Anxiety Psychiatrists in Connecticut

Dr. Jacob T. Kannarkat is an adult psychiatrist. Dr. Kannarkat's practice focuses on medication management. In his visits, he uses an integrative approach, blending an empathic, problem-solving orientation with an understanding that the reasons for an individual's condition can be complex. He has experience dealing with many forms of mental illness and works collaboratively with his patients and their other treatment providers in making a plan for recovery. Dr. Kannarkat completed undergraduate studies at the University of Florida. After receiving his medical degree at the University of Miami Miller School of Medicine, Dr. Kannarkat continued for residency at the University of Miami/Jackson Health System. He ultimately completed his training as Chief of Psychiatric Emergency Services at Yale School of Medicine. Dr. Kannarkat has experience working with adults of all ages who are dealing with depression, anxiety, bipolar disorder, PTSD, substance use disorders, and many other conditions.‍

Dr. Amada holds the position of staff psychiatrist at Talkiatry. She was born and raised in Queens, NY. She completed her undergraduate education at New York University, followed by medical school at SUNY Downstate College of Medicine in Brooklyn, NY. She went on to complete her psychiatry residency at Stony Brook University Hospital, where she received an award for academic achievement. Dr. Amada believes in a holistic approach to mental health that addresses lifestyle factors alongside medication management. She values the importance of both therapy and medication in treating mental illness.

Dr. Amada takes a collaborative approach to care and strives to involve her patients in every step of the treatment process. She believes in creating a safe, supportive, and nonjudgmental space where patients can openly discuss their concerns. While her focus is on medication management, she often recommends incorporating additional therapy into the treatment plan and may ask that patients work with a therapist to help achieve the best outcomes.

Dr. Amada works closely with her patients to develop personalized treatment plans. She believes in open communication, shared decision-making, and taking into account the whole person when addressing mental health concerns. Her goal is to ensure that patients feel heard, supported, and actively engaged in their care.

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Dr. Olivia Plante is a board-eligible psychiatrist with a focus on evidence-based medicine including psychopharmacology and nutritional psychiatry in the diagnosis and treatment of a wide range of psychiatric disorders.

She is originally from New York, having completed her undergraduate degree in psychology from The City College of New York, followed by a master’s degree in medical anthropology from Binghamton University and a Doctor of Medicine degree from the University at Buffalo. She completed psychiatric residency training at the Zucker School of Medicine/Northwell Health, with experience in medication management, psychotherapy, and collaborative multidisciplinary care of adults and adolescents in the outpatient, inpatient, partial hospital and emergency settings.

Initial evaluations will involve collecting history about social circumstances; past medical, psychiatric, substance use, and family conditions; as well as current lifestyle habits such as sleep, nutrition, supplement use, level of physical activity, and stress management skills.

Treatment sessions will explore the mind-body connection and individual lifestyle factors in combination with psychoeducation for a personalized wellness approach.

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Geoffrey Edelstein, LCSW, is a Licensed Certified Social Worker. His practice is informed by the latest neuro-cognitive sciences, emphasizing anxiety, depression, bipolar disorder, and other mental health conditions. In addition to working with children, adolescents, and adults, he also works with couples and families. Geoffrey also has experience working with LGBTQ+ clients. Geoffrey received his Master's in Social Work from New York University Silver School of Social Work. Before that, he earned a Bachelor of Arts in English Literature at Drew University. Geoffrey's experience includes Dialectical Behavior Therapy, Cognitive Behavior Therapy, and psychodynamic psychotherapy, but his unique approach to therapy also integrates music, writing, drawing, and origami. In crafting a treatment plan, Geoffrey draws on his years of clinical experience from Four Winds Hospital. There, Geoffrey served as the Coordinator of Children's Services and facilitated care for children ages 8-13 in a Dialectical Behavior Therapy group setting. Geoffrey also worked with adults and adolescents in Four Winds' inpatient units. Prior to this, Geoffrey worked in respite services at Family Services of Westchester and the Federally Qualified Health Center of the Hudson Valley Cerebral Palsy Association. Geoffrey is committed to delivering quality mental health services to his patients and is passionate about helping them reach their goals.

Michelle Harris is a board-certified psychiatric mental health nurse practitioner (PMHNP). She earned her Master of Science in Nursing in the psychiatric mental health track at the University of Saint Joseph and her Bachelor of Science in Nursing from the University of Connecticut. Her training includes psychiatric diagnosis, medication management, cognitive behavioral therapy, and motivational interviewing. With over a decade in psychiatric mental health care and 5+ years as a PMHNP, she has worked in outpatient, private practice, telehealth, inpatient, and homecare settings, treating patients from diverse backgrounds, including neurodivergent, LGBTQ+, BIPOC, and immigrant populations. She has a particular interest in ADHD, depression, anxiety, and OCD.

Michelle values a holistic approach to mental health and believes culturally sensitive care is essential. She strives to create a supportive environment for patients of all backgrounds and sexual orientations, ensuring each person feels understood, respected, and empowered in their care.

Michelle focuses on medication management with supportive therapy as appropriate. Initial sessions involve gathering a detailed patient history and discussing individual concerns. She works collaboratively with each patient to develop a personalized treatment plan, addressing their unique needs and goals.

Tessa Goodman, DO, earned her Bachelor of Science Honors degree in neuroscience and animal behavior from Cornell University and a Master’s in Education through the NYC Teaching Fellows Program. She completed medical school at NYIT COM and psychiatry residency at SUNY Downstate Medical Center, followed by a Geriatric Psychiatry Fellowship at Cornell Medical Center. She served as a faculty member on the inpatient psychiatry service at Cornell Medical Center and later as administrative psychiatrist overseeing the Telepsychiatry Consultation Liaison service at Cornell and Columbia Medical Centers for over five years.

Dr. Goodman prides herself on being a warm, kind, and supportive provider. She has expertise in psychopharmacology and is a published textbook author on medication management. She practices psychiatry using evidence-based medicine and values open communication, creating a safe space where patients feel heard, respected, and empowered.

Dr. Goodman takes time to thoroughly understand each patient’s history, concerns, and goals. She develops individualized care plans, thinks creatively about treatment options, and works collaboratively with patients to meet their unique needs and achieve meaningful progress.

Morgan Glaessgen is a Licensed Professional Counselor with over 15 years of experience working in different levels of care including Intensive Outpatient, Outpatient, Medication Assisted Therapy, residential treatment as well as private practice. She received her undergraduate degree in Springfield, MA and her Master's Degree in New Britain, CT.

Morgan has experience working with substance abuse disorders, depression, anxiety, ADHD/ADD management, and trauma. Morgan provides a supportive, safe, open space for those traveling down the path of change and growth. She also believes that having a few laughs along the way is essential because humor is an important part of healing and connecting.

Dr. Atkins is a staff psychiatrist at Talkiatry. He is board-certified in adult psychiatry and has been in practice for the past 2 years. He has received several awards for teaching and the treatment of chronically ill patients, including Stony Brook University's "William Turner Award" for excellence in education and leadership. Dr. Atkins has focused his practice primarily on medication management. He combines medication management with a therapeutic style that is a blend of supportive therapy, cognitive behavioral therapy, and motivational interviewing. Follow‐up appointments with Dr. Atkins typically last 20‐30 minutes. While Dr. Atkins is trained in a variety of therapeutic techniques, he works collaboratively with therapists and may recommend their inclusion as part of your treatment team, depending on your individualized treatment plan .Dr. Atkins attended the University of Connecticut School of Medicine where he received his medical degree. He completed his psychiatry residency at Stony Brook University Hospital in New York. Post residency, he worked with general adult patients as well as older adults at Manchester Memorial Hospital where he served as both an outpatient psychiatrist and Director of the Geriatric Intensive Outpatient Program. Although Dr. Atkins does not treat child or adolescent patients, he has experience working with people of all ages, from young adults to adults. He has experience treating mood disorders, anxiety disorders, obsessive-compulsive disorder, patients in the perinatal period, and patients with co‐co-occurring substance use disorders. He has regularly managed behavioral problems in adults with autism spectrum disorders as well as dementia. He particularly enjoys working with patients dealing with life or role transitions, older adults, and patients with bipolar or other affective disorders.

Dr. Brenda Y. Camacho holds the position of Staff Psychiatrist at Talkiatry. She is board-certified in Adult Psychiatry. She has been practicing for over 25 years. While having treated a wide range of adult patients, Dr. Camacho's primary focus is treating adult outpatients with mood or psychotic disorders. Her practice focuses on medication management. Typically, she offers this in conjunction with supportive or insight-oriented therapy in 30-minute follow-up visits. On occasion, Dr. Camacho will believe additional therapy is also needed and asks that you bring a therapist into your care team to provide the best outcome. Dr. Camacho completed her undergraduate studies at Tufts University. She received her medical degree from Temple University School of Medicine in Philadelphia, PA and then continued with Temple for her residency in adult psychiatry. After completing training, Dr. Camacho worked at Cooper Hospital in Camden, NJ as Associate Director of Consultation/Liaison Service and Psychiatry Residency Training and Co-Director of the Neuropsychiatry Clinic. She then began working exclusively in outpatient settings, joined NewPoint Behavioral Health Care, and served as Medical Director before and after their merge with Acenda Integrated Health.

Dr. Whitehouse is a board-certified adult psychiatrist with a strong background in neuroscience and psychopharmacology who has been in practice for over 25 years. At the heart of Dr. Whitehouse's clinical approach is a strong emphasis on establishing trust, building a therapeutic relationship to help patients achieve their goals, and helping people better understand their brain, its strengths, and vulnerabilities and how to use assessment and training to maximize everyone's unique emotional and cognitive capacity. Dr. Whitehouse's practice focuses on medication management. Typically, he offers this in conjunction with supportive or emotionally focused therapy in 30-minute follow-up visits. Occasionally Dr Whitehouse may believe that additional therapy is also needed and ask that you bring a therapist into your care team to provide the best outcome. He received his medical degree from Dartmouth Medical School and went on to complete his residency in psychiatry at MGH in Boston. After completing training, Dr. Whitehouse has worked in every setting from a Community Mental Health Center in rural VT, a General Hospital Department of Psychiatry in Waterbury CT, and a private psychiatric hospital in Massachusetts He has held academic clinical appointments at Dartmouth, Yale and Harvard and provided supervision to medical students, residents, APRNs, Social Workers and Mental Health Clinicians. In addition to his direct clinical work, he has extensive experience with value-based care having worked with the behavioral divisions of CIGNA Behavioral Health, Optum Behavioral Health and MCG. He also has been involved in the latest approaches made possible in mental health by the growth of direct-to-consumer services as part of digital transformation. He believes that every patient is unique and every situation different. He seeks to bring a wealth of experience to bear but, above all, to do so with a personalized and compassionate focus on what will help everyone specifically, practically, effectively, and efficiently. He is especially happy to help people new to emotional help understand the value of different approaches.

Dr. Buonopane is Board Certified in Adult Psychiatry by the American Board of Psychiatry and Neurology. She obtained her medical degree with Laude from the University of Rome, La Sapienza, and completed her residency in Psychiatry from Yale School of Medicine. Dr. Buonopane has extensive experience in psychopharmacology and offers state-of-the-art medication management with compassion and empathy. She practices a holistic approach, combining psychiatric medications with elements of psychotherapy and mindfulness. She offers individualized and comprehensive treatment plans which address the whole person, including lifestyle and social engagement, because the latest research findings show that both play an important role in mental and physical health. Education on mental illness and recommendations on diet and exercise are always discussed with the patients, according to the individuals' needs. Dr. Buonopane spends time listening to patients and makes plans based on clinical evidence without an authoritative approach, taking into consideration the patient's level of comfort and views because, in her experience, the best outcomes are always reached when patients fully understand and agree with the management of their conditions. Dr. Buonopane has been in practice for more than twenty years and has extensive experience in general Adult Psychiatry with a focus on mood disorder and anxiety. She has been leading clinical programs and teaching medical students, residents, and fellows in psychiatry and addiction in various clinical settings, such as private institutions and universities, including Yale School of Medicine. Prior to joining Talkiatry, Dr Buonopane had her own in-person clinical services for over ten years and telehealth services over the past four years, treating patients suffering mainly from depression, bipolar disorder, and anxiety. When working in private practice, Dr Buonopane received the Compassionate Doctor Recognition (Vitals) and the Patient's Choice Awards (Vitals), both based on patients' reviews.

Patricia Grendell is a board-certified Psychiatric-Mental Health Nurse Practitioner who provides mental health care using a personalized, holistic approach. Patricia specializes in psychiatric evaluation and medication management along with psychotherapy and integrative interventions. Prior to receiving education and training in Nursing at New York University and Case Western Reserve University, Patricia earned a Master of Social Work from Boston College with a focus on health and mental health.  

Patricia specializes in working with adults experiencing a wide range of acute and chronic stressors and mental health symptoms. Patricia tailors' treatment to the goals, needs, and comfort level of each individual at her or his own pace. Patricia builds connections with patients so that they feel heard and understood, and partners with each individual to determine the most appropriate treatment strategies that maximize comfort, safety, and positive results.  

Over the past ten years as a Nurse Practitioner in outpatient and inpatient environments, Patricia has helped patients improve and overcome conditions including depression, anxiety, OCD, PTSD, ADHD, and insomnia. Using a combination of medication management, individual therapy, and psychoeducation, Patricia develops individualized treatment plans centered around patients’ priorities and safety to achieve improvements in health and quality of life.

Dr. Candice Hacker is a board-certified Psychiatrist at Talkiatry. She completed her Psychiatry residency and a fellowship in Consultation Liaison Psychiatry at Mount Sinai/St. Luke's Hospital. She is passionate about a holistic approach to patient care, trained in psychosomatic medicine, and she has a deep appreciation for the intricate connection between the mind and body. With over 20 years of experience, Dr. Hacker has facilitated excellent outcomes in the treatment of various mental health conditions, including anxiety disorders, mood disorders, and trauma-related conditions. Dr. Hacker believes in creating a safe, nurturing and non-judgmental environment where patients can openly explore their emotions and experiences. By integrating evidence-based psycho-pharmacological modalities with mindfulness and cognitive-behavioral techniques, she empowers her patients to challenge a negative mindset and reach their goals. Beyond her clinical practice, Dr. Hacker is deeply committed to community mental health advocacy and the destigmatization of mental illness.

Dr. Shahan Syed is a Board-Eligible Psychiatrist who offers personable, compassionate, and empathetic care. Before completing his residency in psychiatry, Dr. Syed graduated from International American University College of Medicine and recently completed his residency at Bergen New Bridge Medical Center in Paramus, NJ. He gained experience as a clinical researcher, emergency medical technician, and a registered nurse in both psychiatric and emergency departments prior to his formal training. This diverse background equipped him with valuable tools to deliver empathetic care to a wide range of patients with experience treating anxiety disorder, traumatic disorders, depressive and bipolar disorders, substance use disorders, ADHD, OCD, and psychotic disorders. During his residency, Dr. Syed also took on the role of chief resident, demonstrating a remarkable ability to educate both his patients and colleagues. Throughout his residency, Dr. Syed actively pursued additional training opportunities at various safety net hospitals in New Jersey to care for underserved populations.

Dr. Syed places significant importance on collaborating with patients and all relevant parties to gain a comprehensive understanding of the factors affecting the patient's life before making treatment recommendations. Additionally, Dr. Syed emphasizes the importance of lifestyle, sleep, mindfulness, and nutrition, and their impact on overall mental health. He has experience in utilizing interpersonal and supportive psychotherapy, along with principles of motivational interviewing and cognitive-behavioral therapy, to foster resilience and meaningful change in partnership with other mental health professionals involved in patient care.

Dr. Syed employs a range of therapeutic methods alongside medication management to ensure a thorough and holistic approach for every patient. His goal is to create a safe environment that encourages healing and wellness, enabling individuals to remain motivated and live their lives to the fullest.

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Dr. Alexandra Hamlyn is a board-certified adult psychiatrist and board-certified child and adolescent psychiatrist. She completed her medical education at Cooper Medical School of Rowan University and then completed her residency in adult psychiatry at Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai Beth Israel. She then went on to complete her child and adolescent psychiatry fellowship at NYU Langone and Bellevue Hospital. During this time, she also taught a course titled Love Actually at NYU School of Arts and Science. During training, Dr. Hamlyn gained extensive clinical experience in psychiatric inpatient, outpatient, and emergency settings, allowing her the opportunity to treat patients of all ages and backgrounds in numerous busy hospitals in New York City. Dr. Hamlyn's primary focus is on medication management, though she also has experience working in four different outpatient clinics where she has gained expertise in multiple different therapy modalities. If appropriate, Dr. Hamlyn will refer you for psychotherapy and collaborate with your therapist to support your care. She appreciates the importance of fostering a meaningful therapeutic relationship, and her goal is to make every patient feel welcomed in a non-judgmental treatment environment. She also takes a holistic approach as she understands that good health creates a sense of overall well-being and improved mental health. She strongly emphasizes the importance of mindfulness, self-compassion, exercise, nutrition, and interpersonal relationships throughout treatment. She looks forward to meeting and working with you.

Dr. Saria El Haddad is double boarded in general psychiatry and addiction psychiatry. She previously held a leadership role of medical director for the dual diagnosis partial hospitalization program at the Brigham and Women's Faulkner hospital where she helped create and establish this program, and also worked as an outpatient addiction psychiatrist. She has been involved in teaching and has maintained an academic affiliation with the Harvard Medical School. In addition, she has appeared in numerous professional publications and authored several research papers.  

Dr. El Haddad received her medical degree from the American University of Beirut, Lebanon and completed her psychiatry residency program at the University of Virginia. She completed a fellowship in addiction psychiatry through Boston University after which she started working at the Brigham and Women's hospital. Dr. El Haddad's approach to treatment focuses on adopting a holistic approach through behavioral change, medication management, and brief psychotherapy.