Ian Thistlethwaite, MD

Damaris Chukwura, DNP, PMHNP-BC, is a Board-Certified Family Psychiatric Mental Health Nurse Practitioner with over a decade of experience in mental health care. She began her nursing career in 2007 and has been practicing as a psychiatric nurse practitioner since 2014. Damaris has worked in a wide range of settings including inpatient hospitals, residential treatment centers, partial and intensive outpatient programs, correctional psychiatry, and substance abuse treatment. Her clinical experience spans various conditions such as ADHD, eating disorders, mood disorders, psychotic disorders, PTSD, and treatment-resistant depression. She earned her BSN from Texas Christian University, MSN from The University of Texas at Arlington, and her DNP from The University of Alabama in Huntsville.

Damaris values open communication and collaboration with her patients. She creates a warm, caring environment where individuals feel heard and respected. Her approach is both evidence-based and supportive, blending professionalism with a welcoming demeanor. She is passionate about mental health advocacy and reducing stigma. Outside of work, Damaris enjoys spending time with her husband and three children, traveling, decorating, and watching reality TV.

During initial psychiatric evaluations, Damaris takes time to fully understand each patient’s history, concerns, and goals. She develops individualized treatment plans that align with these goals and may include supportive therapy or referrals for more intensive therapy if needed. Follow-up appointments typically last 30 minutes, allowing time to track progress and make adjustments as necessary.

Dr. Tetyana Tarnavsky is a board-certified psychiatrist trained in Adult Psychiatry. She attended Dnipropetrovsk State Medical Academy in Ukraine where she received her M.D., M.S. and Ph.D. degrees in Psychiatry. Dr. Tarnavsky completed her residency at Harvard South Shore Psychiatry Residency Training Program in MA, where she was elected chief resident. Dr. Tarnavsky has an extensive research experience in Ukraine and the USA. She had studied computer addiction for her dissertation; had multiple abstracts and presentations; published several articles in peer-reviewed psychiatric journals as well as a book entitled Computer Addiction: Formation, Diagnosis, Correction and Prophylaxis. She has helped organize international conferences with the goal of improving access to and quality of healthcare in Dnipropetrovsk, Ukraine, and providing a national model for health care reform. Dr. Tarnavsky has worked with a variety of patients with diverse backgrounds in a Community Health Center and in the Partial Hospitalization Program as well as supervised medical students, psychiatry residents, and nurse practitioners. She has been a lecturer on psychiatry at Harvard Medical School and was involved in the training of psychiatry residents in the Harvard South Shore Psychiatry Training Program. Her primary focus has been on treating adults with depression, anxiety, post traumatic stress disorder, adjustment disorder, ADHD and other disorders. Dr. Tarnavsky strives to provide quality and compassionate treatment to individuals and their families.‍

Dr. Santos is a psychiatrist with more than 4 years of experience practicing in a variety of settings with an emphasis on psychiatric outpatient care. She is experienced in treating several psychiatric disorders including but not limited to: Bipolar and Related Disorders, Depressive Disorders, Anxiety Disorders, Trauma and Stressor Related Disorders, Obsessive-Compulsive and Related Disorders, and Substance Related and Addictive Disorders. Dr. Santos received her medical degree from the University of Queensland in Brisbane, Australia / Ochsner Clinical School in New Orleans, Louisiana. She completed her residency training at Louisiana State University in Shreveport, Louisiana. Dr. Santos tailors her approach to the individual patient. She focuses on medication management and incorporates several therapeutic techniques including supportive therapy, cognitive behavioral therapy, acceptance therapy and mindfulness.

Dr. Debrey is board-certified in adult psychiatry. Her approach is client-centered, individualized, and collaborative. She focuses on building a strong therapeutic alliance with each client to work towards achieving enhanced functioning and meaning in their lives. She works with individuals experiencing a wide range of mental health concerns, including depression and other mood concerns, bipolar spectrum illnesses, OCD, PTSD, anxiety disorders, and substance use disorders. Though she specializes in medication management, she believes in an integrative and comprehensive treatment program that incorporates multiple aspects of an individual's health and wellness. Along with discussing physical health concerns, diet, exercise, personal connection, and stress management, she incorporates various therapeutic modalities, including CBT, DBT, ACT, and mindfulness, into her work. In some instances, Dr. Debrey may recommend more intensive psychotherapy with a collaborating therapist in order to help facilitate the best care possible. Dr. Debrey received her medical degree from Rush Medical College. She also holds a graduate degree in epidemiology from the Johns Hopkins Bloomberg School of Public Health. Following medical school, she completed her residency in psychiatry at Emory University School of Medicine. During her final year of residency, she served as chief resident at Grady Memorial Hospital. Prior to joining Talkiatry, Dr. Debrey was an assistant professor at Emory University Department of Psychiatry, where she worked as an attending psychiatrist at Grady Behavioral Health. While at Grady, Dr. Debrey worked primarily as a community psychiatrist with a focus on working with individuals experiencing psychosis. She also frequently worked on the inpatient psychiatry service at Grady. As an Emory faculty member, teaching and mentorship were an especially meaningful part of her work.‍

Dr. Katherine Vital-Daley is an adult psychiatrist at Talkiatry. She treats all adults and her passion lies in providing accessible care for women facing challenges throughout pregnancy, childbirth, and postpartum and in reproductive psychiatry. Dr. Vital-Daley's academic background is rooted in science, with an undergraduate degree in biochemistry and molecular biology from the University of California, Merced. She then pursued her medical doctorate at the Medical University of the Americas. Following medical school, she completed her psychiatry residency training. The first two years were spent at East Carolina University, Brody School of Medicine, with a culmination of her last two years of residency at Allegheny Health Network in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, to further specialize in women's mental health, which solidified her expertise in this vital area.‍At Allegheny Health Network's Women's Behavioral Health clinic, Dr. Vital-Daley honed her skills in treating a range of conditions, including depression, anxiety, PTSD, OCD, bipolar disorder, and related issues, and served as a medical provider for their intensive perinatal/postpartum outpatient clinic. She also developed a deep understanding of perinatal mental health, supporting patients coping with perinatal loss and traumatic birthing experiences. In her practice, she employs supportive psychotherapy and mindfulness along with evidence-based medication management, utilizing the most current clinical guidelines and treatment modalities. ‍Dr. Vital-Daley's approach is rooted in a collaborative treatment approach. She works closely with patients, exploring past and current stressors and any relevant medical conditions to develop a comprehensive understanding of their individual needs. Recognizing the importance of cultural competency, she incorporates patients' unique backgrounds, beliefs, and core values into her care plans.

Dr. Sean Culver is an outpatient psychiatrist with experience treating a wide variety of disorders across multiple distinct age groups. He completed his undergraduate education at the University of Pittsburgh, graduating summa cum laude while majoring in neuroscience. He attended medical school at the Ohio State University College of Medicine, where he was granted an annual merit scholarship. Dr. Culver then remained at the OSU Wexner Medical Center for residency training. Outside of psychiatry, he enjoys numerous interests including soccer, hockey, music, photography, and video games.

During residency, Dr. Culver developed particular interest in working with young adults, college students, and athletes, but is comfortable with patients of all ages. He strongly believes in the practice of evidence-based medicine, utilizing the most current research to guide recommendations. He is a strong advocate for patient autonomy and therefore provides psychoeducation on diagnoses and medications so that each patient can make informed decisions which align with their own values.

Dr. Culver approaches each patient in the context of their individual interests, family dynamics, and life goals. He understands that not every patient requires or desires medication and is comfortable in a number of psychotherapy techniques including cognitive behavioral therapy, psychodynamic therapy, and supportive therapy. He emphasizes a trusting and honest therapeutic relationship with his patients.

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