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Sameerah Akhtar, MD

Staff Psychiatrist
Languages
English
SPECIALTIES
ADHD
Anxiety
Bipolar Disorder
Depression
LGBTQIA+
PTSD/Trauma
Postpartum Depression
Medication Management

Education and training

  • Plymouth State University Master of Business Administration (MBA)
  • American University of Antigua Doctor of Medicine (MD)

Get to know

Sameerah Akhtar, MD

Dr. Akhtar is a board-certified psychiatrist specializing in compassionate and comprehensive mental health care. She focuses on medication management for a wide range of psychiatric conditions, providing supportive therapy to help individuals navigate life's challenges and enhance their overall well-being, while emphasizing lifestyle changes and the development of coping skills. Dr. Akhtar completed her medical degree at the American University of Antigua, gaining a profound understanding of the biological, psychological, and social aspects of mental health. Following her residency at Bergen, Newbridge Medical Center, where she was appointed Chief Resident in her fourth year, she worked for several years in both inpatient and outpatient hospital settings. Committed to holistic wellness, Dr. Akhtar believes in empowering individuals to make positive changes in their lives and offers guidance on nutrition, exercise, sleep hygiene, and stress management techniques. She is dedicated to fostering a therapeutic alliance built on trust, empathy, and collaboration. Her approach is rooted in evidence-based practices and tailored to meet the unique needs of each individual under her care.

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Nidhi Sharoha, DO

Staff Psychiatrist

Dr. Nidhi Sharoha is a double board certified psychiatrist in Psychiatry and Consultation Liaison Psychiatry. She completed her undergraduate training at Stony Brook University followed by medical school at New York Institute of Technology College of Osteopathic Medicine. She has completed both a Residency in Psychiatry and Fellowship in Consultation Liaison Psychiatry at Nassau University Medical Center.

Dr. Sharoha has held academic appointments at Stony Brook University Hospital, practicing as a consultant psychiatrist and Associate Director of Consultation Liaison Psychiatry Fellowship. “Dr. Sharoha has accrued experience and expertise in Perinatal Psychiatry through her training in CL psychiatry. Currently, Dr. Sharoha is serving as President Elect of Long Island District Branch  of APA. She  has formerly served as Associate Director of Clinical Education here at Talkiatry.” She has contributed to education, training and supervision of trainees and physicians throughout her career.   She continues to stay up to date with current psychiatric knowledge.

She has a genuine interest in treating a vast array of psychiatric disorders including depression, anxiety, bipolar disorders, post-traumatic stress disorders, and obsessive compulsive and related disorders. She also has experience in treating patients with medical comorbidities and has training in issues related to women's health. Patients looking for a psychiatric provider will find that Dr. Sharoha has a gentle approach to diagnosis and management of her patients. She believes in the principle that body and mind are interconnected, which allows her to provide comprehensive care to all of her patients.

Kristina Schnitzer, MD

Staff Psychiatrist

Background and credentials

Dr. Kristina Schnitzer is a board-certified psychiatrist. She earned her medical degree from the New York University School of Medicine and completed her residency in Adult Psychiatry at the Massachusetts General Hospital/McLean Adult Psychiatry Residency Program. She further specialized by completing a one-year clinical and research fellowship in Public and Community Psychiatry through Massachusetts General Hospital and the Massachusetts Department of Mental Health. In addition to her medical training, she holds a Master of Public Health (MPH) from the Harvard T.H. Chan School of Public Health. She has over three years of experience practicing psychiatry across inpatient, emergency, and outpatient settings.

Treatment approach

Dr. Schnitzer focuses on medication management as the foundation of her treatment approach, typically combining it with supportive or emotionally focused therapy during 30-minute follow-up visits. She takes a collaborative and individualized approach to patient care and, when needed, may recommend additional therapy by integrating a therapist into the care team to ensure the best possible outcomes. She has experience treating a broad range of psychiatric disorders in various clinical settings.

What you can expect in a first visit

Patients can expect a thorough and structured evaluation in their first visit, where Dr. Schnitzer carefully assesses their symptoms, medical history, and treatment goals. She emphasizes open communication and collaboration, ensuring that patients are fully involved in shaping their treatment plans. Follow-up visits typically last 30 minutes, during which she monitors progress, adjusts treatment as needed, and may recommend additional therapeutic support for comprehensive care.

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.

Kali Cyrus, MD

Staff Psychiatrist

Dr. Kali Cyrus holds an MD and has trained at institutions across the U.S., including Stanford, Emory, University of Illinois College of Medicine, and Yale, where they completed residency and a fellowship in adult and community psychiatry. Dr. Cyrus has worked in diverse clinical settings, including inpatient hospitals, outpatient practices, home visits, student mental health, and veterans’ hospitals, and has held faculty positions at Johns Hopkins and Yale. Featured on NPR, MSNBC, NowThis, Showtime, and HBO, Dr. Cyrus identifies as neurodivergent and brings curiosity and authenticity to their work.

Dr. Cyrus avoids a “one-size-fits-all” approach, integrating psychodynamic, psychoanalytic, DBT, CBT, trauma-informed, and common-sense strategies. They create a validating, judgment-free space while attending closely to the impact of intersectional identity on symptoms. Dr. Cyrus’s prescribing philosophy emphasizes that medications can help but aren’t a complete solution, respecting each patient’s body and choice.

In the first session, Dr. Cyrus addresses questions and ensures the therapeutic fit is right. The initial intake gathers a thorough understanding of a patient’s history, identity, and goals. From there, Dr. Cyrus develops a personalized treatment plan, which may include therapy, medication, or both, tailored to each patient’s background, struggles, and aspirations.

Michael Huang, PMHNP

Staff Psychiatrist

Michael Huang is a psychiatric mental health nurse practitioner who takes a holistic, collaborative, and non-judgmental approach to mental health care. He graduated from Boston College with his MSN after many years of working in inpatient psychiatry at McLean Hospital in Belmont, MA, and has over a decade of experience in mental health care. He has worked in various outpatient settings, first in Boston and more recently in Las Vegas, gaining extensive experience with individuals from diverse socio-economic and cultural backgrounds.

Michael strongly believes that each person’s struggle is unique, and the solutions and treatments should be individualized based on the person’s goals. Having experienced childhood trauma himself, he is particularly passionate about and experienced in treating C-PTSD, OCD, ADHD, and borderline personality disorder. His focus is on helping others find peace, whether momentary or lasting, in their chaotic and often overwhelming lives.

The first appointment with Michael includes a comprehensive psychiatric evaluation and a discussion about your goals for treatment. While pharmacological treatment may be part of the plan, Michael prefers to focus on the therapeutic aspect of care, as he believes therapy is an essential component of healing. With Michael, you can expect to collaboratively create a treatment plan that you feel comfortable with, rather than simply being told what to do.

Elmina Summerall, MD

Staff Psychiatrist

Dr. Lanier Summerall attended Yale University, where she studied philosophy in the Great Books Program. She later studied Molecular Biology at the University of Colorado, where she and her husband moved after getting married. She received her medical degree from the University of Colorado Health Sciences Program, and completed her residency at Dartmouth Medical School. She also trained at Massachusetts General Hospital with Dr. Theodore Stern in his area of expertise (Consult Psychiatry) and learned from his immense skill at building strong rapport with all patients.

Dr. Summerall has experience in inpatient, and outpatient settings, along with teaching and research. She has worked in hospital administration, government entities, most importantly the Senate Veterans’ Affairs Committee.

Dr. Summerall values transparent communication and will work with you to create the change. She treats patients as unique individuals and treatment is put into place with individualized plans in mind. Her approach to patients, which emphasizes holistic, patient centered, strength based treatment built on a foundation of strong doctor-patient alliance and evidence based medical knowledge.

Your appointment with Dr. Summerall will be a conversation. She is there to work towards goals together and is a good translator of "medical-ese". She enjoys working with patients on all aspects of their health and caters treatment plans to you.

Amy Lowry, MD

Staff Psychiatrist

Dr. Amy Lowry is a board-certified psychiatrist who earned her medical degree from the University of Texas Medical Branch in Galveston after completing her undergraduate studies at Texas Lutheran University. She was commissioned as an officer in the U.S. Navy and completed her psychiatry residency at Naval Medical Center Portsmouth. She has provided psychiatric care in outpatient settings across Louisiana and North Carolina, focusing on adult and young adult populations. Dr. Lowry brings extensive experience in comprehensive psychiatric evaluations, medication management, and psychotherapy, utilizing cognitive-behavioral (CBT), psychodynamic, supportive, and dialectical behavioral (DBT) therapy approaches. Her passion lies in holistic, compassionate, and evidence-based care for a wide range of conditions including depression, anxiety, PTSD, ADHD, and life transitions.

Dr. Lowry creates a warm, respectful environment where patients feel heard and valued. She encourages autonomy through mental health education and open dialogue, working to ensure patients are informed and engaged in their treatment. She prioritizes empathy and trust, believing a strong doctor-patient relationship is key to achieving lasting therapeutic outcomes.

Dr. Lowry begins with a comprehensive understanding of each patient's history, concerns, and goals. She develops individualized treatment plans and incorporates psychotherapy into each session to align with patient goals and enhance treatment response. Patient goals are revisited regularly to adapt plans as progress is made.

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Specialties
ADHD
Anxiety
Bipolar Disorder
Depression
LGBTQIA+
PTSD/Trauma
Postpartum Depression
Medication Management
States
New Jersey
Massachusetts
Languages
English
Takes insurance
Virtual visits
years experience