Sumbal Akhter, DO

Background and credentials

Dr. Munoz is a board-eligible adult psychiatrist. He earned his medical degree from Rutgers, New Jersey Medical School and completed his psychiatric residency at Mount Sinai Beth Israel. Throughout his training, he gained experience in a variety of clinical settings, including outpatient and inpatient care, as well as psychiatric emergency services.

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Treatment approach

Dr. Munoz provides compassionate psychiatric care through a combination of pharmacotherapy and supportive therapy. He specializes in treating depression, anxiety, bipolar disorder, and psychotic disorders. He has extensive experience working with LGBTQ+ and Spanish-speaking communities. His treatment philosophy is holistic, viewing patients as whole individuals and addressing their specific needs at different stages of life. He also emphasizes the importance of exercise, relationships, and overall well-being in his approach to mental health care.

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What you can expect in a first visit

During the first visit, patients can expect a comprehensive and patient-centered evaluation. Dr. Munoz takes the time to understand each patient’s symptoms, background, and personal goals. He collaborates with patients to develop an individualized treatment plan that may include medication management, supportive therapy, and lifestyle modifications to support their overall well-being.

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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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Trudy Warner-Phillips, PMHNP, is a board-certified psychiatric nurse practitioner with over 25 years in nursing and 7+ years in psychiatric care. Her experience spans outpatient, inpatient, and telehealth settings, where she treats conditions such as anxiety, depression, PTSD, mood disorders, and ADHD. She is passionate about delivering thoughtful, evidence-based care in a supportive and accessible virtual environment.

Trudy’s approach is grounded in trust, respect, and collaboration. She values open, honest communication and aims to create a space where clients feel heard, safe, and empowered. By understanding each person beyond their symptoms, she tailors care to support individual challenges, strengths, and goals.

Initial sessions involve a thorough assessment of medical and psychiatric history, current concerns, and past treatments. Trudy then works with clients to develop a personalized care plan focused on their most pressing symptoms. Her treatment may include medication management, supportive therapy, and lifestyle recommendations to promote lasting emotional well-being.

Dr. Akhtar is a board-certified psychiatrist specializing in compassionate and comprehensive mental health care. She focuses on medication management for a wide range of psychiatric conditions, providing supportive therapy to help individuals navigate life's challenges and enhance their overall well-being, while emphasizing lifestyle changes and the development of coping skills. Dr. Akhtar completed her medical degree at the American University of Antigua, gaining a profound understanding of the biological, psychological, and social aspects of mental health. Following her residency at Bergen, Newbridge Medical Center, where she was appointed Chief Resident in her fourth year, she worked for several years in both inpatient and outpatient hospital settings. Committed to holistic wellness, Dr. Akhtar believes in empowering individuals to make positive changes in their lives and offers guidance on nutrition, exercise, sleep hygiene, and stress management techniques. She is dedicated to fostering a therapeutic alliance built on trust, empathy, and collaboration. Her approach is rooted in evidence-based practices and tailored to meet the unique needs of each individual under her care.

Christopher Zeoli, DNP, PMHNP, is a nationally board-certified Psychiatric Nurse Practitioner with over 20 years of certification and more than 30 years of experience in the psychiatric and mental health field. He earned his Doctor of Nursing Practice degree from Stony Brook University and has worked with patients across the lifespan in clinics, outpatient programs, hospitals, and private practices.

Christopher’s approach combines thoughtful medication management with supportive therapy. He is not only focused on addressing immediate concerns but also on guiding patients toward long-term well-being. Patients can expect a collaborative, compassionate, and goal-oriented partnership in their care.

Christopher values patient feedback as an essential part of treatment. He conducts careful evaluations, listens to each individual’s concerns, and tailors care to align with personal goals. By working together, he helps patients develop treatment plans that support both current needs and future growth.

Mary Birse is a board-certified Psychiatric Mental Health Nurse Practitioner (ANCC) with over 20 years of nursing experience. She graduated magna cum laude with a BSN from Florida Atlantic University and earned her MSN from the University of Florida. She completed a Psychiatric NP Residency at the VA in Charleston, SC. Mary has worked in a variety of settings including the West Palm Beach VA Medical Center, the Palm Beach County Firefighter’s Clinic, various outpatient telehealth platforms, and a child and adolescent inpatient facility. She was also an adjunct professor at Palm Beach State College.

Mary believes in empowering patients through education and collaboration so they can play an active role in their mental health journey. She works to create a warm and welcoming space where patients feel safe, heard, and understood. Whether the treatment path includes therapy, medication, integrative approaches, or a combination, she ensures that the plan reflects the patient's needs and goals.

Mary takes a thorough and holistic approach to care. She spends time understanding each patient’s history and past treatments—what has or hasn’t worked—and listens carefully to their current concerns and future goals. By factoring in lifestyle and preferences, she works with patients to build thoughtful, individualized treatment plans.

Dr. Farias is a board-certified physician in both adult and child & adolescent psychiatry, with a focus on the diagnosis and treatment of depressive disorders, anxiety disorders, trauma- and stressor-related disorders, and ADHD. Dr. Farias graduated magna cum laude with a Bachelor of Science degree from the University of Houston, majoring in Biology with a minor in Chemistry. She then pursued her medical education at Texas Tech University Health Sciences Center, earning her Doctor of Medicine degree. Dr. Farias completed a three-year psychiatric residency at TTUHSC, followed by fellowship training in child and adolescent psychiatry. She completed her first year of fellowship at the University of Texas Medical Branch in Galveston and her second year at TTUHSC. With a diverse clinical background, Dr. Farias has gained experience in a variety of settings, including academic psychiatry, consult liaison psychiatry, intensive outpatient programs (IOP), partial hospitalization programs (PHP), emergency psychiatry, and outpatient psychiatry. This broad range of experience allows her to provide comprehensive, individualized care to patients at all stages of life. Dr. Farias takes a holistic approach to treatment, incorporating both medication management and psychotherapy. She utilizes principles from Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT), Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT), and supportive psychotherapy, recognizing that a combined approach leads to better outcomes for patients.