Stephen Byrd, MD

Dr. Viga Naik takes a holistic approach when practicing, understanding the importance of an integrative treatment care model. She believes optimal patient care goes beyond psychopharmacology and requires incorporation of psychotherapy and psychosocial intervention. She is a strong advocate for her patients, dedicated to being an educator of mental illness to break self, societal, and systemic stigmas. She believes that a strong therapeutic alliance between clinician and patient is essential. She works on creating a safe and empathetic environment while providing psychoeducation to patients, empowering them to play an active role in their treatment. Dr. Naik is an adult psychiatrist with specializations in Addiction Psychiatry and Consultation-Liaison Psychiatry, also known as psychosomatic medicine. She completed her residency training at New York Medical College and fellowship training at the Mount Sinai Health Systems located at Bronx Care and Beth Israel Hospital. She has worked in both inpatient and many outpatient specialty clinics such as psych/oncology, transplant, collaborative-care, medication assistance treatment, music and medicine, and gender affirmation surgery treating patients with comorbid mental illness and substance use disorders as well as comorbid mental illness and general medical conditions. Her practice focuses on medication management in combination with supportive therapy and providing psychoeducation to patients. She treats depression, anxiety, bipolar disorder, obsessive compulsive disorder, post-traumatic stress disorder, general anxiety disorder, substance use disorders and other associated psychiatric disorders.

Dr. Richard Shehane completed medical school at the University of Nevada School of Medicine and then went on to complete psychiatry residency training at Naval Medical Center San Diego. Dr. Shehane is a board-certified psychiatrist that specializes in the treatment of depression, anxiety, PTSD, bipolar disorder, schizophrenia, personality disorders and ADHD. Dr. Shehane has also worked extensively with patients that have experienced sexual trauma in their past and patients struggling with substance and alcohol use addictions.

Dr. Shehane will focus on two main approaches to mental health treatment: medication management and psychotherapy. Appointments will focus on a mix of interactions aimed at tailoring each patient’s specific medication needs as well as promoting mental health wellness through different types of evidence-based therapy techniques including mindfulness, CBT, CPT and psychodynamic psychotherapy.

Dr. Shehane works together patients to develop a plan that fits each patient’s individual needs. Initial appointments will focus on identifying and treating primary concerns, and then later appointments will center on building upon the therapeutic relationship to increase self-awareness, promote emotional insight, and secure lasting positive mental health changes.

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Dr. Sarita Sharma is a board-certified adult psychiatrist dedicated to providing personalized psychiatric treatment that addresses the mind, body, and spirit for optimized health and healing. Born and raised in Toronto, Ontario, she earned her medical degree from Avalon University School of Medicine in Curacao and completed her residency at Southern Illinois University in Springfield, Illinois. Dr. Sharma has extensive experience working with underserved patients from diverse backgrounds and with varying severities of psychiatric disorders. She has a genuine interest in treating mood and anxiety disorders like depression and anxiety. She views medication as one of many tools to aid patients, emphasizing the importance of therapy and lifestyle changes aligned with each patient's goals. Believing in a holistic approach, she incorporates mindfulness techniques, lifestyle optimization (sleep, diet, movement), Dialectical Behavioral Therapy (DBT), Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT), and Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT) to target the root causes of unease. She enjoys helping patients navigate meaning and purpose, relationship dynamics, and self-image. With a sincere, direct, and practical approach, Dr. Sharma values empathy and understanding as vital components of effective care. In her free time, she enjoys spontaneous adventures, connecting with fellow human beings, and just being in nature. She is committed to helping you achieve a balanced, fulfilling life.

Dr. Peter Szeibel is board certified in adult psychiatry and has been practicing for over 36 years. His practice has focused primarily on medication management within the context of a supportive psychotherapeutic relationship. He also utilizes cognitive behavioral techniques. If the patient requires more intensive psychotherapy, Dr. Szeibel refers the patient to a therapist and collaborates with the therapist. Dr. Szeibel has experience in treating Depressive Disorders, PTSD, Panic Disorder, OCD, Bipolar Disorder, ADHD, and many other conditions. He feels his personal strengths include his inquisitiveness, scientific curiosity, and his desire to understand his patients better. Dr. Szeibel was born in Hungary, just a few months before the Hungarian Revolution against the Soviets broke out in 1956. He and his family fled under difficult circumstances and immigrated to the United States. Dr. Szeibel grew up in New York City. He attended The Bronx High School of Science, followed by Columbia University for his B.A., where he took a double major in chemistry and music. After obtaining his M.D. from S.U.N.Y in Syracuse, he returned to New York City for residency and fellowship training. During this time he won the Bendheim Fellowship Award at Cohen Children's Medical Center for his research study which examined the effects of background music on the academic performance of children with ADHD. His current areas of interest include adult ADHD, psychiatric and medical co-morbidities, and the LGBTQ population.

Dr. Namrata Shah is a board-certified adult psychiatrist who completed her undergraduate training at the University of Wisconsin-Madison and earned her medical degree at the American University of Antigua. She completed her psychiatry residency at Creedmoor Psychiatric Center with training at New York-Presbyterian/Columbia University Irving Medical Center.

In addition to experience providing inpatient and outpatient care, Dr. Shah has worked with a wide variety of patient populations. The conditions she treats include depression, bipolar disorder, anxiety disorders, panic disorder, OCD, and ADHD. In addition, Dr. Shah is particularly interested in issues related to women’s mental health, including perinatal mental health issues.

Dr. Shah emphasizes the importance of a strong doctor-patient therapeutic alliance and a patient-centered approach. To provide the best care, she believes in compassion, open communication, and collaboration. As a primary treatment method, she combines psychopharmacological medication and supportive therapy.

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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