Shilpa Amara, MD

Dr. Juliet Nichols has been a diplomate of the American Board of Psychiatry and Neurology since 2002 and has been practicing psychiatry for over 25 years. While an expert in psychopharmacology, Dr. Nichols has an integrative approach to treatment and she often incorporates psychotherapeutic techniques when appropriate, tailoring every treatment to each patient's individual needs. She completed her Psychiatry residency at Stony Brook-SUNY and Geriatric Psychiatry Fellowship at the Albert Einstein School of Medicine. Over the last two decades, Dr. Nichols served as an attending psychiatrist at JT Mather Hospital in Port Jefferson, NY, where she became proficient in delivering stellar psychiatric care in a variety of settings. She specializes in treating adult and geriatric mental illnesses, including: Depression, Anxiety Disorders (eg, OCD, Panic Disorder, GAD, PTSD), ADHD, and Cognitive Disorders in the elderly. Dr. Nichols strives to help her patients gain insights into their inner conflicts, unveil their strengths, accept their limitations, and build their coping skills. Her approach is dynamic, straightforward, and empathic so patients always feel safe, understood, and at ease. She engages the patient to be an active participant in treatment decision-making, creating a strong therapeutic alliance.‍

Background and credentials

Dr. Diane Lewis is board-certified in general psychiatry by the American Board of Psychiatry and Neurology. She earned both her undergraduate and medical degrees at Texas A&M University (College Station and Temple, TX) before completing her general psychiatry residency at UT Southwestern - Austin Programs (now Dell Medical School residency programs). After her residency, she practiced for eight years as a staff psychiatrist at the University of Texas' student counseling center. She also has experience working in hospital admissions and emergency department settings.

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Treatment approach

Dr. Lewis employs a medication-management-focused approach typically paired with supportive therapy during 30-minute follow-up visits. She strongly values a collaborative treatment approach, frequently encouraging patients to incorporate additional therapy for the best outcomes. Her primary specialty is college mental health, treating patients aged 18-45 with a range of mental health conditions from mild to complex. Dr. Lewis emphasizes authenticity, compassion, and recognizing patients beyond their diagnoses, providing care tailored to individual circumstances and goals.

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What you can expect in a first visit

During a first visit, patients can expect Dr. Lewis to conduct a thorough evaluation, carefully listening to their concerns, and considering their symptoms within the broader context of their lives. Her patients appreciate her down-to-earth and compassionate communication style. She aims to create an environment where patients feel understood, respected, and actively involved in shaping their personalized treatment plan, often recommending additional therapy support when beneficial for achieving optimal 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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Shelah Radke, MD, JD, is a double board-certified Child and Adolescent and Adult Psychiatrist with over a decade of extensive experience in mental health care, specializing in the well-being of children, adolescents, and young adults. She currently serves in St. Louis, MO, where she is known for her dynamic leadership as a Medical Director and her robust clinical practice. Throughout her career, Dr. Radke has held pivotal roles, including Medical Director of Crisis Psychiatry Services at Mercy Hospital and key positions in several reputable outpatient clinics across the U.S. Her clinical acumen spans a diverse range of settings, from private practice and crisis care to specialized programs in residential and educational institutions.

A staunch advocate for evidence-based approaches, Dr. Radke integrates lifestyle and pharmacological interventions to foster mental health resilience among her patients. She is particularly passionate about the shared decision-making model, which enhances patient empowerment and satisfaction by actively involving them in their treatment plans. Dr. Radke's academic contributions are equally notable. She has developed educational curriculums that significantly improve health outcomes and has shared her expertise through numerous media appearances and professional talks. Her commitment to medical education is reflected in her mentorship of nurse practitioners and her involvement in creating community psychiatry programs.

Complementing her medical expertise, Dr. Radke holds a Juris Doctorate, with a focus on public health and social policy, which enriches her understanding of the legal and systemic aspects of healthcare. Her approach is deeply holistic, informed by her training in integrative medicine and her personal commitment to wellness, which she practices through nutrition, exercise, and travel with her family. Dr. Radke's professional journey is driven by a commitment to optimizing mental health outcomes and enhancing the quality of life for her patients and their families.

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Dr. Hill is a recent graduate of the psychiatry residency program at the University of Colorado School of Medicine. During her residency, she sought out additional training in psychodynamic therapy and EMDR. She participated in the Psych Scholars track, which provided in-depth education and supervision around therapy and psychoanalytic theory. This allows her to better understand the role of both medication and therapy, to utilize, when to couple them, and what limitations they may have. She has additional interests in trauma work; women's mental health, specifically in the peripartum period; and in working with individuals facing progressive diseases or terminal diagnoses.‍

Dr. Ali is a lifelong New Yorker who has always been fascinated by the complexity of the human mind, behavior, and experience. Growing up in a vibrant and diverse city, she developed a deep appreciation for how culture, environment, and individual background shape a person’s psychological well-being. Driven by this passion, she pursued her medical degree at SUNY Downstate Health Sciences University, where she gained a strong foundation in both the biological and psychosocial aspects of medicine. She then completed her general psychiatry training at SUNY Stony Brook University Hospital, where she worked closely with a diverse patient population from varied religious, cultural, socioeconomic, and age groups.

Dr. Ali prioritizes open communication and mutual trust, creating a safe, nonjudgmental environment where patients feel respected and empowered to actively engage in their care. She integrates psychotherapy techniques and takes a holistic, person centered approach to treatment.

Dr. Ali believes in collaboration and shared understanding grounded in evidence-based therapies. Her typical process includes developing individualized treatment plans aimed at symptom relief, improved functioning, and overall quality of life. Beyond medication management, she incorporates psychotherapy techniques and psychoeducation to help patients build coping skills and insight.

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Mekayla Davila is a Licensed Mental Health Counselor (LMHC) who has been in practice for 6 years. She has experience working with many diverse populations and mental health conditions. Mekayla attended graduate school at Teachers College Columbia University where she received an M.A. and M.Ed. in Mental Health Counseling. Her education and experience span both psychology and criminal justice fields as she has always been interested in their intersectionality. In previous roles, Mekayla has worked mostly with children, adolescents, and adults of minority populations, with focuses on treating anxiety, depression, trauma, and other stressor-related disorders. Mekayla strongly believes that every therapeutic interaction is unique, so she uses an eclectic approach, with foundations in Cognitive Behavioral Therapy and Psychodynamic Therapy, to tailor treatment to the specific needs of each individual. Mekayla puts emphasis on the therapeutic relationship and finds it important to provide a safe and comforting environment for all.