Ian Thistlethwaite, MD

Deora Johnson, PMHNP, is a board-certified adult psychiatric nurse practitioner with 24 years of experience. He is passionate about providing clients with a holistic approach to mental health care, incorporating both pharmacologic and non-pharmacologic interventions. Deora works with adult and senior populations, focusing on the assessment, diagnosis, and treatment of mental health conditions. He collaborates closely with clients to guide them through understanding and selecting the most effective interventions and medication management options for their needs. Supportive therapy, solution-focused therapy, and motivational interviewing are integral components of his medication management sessions.

Deora earned his Master of Science in Nursing from Vanderbilt University in Nashville, Tennessee, and completed a nursing practice degree at the University of Alabama in Birmingham. He has experience treating patients in a variety of outpatient and inpatient settings.

His areas of specialty include the treatment of major depressive disorder, anxiety disorders, bipolar disorder, ADHD, PTSD, and insomnia. His research focused on non-pharmacologic interventions for insomnia in individuals with depression.

Deora also has experience working with military veterans. At the VA Outpatient Clinic in Baltimore, Maryland, he treated veterans returning from Operation Iraqi Freedom and Operation Enduring Freedom, as well as those from the Vietnam and Korean War eras. His clinical work focused on PTSD, major depressive disorder, anxiety disorders, and bipolar disorder.

Deora believes the therapeutic relationship offers a unique opportunity to work collaboratively through life’s challenges. He views medication management as an important part of a comprehensive treatment plan that also includes therapy.

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Michael Huang is a psychiatric mental health nurse practitioner who takes a holistic, collaborative, and non-judgmental approach to mental health care. He graduated from Boston College with his MSN after many years of working in inpatient psychiatry at McLean Hospital in Belmont, MA, and has over a decade of experience in mental health care. He has worked in various outpatient settings, first in Boston and more recently in Las Vegas, gaining extensive experience with individuals from diverse socio-economic and cultural backgrounds.

Michael strongly believes that each person’s struggle is unique, and the solutions and treatments should be individualized based on the person’s goals. Having experienced childhood trauma himself, he is particularly passionate about and experienced in treating C-PTSD, OCD, ADHD, and borderline personality disorder. His focus is on helping others find peace, whether momentary or lasting, in their chaotic and often overwhelming lives.

The first appointment with Michael includes a comprehensive psychiatric evaluation and a discussion about your goals for treatment. While pharmacological treatment may be part of the plan, Michael prefers to focus on the therapeutic aspect of care, as he believes therapy is an essential component of healing. With Michael, you can expect to collaboratively create a treatment plan that you feel comfortable with, rather than simply being told what to do.

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Mary Birse is a board-certified Psychiatric Mental Health Nurse Practitioner (ANCC) with over 20 years of nursing experience. She graduated magna cum laude with a BSN from Florida Atlantic University and earned her MSN from the University of Florida. She completed a Psychiatric NP Residency at the VA in Charleston, SC. Mary has worked in a variety of settings including the West Palm Beach VA Medical Center, the Palm Beach County Firefighter’s Clinic, various outpatient telehealth platforms, and a child and adolescent inpatient facility. She was also an adjunct professor at Palm Beach State College.

Mary believes in empowering patients through education and collaboration so they can play an active role in their mental health journey. She works to create a warm and welcoming space where patients feel safe, heard, and understood. Whether the treatment path includes therapy, medication, integrative approaches, or a combination, she ensures that the plan reflects the patient's needs and goals.

Mary takes a thorough and holistic approach to care. She spends time understanding each patient’s history and past treatments—what has or hasn’t worked—and listens carefully to their current concerns and future goals. By factoring in lifestyle and preferences, she works with patients to build thoughtful, individualized treatment plans.

Dr. Dominic Adams earned his medical degree from Eastern Virginia Medical School and completed his residency at the University of Mississippi Medical Center. He has experience treating a broad range of mental health conditions using both medicinal and psychotherapeutic interventions. Dr. Adams works with children, adolescents, and adults, and has training in cognitive behavioral and psychodynamic psychotherapy.

Dr. Adams strives to create a cooperative therapeutic experience that fosters open and empathetic communication. He values patient choice in treatment and prioritizes empowering patients through psychoeducation. Drawing on a variety of psychotherapeutic techniques, he tailors care to meet the unique needs of each individual.

Initial appointments with Dr. Adams include a thorough review of the patient’s concerns and the development of both patient and physician treatment goals. He discusses treatment options in detail, providing education on any medications, therapies, or interventions. Together, he and the patient select a dynamic treatment plan and set a follow-up schedule to monitor progress.

Background and credentials

Dr. Puja Kumar is trained in adult, child, and adolescent psychiatry and is a board-certified pediatrician. She earned her Bachelor of Science from the University of Calgary and her medical degree from St. George’s University in Grenada. She completed her pediatrics residency at Maimonides Medical Center in New York and practiced pediatrics with MedStar Shah Medical Group in Maryland before transitioning to psychiatry. She later trained in child and adult psychiatry at University Hospitals Cleveland Medical Center.

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Treatment approach

Dr. Kumar provides medication management combined with supportive therapy, typically in 30-minute follow-up visits. She takes a holistic approach to treatment, considering the impact of lifestyle, parenting practices, and family dynamics on mental health. She emphasizes integrative care, ensuring that treatment plans are tailored to each patient’s unique needs and circumstances.

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What you can expect in a first visit

During the first visit, patients can expect a thorough and compassionate evaluation, where Dr. Kumar takes time to understand their symptoms, medical history, and environmental influences. She prioritizes collaborative decision-making, working closely with patients and, when applicable, their families, to develop a comprehensive and personalized treatment plan. Follow-up visits typically focus on medication adjustments, supportive therapy, and lifestyle recommendations to optimize mental health outcomes.

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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.

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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.