Our Team

RAJ SHIWACH, MD, MRCPSYCH

RAJ SHIWACH, MD, MRCPSYCH (UK) is a board-certified psychiatrist who has been practicing in the Dallas/Fort Worth Metroplex for over a decade. He has completed psychiatric residencies in the UK and at the University of Texas Southwestern Medical Center in Dallas. He serves as the Principal Investigator for InSite Clinical Research and is an attending physician as well as the Medical Director at Hickory Trail Hospital in DeSoto. His dual interest in both research and clinical practice distinguishes Dr. Shiwach among his peers, and he is held in high esteem by colleagues and patients alike. Personal interests include spending time with his wife, Sue and their five children. He also finds time to pursue his hobbies of reading, jogging, and collecting ancient artifacts.

Stephanie

Stephanie has been working with Dr. Shiwach since 2004 and brings more than 20 years of experience in psychiatry and behavioral health. She is a Certified Nursing Assistant (CNA) and Mental Health Technician (MHT) with extensive experience in both clinical and administrative healthcare operations.

As Office Manager, Stephanie oversees the daily operations of the practice and helps ensure that the office runs efficiently and provides excellent patient care. Her responsibilities include managing front- and back-office operations, scheduling, patient intake, insurance verification, medical records, billing coordination, and assisting with prior authorizations and medication coverage through CoverMyMeds.

Stephanie also supports the physician with clinical office responsibilities, including preparing patient charts, obtaining vital signs, coordinating patient flow, and assisting with other clinical tasks as needed. She works closely with providers and staff to maintain effective communication, organization, and workflow throughout the practice.

With more than two decades of experience, Stephanie's knowledge of psychiatry, behavioral health, patient care, insurance processes, and office management allows her to serve as an important link between patients, providers, and administrative staff.

Stephanie is CPR trained and completes HIPAA training annually.

Emily

Emily, our New Patient Coordinator, brings over seven years of experience in psychiatry and behavioral health. Specializing in patient intake, insurance verification, and care coordination, she serves as the vital first point of contact for our clinic. Emily expertly guides individuals through the intake process, assists with scheduling patients, office billing, verifies insurance benefits, and ensures a seamless transition into care. As a bilingual professional, she uses her language skills to make all patients feel welcomed and understood. Emily is dedicated to providing compassionate assistance, ensuring every individual feels informed, supported, and comfortable from their very first visit. Additionally, she maintains CPR and HIPAA certifications.

CHARLSA PLACKER, MA, LPC

CHARLSA PLACKER, MA, LPC is a gifted group and individual therapist. She received her BS in Interdisciplinary Studies and her MA in Counseling from Dallas Theological Seminary. Charlsa facilitates the Intensive Outpatient Group program, in which she leads discussion and expertly equips patients with the tools and knowledge necessary to promote their mental well-being. She also performs individual counseling services. Charlsa’s clinical interests include sexual abuse and trauma, mood disorders, anxiety, and addiction. Outside of the office, she devotes plenty of time to her close friends and two dogs, the latter of which are rescue animals. She is also a fan of good books and an avid consumer of Mexican food.

Osmara Rivera

Osmara Rivera is a dedicated and bilingual Medical Assistant committed to providing attentive, professional, and high-quality patient care. She plays an essential role in supporting both patients and healthcare providers while helping maintain an efficient, organized, and positive healthcare environment. Her bilingual communication skills allow her to effectively communicate with patients from diverse backgrounds and help ensure they feel understood, informed, and comfortable throughout their healthcare experience.

In her role, Osmara performs a variety of clinical and administrative responsibilities, including patient intake, obtaining, and documenting vital signs, updating medical records, preparing patients for examinations, and assisting healthcare providers with clinical procedures and daily patient-care needs. She also supports front-office operations through appointment scheduling, patient communication, insurance eligibility and benefits verification, and coordination of information to help ensure each patient's visit is organized and seamless.

Osmara is recognized for her professionalism, reliability, attention to detail, and strong commitment to patient satisfaction. Through her dedication to patient care, bilingual communication, and administrative excellence, Osmara contributes to a well-organized, efficient, and patient-focused healthcare setting. She takes pride in being a dependable member of the healthcare team and remains committed to delivering exceptional service and compassionate care to every patient she encounters.

Jose

Medical Assistant

Jose Gonzalez is a Medical Assistant at Doctor Shiwach, where he works as a receptionist and also assists with back-office duties. In his role, he has the opportunity to interact with patients, support the clinical team, and help create a welcoming and comfortable environment for every patient.

Jose became interested in psychiatry because of his curiosity about how the mind works and his desire to better understand mental health. Through his work in the field, he has gained a deeper appreciation for the challenges patients may experience and the importance of providing compassionate, respectful, and nonjudgmental care.

As a bilingual healthcare professional, Jose is able to communicate with patients in both English and Spanish. He believes that being able to communicate in a patient's preferred language can help them feel more comfortable, understood, and supported throughout their care.

Jose believes that every patient deserves to feel welcomed, heard, and respected, regardless of the mental health condition they are experiencing. He strives to create a safe and supportive environment where patients feel comfortable being themselves without fear of judgment.

Through his work, Jose continues to grow both professionally and personally. He is committed to learning more about mental health and providing each patient with the kindness, understanding, and support they deserve.