Sameerah Akhtar, MD

Dr. Carrie Schmitt, DO, graduated from Edward Via College of Osteopathic Medicine in Spartanburg, South Carolina in 2016. She completed her psychiatry residency at Henry Ford Allegiance Health in Jackson, Michigan in 2020 and a subspecialty in Forensic Psychiatry at the University of Maryland in 2021. Dr. Schmitt is dual board certified in Adult and Forensic Psychiatry and has practiced in inpatient, outpatient, community, academic, and forensic settings.

Dr. Schmitt values compassionate, well-rounded care and works collaboratively with patients to develop effective treatment plans. She emphasizes communication, active listening, and dignity, creating a supportive, nonjudgmental environment where patients feel understood and empowered.

Dr. Schmitt begins by understanding each patient’s history, concerns, and goals. She works together with patients to establish clear, practical treatment objectives and ensures each plan is tailored to their unique needs, fostering progress and long-term wellness.

Dr. Catherine Shim is a board-certified psychiatrist and completed her training at the University of Washington, where she received additional certifications in Psychotherapy and Community Psychiatry.  Prior to joining Talkiatry, she spent years serving the mental health needs of underserved communities as well as our Veteran population.  Dr. Cat is excited to bring that same dedication and selfless service to her Talkiatry patients!

Dr. Cat is experienced in managing a multitude of mental health conditions, but her specialty is providing behaviorally oriented trauma-informed care.  Her approach is to treat primarily through psychotherapy and behavioral change, with medication management serving as an important (and often essential) adjuvant to optimizing mental health.

Dr. Cat tends to have a very casual engagement style, so expect a frank but open conversation during your first meetings with her.  Following that initial screening, anticipate a candid discussion about her approach to your condition and an initial treatment plan.  Please feel free to bring up any questions or concerns at any time during this process, and note-taking is highly encouraged!

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Dr. Steven Wilkening is a board-certified adult psychiatrist.He completed his Bachelor of Arts degree at Cornell University followed by a neuroscience researchfocused Masters degree at the University of Mississippi. He then attended medical school at theUniversity of Mississippi School of Medicine, graduating with his MD degree as a Medical StudentResearch Scholar and member of the Alpha Omega Alpha Honor Medical Society. He completed adultpsychiatry residency training at the University of Cincinnati and has since been working primarily intelepsychiatry.He has experience treating a wide variety of psychiatric conditions and also recognizes that lifestylefactors such as sleep, physical activity and stress-reduction are foundations of good mental health.Alongside medication management, he provides brief supportive psychotherapy, psychoeducation, aswell as elements of cognitive behavioral and solution-focused therapies to assist patients in meetingtheir goals. He often encourages patients to see a therapist in addition to a psychiatrist.

Dr. Schwartz is a board-certified Staff Psychiatrist at Talkiatry. He completed his residency at Bergen New Bridge Medical Center in Paramus, New Jersey, where he excelled in his leadership and knowledge, becoming the Chief Resident in just his third year of residency at the busiest outpatient behavioral health clinic in New Jersey. Upon completion of his third year of residency, he went on to become Chief Academic Resident of his program, which allowed him to bestow his knowledge of psychiatry on younger psychiatrists in training. After completing his residency in General Psychiatry, he went on to complete a fellowship in the prestigious Mount Sinai Health System in New York City, based primarily out of the Beth Israel location. During this fellowship he studied Consultation-liaison psychiatry, also known as psychosomatic medicine. It is an exciting subspecialty of psychiatry that focuses on the care of patients with comorbid psychiatric and general medical conditions. Consultation-liaison psychiatry deals with the understanding and advancement of medical science, education, and the provision of healthcare for medically ill and complex patients. Using his training, Dr. Schwartz can focus on using his extensive medication knowledge to help treat an array of psychiatric disorders. Despite medication management, he also works on a holistic approach to psychiatry, including working with the patient to get the proper therapy services when clinically indicated. During the initial interview, a thorough assessment is done, including any medical and psychiatric history, medications you may be currently taking, and supplements before any medication is dispensed. Using his knowledge in psychiatry and consult-liaison psychiatry, Dr. Schwartz's interests include depression, anxiety, ADHD, obsessive compulsive and related disorders, transgender patients on hormone therapies and post-surgical transition. He also has an extensive interest in medical illnesses with a psychiatric component such as cancer patients, transplant, HIV, and many others alike. He looks forward to working with you to enhance your emotional well-being.

Background and credentials  

Dr. Alexandra Baluna, MD, is board-certified by the American Board of  Psychiatry and Neurology. She received her medical degree from  LSUHC-Shreveport and completed her psychiatry residency training at  Montefiore/Albert-Einstein College of Medicine, where she served as chief of  the Consultation-Liaison (C/L) service. Following residency, Dr. Baluna  served as Senior Chief, during which she was honored with the Leo M. Davidoff  Award for Outstanding Achievement in the Teaching of Medical Students. Her  professional experiences include roles at Fordham University, Albert Einstein  Student Mental Health Counseling Center, and most recently, as an outpatient  psychiatrist at Maimonides Medical Center, where she enjoyed teaching and  supervising residents.  

Treatment approach  

Dr. Baluna emphasizes creating a warm, empathic, and nonjudgmental  therapeutic environment. She collaborates closely with patients to develop  personalized treatment plans that consider cultural, biological,  psychological, and social factors. With a strong interest in psychotherapy,  she frequently employs ego-supportive and insight-oriented therapy techniques  during follow-up sessions.  

What you can expect in a first visit    

During an initial visit, patients can expect a welcoming and supportive  atmosphere where Dr. Baluna conducts a comprehensive assessment. This  involves exploring the patient's history, current challenges, and individual  circumstances. The goal of the first session is to collaboratively build an  individualized treatment plan tailored specifically to the patient's unique  needs.  

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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 speciualize in  medication management and collaborate with you on a treatment plan that fits  your needs and comfort level.

Dr. Michael Kim, DO, is an accomplished attending psychiatrist dedicated to providing comprehensive mental health care. He earned his medical degree from Liberty University College of Osteopathic Medicine and completed his residency at HCA's The Medical Center of Aurora North. With a diverse clinical background, Dr. Kim has honed his expertise across various settings including inpatient, outpatient, PHP/IOP, and specialized areas such as geriatrics, eating disorders, addiction, and child and adolescent psychiatry. Dr. Kim is proficient in innovative treatments like Electroconvulsive Therapy (ECT) and Transcranial Magnetic Stimulation (TMS). He is passionate about employing supportive and psychodynamic therapy approaches, tailoring treatment plans to meet each patient's unique needs. Embracing a holistic approach to psychiatry, Dr. Kim integrates medication management with a focus on nutrition, diet, and lifestyle factors to foster overall well-being. Dr. Kim is committed to delivering high-quality, personalized care to his patients. Outside of his professional commitments, he is an advocate for personal health and wellness. He enjoys enhancing his fitness and nutrition, engaging with enlightening podcasts, and exploring the great outdoors. Dr. Kim's holistic approach to psychiatry reflects his belief in treating the whole person, ensuring optimal mental and physical health for each individual he serves.