Niles Drake, MD

Dr. Catherine Shim is a board-certified psychiatrist and completed her training at the University of Washington, where she received additional certifications in Psychotherapy and Community Psychiatry.  Prior to joining Talkiatry, she spent years serving the mental health needs of underserved communities as well as our Veteran population.  Dr. Cat is excited to bring that same dedication and selfless service to her Talkiatry patients!

Dr. Cat is experienced in managing a multitude of mental health conditions, but her specialty is providing behaviorally oriented trauma-informed care.  Her approach is to treat primarily through psychotherapy and behavioral change, with medication management serving as an important (and often essential) adjuvant to optimizing mental health.

Dr. Cat tends to have a very casual engagement style, so expect a frank but open conversation during your first meetings with her.  Following that initial screening, anticipate a candid discussion about her 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!

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Dr. Heather Paxton is a physician with over 20 years of experience in psychiatry. She earned her medical degree from Yale University School of Medicine and completed her internship and residency at Yale New Haven Hospital and affiliated programs. She also earned a fellowship certificate in College Mental Health at Yale University Health Services. Dr. Paxton has extensive experience in outpatient, intensive outpatient, and inpatient settings, treating individuals of all ages and a wide range of psychiatric conditions.

Dr. Paxton values treating each person as an individual and considers it an honor to be trusted with someone’s vulnerability. She strives to understand each patient’s perspective on therapy and medication, honoring their preferences while providing clear education to reduce fear and build trust.

Dr. Paxton reviews written information before visits to focus on meaningful dialogue. She seeks to understand daily life, goals, and desired outcomes, including preferences about therapy, medication, and side effects. She ensures each patient understands and agrees with the plan, emphasizing collaboration.

Dr. Jaime Thomas, DO, earned her Doctor of Osteopathic Medicine from Oklahoma State University Center for Health Sciences and completed her psychiatry residency at Einstein Medical Center in Philadelphia. She is dedicated to providing culturally sensitive, holistic mental-health care, supporting patients through life’s most challenging moments by addressing the whole person—mind, body, and environment.

Dr. Thomas emphasizes understanding each patient’s unique story and identifying meaningful avenues for change. Her approach integrates lifestyle modifications, nutrition, spirituality, physical activity, community, and medication when appropriate, ensuring care is thoughtful, personalized, and collaborative.

Treatment begins with comprehensive sessions to explore a patient’s life story, concerns, and goals. Follow-up visits focus on fostering growth, maintaining stability, and supporting long-term well-being, creating a safe space for sustainable mental-health improvement.

Meagan Blews is a Licensed Clinical Mental Health Counselor (LCMHC) in North Carolina.  She graduated with her MA in Professional Counseling in 2011, and after being a stay at home mom for six years, ventured into community mental health.  Meagan has served as both a lead clinician and Interim Center Director over the years and is passionate about providing quality assessment and treatment options. With extensive training in Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT), Dialectical Behavior Therapy (DBT), and Trauma-Focused Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (TF-CBT), Meagan provides comprehensive and empathetic care to her clients.

Meagan's approach to therapy is deeply rooted in trauma-informed principles, ensuring that clients feel safe, seen, and supported throughout their healing journey. Her passion lies in empowering individuals with the skills necessary for emotion regulation, helping them navigate life's challenges with resilience and confidence.  Meagan utilizes a mindfulness-based approach, guiding clients toward acceptance and self awareness in order to help clients overcome obstacles that prevent them from reaching their full potential.  Through a collaborative and non-judgmental environment, she fosters a safe space for exploration and self-discovery.

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Before pursuing medicine, Dr. Kenneth Ethan Lai explored a range of passions. After earning dual degrees in Biology and Biochemistry from the University of California, Riverside, he opened a popular Riverside eatery featured on The Food Channel. He later transitioned to the IT industry, earning a master’s degree and certifications, before answering his true calling in medicine, graduating from Saint Matthews University School of Medicine.

Dr. Lai believes psychiatry combines science and the art of medicine. Patients value his professionalism, patience, empathy, and attentive listening. He acknowledges the many choices patients have in providers and strives to create a welcoming, collaborative, and supportive environment for everyone seeking care.

Dr. Lai treats both adults and children/adolescents with expertise in psychopharmacology, psychotherapy, addiction, geriatrics, and dual-diagnosis care. He is trained in TMS and ECT, is a Certified Suboxone Prescriber, and offers consultations and treatment through office-based or telemedicine visits. His approach is tailored to each patient’s needs, integrating compassionate care with evidence-based treatment.

Dr. Lanier Summerall attended Yale University, where she studied philosophy in the Great Books Program. She later studied Molecular Biology at the University of Colorado, where she and her husband moved after getting married. She received her medical degree from the University of Colorado Health Sciences Program, and completed her residency at Dartmouth Medical School. She also trained at Massachusetts General Hospital with Dr. Theodore Stern in his area of expertise (Consult Psychiatry) and learned from his immense skill at building strong rapport with all patients.

Dr. Summerall has experience in inpatient, and outpatient settings, along with teaching and research. She has worked in hospital administration, government entities, most importantly the Senate Veterans’ Affairs Committee.

Dr. Summerall values transparent communication and will work with you to create the change. She treats patients as unique individuals and treatment is put into place with individualized plans in mind. Her approach to patients, which emphasizes holistic, patient centered, strength based treatment built on a foundation of strong doctor-patient alliance and evidence based medical knowledge.

Your appointment with Dr. Summerall will be a conversation. She is there to work towards goals together and is a good translator of "medical-ese". She enjoys working with patients on all aspects of their health and caters treatment plans to you.