Sumbal Akhter, DO

Dr Ibrahim joined Talkiatry as a general adult psychiatrist.

Dr Ibrahim earned his medical degree from faculty of medicine, University of Cairo, Egypt.

He completed residency in general psychiatry at Case Western Reserve university and MetroHealth medical center in Cleveland, Ohio.

He practiced psychiatry for 30 years. working in different settings:

Hospitals. inpatient and consultation liaison to other medical services.

Private practice, outpatients treating adults, geriatric and adolescents.

Provided geropsychiatric consultations to long term care facilities and assisted living.

Areas of interest:

Mood and anxiety disorders

cognitive, neuropsychiatric disorders

PTSD , bipolar, OCD

Psychopharmacology and treatment resistant conditions (depression)

Psychoeducation to improve treatment compliance

Dr Ibrahim likes to work with patients on customized treatment plan with active patient participation.

Treatment goals are defined and updated as needed in follow up visits.

Dr Ibrahim encourage his patients to ask questions and learn more about their condition, communication and education are essential for treatment success.

Dr Ibrahim will have an initial evaluation. Providing treatment records can be helpful.

He will share with patient treatment options and create a custom treatment plan.

Follow up appointments are scheduled every 2 weeks at the beginning of treatment.

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Dr. Kirk Murphy, MD, completed residency and fellowship training in Trauma and Consultation-Liaison Psychiatry at UCLA School of Medicine. He also completed subspecialty training at UCLA’s Human Sexuality, Anxiety Disorders, and Mood Disorders Clinics. Dr. Murphy has extensive experience caring for outpatients with anxiety disorders, mood disorders, PTSD, and complex medical conditions.

Dr. Murphy takes time to understand each patient and their unique circumstances. He focuses on clarifying diagnoses and thoughtfully discussing potential treatment options, including risks and benefits. He is committed to creating a supportive, empathic, and respectful environment that prioritizes patient comfort and collaboration.

After learning about a patient’s symptoms and needs, Dr. Murphy establishes diagnoses using standardized diagnostic instruments. He reviews findings with patients and discusses treatment options in detail, ensuring understanding and aligning care with each patient’s values and preferences.

Dr. Thistlethwaite is a board eligible adult psychiatrist and internal medicine physician. He completed his medical education at West Virginia University School of Medicine. Following completion of medical school, Dr. Thistlethwaite completed residency training at WVU/Charleston Area Medical Center with a dual specialization in internal medicine and psychiatry. Dr. Thistlethwaite's training included treatment of patients both in the inpatient and outpatient setting as well as management of patients with comorbid medical conditions. During his training Dr. Thistlethwaite became passionate about approaching patients in a holistic manner that addressed both their physical and mental health. He is especially passionate about ensuring that patients with mental health disorders are provided with appropriate general medical care as they are a marginalized and underserved group. Dr. Thistlethwaite's practice focuses on medication management for a wide array of conditions including depression, anxiety disorders, bipolar disorder, obsessive compulsive disorder, tic disorder/Tourette's, and post traumatic stress disorder. Dr. Thistlethwaite incorporates supportive psychotherapy, cognitive behavioral therapy interventions, and some psychodynamic therapy skills in his practice as well. Dr. Thistlethwaite believes in a collaborative and holistic approach to mental healthcare that incorporates the patient as well as all members of the healthcare team in every aspect of care.

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. 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.

Dr. Mirica Sanders is a board-certified adult psychiatrist. She graduated from Tennessee State University and earned her medical degree from Ohio University College of Medicine. She completed her Psychiatry Residency as Chief Resident at The Cleveland Clinic and pursued advanced training in community and public psychiatry at Case Western Reserve University. Dr. Sanders has experience practicing in both outpatient and inpatient settings and holds a special interest in women’s mental health.

Dr. Sanders values creating a warm and inviting atmosphere where patients feel comfortable and heard. She encourages openness and authenticity, aiming for each patient to leave with a clear understanding of their treatment plan. She also welcomes questions to ensure patients feel fully informed and supported throughout their care.

Patients can expect a conversational interview in which Dr. Sanders gathers medical, social, family, and psychiatric history to inform a personalized treatment plan. Each session involves collaboration, with patients actively participating in shaping their care. Following appointments, patients receive an after-visit summary and instructions to guide them between sessions.