Mental health care
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Personalized psychiatric care and psychotherapy for high-achieving professionals in NY. Collaborative, evidence-based care designed to help you feel your best.

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Peaceful moment

A different kind of psychiatry.

Traditional psychiatric care can feel rushed or impersonal. We take the time to understand your whole story — not just your symptoms, but your life, your goals, and what matters most to you.

Our practice combines the rigor of academic medicine with the warmth and attention of boutique care.

You deserve care that sees the whole you.

Mental health isn't just about managing symptoms—it's about understanding yourself, your patterns, and what helps you thrive. Whether you're navigating anxiety, depression, ADHD, or simply want to feel more like yourself, we're here to help you get there.

Collaborative care that feels human.

Collaborative care that feels human.

You bring your life expertise, we bring clinical experience. Together, we make treatment decisions that align with your values and goals.

Whole-person approach.

Whole-person approach.

We look beyond symptoms to understand your sleep, relationships, work, identity, and what brings meaning to your life.

Evidence-based and personalized.

Evidence-based and personalized.

Treatment grounded in current research and clinical guidelines, but tailored to your unique context, identity, and preferences.

Dr. Michael Nakhla

Meet Dr. Michael Nakhla

Founder & Psychiatrist

Dr. Nakhla is a board-certified adult psychiatrist and psychotherapist. He serves in leadership and teaching roles at NYU, where he supervises the next generation of psychiatrists and works at the intersection of college mental health and academic medicine.

His practice focuses on high-achieving professionals and students navigating mood and anxiety disorders, ADHD, perfectionism, and identity development. He created the light room to offer something different — care that's evidence-based yet deeply human.

He specializes in integrating psychotherapy with medication management, offering a truly comprehensive treatment approach.

"Dr. Nakhla is kind, understanding, and truly listens. He's made a big difference in my life and can't recommend him enough."
— Initials hidden
"Dr. Nakhla is amazing, kind, understanding, and non-judgmental. He literally saved my life."
— S.D.
"Dr. Mike Nakhla is truly an outstanding psychiatrist. I highly recommend him to one and all."
— T.P.
"Dr. Nakhla is a great psychiatrist, taking the time to understand the conditions of his patients, not just from a medical perspective but he accounts for the patient's daily life, needs, schedule, goals, etc in the prescription of treatment."
— A.S.
"Dr. Nakhla was so patient and compassionate. It was important to me to be seen by a medical professional who paid attention to me instead of viewing me as an amalgamation of my symptoms. He'll help."
— B.A.
"I feel so lucky to have found Dr. Nakhla! He is extremely understanding, flexible, and nonjudgmental, and he takes my concerns seriously while also being able to inject humor into our discussions."
— T.P.
"Dr. Nakhla is kind, brilliant, empathetic, and evidence-based. When I say he changed my life for the better, I mean that with every fiber of my being. I'm so grateful for his care and support!"
— M.V.
"Dr. Nakhla is very patient and kind. He listens to you and you can tell he genuinely wants to help you feel better. He checks in regularly and is very thorough and considerate."
— C.L.
"For the first time, I felt like my psychiatrist actually understood me as a person, not just a diagnosis. The care is thoughtful, responsive, and genuinely collaborative."
— S.K.

60-90 minute evaluations.

Comprehensive first sessions that take the time to understand your full story and context.

Same-week availability.

We reserve openings for new patients so you can start care when you need it.

Responsive between sessions.

Clear communication channel for check-ins and timely adjustments to your care.

How it works.

Getting started is simple. From your first consultation to ongoing care, we're here to support your mental health journey with responsive, personalized treatment.

1

Book a complimentary consultation.

Start with a free 15-minute call to discuss your needs and see if we're a good fit. No commitment required.

2

Comprehensive evaluation.

Your first session is a deep dive into it all-symptoms, sleep, nutrition, medical history, relationships, work, identity, and what matters most to you.

3

Collaborative treatment plan.

Together, we develop a personalized approach that may include medication, psychotherapy, lifestyle changes, or a combination tailored to you.

4

Ongoing support and adjustment.

Regular follow-ups (25-45 min) and responsive communication between sessions ensure your treatment evolves with your needs.

Virtual care, real connection.

Meet from anywhere in New York State.

All sessions are conducted via secure video. No commute, no waiting room—just quality care from the comfort of your own space.

Your privacy matters.

Confidential, secure, and HIPAA-compliant.

Your information is protected with the highest standards of medical privacy and security.

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Transparent, straightforward pricing.

Out-of-network practice with insurance reimbursement support. We provide detailed superbills to help you maximize your benefits.

1

Initial Consultation

Comprehensive evaluation

$500-$650
60-90 minutes
  • Full psychiatric evaluation
  • Collaborative treatment plan
  • Whole-person assessment

Follow-up Sessions

Medication management

$400-$500
30-45 minutes
  • Treatment monitoring
  • Medication adjustments
  • Between-session support
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Therapy Sessions

Psychotherapy + medication

$400
45 minutes
  • Integrated approach
  • Weekly or bi-weekly
  • CBT & psychodynamic work

Payment due at time of service. Limited sliding-scale appointments available. We provide detailed superbills for insurance reimbursement and help you understand your out-of-network benefits.

Book free 15-min consultation

Your questions answered.

Do you accept insurance?

We are an out-of-network practice, which means we don't bill insurance directly. However, we provide detailed superbills (receipts) that you can submit to your insurance company for potential reimbursement. Many patients with out-of-network benefits recover 50-80% of session costs. We're happy to help you understand your benefits during your free consultation.

What's the difference between psychiatry and therapy?

Psychiatrists are medical doctors who can prescribe medication and provide therapy. Therapists (psychologists, social workers, counselors) provide talk therapy but cannot prescribe medication. Dr. Nakhla offers both—he can prescribe and manage medications while also providing psychotherapy, giving you integrated care from one clinician who knows your full picture.

How quickly can I get an appointment?

We intentionally keep openings available for new patients. Most people can schedule their free 15-minute consultation within a few days, and initial evaluations are typically available within 1-2 weeks. For established patients, we offer flexible scheduling and same-week availability for urgent needs.

Is this practice right for me?

This practice is ideal for adults seeking thoughtful, personalized psychiatric care. We work best with people who want a collaborative relationship with their psychiatrist and value having time to be truly heard. If you're looking for quick medication refills without conversation, we may not be the right fit. The best way to find out is to schedule a free consultation.

What conditions do you treat?

We treat a wide range of conditions including anxiety disorders, depression, ADHD, bipolar disorder, OCD, PTSD, insomnia, and adjustment difficulties. We also work with high-achieving professionals on issues like perfectionism, imposter syndrome, burnout, and life transitions. If you're unsure whether we can help with your specific concerns, reach out for a consultation.

Do you prescribe medication?

Yes, Dr. Nakhla is a board-certified psychiatrist who can prescribe and manage psychiatric medications. However, medication is never the only option—we take a collaborative approach to determine whether medication, therapy, lifestyle changes, or a combination would be most helpful for you. Many patients benefit from therapy alone.

How does virtual care work?

All sessions are conducted via secure, HIPAA-compliant video. You'll receive a link before your appointment and can join from anywhere in New York State—your home, office, or wherever you have privacy. Many patients find virtual care more convenient and just as effective as in-person sessions. You just need a stable internet connection and a private space.

The Light Room logo the light room

The Light Room is a private psychiatric practice led by Dr. Michael Nakhla, MD. Dr. Nakhla is a board-certified adult psychiatrist licensed to practice in New York State. All services are provided via secure, HIPAA-compliant telehealth.

This website is for informational purposes only and does not constitute medical advice. If you are experiencing a mental health emergency, please call 911 or go to your nearest emergency room. For crisis support, call the National Suicide Prevention Lifeline at 988.

© 2025 The Light Room Health. All rights reserved.

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