Sumbal Akhter, DO

Dr. Tiffany Chu earned her medical degree from the University of Southern California and completed her psychiatry residency at the Medical Center of Aurora. She has experience treating a wide range of psychiatric conditions, including depression, anxiety, ADHD, obsessive-compulsive disorder, panic disorder, and post-traumatic stress disorder.

Dr. Chu takes a holistic approach to psychiatry, aiming to promote long-term wellness and address root causes. Along with medication and psychotherapy, she may explore diet, nutrition, lifestyle factors, and integrative therapies. She strives to create a warm, supportive environment where patients feel truly heard.

Dr. Chu values shared decision-making. She listens carefully to patients’ concerns and goals and collaborates with them to develop individualized treatment plans tailored to each person’s needs.

Dr. Benita Dieperink, MD, is board-certified in psychiatry by the American Board of Psychiatry and Neurology. She earned her medical degree from the University of Minnesota Medical School and completed residency at the University of Colorado Health Sciences Center. She has extensive experience in private practice, academic leadership, and faculty roles, with expertise in treating diverse adult populations. She specializes in perinatal and reproductive psychiatry, supporting patients through pregnancy, postpartum, PMS, infertility, and perimenopause/menopause, as well as mood, anxiety, trauma-related, and obsessive-compulsive disorders.

Dr. Dieperink values open communication and a collaborative approach, creating a warm, supportive environment where patients feel heard and respected. She integrates psychopharmacology and psychotherapy to help patients work toward clear treatment goals, while fostering a growth- and strengths-based perspective. She also draws on a wide range of interests—from medical science to psychology and history—to enrich patient education.

Dr. Dieperink begins by thoroughly understanding each patient’s history, concerns, and goals. She develops individualized treatment plans aligned with these goals and regularly reassesses progress to refine strategies as needed, ensuring care is responsive, personalized, and effective.

Dr. Kahlon is an experienced Psychiatrist who spent the last 24 years of his career working in Veterans Affairs, where he was able to treat a wide variety of patients. Dr. Kahlon provides medication management along with supportive therapy. In some cases Dr. Kahlon may refer you to a counselor or therapist for further care and collaboration. He has experience treating a wide range of conditions, including major depressive disorder, panic disorder, generalized anxiety disorder, obsessive-compulsive disorder, and PTSD. Dr. Kahlon utilizes a well-rounded approach to treat the whole person, through medication, active listening, and recommending talk-centered counseling programs. Dr. Kahlon was trained in the VA system associated with Chicago Medical School (Finch University), which is located in North Chicago, Illinois. At the conclusion of his training, he was hired at the VA in Danville, Illinois until 2021. He also had a part-time private practice, which enhanced his experience in adult psychiatry. Dr. Kahlon graduated from a prestigious medical school that has consistently held a high position (4th) among the top 100 medical schools in the world.‍

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. Amy Lowry is a board-certified psychiatrist who earned her medical degree from the University of Texas Medical Branch in Galveston after completing her undergraduate studies at Texas Lutheran University. She was commissioned as an officer in the U.S. Navy and completed her psychiatry residency at Naval Medical Center Portsmouth. She has provided psychiatric care in outpatient settings across Louisiana and North Carolina, focusing on adult and young adult populations. Dr. Lowry brings extensive experience in comprehensive psychiatric evaluations, medication management, and psychotherapy, utilizing cognitive-behavioral (CBT), psychodynamic, supportive, and dialectical behavioral (DBT) therapy approaches. Her passion lies in holistic, compassionate, and evidence-based care for a wide range of conditions including depression, anxiety, PTSD, ADHD, and life transitions.

Dr. Lowry creates a warm, respectful environment where patients feel heard and valued. She encourages autonomy through mental health education and open dialogue, working to ensure patients are informed and engaged in their treatment. She prioritizes empathy and trust, believing a strong doctor-patient relationship is key to achieving lasting therapeutic outcomes.

Dr. Lowry begins with a comprehensive understanding of each patient's history, concerns, and goals. She develops individualized treatment plans and incorporates psychotherapy into each session to align with patient goals and enhance treatment response. Patient goals are revisited regularly to adapt plans as progress is made.

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Dr. Buonopane is Board Certified in Adult Psychiatry by the American Board of Psychiatry and Neurology. She obtained her medical degree with Laude from the University of Rome, La Sapienza, and completed her residency in Psychiatry from Yale School of Medicine. Dr. Buonopane has extensive experience in psychopharmacology and offers state-of-the-art medication management with compassion and empathy. She practices a holistic approach, combining psychiatric medications with elements of psychotherapy and mindfulness. She offers individualized and comprehensive treatment plans which address the whole person, including lifestyle and social engagement, because the latest research findings show that both play an important role in mental and physical health. Education on mental illness and recommendations on diet and exercise are always discussed with the patients, according to the individuals' needs. Dr. Buonopane spends time listening to patients and makes plans based on clinical evidence without an authoritative approach, taking into consideration the patient's level of comfort and views because, in her experience, the best outcomes are always reached when patients fully understand and agree with the management of their conditions. Dr. Buonopane has been in practice for more than twenty years and has extensive experience in general Adult Psychiatry with a focus on mood disorder and anxiety. She has been leading clinical programs and teaching medical students, residents, and fellows in psychiatry and addiction in various clinical settings, such as private institutions and universities, including Yale School of Medicine. Prior to joining Talkiatry, Dr Buonopane had her own in-person clinical services for over ten years and telehealth services over the past four years, treating patients suffering mainly from depression, bipolar disorder, and anxiety. When working in private practice, Dr Buonopane received the Compassionate Doctor Recognition (Vitals) and the Patient's Choice Awards (Vitals), both based on patients' reviews.