Ruchir Arvind, MD

Dr. Stephen Cox earned his medical degree and completed his residency at the University of Toledo Medical College. He is a board-certified psychiatrist with over 20 years of experience providing care in outpatient, inpatient, university health, nursing home, and correctional settings. He has developed treatment relationships with patients from diverse backgrounds, enriching his clinical knowledge and informing his decision-making. Outside of work, he enjoys spending time with his family, hiking, and listening to music.

Patients working with Dr. Cox can expect a relationship grounded in respect, empathy, and collaboration. He prioritizes listening carefully, creating a safe space to share thoughts and history without judgment.

Early sessions involve a thorough assessment of symptoms, life circumstances, medical history, and personal goals. Dr. Cox collaborates with patients to balance therapy, lifestyle adjustments, and medication. He regularly reviews progress and adjusts care based on feedback, ensuring patients feel understood as whole individuals. The treatment relationship is a partnership that promotes healing, growth, and well-being.

Surya Sabhapathy, MD, MPH is a board-certified adult psychiatrist based in Chicago, IL. They earned their medical and public health degrees from the University of Michigan, then completed residency training at the University of Illinois - Chicago. They served on the UIC faculty as an attending psychiatrist for several years before joining Talkiatry.

Dr. Sabhapathy is an experienced general psychiatrist specializing in LGBTQ+ and women's mental health. They previously directed UIC's psychiatric Gender and Sexuality Clinic, providing LGBTQ+ affirming care with an emphasis on support for gender-expansive patients. They have contributed to the National Curriculum on Reproductive Psychiatry, and continue to manage mental health issues during pregnancy and postpartum. Their other clinical interests include PTSD, ADHD, co-occurring medical conditions, and culturally sensitive care.

Dr. Sabhapathy values warmth, curiosity, and shared decision-making. Initial sessions focus on comprehensive psychiatric evaluation and understanding individual goals. From there, Dr. Sabhapathy works with patients to develop treatment plans that may combine medication management, supportive therapy, and positive lifestyle changes.

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. Taj Deen earned their medical degree from Dow Medical College in Karachi, Pakistan, and completed psychiatry residency training at Maimonides Medical Center in Brooklyn. They have over 20 years of experience at Jacobi Medical Center’s acute inpatient psychiatric unit, led an acute psychiatric unit for 10 years at Montrose VA Hospital in New York, and served for 25 years in the psychiatric emergency room at Westchester Medical Center.

Dr. Deen prioritizes building a genuine therapeutic alliance with all patients, fostering open communication and collaboration. They work closely with patients to set clear treatment goals and objectives while creating a warm, supportive environment in which patients feel heard, respected, and empowered.

Dr. Deen begins with a comprehensive interview to understand each patient’s history, concerns, and goals. From there, they develop individualized treatment plans tailored to the patient’s objectives, combining compassionate guidance with evidence-based psychiatric care to support meaningful progress.

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Dr. Parrish is a board-certified adult psychiatrist with extensive experience in community psychiatry, academic psychiatry, veterans' mental health, and correctional psychiatry. She completed medical school and adult psychiatry residency at University of Miami/Jackson Memorial Hospital and a Master of Public Health from University of Virginia. She graduated with honors from University of Southern California with a Bachelor of Arts in Communication.  

Dr. Parrish is a member of the prestigious Alpha Omega Alpha national medical honor society. She has also produced over 20 peer-reviewed papers and posters.  

Dr. Parrish has worked with geriatric patients, individuals who identify as LGBTQ+, patients with serious mental illness, women with perinatal and postpartum needs, individuals with cancer, patients with co-occurring substance use disorders, and combat veterans.  

Dr. Parrish takes a patient-centered collaborative approach to tailor treatment plans to meet each individual's goals. Her technique promotes overall wellness. Utilizing her expertise in diagnosis and pharmacology, she optimizes care, monitors progress and ensures treatment success. Dr. Parrish incorporates behavioral activation techniques to promote improved mental health and overall well-being, with the ultimate goal of helping patients feel their best.

Dr. Samuel Russell is a psychiatrist at Talkiatry. He is board certified in Addiction Psychiatry and Adult Psychiatry. His particular clinical focus is on the treatment of Obsessive Compulsive Disorder, and behavior addictions, as well as trauma, mood, and anxiety disorders. Dr. Russell's practice focuses on evidence-based treatments for psychiatric illness that utilizes a combination of medications and psychotherapy modalities best suited for an individual patient and their needs. He offers this in conjunction with supportive or emotionally focused therapy in 30-minute follow-up visits. Weekly hour-long psychotherapy may be available if indicated. However, occasionally, Dr. Russell may believe that different therapies are also needed and ask that you bring a therapist into your care team to provide the best outcome. He received his medical education at the University of Washington in Seattle after completing undergraduate studies in psychology and later a post-baccalaureate at Boston University. After residency at the University of Chicago where he specialized in addiction psychiatry and psychotherapy, he completed an Addiction Psychiatry Fellowship at the University of Washington in Seattle.