Sunny Bowers, LPC

Lisa May is a licensed professional counselor and mental health service provider (LPC-MHSP) with extensive experience working in the mental health field. Lisa has worked with clients of various demographics who are living with a variety of mental health conditions. Lisa attended Lindsey Wilson College where she attained her Master's in Mental Health Counseling and Morehead State University where she graduated with a bachelor's degree in social work. She has worked with DCS, foster care, and had a private practice in KY before deciding to move to Tennessee. Lisa has been practicing for over 10 years and has worked in other areas of mental health since 1997. Working with Lisa, I found that treatment is tailored for the individual, as there is great effort put into choosing the treatment modality that fits the individual's personal struggles. Lisa uses the three C's (catching, checking, and changing) approach with a foundation in Cognitive Behavioral Therapy intertwined with Mindfulness. She also prefers the person-centered focus, as she works specifically with the individual and the struggles they may be facing.‍

Shelah Radke, MD, JD, is a double board-certified Child and Adolescent and Adult Psychiatrist with over a decade of extensive experience in mental health care, specializing in the well-being of children, adolescents, and young adults. She currently serves in St. Louis, MO, where she is known for her dynamic leadership as a Medical Director and her robust clinical practice. Throughout her career, Dr. Radke has held pivotal roles, including Medical Director of Crisis Psychiatry Services at Mercy Hospital and key positions in several reputable outpatient clinics across the U.S. Her clinical acumen spans a diverse range of settings, from private practice and crisis care to specialized programs in residential and educational institutions. A staunch advocate for evidence-based approaches, Dr. Radke integrates lifestyle and pharmacological interventions to foster mental health resilience among her patients. She is particularly passionate about the shared decision-making model, which enhances patient empowerment and satisfaction by actively involving them in their treatment plans. Dr. Radke's academic contributions are equally notable. She has developed educational curriculums that significantly improve health outcomes and has shared her expertise through numerous media appearances and professional talks. Her commitment to medical education is reflected in her mentorship of nurse practitioners and her involvement in creating community psychiatry programs. Complementing her medical expertise, Dr. Radke holds a Juris Doctorate, with a focus on public health and social policy, which enriches her understanding of the legal and systemic aspects of healthcare. Her approach is deeply holistic, informed by her training in integrative medicine and her personal commitment to wellness, which she practices through nutrition, exercise, and travel with her family. Dr. Radke's professional journey is driven by a commitment to optimizing mental health outcomes and enhancing the quality of life for her patients and their families.

Dr. Dennis Valerstain is a board-certified Adult and Child and Adolescent Psychiatrist. After completing his undergraduate education at Emory University, he attended medical school at the Northwestern University Feinberg School of Medicine. He subsequently completed psychiatry residency at University of Miami/Jackson Health System and further sub-specialized at University of Miami/Jackson Health System with a fellowship in Child and Adolescent Psychiatry. Dr. Valerstain has had the opportunity of working with a diverse array of patients including children, adolescents, the severely mentally ill, veterans, and cancer patients across three distinct hospital systems. Dr. Valerstain has had varied clinical experiences in specialty inpatient psychiatry units, emergency psychiatry, consultation liaison psychiatry, psycho-oncology, and outpatient clinics via telemedicine and face to face interactions. Dr. Valerstain has experience working with patients of all ages, particularly those with depression, anxiety, bipolar disorder, ADHD, Tic disorders, substance use disorders, and more. Dr. Valerstain's practice focuses on medication management and also employs empathic listening, supportive psychotherapy techniques, and a comprehensive and methodological approach to his visits. Given his broad and diverse training experiences, he enjoys problem solving and working collaboratively with patients (and their families) to navigate their complex issues and jointly focusing on simple solutions to work towards improving their mental health.

Dr. Carrie Ramos is a compassionate and skilled adult general psychiatrist with a commitment to providing comprehensive mental health care. A native of Texas, Dr. Ramos embarked on her medical journey at the Burrell College of Osteopathic Medicine in New Mexico, where she obtained her medical degree. Following her passion for psychiatry, she completed her residency at HCA Florida Woodmont Hospital, honing her expertise in adult psychiatric care. Dr. Ramos brings a diverse background to her practice, having earned her Bachelor's degree in Exercise Science from the University of Mary Hardin-Baylor. This foundational knowledge underscores her holistic approach to mental health, recognizing the interconnectedness of physical and emotional well-being. As a board eligible psychiatrist, Dr. Ramos is dedicated to staying current with the latest advancements in psychiatry and utilizing evidence-based treatments to support her patients. Her approach is characterized by empathy, active listening, and a commitment to fostering a therapeutic alliance with each individual under her care. With a deep-rooted passion for helping others, Dr. Ramos is driven to empower her patients on their journey toward mental wellness. Her Texas roots, coupled with her diverse educational background and clinical experiences, uniquely position her to understand and address the diverse needs of her patients. In her role as a psychiatrist, Dr. Ramos is poised to make a meaningful impact in the lives of those she serves, offering hope, healing, and support to individuals seeking guidance on their path to mental health recovery.

Dr. Ashlyn Tellers is a board certified Psychiatric Mental Health Nurse Practitioner. She received her Doctorate degree in nursing with an emphasis in psychiatry, in 2020 from the University of Arizona. She has been caring for mental health patients for twelve plus years in the long-term care, inpatient, residential, and outpatient settings. She specializes in treating adults with depression, anxiety disorders, bipolar disorder, ADHD, and OCD with medication management and supportive therapy. She focuses on educating her patients to build a therapeutic and safe treatment plan with every patient. Dr. Tellers encourages her patients to discuss their past mental history and current stressors to finding the root cause of their triggers and identify healthy coping skills, while also referring patients to therapists for more specialized therapies.

Background and credentials

Dr. Edelman is Board Certified in Psychiatry and Board Eligible in Child and Adolescent Psychiatry. She completed her psychiatry residency training at the Medical College of Georgia and SUNY Downstate, followed by a fellowship in Child and Adolescent Psychiatry at SUNY Downstate. Throughout her career, Dr. Edelman has practiced in various clinical environments, including inpatient child and adolescent psychiatric units, academic outpatient treatment clinics for adults and children, emergency psychiatric settings, and community psychiatry. She has over seven years of experience.

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Treatment approach

Dr. Edelman utilizes a collaborative, supportive, and patient-centered approach, combining pharmacotherapy with therapeutic modalities such as cognitive-behavioral therapy (CBT), psychodynamic therapy, supportive therapy, and interpersonal therapies. She treats a wide variety of conditions, including depression, anxiety, OCD, bipolar disorder, ADHD, learning disorders, substance use disorders, PTSD, and schizophrenia. Her goal is to partner closely with patients to meet their specific needs, achieve their personal goals, and enhance their overall quality of life.

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What you can expect in a first visit

Patients can expect their initial visit with Dr. Edelman to include a comprehensive psychiatric evaluation, during which she takes the time to understand each patient's individual concerns, goals, and history. She emphasizes collaborative planning of treatment, carefully integrating medications and tailored therapeutic interventions. Patients will experience a compassionate and supportive atmosphere designed to set clear expectations and foster progress toward their personal mental health goals.

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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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