Seth Mandel, MD

Dr. Nelson is a board-certified psychiatrist who attended the University of Iowa Medical School and completed her psychiatry residency and child and adolescent psychiatry fellowship at Walter Reed National Military Medical Center.  She has extensive experience treating active-duty service members, family members of active duty and the veteran population.  She feels comfortable working with a wide range of age groups and enjoys treating challenges with anxiety, mood, sleep, and concentration.

Dr. Nelson believes that the key to success in mental health care is being able to establish a trusting and open relationship between psychiatrist and patient.

While initial sessions include the need to gather background information about the patient overall as well as the symptoms of concern, subsequent sessions are focused on learning the impact of the treatment.

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Dr. Kevin DiCesare is a board-certified psychiatrist, treating adults. He received his undergraduate degree at Harvard University, his medical degree at the University of Massachusetts Medical School, and then went on to train at Maine Medical Center for his psychiatric residency. He has 22 years of expertise in diagnosing and treating psychiatric conditions, including depression, anxiety, Bipolar spectrum disorders, adjustment problems, ADHD and other disorders. He is well versed in psychopharmacological interventions, but is a proponent of patients also being active in psychotherapy whenever appropriate. He prides himself in collaboratively arriving at treatment decisions with his patients, and taking the time to listen to their concerns and answer their questions.

Dr. DiCesare has worked in various settings, including community mental health centers and large hospital systems, with experience in inpatient, outpatient, and consultative roles. Prior to joining Talkiatry, he most recently served as an attending psychiatrist on the staff of Southern New Hampshire Health System, where he provided consultative care to referrals made from primary care providers and various specialists.

Dr. Jennifer Shoenfelt is a staff psychiatrist at Talkiatry. She is double board certified in child and adolescent psychiatry and adult psychiatry. She has been practicing for over 14 years. Dr. Shoenfelt's practice focuses on child and adolescent medication management. Typically, she offers this in conjunction with supportive or emotionally focused therapy in 30-minute follow-up visits. However, occasionally Dr. Shoenfelt may believe that additional therapy is needed and will ask that you bring a therapist into your care team to provide the best outcome. She provides treatment plans that include holistic recommendations for diet, exercise, and educational and psychosocial/spiritual aspects of care. She is known for listening to and respecting patients' stories and walking them on a path of recovery and growth. Dr. Shoenfelt received her medical degree from the Boonshoft School of Medicine at Wright State University in Dayton, Ohio. She earned her Bachelor of Science degree in Physical Therapy from The Ohio State University. Dr. Shoenfelt practiced for 14 years in physical therapy with a specialization in children with developmental and neurological disabilities before attending medical school. Dr. Shoenfelt has held multiple positions in hospital and outpatient psychiatry, including community mental health, developmental and foster care settings, and medical director positions. She has served as clinical faculty for both the Wright State Department of Psychiatry and the University of Cincinnati School of Medicine. She has a passion for the education of medical students, residents, and patients. Dr. Jennifer Shoenfelt is a staff psychiatrist at Talkiatry. She is double board certified in child and adolescent psychiatry and adult psychiatry. She has been practicing for over 14 years.

Dr. Varma grew up in an immigrant family surrounded by aspiring doctors, and her passion for understanding the human mind and behavior blossomed early. This curiosity led her to pursue extensive medical training abroad, beginning at Kasturba Medical College in Southern India, followed by clerkships at the University of the West Indies in Trinidad and Tobago. She completed her Adult psychiatry residency at the University of Florida in Gainesville and specialized further with a child/adolescent fellowship at Brookdale University Hospital in Brooklyn, NY.

Dr. Varma believes in a holistic, integrative approach to mental health. Her philosophy centers on identifying the root causes of ailments rather than merely addressing symptoms. She views mental health care as a partnership, where the mind, body, and spirit work together to achieve wellness. Dr. Varma is committed to fostering a safe, confidential therapeutic alliance to help you explore your potential for healing.

Dr. Varma embraces integrative psychiatry, which combines the best of conventional Western medicine with complementary approaches. This involves a comprehensive biopsychosocial assessment tailored to each individual, incorporating psychopharmacology alongside lifestyle adjustments in diet, movement, and breathwork. She collaborates with therapists and other professionals to create a well-rounded treatment plan that honors your unique journey.

Dr. Zadoo graduated from the University of Texas at Austin. She attended medical school at Texas Tech University Health Sciences Center and went on to complete her residency at UT Health San Antonio.

Dr. Zadoo is passionate about getting to know her patients and helping them live happier, healthier, and more productive lives. She specializes in treating a wide range of mental health conditions, including depression, anxiety, bipolar disorder, OCD, and trauma-related disorders. Her approach is rooted in empathy, active listening, and shared decision-making. She believes that every patient’s story matters and tailors treatment plans to meet each patient’s needs, values, and goals. By fostering a safe and respectful space, Dr. Zadoo helps patients navigate times of stress, life transitions, behavioral problems, communication issues, relationship difficulties, poor self-esteem, grief, loss, and other concerns.

Dr. Zadoo first completes an initial psychiatric evaluation to establish diagnoses and create a comprehensive plan for treatment. She is passionate about forming a strong therapeutic alliance and empowering patients to improve their lives through a variety of holistic modalities. While medications are a mainstay of psychiatric care, Dr. Zadoo is also skilled at using existential, psychodynamic, cognitive behavioral, and Gestalt psychotherapy techniques.

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Damaris Chukwura, DNP, PMHNP-BC, is a Board-Certified Family Psychiatric Mental Health Nurse Practitioner with over a decade of experience in mental health care. She began her nursing career in 2007 and has been practicing as a psychiatric nurse practitioner since 2014. Damaris has worked in a wide range of settings including inpatient hospitals, residential treatment centers, partial and intensive outpatient programs, correctional psychiatry, and substance abuse treatment. Her clinical experience spans various conditions such as ADHD, eating disorders, mood disorders, psychotic disorders, PTSD, and treatment-resistant depression. She earned her BSN from Texas Christian University, MSN from The University of Texas at Arlington, and her DNP from The University of Alabama in Huntsville.

Damaris values open communication and collaboration with her patients. She creates a warm, caring environment where individuals feel heard and respected. Her approach is both evidence-based and supportive, blending professionalism with a welcoming demeanor. She is passionate about mental health advocacy and reducing stigma. Outside of work, Damaris enjoys spending time with her husband and three children, traveling, decorating, and watching reality TV.

During initial psychiatric evaluations, Damaris takes time to fully understand each patient’s history, concerns, and goals. She develops individualized treatment plans that align with these goals and may include supportive therapy or referrals for more intensive therapy if needed. Follow-up appointments typically last 30 minutes, allowing time to track progress and make adjustments as necessary.