Shuo He, MD

Abdulhafiz Ahmed, MD

Staff Psychiatrist

Languages

English, Arabic

Conditions treated:

Anxiety, Depression. Bipolar Disorder, OCD, PTSD/Trauma, ADHD

Education and training:

University of Maryland at College Park, BS

Georgetown School of Medicine, MD

University of Maryland Medical System at Baltimore (UMMS), Residency

and fellowship.

Dr. Abdulhafiz Ahmed is a board-certified adult psychiatrist with over 25 years of clinical experience across community hospitals, university teaching hospitals, the Veterans Administration (VA) medical system, and private practice. He has served as the inpatient medical director at MedStar Harbor Hospital in Baltimore and outpatient medical director at the University of Maryland Upper Chesapeake. Dr. Ahmed has extensive expertise diagnosing and treating a wide range of psychiatric conditions including depression, anxiety, bipolar disorder, adjustment disorders, phobias, thought disorders, trauma, and PTSD.

Dr. Ahmed approaches each patient with empathy, attentiveness, and respect, fostering an environment of safety and trust. He recognizes the importance of cultural diversity and is dedicated to understanding each person’s unique background, values, and life circumstances. His patient-centered philosophy ensures that individuals feel heard, validated, and actively involved in their care.

Dr. Ahmed combines evidence-based psychopharmacology with supportive psychotherapy to provide comprehensive and individualized treatment. He collaborates closely with patients to develop a plan that targets their specific symptoms and goals, focusing on improving functioning, resilience, and overall well-being. His approachable and compassionate demeanor helps patients feel comfortable and confident throughout their journey toward recovery.

‍

Dr. Taj Deen earned his medical degree from Dow Medical College in Karachi, Pakistan, and completed psychiatry residency training at Maimonides Medical Center in Brooklyn. He has over 20 years of experience at Jacobi Medical Center’s acute inpatient psychiatric unit, led an acute psychiatric unit for 10 years at Montrose VA Hospital in New York, and served for 25 years in the psychiatric emergency room at Westchester Medical Center.  

Dr. Deen prioritizes building a genuine therapeutic alliance with all patients, fostering open communication and collaboration. He works closely with patients to set clear treatment goals and objectives while creating a warm, supportive environment in which patients feel heard, respected, and empowered.  

Dr. Deen begins with a comprehensive interview to understand each patient’s history, concerns, and goals. From there, he develops individualized treatment plans tailored to the patient’s objectives, combining compassionate guidance with evidence-based psychiatric care to support meaningful progress.

Bryan Larson is a Psychiatric Mental Health Nurse Practitioner (PMHNP) with a Doctorate of Nursing Practice from Washington State University (2019). He earned his Bachelor of Science in Nursing from Walla Walla University in 2003 and worked for over a decade as an emergency department nurse. Since 2019, he has provided outpatient psychiatric care for diverse patients, offering medication management and support for a variety of mental health diagnoses.

Bryan works with patients from all backgrounds with a focus on treating each individual uniquely. He emphasizes meeting patients “where they’re at” and collaborates in a supportive environment to achieve personalized treatment goals, ensuring every patient feels understood and valued.

During the initial appointment, Bryan reviews a patient’s psychiatric history and current concerns to develop a tailored treatment plan, which may include medication and/or therapy services. He fosters a welcoming environment and continually adjusts care plans to align with each patient’s goals, supporting long-term mental health improvement.

Dr. Tony Tu is a board certified adult psychiatrist who emphasizes patient education and a psychodynamic approach to outpatient psychiatry. His passion for empowering patients with knowledge stems from his academic experience in psychiatry residency training. Dr. Tu's practice focuses on blending medication management together with psychotherapy. He also prioritizes collaboration with your therapist and encourages working together as a team. Dr. Tu is a graduate of the University of Chicago Pritzker School of Medicine where he completed an MD and PhD combined program which helped develop his "doctors as teachers” style of practice. Dr. Tu completed his psychiatry residency training at Loyola University Medical Center in Illinois. Dr. Tu served as an Associate Program Director of Loyola's Psychiatry residency training program for two years, and now maintains an Affiliate Assistant Professor of Psychiatry role with Loyola. He continues to contribute to residency training, as well as mentorship of medical students and psychology externs. Over the years, Dr. Tu has received several awards that demonstrate his affinity for teaching, including the Educator of the Year Award in 2022 from the Loyola Psychiatry Residency Program. Areas of specialization include psychopharmacology, patient-centered medicine, and combination treatment of psychiatry and psychotherapy. Dr. Tu understands that medications are not the end-all-be-all of treatment, but just the beginning. For trauma and acute stress, he understands that the journey starts at the tip of the iceberg, with much to explore as you feel more ready.

Elyse Sipka is a board-certified Psychiatric Mental Health Nurse Practitioner (PMHNP) with over a decade of experience as a mental health RN in outpatient, inpatient, and residential settings, including eating disorder treatment centers, inpatient psychiatric units, and crisis units. She earned her Master of Science in Nursing from Indiana Wesleyan University in 2021 and has been practicing as a PMHNP in an outpatient setting for over four years, caring for adults with a wide range of mental health needs including depression, anxiety, OCD, bipolar disorder, ADHD, PTSD, substance use, eating disorders, and severe mental illness.

Elyse creates a safe and supportive environment where patients feel heard and valued. She is warm, empathetic, and approachable, providing comprehensive and holistic care that combines medication management, therapy, and lifestyle interventions to help clients achieve their treatment goals.

Elyse begins with an in-depth initial assessment exploring physical, mental, emotional, and spiritual health. She collaborates with clients to develop individualized treatment plans, integrating medication management with psychotherapy using principles of supportive therapy, Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT), and Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT).

Dr. Adeola Mustapha is a board-certified psychiatrist with experience across outpatient, inpatient, and community mental health settings. She completed her psychiatry residency at Indiana University School of Medicine – Vincennes in July 2024 after earning her medical degree from Ross University School of Medicine. Recognized for her exceptional psychotherapy skills, Dr. Mustapha received therapy awards in both her PGY3 and PGY4 years. Her background reflects a commitment to blending strong clinical training with compassionate, patient-focused care.

Dr. Mustapha creates a warm, collaborative, and supportive environment where patients feel respected and understood. She believes in the power of psychotherapy combined with evidence-based psychiatric care, always striving to integrate both in treatment. Open communication and clear, realistic goal setting are central to her approach. She is committed to a holistic perspective that considers emotional, physical, cultural, and social well-being. With an emphasis on empowerment, Dr. Mustapha encourages patients to take an active role in their healing journey.

Dr. Mustapha begins with a comprehensive evaluation to learn each patient’s history, concerns, and goals. She develops individualized treatment plans that may integrate therapy modalities such as CBT, DBT, TF-CBT, psychoanalysis, and FETI, along with medication management when appropriate. Using a goal-oriented, step-by-step process, she tracks progress and adapts treatment as needs evolve. Through ongoing dialogue, she ensures patients feel supported, informed, and engaged throughout their care. Her aim is to foster long-term resilience and overall wellness, not just symptom relief.