Cardiologist providers include doctors, nurses, nurse practitioners, and physician assistants. They often maintain long-term relationships with you and advise and treat you on a range of health related issues.
Chiropractor providers include doctors, nurses, nurse practitioners, and physician assistants. They often maintain long-term relationships with you and advise and treat you on a range of health related issues.
Dentist providers include doctors, nurses, nurse practitioners, and physician assistants. They often maintain long-term relationships with you and advise and treat you on a range of health related issues.
Dermatologist providers include doctors, nurses, nurse practitioners, and physician assistants. They often maintain long-term relationships with you and advise and treat you on a range of health related issues.
Family Physician providers include doctors, nurses, nurse practitioners, and physician assistants. They often maintain long-term relationships with you and advise and treat you on a range of health related issues.
OB-GYN providers include doctors, nurses, nurse practitioners, and physician assistants. They often maintain long-term relationships with you and advise and treat you on a range of health related issues.
Ophthalmologist providers include doctors, nurses, nurse practitioners, and physician assistants. They often maintain long-term relationships with you and advise and treat you on a range of health related issues.
Orthopedic Surgeon providers include doctors, nurses, nurse practitioners, and physician assistants. They often maintain long-term relationships with you and advise and treat you on a range of health related issues.
Pediatrician providers include doctors, nurses, nurse practitioners, and physician assistants. They often maintain long-term relationships with you and advise and treat you on a range of health related issues.
Physical Therapist providers include doctors, nurses, nurse practitioners, and physician assistants. They often maintain long-term relationships with you and advise and treat you on a range of health related issues.
Podiatrist providers include doctors, nurses, nurse practitioners, and physician assistants. They often maintain long-term relationships with you and advise and treat you on a range of health related issues.
Psychiatrist providers include doctors, nurses, nurse practitioners, and physician assistants. They often maintain long-term relationships with you and advise and treat you on a range of health related issues.
Murali Rao, MD, is a board-certified psychiatrist at Mindful TMS Neurocare Centers, providing high-quality mental health care to people in the River North neighborhood of Chicago, Crystal Lake, Hinsdale, and Wheaton, Illinois.
Dr. Rao studied at Mysore Medical College and Research Institute in Karnataka, India, earning degrees in medicine and surgery. After graduation, he moved to the United States and completed a psychiatry residency at Southern Illinois University in Carbondale.
Before joining Mindful TMS Neurocare Centers, Dr. Rao received formal training in transcranial magnetic stimulation (TMS) at two of the top TMS centers in the world –– the Medical University of South Carolina in Charleston and Duke University in Durham, North Carolina.
Dr. Rao diagnoses and treats various psychiatric issues, but he has a special interest in behavioral neurosciences, geriatric psychiatry, addiction psychiatry, psychosomatic medicine, and treatment-resistant depressive mood disorders.
Dr. Rao is caring and compassionate. He enjoys getting to know his patients and takes a goal-driven treatment approach.
Outside the office, Dr. Rao teaches psychiatry students and contributes to psychiatric research. He currently serves as an affiliate professor of psychiatry at Loyola University Chicago and chairs the psychiatry department. Dr. Rao is also involved in the study of ketamine infusion therapy and esketamine, an FDA-approved nasal spray for the treatment of depression.
Dr. Rao is a member of the American College of Psychiatry, a distinguished life fellow of the American Psychiatric Association, and a fellow of the Academy of Psychosomatic Medicine.
Dr. Rao’s knowledge and extensive clinical experience let him drive innovation and excellence in mental health. He welcomes anyone suffering from depression, anxiety, or other mental health or behavioral disorders to schedule an appointment at Mindful TMS Neurocare Centers.
In a world where emotional wellbeing is of immense importance, I stand as a psychiatrist dedicated to my craft, committed to fostering mental health and empowering individuals on their goals.
A Midwesterner at heart, I completed my undergraduate degree at The Ohio State University, then went on to complete my medical degree at the Kentucky College of Osteopathic Medicine before finishing my residency at Loyola University Medical Center where a sizable portion of training was spent at the Edward Hines VA Hospital. During my residency, I cultivated a deep understanding of psychiatric nuances and treatment modalities. I am proud to mention that I have received training in cultural sensitivity, enhancing my ability to provide inclusive and personalized care to individuals from various backgrounds. Additionally, I am trained in Transcranial Magnetic Stimulation (TMS) and Electroconvulsive Therapy (ECT), further expanding my repertoire of therapeutic interventions. My memberships include the American Psychiatric Association, American Osteopathic Association, and the Illinois Psychiatric Society.
Throughout my career, I have traversed differing landscapes from rural to urban, gaining a myriad of experiences that helped shape my comprehensive approach to mental health. It is important to me to stay on top of the latest advancements in psychiatry and use evidence- based medicine to offer my patients pertinent, personalized care for them. I am enthusiastic about working with a range of populations. Areas of interest include mood and anxiety disorders, PTSD/complex trauma, bipolar disorder, insomnia, and substance use.
My therapeutic style is characterized by empathy, active listening, and collaborative relationships with patients, fostering a safe space for healing. I offer a combination of medication management and psychotherapy. As a clinician, I aim to empower my patients and help them achieve resilience to navigate life’s challenges. My practice is founded on compassion, respect, and the firm belief an individual has inherent potential for transformative growth.
Anita Rao, MD, is a resident physician and psychiatrist at Mindful TMS Neurocare Centers, providing comprehensive mental health care to people of all ages at offices in the River North neighborhood of Chicago and Crystal Lake, Hinsdale, and Wheaton, Illinois.
Dr. Rao studied at George Washington University in Washington, DC, earning her Bachelor of Science in international health distinction. After graduation, she enrolled at the Loyola University Stritch School of Medicine in Maywood, Illinois, and obtained her medical degree.
The following year, Dr. Rao completed a psychiatry residency at McGaw Medical Center of Northwestern University in Chicago. There, she received extensive training in all aspects of mental health care, including the diagnosis and treatment of anxiety, depression, and bipolar disorder.
Dr. Rao excelled in the residency program and was awarded the MIT Open Documentary Lab Visiting Fellow. With this distinction, she completed a documentary film produced to facilitate understanding and destigmatization of mental illness.
At Mindful TMS Neurocare Centers, Dr. Rao serves as a resident physician. In this role, she works with patients to personalize mental health treatment plans that relieve symptoms and improve quality of life.
Outside of work, Dr. Rao is active in the Chicagoland community. She’s teamed with several public health organizations, including The Obama Foundation and the Youth Guidance’s Working on Womanhood (WOW®) initiative, to improve mental health outcomes for Americans.
Dr. Rao is also a member of MATTER Chicago, a healthcare entrepreneurship startup accelerator. She welcomes anyone wanting to improve their mental health to schedule an appointment at Mindful TMS Neurocare Centers today.
Dr. Amer Smajkic, MD, is a double board-certified Child, Adolescent, and General Psychiatrist with nearly three decades of clinical, academic, and research experience in Chicago. Originally from Sarajevo, Bosnia and Herzegovina, he graduated from medical school before arriving in Chicago in 1994 as a refugee of the Bosnian war. His early work as a therapist at Chicago Health Outreach focused on refugees, immigrants, and survivors of war, shaping his lifelong commitment to trauma-informed care.
Dr. Smajkic developed strong academic ties with the Department of Psychiatry at the University of Illinois at Chicago, working under the mentorship of Dr. Stevan Weine and Professor Ivan Pavkovic. He participated in national and international research on genocide, ethnic cleansing, PTSD, mood disorders, and refugee mental health, publishing multiple papers and presenting widely. He later completed his general psychiatry training and child and adolescent psychiatry fellowship at Rush University Medical Center.
Throughout his career, Dr. Smajkic has held leadership roles, including Director of Child Psychiatry Consult-Liaison Services at Rush, Assistant Professor at Rush University, Chairman of Child and Adolescent Psychiatry at Advocate Christ Hospital, and Director of the Child and Adolescent Inpatient Unit at Riveredge Hospital. His clinical expertise includes ADHD, developmental and learning disorders, anxiety, depression, and trauma-related conditions.
Dr. Smajkic is an active member of the American Academy of Child and Adolescent Psychiatry. He is also a past president of the Bosnia-Herzegovinian American Academy of Arts and Sciences.
He is the owner and founder of Chicago Child Psychiatry Associates, providing specialized psychiatric care to children, teens, young adults, and adults through in-person and virtual services. In 2022–2025, he was recognized as one of Chicago’s top patient-rated psychiatrists.
We are excited to help individuals explore their mental wellness, and find the best modality to improve their quality of life! My background includes a Bachelor's of Science in Exercise Physiology, a Master's of Science in Nursing, and a Doctorate of Nursing Practice in both Psychiatric Mental Health and Adult-Geriatric Primary Care. My training in psychiatry included the assessment, diagnosis, and treatment of acute and chronic mental health conditions, along with crisis management. My psychiatric training took place at the Department of Psychiatry and Behavioral Neuroscience at the University of Chicago Medicine and the inpatient psychiatric unit at Mercy Hospital & Medical Center. I am currently a board certified Nurse Practitioner by the ANCC in both Psychiatric Mental Health and Adult-Geriatric Primary Care.
Bess Levin, MD, is a board-certified psychiatrist specializing in adult mental health, including depression, anxiety, bipolar disorder, trauma, and OCD. Based at Relief Mental Health's Chicago West Loop clinic, she offers advanced treatments such as transcranial magnetic stimulation (TMS), SPRAVATO® (esketamine), and medication management.
Dr. Levin tailors evidence-based treatment plans to each patient’s unique needs, supporting individuals whether they are new to care or seeking alternative options after previous treatments.
I serve as Chief Medical Officer at Relief Mental Health. I am a board-certified neuropsychiatrist, quantitative electroencephalography (qEEG) diplomat, and an accomplished, executive-level medical administrator.
I am passionate, caring, and dedicated to the study of brain sciences. I draw on my knowledge and experience to find the best solution for each of my patients.
I specialize in the treatment of depression, OCD, and other mental health conditions. Using transcranial magnetic stimulation (TMS) in conjunction with state-of-the-art diagnostics, psychedelic therapy (SPRAVATO® esketamine nasal spray or IV ketamine), and other collaborative interventions, I have a track record of outstanding results.
I develop and apply a proprietary method of medication selection, and strongly believe that Deep TMS technology is highly effective in the treatment of psychiatric conditions, especially in cases where traditional methods have failed or proved an inadequate level of relief.
“A good doctor if you need close, guided care. If you have been on medication for years and are just doing maintenance visits, I DO NOT recommend Dr. Hirsch. He refuses to write 90 day prescriptions even though it saves the patient money with insurance. He cites potential toxicity if you were to attempt an overdose. I find that insulting considering I've been on my meds for 25 years. I get the feeling he tries to see you often just to charge another office visit. I'll be looking for a new Dr.”
