Zaccaheaus Adams, LMHC

Akif A. Khawaja M.D. is a Clinical General Psychiatrist. He has worked in this field since graduating and obtaining his residency from the University of Mississippi Medical Center Department of Neurology and Behavioral Sciences in 1996. He has worked mostly with adults ranging from 18 to 90 years of age. He has served as a director of Intensive Outpatient Programs in the state of Mississippi. He currently focuses on medical management of patients above 50 years of age and has served as a director of Geriatric Psychiatric Units.

He has a particular interest in treating mood, anxiety, and cognitive disorders, including ADHD. Patients working with him can expect thorough and detailed appointments, as he places special emphasis on gathering comprehensive medical and psychiatric histories, including specific dates of past treatments. During initial visits, he carefully reviews previous medical interventions, particularly procedures such as electroconvulsive therapy (ECT) and vagus nerve stimulation (VNS).

His approach prioritizes thorough evaluations to ensure accurate diagnoses. He strongly believes that honesty is essential for achieving the best possible treatment outcomes.

Angelica Luciano, PMHNP, has been dedicated to health care for over 22 years. Her journey began in 2003 when she enlisted in the Air Force as a medic and later served as a nurse in the Department of Defense. She earned her bachelor’s degree in Nursing from Indiana State University, was commissioned as a Nurse Officer in the U.S. Public Health Service, and went on to complete her master’s at Gonzaga University. Inspired by her work as a psychiatric RN, Angelica pursued her calling in mental health and became board certified as a Psychiatric-Mental Health Nurse Practitioner in 2017.

Angelica provides care through a warm, direct, and nonjudgmental style. She takes a biopsychosocial approach, recognizing the interplay of biological, psychological, and social factors in mental health. By combining psychopharmacology, patient education, and brief supportive therapy, she offers care that is accessible, collaborative, and authentic. Patients can expect to feel heard, respected, and actively involved in their treatment decisions.

Angelica begins with a comprehensive consultation to understand each patient’s history, concerns, and goals. This may take several appointments before finalizing a treatment plan. Plans may include lab work, collaboration with a patient’s broader health care team, and involvement of supportive family members if desired. Her goal is to create individualized care tailored to patient needs while ensuring comfort, advocacy, and trust. She emphasizes that patients are never defined by a diagnosis but valued as whole individuals.

Dr. Morales is a board-certified psychiatrist who is dedicated to the bio-psycho-sociocultural model. This has been reflected in Dr. Morales' pursuit of treating patients suffering from diverse medical and psychiatric conditions, respective psychological mindedness, and varied socio-economic and cultural backgrounds. As an individual, Dr. Morales is fascinated by the human mind, its mechanisms to pursue goals, and the cyclical patterns seen in maladaptation and suffering. He believes in understanding patients' experiences and developing comprehensive treatment plans towards reconciliation. After completing his medical education at the East Carolina Brody School of Medicine, as a Brody Scholar, he subsequently completed psychiatry residency at Jackson Health System/University of Miami. Dr. Morales has had the opportunity to work with a diverse array of patients including high-functioning patients, veterans, trafficking victims, the severely mentally ill of low socio-economic status, and cancer patients across three distinct hospital systems via telemedicine and face-to-face interactions. His experience includes working with patients suffering from post-traumatic stress disorder, adjustment disorder, mood disorders, generalized anxiety disorder, panic disorder, and more. He honors active listening, analytic understanding, supportive psychotherapy techniques, and evidence-based and methodological treatment for patient care and actualization. His goal is to assist patients in navigating short- and long-term goals as well as improved quality of life. As a result, Dr. Morales focuses on medication management, which is offered in conjunction with supportive therapy, which is offered in 1-hour initial and 30-minute follow-up visits. Dr. Morales believes that appropriate patients can benefit from additional exploratory and self-actualizing therapy from other valued and specialized therapists to support targeted goals. He will not hesitate to recommend and promote consultations with therapists for such patients who are ready to pursue. Ultimately, Dr. Morales seeks to understand, validate, and treat patients in a collaborative therapeutic alliance.

Background and credentials

Dr. Yang is board-certified in both General Psychiatry and Addiction Psychiatry. She received her medical degree from the Medical School of Nanjing University in China and completed her Ph.D. in Neuroscience at the State University of New York in Buffalo. She conducted neuroscience research at Tufts University and Columbia University. Dr. Yang completed her residency in Psychiatry at the University of Texas Health Science Center at Houston – McGovern Medical School (UTHealth) and a fellowship in Addiction Psychiatry at Baylor College of Medicine. She has held academic positions at Baylor College of Medicine, supervising medical students, residents, and physician assistant students.

‍

Treatment approach

Dr. Yang specializes in treating depressive disorders, bipolar disorders, anxiety, substance use disorders, ADHD, and trauma-related disorders. She employs medication management combined with supportive therapy and motivational interviewing techniques. Dr. Yang emphasizes building strong therapeutic relationships, tailoring treatment to each patient's unique goals and needs.

‍

What you can expect in a first visit

In the initial visit, patients can expect a detailed, personalized evaluation by Dr. Yang. She will explore symptoms, medical history, personal goals, and treatment preferences to design an individualized care plan. Patients can expect a compassionate, collaborative approach with clear communication about medication management options and supportive therapeutic strategies aimed at improving their overall well-being.

‍

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.

‍

Dr. Anil Joseph (AJ) Kulangara completed additional training in Psychiatry at the University of Washington after working primarily in women’s health, primary care, and military medicine as a Battalion Surgeon in the United States Army.  Following his military service, he trained in Psychiatry and served the mental health needs of our Veteran population. He is excited to now bring his unique expertise and experiences to Talkiatry, as well as his additional training in Women’s Mental Health, Reproductive and Perinatal Psychiatry, PTSD, and trauma-informed ADHD evaluation and treatment.

Dr. AJ’s approach focuses on behavioral change, with medication management and supportive therapies serving as important (and often essential) adjuvants to optimizing mental health.

During your first meetings with Dr. AJ, you should expect a thorough evaluation of your clinical and social histories, as well as some introductory psychoeducation.  Following that screening, anticipate a discussion about his 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!

‍

Dr. Austin Davidson grew up in Nashville, TN before moving to CA for his undergraduate studies at the University of California, Irvine where he was on the rowing team. He then attended medical school at the Alabama College of Osteopathic Medicine. He completed his psychiatry residency training at the University of Nevada, Las Vegas.

When he’s not practicing medicine, he enjoys spending time with his family, working out in his garage gym, and playing board games.

Dr. Davidson focuses on treating the whole patient. He believes medication is just one of the many important aspect to address when concerning mental health. Therapy, lifestyle changes, diet, and exercise are also equally important modalities that must be considered in treatment.  

Dr. Davidson’s treatment process typically begins with an in-depth history that focuses on getting to know his patients. He prefers to take his time with each patient and to make sure they feel they are heard. He believes the treatment process is a team effort and he takes time to come up with treatment plans that both he and his patients are comfortable with.

‍