visits are typically 30 minutes and focus on monitoring progress, adjusting treatment as needed, and ensuring the best possible patient outcomes.

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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. Stephen Hawk is a board-certified psychiatrist with 25 years of experience. He earned his Doctor of Osteopathic Medicine from Kansas City University of Medicine and Biosciences and completed his psychiatry residency at the University of South Florida, Tampa. He has served in private practice and held leadership roles at the Veterans Administration, including Chief of Mental Health at Bay Pines VA. He led the launch of the VA Suicide Prevention 2.0 Telehealth Program and has training in AI in medicine.

Dr. Hawk combines talking therapies, neuromodulation, and modern psychopharmacology in a collaborative and empathic style. He focuses on family dynamics and integrates psychodynamic and biopsychosocial approaches, using creativity and open dialogue to tailor care.

He begins with open-ended conversations to help patients tell their story, then develops treatment plans together aligned with diagnostic standards. His approach includes medication review, mindfulness, CBT, supportive and psychodynamic therapy, and lifestyle education to support holistic wellness.

Dr. Tahira Akbar specializes in adult psychiatry, she completed her four years of residency training at Bergen New Bridge Medical Center in Paramus NJ and additional two years of geriatric psychiatry fellowship from SUNY Downstate Medical Center in Brooklyn, NY. During her final year of the of residency training, she was appointed as the chief of research. She utilized her extensive research experience to guide and mentor her fellow residents. Under her supervision the program submitted maximum number of research papers and presented medical posters to various psychiatric platforms including American Psychiatric Association.

Dr. Akbar was introduced to tele-psychiatry during the second year of her fellowship due to the COVID-19 pandemic. She appreciated that tele-psychiatry allowed her to continue to serve her patients in the comfort of their own homes. During the challenging times of social distancing, she recognized the importance of collaborative care involving family members, social workers, medical team, and therapist to work together in the best interest of her patients while protecting their privacy and individuality.

Dr. Akbar has excellent communication skills, she believes that an open communication is essential for any relationship to prosper especially that of doctor-patient relationship. She provides a comforting environment for her patients to be able to express their needs and encourages feedback while preparing their individual treatment plan. She is experienced in providing psychiatric care to all age groups while her clinical interest focuses on taking care of adults and geriatric population. Dr. Akbar emphases on medication management utilizing a multidisciplinary methodology when treating each patient based on their requirements and tailoring treatment appropriately.

Michael Robbins is a psychiatric nurse practitioner with over 17 years of experience specializing in psychiatric medication management. He earned his MSN from the University of Tennessee in 2006. His career spans various settings, including acute inpatient care, private practice, community mental health, and substance abuse treatment. Michael treats conditions such as depression, anxiety, PTSD, OCD, bipolar disorder, and ADHD. He has worked both remotely and in-person, adapting to the evolving healthcare landscape. Michael is known for his expertise in psychopharmacology, tailoring treatment plans to each patient’s needs while minimizing side effects. His compassionate and patient-centered approach has made him a trusted provider in the mental health community.

Dr. Troy Grantham is a board-certified staff psychiatrist who treats adult patients. A former engineer, Dr. Grantham has developed a passion for guiding patients along the road to recovery. He completed his undergraduate studies at The University of Texas at Austin and later completed medical school and residency in General Psychiatry at The University of Texas Medical Branch at Galveston. Dr. Grantham's practice focuses on medication management. He utilizes a systematic approach to ensure diagnoses are accurate and treatment plans are optimized to each individual patient. His approach is also holistic in nature, often incorporating therapy and lifestyle modification into the treatment plan. Dr. Grantham employs multiple therapeutic approaches in his practice depending on the needs of the patient including supportive therapy, Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT), and Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT). He places great emphasis on psychoeducation so that patients are aware of the nature and prognosis of their conditions as well as the treatment options available. When multiple treatment options are reasonable, Dr. Grantham takes patient preference into account, offering flexibility to the patient experience. He treats a variety of psychiatric disorders with a particular focus on mood disorders, anxiety disorders, obsessive-compulsive disorders, and trauma-related disorders.

Please note: Dr. Grantham does not prescribe long-term, daily benzodiazepine medications, however he is happy to help you taper off of these medications and transition to a safer, long-term medication regimen.