Theresa Colberg, MD

Elizabeth Shaffer, MD, is an accomplished psychiatrist specializing in child and adolescent psychiatry. She earned her M.D. degree from St. George's University School of Medicine and holds a Bachelor of Science in Child Development from Appalachian State University where she graduated summa cum laude. Dr. Shaffer's passion for working with children and families developed during her involvement in a pre-K Head Start Program in Rural North Carolina. She completed her General Psychiatry Residency and Child & Adolescent Psychiatry Fellowship at Jerry M. Wallace School of Osteopathic Medicine at Campbell University. Dr. Shaffer obtained ABPN Board Certification in General Psychiatry in 2023 and is working towards Board Certification in Child & Adolescent Psychiatry. Dr. Shaffer has received honors and awards for her contributions to psychiatry, including the Laughlin fellowship through The American College of Psychiatrists and Resident of the Year at Cape Fear Valley Health System in 2022.Her areas of interest focus on neurodevelopmental disorders such as ADHD, Autism, and Intellectual Delay. Dr. Shaffer is affiliated with professional organizations like AACAP and APA, demonstrating her commitment to professional development. Dr. Shaffer is dedicated to promoting mental health awareness and family and patient psychoeducation. Dr. Shaffer emphasizes a joint decision-making approach to treatment options and utilizes local resources to provide wrap-around support. Dr. Shaffer is a respected psychiatrist known for her excellence, compassion, and innovative approach to mental health care. Her extensive education, accolades, research contributions, professional affiliations, and community involvement reflect her commitment to making a positive impact in her patients' lives and the broader community.

Dr Hannah Goddard is an adult psychiatrist who is originally from Northeast Ohio. She earned her undergraduate degree at Marquette University and completed her medical degree at Lake Erie College of Osteopathic Medicine in Erie, PA. Dr. Goddard completed her residency in psychiatry at MetroHealth Medical Center in Cleveland, Ohio, where she served as chief resident her final year.

Dr Goddard has experience treating a wide range of conditions including depression, anxiety, ADHD, and PTSD. The initial evaluation includes taking a comprehensive history and getting to know patients as individuals.

Her clinical philosophy centers on an empathetic, nonjudgmental, holistic approach. Dr Goddard collaborates closely with patients to develop a personalized treatment plan that integrates psychiatric medication management with supportive psychotherapy as well as elements of CBT.

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Dr. William Richie is an adult General and Forensic Psychiatrist. He earned his undergraduate and medical degrees from the University of Missouri Kansas City, completed his psychiatry residency at Howard University Hospital in Washington, DC, and later served as a Major in the United States Air Force. After his service, he returned to Howard as Chief of the Inpatient Psychiatric Service and completed fellowship training in Forensic Psychiatry at LSU Medical Center. Dr. Richie specializes in personality and dissociative disorders, pre-trial evaluations, and is especially interested in Men’s Mental Health.

Dr. Richie brings decades of clinical and academic experience to his practice. He believes that the foundation of effective care lies in a strong, respectful patient-psychiatrist relationship. His interpersonal and dialectical approach fosters collaboration, trust, and deeper understanding.

Dr. Richie takes time to listen carefully, ask thoughtful questions, and offer meaningful feedback. He works closely with each patient to develop a personalized treatment plan that supports long-term well-being and meaningful progress.

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Dr. Sumbal Akhter graduated from the University of Nevada at Las Vegas Psychiatry residency program. She has a wide range of experience, having worked at the VA, consult liaison psychiatry, and multiple inpatient/outpatient settings. She provides supportive psychotherapy and takes an integrative approach to her practice.

Dr. Nieves-Alvarado is a Board-certified psychiatrist who completed medical training at Duke University Psychiatry Program. Originally from Puerto Rico, she is fluent in both English and Spanish, which allows her to connect deeply with a diverse patient population.

Her practice combines medication management with insight-oriented therapy during every visit, promoting a comprehensive approach to mental health care. She advocates for her patients to engage in therapy alongside medication management, as she believes this integrated approach leads to better outcomes and sustained improvement. Dr. Nieves-Alvarado's practice is rooted in a collaborative, team-based approach, working closely with her patients to achieve long-term mental wellness.

Dr. Nieves-Alvarado earned her medical degree from the Universidad Central del Caribe School of Medicine in Bayamon, PR. Afterward, she moved to North Carolina, where she completed her residency at Duke University Hospital. During her training, she was nominated for a fellowship in psychodynamic practice by the Psychoanalytic Center of the Carolinas, showcasing her expertise in this area. She is also a dedicated advocate against childhood sexual trauma.

Her diverse training includes significant experience in jail and forensic psychiatry, as well as the treatment of military veterans under the veteran affairs health care system. She has experience in medically assisted treatments (MAT) for substance use disorders, Electroconvulsive therapy (ECT), and family therapy, enabling her to care for patients with complex needs.

Dr. Nieves-Alvarado treats patients across a wide age range, from young adults to the elderly. Passionate about improving access to mental health care, she joined Talkiatry to help patients facing time or transportation challenges receive the care they need.  

In addition to her clinical practice, Dr. Nieves-Alvarado remains involved with her alma mater’s Behavioral Health Department, contributing to academic education and maintaining a connection with the next generation of medical professionals. She continues to seek ongoing improvement in her field, remaining engaged with medical associations including North Carolina Psychiatric Association, American Psychiatric Association, and Alpha Omega Alpha national medical honor society. Dr. Nieves-Alvarado is committed to working hand-in-hand with her patients to achieve mental wellness.”

Dr. Richard McCall is a board-certified psychiatrist with over 25 years of comprehensive experience in delivering exceptional mental health services across various settings. He received his medical degree from the University of Virginia School of Medicine and completed his Psychiatry residency training at Duke University School of Medicine. He treats adult patients of all ages and is known for a compassionate, patient-centered approach. Dr. McColl integrates psychopharmacology with multiple psychotherapy modalities. He has specialized training in psychodynamic psychotherapy, Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT), Dialectical Behavior Therapy (DBT), Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT) and more. He looks forward to helping patients reach their goals for mental health care while providing a compassionate and collaborative environment.