ADHD Psychiatrists in Florida

Dr. Alicia Garcete is a board-certified child, adolescent, and adult psychiatrist in practice for over 12 years. Her practice focuses on medication management, recognizing  family involvement is extremely important and is an integral part of treatment. Dr Garcete has treated a wide variety of patients. Her primary focus is treating depression, anxiety disorders, ADHD, PTSD and OCD. Additionally, she can provide supportive therapy and elements of cognitive-behavioral therapy but on occasions more therapy support may be needed, and the recommendation to bring a psychotherapist on the care team may occur to provide an optimal outcome. Dr. Garcete is bilingual and provides care in both Spanish and English.

Prior to Talkiatry, Dr Garcete treated children, adolescents, and adults was at the intensive outpatient and partial hospitalization levels of care with focus on behavioral approaches in the Depression recovery and Anxiety/OCD programs.

Dr. Garcete earned her Medical Degree from the Universidad Nacional de Asuncion, Facultad de Ciencias Medicas in Paraguay. She completed her general psychiatrist residency at Maimonides Medical Center in New York. She was also a Fellow in Psychoanalysis at the Psychoanalytic Institute, Affiliate to New York University School of Medicine, and completed her child and adolescent psychiatrist fellowship at Elmhurst Hospital Center, affiliate to Mount Sinai Hospital. Dr. Garcete also held a clinical assistant professor appointment from the department of psychiatry at SUNY Downstate Medical Center.

Dr. Michelle Zaydlin is a board-certified psychiatrist who has experience in caring for diverse patient populations presenting with an array of diagnoses. Her interests include neurodevelopmental disorders (autism, ADHD), mood disorders, anxiety, trauma, and comorbid medical conditions. She has completed internships in pediatric neuropsychology and worked as a behavior therapist, delivering Applied Behavior Analysis (ABA) therapy, enriching her understanding of development and neurocognitive functioning. Additionally, Dr. Zaydlin actively participates in research and is actively engaged in educational initiatives for other healthcare providers. Dr. Zaydlin believes in a collaborative and compassionate approach to mental health care. She works with patients across their lifespans, integrating psychopharmacology and psychotherapy. She integrates cultural sensitivity with evidence-based practices to provide individualized, holistic care. Her empathetic approach and clinical knowledge enable her to foster meaningful connections with her patients and facilitate positive treatment outcomes.

Dr. Bardugon is a board-eligible psychiatrist who specializes in the treatment of adults. He has experience in treating patients with various forms of depression and anxiety, bipolar disorder, OCD, ADHD, PTSD, and substance use disorders. He seeks to provide a safe, non-judgmental, gender affirming space for patients as they strive to lead a happier, more contented life. After a pediatrics residency, Dr Bardugon worked for 13 years as a pediatric ER physician. His interest in psychiatry was piqued during this time as he witnessed the emergence of a child and adolescent mental health crisis. While ultimately deciding to focus his efforts on the treatment of adults, Dr Bardugon is keenly aware of the influence of child development and family systems on the behavioral health of adults. Dr Bardugon employs a holistic, multimodal treatment approach. Aiming to treat the whole person, he stresses the importance of nutrition, exercise, and sleep. Dr Bardugon believes an informed patient actively engaged in decision making surrounding treatment has the best chance of effecting lasting change. Believing in the synergistic effect of talk therapy and medication, he incorporates one or more talk therapy techniques including motivational interviewing, cognitive behavioral therapy, and supportive and psychodynamic psychotherapies into most sessions. He often recommends formal participation in some form of talk therapy and is happy to collaborate with other providers.

Dr. Anantharam Peesapati is a board-certified adult psychiatrist who graduated from General Psychiatry Residency training at Rutgers Robert Wood Johnson Medical School. There, he honed his skills by treating a diverse patient population suffering from various diagnoses, including major depression, bipolar disorder, anxiety disorders, PTSD, ADHD, and substance use disorders. Prior to residency, Dr. Peesapati earned his medical degree from Florida Atlantic University Charles E. Schmidt College of Medicine & his bachelor's degree in Psychology with a specialization in Behavioral & Cognitive Neuroscience from the University of Florida. Dr. Peesapati is committed to providing comprehensive care to his patients, with a focus on medication management & psychoeducation, as well as supportive psychotherapy and cognitive-behavioral therapy. His approach is guided by psychodynamic principles and steeped in mindfulness, ensuring a holistic and personalized treatment plan for each individual. Dr. Peesapati's goal is to help every patient achieve their best mental health and well-being, which may include collaboration with a therapist while also considering the impact of lifestyle on their health.

Dr. Michael Kim, DO, is an accomplished attending psychiatrist dedicated to providing comprehensive mental health care. He earned his medical degree from Liberty University College of Osteopathic Medicine and completed his residency at HCA's The Medical Center of Aurora North. With a diverse clinical background, Dr. Kim has honed his expertise across various settings including inpatient, outpatient, PHP/IOP, and specialized areas such as geriatrics, eating disorders, addiction, and child and adolescent psychiatry. Dr. Kim is proficient in innovative treatments like Electroconvulsive Therapy (ECT) and Transcranial Magnetic Stimulation (TMS). He is passionate about employing supportive and psychodynamic therapy approaches, tailoring treatment plans to meet each patient's unique needs. Embracing a holistic approach to psychiatry, Dr. Kim integrates medication management with a focus on nutrition, diet, and lifestyle factors to foster overall well-being. Dr. Kim is committed to delivering high-quality, personalized care to his patients. Outside of his professional commitments, he is an advocate for personal health and wellness. He enjoys enhancing his fitness and nutrition, engaging with enlightening podcasts, and exploring the great outdoors. Dr. Kim's holistic approach to psychiatry reflects his belief in treating the whole person, ensuring optimal mental and physical health for each individual he serves.

Dr. Dennis Valerstain is a board-certified Adult and Child and Adolescent Psychiatrist. After completing his undergraduate education at Emory University, he attended medical school at the Northwestern University Feinberg School of Medicine. He subsequently completed psychiatry residency at University of Miami/Jackson Health System and further sub-specialized at University of Miami/Jackson Health System with a fellowship in Child and Adolescent Psychiatry. Dr. Valerstain has had the opportunity of working with a diverse array of patients including children, adolescents, the severely mentally ill, veterans, and cancer patients across three distinct hospital systems. Dr. Valerstain has had varied clinical experiences in specialty inpatient psychiatry units, emergency psychiatry, consultation liaison psychiatry, psycho-oncology, and outpatient clinics via telemedicine and face to face interactions. Dr. Valerstain has experience working with patients of all ages, particularly those with depression, anxiety, bipolar disorder, ADHD, Tic disorders, substance use disorders, and more. Dr. Valerstain's practice focuses on medication management and also employs empathic listening, supportive psychotherapy techniques, and a comprehensive and methodological approach to his visits. Given his broad and diverse training experiences, he enjoys problem solving and working collaboratively with patients (and their families) to navigate their complex issues and jointly focusing on simple solutions to work towards improving their mental health.

Dr. Zezetko completed her medical training at the University of Georgia/August University Medical Partnership. While in medical school, she received a Master of Business Administration at the University of Georgia. She then moved to North Carolina to complete her psychiatric residency training at the Brody School of Medicine/ECU Health Medical Center. During her training, she gained extensive clinical experience in working with adults and veterans in psychiatric inpatient, outpatient, and emergency settings. She also served as a chief resident of the psychiatry program and published several case studies.

Dr. Zezetko relies on evidence-based treatments to guide pharmacotherapy decisions. In addition to medication management, she also incorporates supportive psychotherapy and psychodynamic psychotherapy techniques in her visits with her patients. When appropriate, Dr. Zezetko will refer patients for further psychotherapy and collaborate with therapists to provide more comprehensive care. Dr. Zezetko takes great pride in forming meaningful connections with her patients and listening to their concerns.

Dr. Zezetko will conduct a comprehensive psychiatric evaluation and take time to understand patients’ individual concerns, mental health goals, and history. Dr. Zezetko believes in building a strong therapeutic relationship that empowers patients to join in a collaborative discussion for optimizing their individual treatment plans and reaching their defined goals.

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Dr. Bloom is a psychiatrist with over 30 years of clinical experience. She earned her medical degree from the University of Rochester School of Medicine & Dentistry in Rochester, NY, and completed her psychiatry residency at the University of Cincinnati.

"What should a new patient know about working with you?"

Throughout her career, Dr. Bloom has worked in a variety of settings including inpatient, outpatient, emergency, and consultation services, with a focus on the public sector. She has been privileged to treat underserved populations and military veterans and has enjoyed mentoring medical students and psychiatry residents. Dr. Bloom has expertise in treating a wide range of psychiatric conditions, including clinical depression, post-traumatic stress disorder, and other anxiety disorders.

Dr. Bloom takes a collaborative approach to care, believing that the best outcomes are achieved through a close partnership with her patients. She views them as experts in their own experiences and works with them to combine their insights with her expertise in medication management to minimize suffering. Patient education is a cornerstone of her practice. She typically combines supportive psychotherapy with medication management and is also trained in mindfulness techniques and Internal Family Systems psychotherapy.

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Anita Rosenberg is a Licensed Professional Counselor (LPC), with over 15 years of experience as a therapist. She graduated from Arcadia University in 2007 with a Bachelor of Arts in Psychology and received a Master of Arts in Clinical Counseling Psychology from La Salle University in 2010. Following the completion of her education, Anita spent a decade providing direct patient care and clinical leadership in an inpatient co-occurring disorders treatment facility. She continues to have a passion for working with those navigating struggles with substance use and recovery efforts through the use of person-centered and strengths-based modalities, as well as incorporating 12 step programming. Anita provides care to both adolescents and adults using an eclectic approach based in Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT) and trauma informed care approaches to assist with challenging negative thoughts and beliefs that interfere with experiencing joy in daily life. This allows her to create a safe and comforting environment to serve diverse populations, including individuals within the LGBTQIA+ community. She is also well versed in assisting individuals struggling with depression, anxiety, ADHD, PTSD, grief and loss, eating disorders, chronic mental and or physical health issues, and unexpected life changes. Through treatment, Anita works along with the individual to explore personal thoughts, beliefs, and values that influence one's reactions to their lived experiences. Her approach allows for the exploration and building of healthy coping skills, positive thought replacements, and processing of past and current life events that lead to struggles with daily distress. Through her warmth, compassion, and strong sense of empathy, she strives to provide her clients with an open, positive, and affirming therapeutic relationship.

Dr. Fatemeh Safian is a board-certified psychiatrist with experience in outpatient, inpatient, and telepsychiatry settings. She completed her residency at Larkin Community Hospital, caring for a diverse range of patients. Dr. Safian diagnoses and treats a wide variety of conditions, including depression, anxiety, OCD, PTSD, trauma-related disorders, phobias, personality disorders, ADHD, bipolar disorder, postpartum depression, and concerns across all age groups. She is dedicated to creating a safe, supportive space where people feel truly heard—believing good psychiatry starts with listening.

Dr. Safian fosters a warm, respectful, and judgment-free environment where patients can share openly. She takes time to understand each person’s symptoms, story, values, and goals. Medication is just one option; she also considers therapy, lifestyle changes, and other supports. Collaboration and trust are central to her approach, with patients guiding the care decisions.

During the first appointment, Dr. Safian conducts an in-depth, unhurried conversation to explore the patient’s history and goals. Together, they develop a personalized treatment plan that may include medication, therapy referrals, and practical strategies. Ongoing follow-ups provide space to track progress, make adjustments, and ensure the patient feels comfortable and empowered.

Dr. Morales is a board-certified psychiatrist who is dedicated to the bio-psycho-sociocultural model. This has been reflected in Dr. Morales' pursuit of treating patients suffering from diverse medical and psychiatric conditions, respective psychological mindedness, and varied socio-economic and cultural backgrounds. As an individual, Dr. Morales is fascinated by the human mind, its mechanisms to pursue goals, and the cyclical patterns seen in maladaptation and suffering. He believes in understanding patients' experiences and developing comprehensive treatment plans towards reconciliation. After completing his medical education at the East Carolina Brody School of Medicine, as a Brody Scholar, he subsequently completed psychiatry residency at Jackson Health System/University of Miami. Dr. Morales has had the opportunity to work with a diverse array of patients including high-functioning patients, veterans, trafficking victims, the severely mentally ill of low socio-economic status, and cancer patients across three distinct hospital systems via telemedicine and face-to-face interactions. His experience includes working with patients suffering from post-traumatic stress disorder, adjustment disorder, mood disorders, generalized anxiety disorder, panic disorder, and more. He honors active listening, analytic understanding, supportive psychotherapy techniques, and evidence-based and methodological treatment for patient care and actualization. His goal is to assist patients in navigating short- and long-term goals as well as improved quality of life. As a result, Dr. Morales focuses on medication management, which is offered in conjunction with supportive therapy, which is offered in 1-hour initial and 30-minute follow-up visits. Dr. Morales believes that appropriate patients can benefit from additional exploratory and self-actualizing therapy from other valued and specialized therapists to support targeted goals. He will not hesitate to recommend and promote consultations with therapists for such patients who are ready to pursue. Ultimately, Dr. Morales seeks to understand, validate, and treat patients in a collaborative therapeutic alliance.

Dr. Dopkin is a board-certified adult and child psychiatrist dedicated to helping patients feel well and stay well. A Long Island native, he earned his bachelor’s degree from Cornell University before attending St. George’s University School of Medicine. He completed his adult and child psychiatry training at Brown University. For over two decades, Dr. Dopkin has served New York City communities across Queens, Manhattan, and the Bronx, primarily within the public hospital system. He has held clinical, academic, and administrative leadership roles and has been recognized for his excellence in teaching and mentoring psychiatry residents. He also serves as Assistant Dean of Students for the U.S. clinical program at St. George’s University

Dr. Dopkin provides patient-centered care grounded in a biopsychosocial approach. He collaborates with each patient to tailor treatment plans that integrate evidence-based medication options with interpersonal and supportive therapy. He has worked with patients of all ages and backgrounds, including individuals from marginalized communities and those coping with trauma, depression, anxiety, and comorbid medical conditions.

With warmth and respect, Dr. Dopkin meets each patient where they are, helping them find the path that works best for their unique needs and goals.

Anthony Capozzi, MD, is a board-certified psychiatrist with 35 years’ experience in clinical psychiatric practice who has seen patients both in the hospital setting and out-patient care. He is a Diplomate of the American Board of Psychiatry and Neurology as well as the National Board of Physicians and Surgeons and the American Association of Psychiatric Medicine. Originally from Brooklyn, New York and received his MD from New York University after completing a 5th pathway at Booth Memorial Hospital in Queens, New York. He began his experience seeing patients with treatment refractory major psychiatric illnesses at Rockland Psychiatric Center in Rockland County, New York. He served on the psychopharmacology committee at the time. He then went on to practice outpatient psychiatry both at Rockland County Community Mental Health and Westchester County Mental Health for over 20 years in addition to having a private practice while living in New York.  He held the position as Associate Director of the division in Westchester County for over 18 years. He has been exposed to all levels of psychiatric care since it was a mixture of patients in the community as well as patients with limited income and dual diagnoses including substance abuse. His approach is to get to know his patients well in order to provide more comprehensive care. He prefers Cognitive Behavioral therapy or Rational Emotive therapy, which he feels is the most time effective and enduring therapy to help patients needs. He also has extensive experience having worked with patients with developmental disabilities, since this is an underserved need. He then went on to work in Florida both for Florida Health Care Plans, which is an HMO, and in private practice for the past 13 years.  He worked at the Counseling Center of New Smyrna Beach, providing comprehensive care. He then helped establish the Center for Behavioral Medicine in Port Orange, Florida, which provided care as part of a multidisciplinary practice. He then went on to establish Advanced TMS in Port Orange, Florida. He is interested in treatment-resistant Depression and Anxiety Disorders. He went on to work for Greenbrook TMS in the greater Orlando area practicing Interventional Psychiatry. He is certified in TMS for brain mapping with Neurostar and Cloud TMS and has experience in the use of intranasal ketamine for treatment resistant depression. He has been a member of the Neuroscience Education Institute since 2012, where he holds a certificate as a Master Psychopharmacologist and a member of the Clinical TMS Society. He has active medical licenses in Florida, Arizona and New York. He is also certified in Medical Marijuana and has completed the IV Ketamine Infusion therapy course as well as Botox training certification.

Patients working with Dr. Capozzi know that he is easy to engage with and is most interested in his patients overcoming their obstacles to reach their optimal level of functioning. He enjoys working with patients who have anxiety, mood disorders and ADHD. It is very gratifying watching patient’s blossom and overcome their psychiatric disorder and then function at their best in work, leisure pursuits and relationships. Patients working with Dr. Capozzi should know that he realizes they have been suffering with their symptoms for some time or they would not be seeking help, and he will work with the patient in collaboration to help receive the proper care.

The typical process in working with patients is to first spend time gathering a history of the symptoms. It is then important to also include significant medical history which may be primary or secondary contributing factors. Also, it is important to look at psychosocial profile and how that may contribute to the initiation of the symptoms and prevention of improvement. It is essential to form a differential diagnosis and continue to look at any ongoing issues as well as co-morbidities. He believes it is most important to discuss possible treatment modalities and take into consideration the patient’s participation in ongoing care. It is most essential to be up to date on the latest modalities in treatment and use a combination of medication, nutritional supplements and behavioral therapies that can foster lasting improvement.

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Dr. Alejandra Vivas is board-certified in adult psychiatry and board-eligible in child and adolescent psychiatry. She completed her general psychiatry residency at Montefiore Medical Center and a child and adolescent fellowship at Mount Sinai School of Medicine. Dr. Vivas brings extensive experience from outpatient, emergency, and telepsychiatry settings. She has advanced training in CBT, Motivational Interviewing, and Psychodynamic Therapy. Fluent in English and Spanish, she is committed to culturally sensitive, individualized care.

Dr. Vivas fosters a warm, respectful, and professional space where patients feel seen and empowered. She values open communication and builds collaborative relationships to align treatment with each person’s values, goals, and lifestyle. Her approach is integrative and flexible, grounded in evidence-based methods to support lasting, meaningful change.

Dr. Vivas begins with a thorough evaluation to understand each patient’s history and goals. She creates customized treatment plans that may include therapy, medication, or both. Drawing on CBT, Motivational Interviewing, and Psychodynamic Therapy, she adapts care to meet evolving needs, aiming to relieve symptoms, foster resilience, and support long-term well-being.

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Dr. Cheng is a board-certified psychiatrist who provides medication management alongside supportive therapy. She takes an individualized, patient-centered approach, creating comprehensive treatment plans tailored to each person's needs. With an approachable and caring demeanor, she helps patients address both immediate concerns and underlying stressors. Dr. Cheng believes in evidence-based practices while maintaining sensitivity to each patient's unique mental health journey.

Dr. Absar Tahir is an adult psychiatrist double-boarded in psychiatry and internal medicine who specializes in evidence-based, holistic, and individualized care. He graduated from the University of Alabama at Birmingham, where he earned both his undergraduate and medical degrees. Dr. Tahir completed sequential residency training in both internal medicine at the Mayo Clinic in Rochester, Minnesota, followed by psychiatry at Emory University in Atlanta, Georgia. Dr. Tahir integrates his knowledge of psychiatry and internal medicine to address the complex interplay between mental and physical health, ensuring a comprehensive and thoughtful approach to diagnosis and treatment. Throughout his career, he has helped patients from all walks of life, from diverse backgrounds, with a compassionate and empathetic treatment style. He strives to ensure his patients feel their voice is heard while working collaboratively towards achieving their treatment goals. As a psychiatrist, he specializes in the treatment of depression, anxiety disorders, bipolar disorder, obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD), post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD), and attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder (ADHD). He is also highly experienced in treating psychiatric problems in patients with medical comorbidities.