Sameerah Akhtar, MD

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Dr. Rajesh Gaddam is a Board Certified Psychiatrist who provides compassionate and empathic care. Prior to his formal training, he worked in clinical psychiatric research at Northwell, gaining experience in evidence-based medicine. He completed his adult psychiatry residency at Bergen New Bridge Medical Center, followed by Child & Adolescent Psychiatry Fellowship at The University of Chicago, where he served as Chief Fellow. Dr. Gaddam treats children, adolescents, and adults for a range of conditions including anxiety, depression, bipolar disorder, trauma, OCD, ADHD, and substance use disorders. Dr. Gaddam emphasizes a collaborative and comprehensive approach to understand a person's life, their circumstances, and what has contributed to their symptoms. He recommends including a family member or close friend in at least one session to get a sense of challenges from a different perspective. Besides using elements of supportive and psychodynamic psychotherapy, Dr. Gaddam will refer and work with your psychotherapist to foster self-reflection and growth. He also greatly values a holistic approach to treatment, emphasizing the importance of nutrition, physical activity, sleep hygiene, mindfulness, and a support system to well-being. He wishes to provide a safe space to promote healing and wellness, so individuals can prosper in their lives.

Clara Kim, MD

Staff Psychiatrist

Dr. Clara Kim is a board-certified psychiatrist trained in Adult Psychiatry. She received her medical degree from Yale University and completed her residency training at Cambridge Health Alliance - Harvard Medical School, where she served as Chief Resident of Quality Improvement. Dr. Kim treats each patient with a holistic, evidence-based approach that incorporates psychopharmacological and psychotherapeutic best practices. Her priority is to build a safe and trusting working relationship with each patient, keeping in mind their unique biological, psychological, social, and spiritual contexts. Dr. Kim has extensive experience treating depression, anxiety, trauma-related disorders, personality disorders, OCD, and perinatal conditions such as postpartum depression. Other professional interests include forensic psychiatry, combined psychopharmacological and psychotherapy treatment, and ECT, in which she was certified by the Beth Israel Deaconess Medical Center. She has worked with individuals from diverse backgrounds and all socioeconomic strata.

Neha Goel, MD

Staff Psychiatrist

Dr. Goel holds the position of Staff Psychiatrist at Talkiatry. She has completed adult psychiatry training and is board eligible. She has been actively involved in mental health care in various capacities over the past 7 years. Dr. Goel's practice focuses on psychopharmacological interventions. Typically, she combines this with a strong emphasis on Cognitive Behavior Therapy (CBT). Dr. Goel also strongly believes that the best outcomes are achieved when you treat a person and not just illness. She received her medical degree from one of the largest publicly funded medical schools in India, L.L.R.M. Medical College, Meerut, India, before moving to the US. She gained experience in mental and behavioral health in various roles at some of the most prestigious institutions in the US, namely Northwestern University, Emory University, and North Shore-LIJ. She completed her residency at Nassau University Medical Center, East Meadow, NY. Dr. Goel has been a co-author of several research papers. Her team's research work has also been presented at national and international meetings as well. While Dr. Goel enjoys working with adults with various psychiatric disorders, her primary focus is on treating adults with various anxiety and depressive disorders. Dr. Goel also has a special interest in co-occurring sleep disorders related to these conditions.

Emily Goncalves, MD

Staff Psychiatrist

Dr. Emily Goncalves is a board-certified adult psychiatrist who earned her undergraduate degree at Syracuse University and medical degree from the American University of Antigua. She holds an MBA from Plymouth State University focusing on health care administration. She completed her adult psychiatry residency at Delaware Division of Substance Abuse and Mental Health, where she was chief resident and completed her fellowship in consultation liaison psychiatry at Jackson Memorial Hospital/University of Miami. Dr. Goncalves specializes in treating patients with psychiatric disorders with complex medical illnesses, cancer, and also has expertise in reproductive psychiatry. She is experienced in treating mood disorders, anxiety disorders, PTSD, psychosis, substance use disorders, and adult ADHD. Dr. Goncalves had the opportunity to work in various settings with a diverse patient population including veterans, inmates, cancer patients, and perinatal and postpartum patients. Dr. Goncalves provides medication management along with psychotherapy.

Susannah Williams, MD

Staff Psychiatrist

Dr. S. Taylor Williams is a psychiatrist with Talkiatry. She is board-certified in psychiatry and has been practicing over 14 years. Dr. Williams received her MD from the University of Alabama School of Medicine at UAB. She completed her psychiatry residency at the University of Tennessee Health Science Center. Prior to joining Talkiatry, she held an academic appointment at UTHSC as Assistant Professor of Psychiatry and was the Clinical Director of the Memphis Mental Health Institute. She specializes in the treatment of young adults and LGBTQ patients. Her practice focuses on medication management.‍

Patricia Battles, LCSW

Staff Therapist

Pat is a licensed therapist with over two years of experience specializing in mood disorders and trauma. Holding degrees in Clinical Social Work and Music Therapy, she utilizes various evidence-based approaches to support clients in their healing process. Pat's treatment style is client-centered and integrative, drawing from Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT), Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT), and EMDR techniques to tailor treatment to the unique needs of each individual. Previously, she worked in child welfare, private practice, forensic mental health, hospice, and palliative care.‍With a passion for supporting adult clients, Pat creates a safe, compassionate space where individuals can explore and address their challenges. She believes strongly in the importance of mental health for all, and aims to foster a collaborative environment focused on personal growth, resilience, and healing. In her off time, Pat enjoys traveling, singing, and spending time with family and loved ones.

Michael Fiori, MD

Staff Psychiatrist

Dr. Michael Fiori is Board Certified in Adult Psychiatry and Addiction Medicine. He has practiced general psychiatry for 37 years, and has also sub-specialized in Addiction Psychiatry for the past 20 years. Dr. Fiori's practice emphasizes Diagnostic Clarification, which is an ongoing process. He is highly trained and experienced in the biological and psychosocial underpinnings of psychiatric problems. He typically follows diagnostic evaluations with 30-minute follow up visits for medication adjustments and brief therapy. Dr. Fiori often enjoys collaborating with outside therapists when needed. Dr. Fiori graduated from Amherst College and received his medical degree from NY Medical College. He subsequently completed his residency in psychiatry at the Mount Sinai Medical Center in NYC. He excelled in Academic Psychiatry as both a teacher and a mentor. His practice has always combined medications with evidence-based therapies to alleviate suffering and maximize functioning. In addition to his work as a Board Certified Adult Psychiatrist, he has specialized in helping patients suffering from Substance Use Disorders. Dr. Fiori is Board Certified in Addiction Medicine, and helps patients understand the interrelationships between their Substance Use Disorders and their Psychiatric illnesses.

Ashley LaBanca, PMHNP

Staff Nurse Practitioner

Ashley LaBanca provides medication management and supportive psychotherapy services. She has worked in mental health for over 12 years. She graduated from the University of North Dakota and started in an outpatient setting, transitioning into a lead NP role, then moving on to telehealth services. Seeks to reach those in need when in-person settings are not realistic. Ashley lives in North Dakota with her family. She enjoys traveling, reading, and spending time with her family

Ashley sees medication as a tool, not a cure. She utilizes alternative treatments, assessing physical health, natural alternatives to medication, nutrition, and creating coping skills to manage daily life stressors. The combination of therapy and medication management is her guiding principle to finding healing and growth. She encourages her clients to be active participants in treatment, striving for a collaborative approach. Aims to foster respect and open communication.

Ashley utilizes a collaborative approach to treatment, individualized to each person's needs. Ms. LaBanca utilizes Dialectical Behavioral Therapy and Cognitive Behavioral Therapy, among other treatment modalities, in conjunction with evidence-based prescribing to create a personalized treatment plan. She considers the social aspects of mental health, including addressing relationships, self-esteem and internal healing.

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Lemaire Pierre, MD

Staff Psychiatrist

Dr. Lemaire Leo Pierre is a board certified adult psychiatric provider with over 10 years of experience. He has additional years working in the medical field as a physician assistant. Dr. Pierre's practice entails medication management accompanied by supportive psychotherapy. He frequently encourages other forms of psychotherapy with a counselor to maximize treatment outcomes. After completing medical school at Central America Health Science University, he returned to New York City and completed his psychiatry residency at New York Medical College Program at Metropolitan Hospital Center. Subsequently, he moved to Minnesota and worked with Park Nicollet Health Service/HealthPartners. He had been there for 10.5 years, where he oversaw a successful psychiatric practice and helped his patients who had been struggling with their conditions. Dr. Pierre is a member of the American Board of Psychiatry and Neurology, in addition to the American Psychiatry Association and State Psychiatry Association. He also enjoys attending conferences and reading journals to learn about cutting-edge treatments so that he is updated on the most recent FDA-approved medications.

Komal Shah, MD

Staff Psychiatrist

Dr. Komal Shah, M.D. is double board certified in adult & geriatric psychiatry. She did her residency at Nassau University Medical Center, New York & then did fellowship in geriatric psychiatry at LIJ-Albert Einstein school, New York. She has been practicing psychiatry for over 25 years.

Dr. Shah has extensive experience in evaluating & managing a variety of psychiatric disorders such as mood disorders, anxiety disorders, psychotic disorders, dementia, etc. She held an academic position as a clinical assistant professor at Rutgers-UBHC for several years. Dr. Shah has worked in various clinical settings including inpatient, outpatient clinics, partial hospital programs, nursing homes, thus serving vast variety of patient populations. She has also volunteered her services at NAMI (National Alliance for mental illness)-SAMHAJ to create & promote awareness of mental health issues in the community. All this makes her a very well experienced & efficient psychiatrist.

Dr. Komal Shah believes in creating a strong therapeutic alliance first with her patients based on mutual trust & honesty. Her primary modality of treatment is medication management, but she may also provide supportive psychotherapy and education, practicing evidence-based medicine. Dr. Shah likes to collaborate patient care with their medical providers and/or therapist.

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Cheryl Dasler, MD

Staff Psychiatrist

Dr. Cheryl Dasler is a double board certified psychiatrist in General Psychiatry and Child and Adolescent Psychiatry. Following completion of her training, she spent the next 10 years fulfilling her passion for indigent care of children, working in a community mental health center. She went on to complete additional training in Functional Medicine, with the goal of offering patients greater insight into the physical factors contributing to their symptoms. She has also trained in Mindfulness Based Stress Reduction, and encourages mindfulness as a healing technique along with medication management. Over the following 10 years, Dr. Dasler treated a broad range of patients in a private practice setting, including children and adults. She is passionate about treating ADHD, and utilizes medications plus skill building in her sessions to help her patients maximize their potential. Her extensive experience also includes treating mood disorders, anxiety disorders, PTSD, and OCD. She believes in a mind-body interconnection, and strives to address both aspects to provide truly holistic care. Patients looking for a psychiatrist will find Dr. Dasler is a warm, compassionate provider who genuinely listens. She works in partnership with patients to find a treatment plan that will be effective, while also being sensitive to financial or insurance coverage factors that may impact care.

Megan Wynne, MD

Staff Psychiatrist

Dr. Megan Wynne is board certified in adult psychiatry and completed fellowship training in Consultation-Liaison Psychiatry (Psychosomatic Medicine). She has been in practicing psychiatry since 2006. Dr. Wynne completed her medical degree at Drexel University School of Medicine in Philadelphia, PA, her psychiatric residency at Thomas Jefferson University Hospital in Philadelphia, PA and her consultation/liaison psychiatric fellowship at Long Island Jewish Hospital in Queens, NY. She continued to work in Consultation Liaison Psychiatry at North Shore Hospital in NY, before working for nine years at Philadelphia Veterans Administration Hospital as a staff psychiatrist and associate at the University of Pennsylvania University Hospital. During this time, she worked closely with patients struggling with Traumatic Brain Injury, Post Traumatic Stress Disorder, Depression and Anxiety. She acted as an attending psychiatrist in training medical students, psychiatric residents and fellows. Following a move to New Zealand, she worked as lead psychiatrist for Te Puna Waiora, Maori Mental Health team (Indigenous Person mental health clinic) at Counties Manakau District Health Board. She worked with multiple patients facing cultural challenges, as well as psychosocial stressors (poverty, family fragmentation, poor education). During this time, she worked within the indigenous system of mental health, which treats not just emotional or physical issues for a person, but spiritual and familial as well. She has incorporated this into her treatment approach for all patients. Dr. Wynne has always believed that medication must be used in conjunction with psychodynamic therapy, and medical and social supports to most appropriately treat a patient. She offers 30-minute sessions consisting of medication management and brief therapeutic support. She specializes in treating victims of trauma, medical comorbidity.

Sameerah Akhtar, MD

Education and training

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