Sumaiyah Qureshi, MD

Dr. Shari Sengupta attended the University of OK as a National Merit Scholar and went on to graduate with her MD from Eastern Virginia Medical School. She specialized in Adult Psychiatry at the University of NC Hospitals where she was a chief resident. She received psychotherapy training in insight-oriented and cognitive-behavioral approaches and trained at the Psychoanalytic Institute of the Carolinas. She has 18 years of experience providing medication management and psychotherapy in both private practice and community mental health settings and over 10 years of experience in telepsychiatry providing care to underserved communities. Dr. Sengupta has experience treating a variety of mental health concerns but has a particular interest in depression, anxiety, and mental health in the perinatal period. Her practice focuses on medication management from a holistic perspective. She believes that mental health is the cornerstone of overall well-being and that treatment is a collaborative journey toward improved health and function in life, work, and relationships. She offers culturally sensitive treatment to people from all backgrounds and sexual orientations. As a staff psychiatrist at Talkiatry, her treatment approach focuses on medication management informed by a background in psychotherapy.‍

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. Liss was born and raised in a neighborhood in the North Bronx. He attended Queens College, CUNY where he graduated Summa Cum Laude with a B.A. in Hebrew. He completed Medical school at NYIT College of Osteopathic Medicine in Old Westbury, NY and thereafter was accepted to NUMC for psychiatry residency training. For his final year of residency training Dr. Liss was appointed to the position of Chief Resident for Academics & Research for the Psychiatry residency program at NUMC, Nassau University Medical Center. He received two awards during his residency training, including the Acute Mental Health Services Award and the Ambulatory Mental Health Services Award at the end of his 2nd and 3rd years of residency training, respectively. At NUMC, Dr. Liss underwent a rigorous training in a multitude of psychiatric settings and has experience with managing a wide array of psychiatric areas of treatment including mood/bipolar disorders, ADHD, depression, anxiety, personality disorders, as well as the intersection of medical disorders and psychiatric disorders. For his outpatient practice, Dr. Liss anticipates focusing on mood disorders, anxiety disorders, OCD, personality disorders, and family dynamics .Dr. Liss' practice focuses on a duality of treatment strategies: specifically psychotropic medication management in conjunction with non-pharmacologic treatment modalities including supportive psychotherapy, emotive supportive psychotherapy, as well as personalized variants of psychodynamic/interpersonal psychotherapy. Additionally, Dr. Liss has experience facilitating the coordination of psychosocial treatments in underserved populations.‍

Dr. Goel holds the position of Staff Psychiatrist at Talkiatry. She has completed adult psychiatry training and is board eligible. She has been actively involved in mental health care in various capacities over the past 7 years. Dr. Goel's practice focuses on psychopharmacological interventions. Typically, she combines this with a strong emphasis on Cognitive Behavior Therapy (CBT). Dr. Goel also strongly believes that the best outcomes are achieved when you treat a person and not just illness. She received her medical degree from one of the largest publicly funded medical schools in India, L.L.R.M. Medical College, Meerut, India, before moving to the US. She gained experience in mental and behavioral health in various roles at some of the most prestigious institutions in the US, namely Northwestern University, Emory University, and North Shore-LIJ. She completed her residency at Nassau University Medical Center, East Meadow, NY. Dr. Goel has been a co-author of several research papers. Her team's research work has also been presented at national and international meetings as well. While Dr. Goel enjoys working with adults with various psychiatric disorders, her primary focus is on treating adults with various anxiety and depressive disorders. Dr. Goel also has a special interest in co-occurring sleep disorders related to these conditions.

Dr. Patricia Klaine is an attending physician working at Talkiatry. She is board certified in adult psychiatry. After completing her training in adult psychiatry, she continued her education by completing a fellowship in consultation-liaison psychiatry, which enables her to treat patients with a variety of medical comorbidities confidently. Dr. Klaine focuses on medication management. She offers this in addition to supportive psychotherapy in 30-minute follow up visits. For some patients, it may be important to bring in additional psychotherapy for well-rounded care. Dr. Klaine received her medical degree from St. George's University in Grenada, and after that, she completed her training in general adult psychiatry at Maimonides Medical Center in Brooklyn, New York. She went on to complete a fellowship in consultation-liaison psychiatry at Mount Sinai Hospital in New York. After completing her training, she worked on an inpatient psychiatric unit before deciding to transition into outpatient psychiatric care. She looks forward to a collaborative relationship with her patients.

Background and credentials

Dr. Lisa Ekeanyanwu is a board-eligible psychiatrist who completed her psychiatry residency training at Stanford University. She has gained experience in a wide range of clinical environments, including inpatient and outpatient care, community mental health settings, emergency rooms, telehealth services, and international clinical fieldwork.

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Treatment approach

Dr. Ekeanyanwu’s practice is centered on pharmacotherapy, which she integrates with supportive therapy, cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT), and psychodynamic therapy to provide comprehensive psychiatric care. She takes a collaborative and individualized approach, tailoring treatment to meet each patient’s unique goals and improve their overall quality of life. She has a special interest in cultural and micro-cultural influences on mental health and strives to provide culturally competent care that respects each patient’s life experiences and values. When she believes additional therapy may be beneficial, she may recommend incorporating a therapist into the care team.

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What you can expect in a first visit

During the first visit, patients can expect a thorough evaluation where Dr. Ekeanyanwu carefully assesses their symptoms, medical history, and personal treatment goals. She fosters a collaborative and patient-centered environment, ensuring that each treatment plan aligns with the patient’s individual needs. She provides medication management along with therapeutic support and, when appropriate, may recommend additional therapy to optimize outcomes. Her approach prioritizes safe, effective, and culturally sensitive care that evolves to support patients throughout different stages of their lives.

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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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