Zafar Zaidi, MD

Dr. Kerry O'Leary is a board-certified adult psychiatrist who joined Talkiatry after she completed her psychiatry residency. Dr. O'Leary provides patient-centered care and understands the importance of actively involving patients in their treatment journey. She believes that every patient deserves personalized care tailored to their unique needs and circumstances. She utilizes evidence-based treatments combined with a comprehensive approach to address not only the symptoms but also the underlying factors contributing to her patients' distress. Although her practice focuses on medication management, she also provides supportive therapy and may recommend more intensive therapy when indicated. Dr. O'Leary approaches each patient with empathy and understanding, fostering a supportive and nonjudgmental environment. Dr. O'Leary completed her undergraduate training at The University of Texas at Austin and pursued her medical degree at The University of Texas Medical Branch in Galveston. She also graduated with a Master's in Public Health from Columbia University in New York. She went on to complete her general adult psychiatry training at Baylor College of Medicine in Houston. Dr. O'Leary focuses on treating the adult population from ages 18+. She utilizes both pharmacological and psychotherapeutic treatment interventions and has experience in treating a variety of diagnoses including depression, anxiety, bipolar disorder, insomnia, PTSD, OCD, and psychotic disorders.

Myrtle Davenport is a dual certified Family Psychiatric Nurse Practitioner with over 12 years of experience in healthcare. She completed her Masters of Science in Nursing (MSN) degree with a concentration in Family Nurse Practitioner at Chamberlain University and a Post Master’s in Psychiatric Mental Health Nurse Practitioner at Valdosta State University. Myrtle is skilled in assessing and treating a variety of mental health disorders including but not limited to anxiety, major depression, PTSD, ADHD, OCD, and other mood disorders across the life span. She is trained in psychiatric diagnosis, medication management, and supportive therapy. Over the past 7 years, she has gained valuable experience in a number of settings, including outpatient, inpatient, and residential facilities, community mental health clinics, and private practice.

Myrtle is dedicated to providing a safe and nonjudgmental environment where patients can expect to be heard, emotionally validated, and supported. She will ensure that patients are well-informed, empowering them to be active participants in managing their care. By fostering a strong therapeutic relationship, she will support her patients in achieving long-term mental wellness and resilience.

As a dedicated Psychiatric Nurse Practitioner, Myrtle provides comprehensive mental health care to individuals across the lifespan, helping them navigate through their mental health challenges with a holistic, compassionate approach. Her clinical practice involves conducting a thorough assessment and gathering relevant information from patients about their medical, psychiatric, and social history. Through open and empathetic communication, she will ensure a deep understanding of their symptoms, challenges, and goals. Based on the assessment, she will work closely with her patients to develop an individualized treatment plan and lifestyle recommendations. She will offer education on mental health conditions, coping strategies, and self-care techniques. She also provides referrals to therapists and other support services, helping patients develop the skills they need to thrive. She also believes in providing psychoeducation to patients, families, and caregivers. Myrtle's approach to patient care is grounded in empathy, respect, and evidence-based practices, and she is committed to fostering a supportive, collaborative environment where patients feel empowered to achieve their mental health goals.

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Dr. Ioana Horotan-Enescu is a board-certified Psychiatrist. Before joining Talkiatry, she was an Active-Duty staff psychiatrist at Blanchfield Army Community Hospital, Fort Campbell, KY. Her military service also included roles such as Medical Director of Behavioral Health and Interim Clinic Chief for Embedded Behavioral Health Clinic. She completed her internship and residency at Walter Reed National Military Medical Center and earned her Doctor of Osteopathy Degree from the University of New England College of Osteopathic Medicine. Her clinical experience spanned from the inpatient to the outpatient setting and afforded her the opportunity to develop comprehensive skills in the treatment of PTSD, mood disorders, thought disorders, addiction and perinatal mood disorders. Her teaching experience spanned multiple institutions, where she has served as a preceptor and mentor for medical students, nurse practitioner and physician assistant students. In addition to medication management, she augments her practice by implementing mindfulness, psychodynamic and supportive therapy techniques in her everyday practice to enhance treatment and improve treatment response. Dr. Horotan-Enescu holds several certifications, including in Cognitive Behavioral Health Therapy for Suicide Prevention, Motivational Interviewing and Battlefield Acupuncture. She has delivered presentations at national and international conferences on various topics, reinforcing her commitment to advancing the field of psychiatry.

Dr. Varma grew up in an immigrant family surrounded by aspiring doctors, and her passion for understanding the human mind and behavior blossomed early. This curiosity led her to pursue extensive medical training abroad, beginning at Kasturba Medical College in Southern India, followed by clerkships at the University of the West Indies in Trinidad and Tobago. She completed her Adult psychiatry residency at the University of Florida in Gainesville and specialized further with a child/adolescent fellowship at Brookdale University Hospital in Brooklyn, NY.

Dr. Varma believes in a holistic, integrative approach to mental health. Her philosophy centers on identifying the root causes of ailments rather than merely addressing symptoms. She views mental health care as a partnership, where the mind, body, and spirit work together to achieve wellness. Dr. Varma is committed to fostering a safe, confidential therapeutic alliance to help you explore your potential for healing.

Dr. Varma embraces integrative psychiatry, which combines the best of conventional Western medicine with complementary approaches. This involves a comprehensive biopsychosocial assessment tailored to each individual, incorporating psychopharmacology alongside lifestyle adjustments in diet, movement, and breathwork. She collaborates with therapists and other professionals to create a well-rounded treatment plan that honors your unique journey.

Dr. Long is a board-certified psychiatrist with over 14 years of experience treating adult and older adult patients from a wide variety of cultural and socioeconomic backgrounds. Dr. Long's practice focuses primarily on medication management, in addition to supportive and cognitive and behavioral therapy in 30-minute follow-up visits. Sometimes, Dr. Long will suggest that additional therapy be included in your treatment plan in order to provide the best outcome. Dr. Long received her medical degree from the University of Illinois and completed her residency at Northwestern Memorial Hospital in Chicago. She has worked in emergency psychiatry, community psychiatry and private practice and operated her own independent practice in downtown Chicago. Most recently she has spent over 9 years working with veterans with PTSD and other mental health issues. Dr. Long received her B.A. from Yale University, graduating cum laude with a double major in Biology and Literature. She enjoys working with a wide variety of patients of different ages and from different cultural backgrounds and has extensive experience treating mood disorders, anxiety disorders, and PTSD along with comorbid substance use disorders. Dr. Long views patients as partners working toward a common goal of improving patients' quality of life. She also appreciates the strong connection between physical and mental health and provides encouragement and support to patients to make behavioral changes that will benefit both.

Dr. Chelsea Karson is a board-certified psychiatrist who completed her residency training at Advocate Lutheran General Hospital where she was Chief Resident of her program. Dr. Karson is passionate about patient care, believing in caring for the whole person. While completing her residency training, she led an interprofessional team to bring miniature-therapy horses to the inpatient psychiatry unit and thereby forge a relationship between the organization and all of Advocate Aurora Healthcare. Dr. Karson partnered with a mental health counselor to create a virtual therapy program of resources, the Bridge Project, to close the gap between inpatient and outpatient care that is now used throughout the Advocate Aurora network. At graduation Dr. Karson received the 2024 Advocate Lutheran General Hospital Ruggie Humanitarian Award. The Ruggie Award selects and honors a graduating resident or fellow who displays academic excellence, commitment to the education of others, professional bearing, and a concern for the patient within the light of Human Ecology. Dr. Karson attended undergraduate at Elmhurst University, a biology major with minors in chemistry and medical humanities. She went to medical school at Rosalind Franklin University and was chosen to join the Gold Humanism Honor Society for her dedication to compassionate patient care.