meet our psychiatrists
laura conley-olsen, md
As a lifelong Arkansan, Dr. Conley is happy to be serving the needs of central Arkansas, where she was born and raised. She has always appreciated the collaborative nature of psychiatry and is very excited to be in this partnership of like-minded and similarly trained physicians. She is dually boarded in general and child/adolescent psychiatry and has over a decade’s experience in treating adults and children for their mental health needs.
Dr. Conley specializes in working with children and adolescents, adults with autism, and those with women’s mental health needs (especially related to infertility and post-partum concerns). Her special interests include autism spectrum disorders, anxiety, depression, ADHD, behavioral disorders, trauma, trichotillomania, tic disorders, and gender dysphoria. She is a firm believer in evidence-based medicine and strives to keep up to date with current practice guidelines in order to provide the most comprehensive and personalized treatment plans for her patients.
Dr. Conley received her BA at Hendrix College in Conway, and she went on to complete both medical school and residency/fellowship at the University of Arkansas for Medical Sciences in Little Rock. She served as chief resident during her final year of training. She has subsequently maintained board certifications in both general psychiatry and child/adolescent psychiatry with the American Board of Psychiatry and Neurology. She is a member of the American Academy of Child and Adolescent Psychiatry as well as the Arkansas Academy on Child and Adolescent Psychiatry, having formerly served as their Secretary/Treasurer.
In her spare time, Dr. Conley loves spending time with her family, planning elaborate birthday parties for her children, reading, and making cakes and cookies that are both pretty and delicious.
Dr. Conley sees patients via telemedicine and in-person in the Conway office. She offers some evening hours and electronic prescribing.
nihit kumar, MD, DFAACAP
Dr. Kumar has resided in Arkansas since 2010, moving here for residency and fellowship at the University of Arkansas for Medical Sciences after receiving his medical degree in India. He has more than a decade of experience treating children and adults with mental health issues, including addiction to drugs and alcohol. He is triple boarded in general psychiatry, child/adolescent psychiatry, and addiction psychiatry. His special interests include managing depression, anxiety, ADHD, trauma in children and adolescents, and substance use problems in youth and adults.
He believes in care that is compassionate, collaborative, and evidence-based. He has a background in academic medicine, and due to his extensive contributions in clinical work, teaching, and research, he was recognized as a Distinguished Fellow by the American Academy of Child and Adolescent Psychiatry. He has also formerly served as president of the Arkansas Academy on Child and Adolescent Psychiatry.
When he is not working, Dr. Kumar enjoys spending time with his family and children and watching movies to relax.
Dr. Kumar prefers to see patients in-person in the Little Rock office and has some telemedicine options available. He also offers electronic prescribing of medications.
dianna esmaeilpour, md
A native of Northwest Arkansas, Dr. Esmaeilpour practices medicine with the goal of helping her patients improve their quality of life. She believes that good outcomes in mental health come from good patient/physician relationships. Her approach includes using her varied life experiences to combine conventional medicine with psychotherapy, integrative medicine, and wellness strategies. She strives to have a therapeutic alliance with her patients, supporting them through life’s challenges while offering individualized treatment consistent with their values and goals. Dr. Esmaeilpour says that “it is always a privilege to work with people on their journey to hope and healing.”
Dr. Esmaeilpour enjoys working with children, teenagers, and adults. She prefers treating depression, anxiety, trauma, autism spectrum disorders and complex patients. She also has clinical experience with eating disorders and in sports psychiatry.
Dr. Esmaeilpour loves spending time with her family, being outside, and being active. She has a nontraditional educational background and varied work experiences. She received her BA at Hendrix College in Conway, studying abroad at Oxford while there, as well as completing an Asian Cultural History Tour with Eastern Michigan University. She went on to obtain a Master of Science in nutrition at Columbia University before completing medical school at the University of Arkansas for Medical Sciences in Little Rock. She completed her general psychiatry residency and child/adolescent fellowship at UAMS as well. She subsequently obtained additional training in functional psychiatry, with an integrative psychiatry fellowship with Psychiatry Redefined and has also studied Functional Medicine with the Institute of Functional Medicine.
Dr. Esmaeilpour has served as the Medical Director for the Child Diagnostic Unit at University of Arkansas for Medical Sciences for four years. She was also the Medical Director for the Eating Disorders Clinic and Arkansas Children's and worked with student athletes at the University of Arkansas as a Sports Psychiatrist.
Dr. Esmaeilpour has traveled extensively through Asia and Europe, lived in New Zealand, worked in the Cook Islands, and even climbed an 18,871 foot mountain in Peru. She brings a lot of varied life experiences to Capstone Psychiatry. In her spare time, she enjoys biking, running, snow-skiing, wake surfing, live music, and generally living life to the fullest.
Dr. Esmaeilpour sees patients in-person at our NWA location as well as via telemedicine.
renea henderson, do
A resident of Northwest Arkansas, Dr. Renea Henderson comes to the Capstone Psychiatry team with a varied background and significant expertise in the treatment of mental health conditions across the lifespan. She is a double-board certified psychiatrist, providing psychiatric evaluation, medication management, and psychotherapy. She enjoys integrating therapy along with pharmacologic care to address both symptom burden and the psychological drivers of distress.
Dr. Henderson’s special interests include anxiety disorders, depressive disorders, ADHD in all ages, trauma-related disorders (including PTSD and Borderline Personality Disorder), mood disorders, and women’s mental health concerns, especially those related to hormonal transitions and reproductive life events.
Dr. Henderson received a degree in Mechanical Engineering at Texas Tech and worked for seven years in the oil and gas industry before pursuing a second degree in Biology and Chemistry at Lamar University. She went on to complete her medical degree at UNTHSC in Fort Worth, Texas. She completed her adult residency and child/adolescent fellowship training at the University of Arkansas for Medical Sciences in Little Rock.
In her free time, Dr. Henderson loves hanging out with her rowdy family, playing with her dogs, and riding horses.
Dr. Henderson sees patients via telemedicine and in-person in the Bentonville and Little Rock clinics. She offers electronic prescribing.
brooke kamath, md
Originally from Northwest Arkansas, Dr. Kamath has called Central Arkansas home since attending the University of Central Arkansas, where she graduated Summa Cum Laude and was a proud member of the Norbert O. Schedler Honors College. She went on to earn both her Doctor of Medicine and Master of Public Health degrees from the University of Arkansas for Medical Sciences.
Dr. Kamath completed her psychiatry residency at UAMS and was awarded the Psychiatric Research Institute Intern of the Year. In addition to receiving comprehensive training in adult psychiatry, she dedicated her final year of training to child and adolescent mental health. Her clinical interests include mood disorders, anxiety disorders, ADHD, and autism spectrum disorders.
Dr. Kamath sees patients via telemedicine and in-person in the Little Rock office. She also offers electronic prescribing of medications.
AMANDA Smith, md
Dr. Smith was raised just across the state line in Texarkana, Texas, but has spent her adult life in central Arkansas. She earned her undergraduate degree in biology, graduating cum laude from Ouachita Baptist University, before completing medical school and her psychiatry residency at the University of Arkansas for Medical Sciences. Dr. Smith is board certified in general psychiatry.
With nearly a decade of experience in psychiatric care, Dr. Smith has special clinical interests in bipolar disorder, depressive disorders, and anxiety disorders. She also has a strong focus on women’s mental health and enjoys working with individuals navigating the challenges of early adulthood and life transitions. Her approach to care is collaborative and patient-centered, integrating thoughtful counseling with evidence-based medication management.
Outside of work, Dr. Smith enjoys spending time with her spouse and children, traveling, and gardening.
Dr. Smith sees patients in person at the Little Rock office and also offers appointments via telemedicine. She offers electronic prescribing of medications.
dinesh mittal, md
Dr. Mittal made Little Rock home in 2005, moving from Jackson, Mississippi, where he trained in psychiatry and served as chief resident during his final year of training. He served as faculty at University of Mississippi Medical Center and at the Veterans Affairs Hospital at Jackson before moving to Little Rock. He continued his academic career while in Little Rock, primarily at the VA, and has been affiliated with University of Arkansas for Medical Science for teaching and research until he retired from that position in 2025.
He obtained his medical degree in India and was an orthopedic surgeon in India before migrating to the USA in 1985. He has vast experience in medicine, with more than 30 years of experience as a board-certified psychiatrist in adult and geriatric psychiatry by the American Board of Psychiatry and Neurology. His special interests include managing depression, anxiety, and cognitive issues in adults and older adults.
In his spare time, Dr. Mittal enjoys spending time with his family, friends, exercising in the gym, playing tennis, and traveling.
Dr. Mittal sees patients via telemedicine on Saturdays only. He offers electronic prescribing of medications.
meet our psychologist
benjamin wright, phd
Dr. Wright hails from Northwest Arkansas and has enjoyed living in central Arkansas. He completed his PhD in Counseling Psychology at the University of Southern Mississippi, and he is a licensed psychologist in the state of Arkansas. He has experience working with adults, including veterans, for a wide variety of presenting concerns. He has training in ADHD, psychodiagnostics, learning disabilities, intellectual disabilities, and career assessments. He has extensive experience in the treatment of substance use disorders in both residential and outpatient settings. He is certified in Cognitive Behavioral Therapy for Substance Use Disorders and Social Skills Training for serious mental illness.
Outside of work, Dr. Wright enjoys birding, baking, and backpacking. He has recently taken up bushcraft, and he enjoys spending time in nature. Watching movies and reading with his family and children are go-to activities to rest and reconnect.
meet our THERAPISTS
margaret healy, lcsw
Bio coming soon
lesley ford, lpc
With over 16 years’ experience in the mental health field, Lesley has extensive experience working with all ages with diverse needs. She practices from a holistic foundation, with cognitive behavioral “roots.” While she is experienced with a broad range of needs, she specializes in treating anxiety, depression, and emotional difficulties related to life adjustments. When she is not working, Lesley enjoys spending time with family and friends, being outdoors, and binge-watching historical dramas series on Netflix.
Lesley is currently offering telehealth-only appointments for adults and teenagers. She also offers virtual couples counseling
meet our office staff
Carlen Smith
Carlen is the lead medical receptionist for all three of our clinics, but she primarily works virtually or from the Little Rock location. She loves creating a friendly, welcoming environment for our patients no matter the setting. Carlen holds an associate's degree in healthcare management from Ultimate Medical Academy in Florida. Carlen is committed to ongoing professional development, and she is currently pursuing a master’s degree in healthcare management at South College.
When not working, Carlen enjoys spending time with friends and family, traveling, hiking, and creating memorial portraits.
mechelle smith
Mechelle has been in the medical field for over 20 years, working in various areas. She began her healthcare journey as a CNA, then progressed to become a medical assistant and LPN. Her experience spans from nursing homes to hospitals to the outpatient clinical sector. She is very passionate about her work—saying “it is my calling to care for others and save lives.”
Mechelle attended the College of the Mainland in Texas City, TX, where she earned an associate’s degree in health science, and then she continued her education at the University of Arkansas in Ozark, Arkansas.
One of Mechelle’s favorite activities is riding motorcycles; two-wheel therapy is her form of therapy. She looks forward to furthering her education by obtaining her RN degree. She treats everyone with respect and always enjoys helping others, knowing that she has made a difference in someone's life. She loves family gatherings and spending time with her children.
ruvy figueroa
Bio coming soon