Depression Psychiatrists in Florida

Dr. Alexandra Held is a general psychiatrist who holds a bachelor’s degree in psychology. She completed her psychiatry training at the University of Miami Miller School of Medicine. Her clinical interests include mood and anxiety disorders, PTSD, and OCD. She is passionate about incorporating psychotherapeutic tools into her practice, including supportive psychotherapy.

Dr. Held takes a warm, collaborative, and nonjudgmental approach to care. Her goal is to create a safe and supportive space where patients feel heard and empowered to take an active role in their treatment, using a combination of supportive psychotherapy and medication management.

During the first few sessions, Dr. Held will take time to get to know the patient—their history, current concerns, and what they hope to achieve through treatment. Together, they will develop a comprehensive plan that may include psychiatric medications and supportive therapy. Follow-up visits are typically focused on checking in, adjusting treatments if necessary, and continuing to build on progress.

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Veronica McKnight received her Master's degree from the Hunter College School of Social Work in New York. She holds clinical social work licenses in Florida, Maine, Vermont and Wisconsin. Ms.McKnight's key areas of practice include depression, anxiety, trauma, communication in relationships, parenting challenges, compassion fatigue and grief and bereavement. Ms. McKnight specializes in Cognitive Behavioral Therapy with a strength based, solution focused approach. Ms. McKnight integrates Dialectical Behavioral Therapy and Motivational Interviewing techniques.  Ms. McKnight has been certified as a Compassion Fatigue Educator and a Certified Clinical Trauma Professional. Ms. McKnight has held leadership and clinical roles in community mental health centers, housing programs, hospitals and non-profit organizations.

I am proficient in assisting clients to navigate transitions in all aspects of the life span. Over the past 30 years, my experience has taught me that the most important aspect of therapy is the connection and comfort you feel with the person with whom you choose to share your personal struggles.

I like to listen to what patients are telling me about what is important to them and what they would like to address in therapy.  We can then start to set goals together and work towards the outcomes they want.  We always go at a pace that is comfortable to the client.

Dr. Gamberino is a board certified adult psychiatrist who has been in practice for over 25 years. He has always been fascinated by how the brain works, especially in the setting of stress, anxiety, and trauma. He completed his training at the Pennsylvania State University College of Medicine MD/PhD program and earned his PhD in Neuroscience. He subsequently completed a Residency in Adult Psychiatry including an Anxiety Disorder Research Fellowship at the University of Florida. Dr. Gamberino had a private practice for over 10 years with a focus on providing psychotherapy integrated with pharmacological management. He worked for 25 years with adult and geriatric Veterans at Department of Veterans Affairs with focus on treating PTSD, as well as a full range of anxiety and mood disorders including 7 years of providing care through telehealth treatment. Dr. Gamberino also has 10 years of experience working with adolescents in the juvenile justice system.

Dr. Gamberino is experienced and comfortable treating a wide variety of psychiatric conditions including PTSD, mood disorders such as major depression and bipolar disorder, and all anxiety disorders such as generalized anxiety disorder, social phobia, panic disorder, and OCD. He enjoys sharing knowledge with patients to help them better understand the origins of their symptoms and a range of strategies to manage them.

Dr. Gamberino utilizes a non-paternalistic approach respecting the autonomy of his patients while helping them gain insight into their presenting problems utilizing a collaborative shared decision making approach to help reduce symptoms and optimize functioning. His practice combines evidence-based medication management with psychotherapy utilizing elements of supportive, cognitive behavior, and insight-oriented therapy. Dr. Gamberino utilizes a patient, caring approach, meeting patients where they are to empower them with making changes that lead toward improvement and optimization of their wellness.

Dr. Joshua Riederman is a board-certified psychiatrist with a specialization in the treatment of adults aged 18 to 65. Dr. Riederman obtained his undergraduate degree in brain, cognition, and neuroscience from the University of Michigan in Ann Arbor. He subsequently attended medical school at Nova Southeastern University in Fort Lauderdale, Florida, and completed his residency training at JFK Hospital in Palm Beach, Florida.

Dr. Riederman places a strong emphasis on establishing meaningful relationships with his patients and supporting them in achieving their individual life goals through effective treatment. He actively incorporates patient preferences into all treatment plans and integrates psychotherapy with medication management. Dr. Riederman recognizes the importance of educating patients about their care and dedicates time during each appointment to address any questions or concerns they may have.

In his clinical practice, Dr. Riederman begins by facilitating an open dialogue with patients regarding their primary concerns for the appointment. During initial consultations, he conducts a comprehensive assessment, which includes gathering relevant medical, familial, and social histories that may influence the course of treatment. In subsequent appointments, Dr. Riederman engages patients by inquiring about developments that have occurred since their last visit, as well as any issues related to medications or significant life events.

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Background and credentials

Dr. Munoz is a board-eligible adult psychiatrist. He earned his medical degree from Rutgers, New Jersey Medical School and completed his psychiatric residency at Mount Sinai Beth Israel. Throughout his training, he gained experience in a variety of clinical settings, including outpatient and inpatient care, as well as psychiatric emergency services.

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Treatment approach

Dr. Munoz provides compassionate psychiatric care through a combination of pharmacotherapy and supportive therapy. He specializes in treating depression, anxiety, bipolar disorder, and psychotic disorders. He has extensive experience working with LGBTQ+ and Spanish-speaking communities. His treatment philosophy is holistic, viewing patients as whole individuals and addressing their specific needs at different stages of life. He also emphasizes the importance of exercise, relationships, and overall well-being in his approach to mental health care.

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What you can expect in a first visit

During the first visit, patients can expect a comprehensive and patient-centered evaluation. Dr. Munoz takes the time to understand each patient’s symptoms, background, and personal goals. He collaborates with patients to develop an individualized treatment plan that may include medication management, supportive therapy, and lifestyle modifications to support their overall well-being.

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Why Talkiatry?

We’re a virtual mental health practice that makes it easy to find great care. We combine quality and convenience to help you thrive—faster. Our providers, like this one, are highly trained experts who specialize in medication management and collaborate with you on a treatment plan that fits your needs and comfort level.

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Angel Vest is a licensed clinical/independent social worker with extensive experience working in the mental health and substance use fields. Angel has worked with patients of various populations with differing levels of need. Angel's undergraduate university, where she obtained her Bachelor of Arts with a concentration in psychology, is located in Portsmouth, OH. Her graduate school, where she completed her Master's of Social Work with a concentration in advanced clinical practice, is located in Minneapolis, MN. Angel's internships were completed in Portsmouth, OH, and academic residencies were completed in Atlanta, GA. Angel has been treating substance use disorders since 2016 and other mental health conditions since 2019. She uses an eclectic and trauma-focused approach with a foundation in Motivational Interviewing and Cognitive Behavioral Therapy, accompanied by somatic interventions to enhance the mind-body connection. Angel specializes in the treatment of Insomnia Disorder, Obsessive-Compulsive Disorder, depression, anxiety, and trauma-related disorders. Angel prioritizes the therapeutic relationship as a collaborative one and will work with you to address any barriers to overall health, happiness, and well-being.

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.

Background and credentials

Dr. Jonathan Myrtil is a board-certified adult psychiatrist. He earned his medical degree from Ross University School of Medicine and completed his residency in Adult Psychiatry at the University of Central Florida, affiliated with North Florida Regional Medical Center. After completing his training, he remained at North Florida Regional as an adult psychiatrist and supervising physician, gaining experience treating patients in inpatient, outpatient, partial hospitalization, and intensive outpatient program (IOP) settings.

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Treatment approach

Dr. Myrtil takes a collaborative approach to psychiatric care, integrating medication management with supportive therapy to provide well-rounded treatment. His primary focus is on treating adults with mood and anxiety disorders, PTSD, and ADHD. He prioritizes patient involvement in treatment decisions, ensuring that care plans align with individual needs and goals.

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What you can expect in a first visit

Patients meeting Dr. Myrtil for the first time can expect a thorough evaluation where he assesses their symptoms, treatment history, and personal goals. He fosters a supportive and collaborative environment, working closely with patients to create a personalized treatment plan that incorporates medication management and therapeutic interventions tailored to their specific needs.

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Why Talkiatry?

We’re a virtual mental health practice that makes it easy to find great care. We combine quality and convenience to help you thrive—faster. Our providers, like this one, are highly trained experts who specialize in medication management and collaborate with you on a treatment plan that fits your needs and comfort level.

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Dr. Ahmed Valdes is a board certified adult psychiatrist and burgeoning Geriatric Psychiatrist. After completing his undergraduate education at Florida State University, he attended medical school at the University of Miami Miller School of Medicine where he graduated with a combined M.D./M.S. in Genomic Medicine. He subsequently completed psychiatry residency at Jackson Health System/University of Miami and further subspecialized with a fellowship in Geriatric Psychiatry. Dr. Valdes has had the opportunity of working with a diverse array of patients including veterans, inmates, the severely mentally ill, geriatric, and cancer patients across three distinct hospital systems. Dr. Valdes has had varied clinical experiences in specialty inpatient psychiatry units (detox, geriatric, mood disorder), emergency psychiatry, consultation liaison psychiatry, psycho-oncology, and outpatient specialty clinics (HIV, dementia, integrative and collaborative care) via telemedicine and face to face interactions .Dr. Valdes has experience working with adults of all ages, particularly those with depression, anxiety, bipolar disorder, substance use disorders, PTSD, and more. Dr. Valdes 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 to navigate their complex issues and jointly focusing on simple solutions to work towards improving their mental health.

Dr. Sabrina Ghim is a board-certified physician specializing in adult psychiatry and practices adult psychiatric medication management. She focuses on building a strong therapeutic and collaborative environment with patients. She works with individuals struggling with depression, ADHD, obsessive compulsive disorder, anxiety disorders, including generalized anxiety, and social anxiety. Dr. Ghim usually meets with patients monthly for psychiatric follow up appointments. She provides psychiatric medication management in a comprehensive manner, paying careful attention to each patient's unique biological, psychological, and cultural make-up. She is diligent about keeping up-to-date on the research and expanding frontiers of psychiatry and psychopharmacology. She strongly believes in tailoring treatment in an integrative and collaborative manner to provide the best outcome for each unique patient. In some instances, Dr. Ghim may recommend the addition of a separate therapist in order to help facilitate the best care possible. Dr. Ghim experienced various cultures growing up in different countries and environments, shaping her open-minded demeanor and views, and eventually her interest in the human mind and psychiatry. She earned her bachelor's degree in Molecular Biology with honors, and a Doctor of Medicine (M.D.) degree from the University of Central Florida College of Medicine. She completed her Adult Psychiatric Internship and Residency training in New York City, at the Mount Sinai Morningside and West Hospitals, where she treated a diverse patient population with psychiatric illnesses in emergency, inpatient, and outpatient settings. Dr. Ghim is currently licensed in and seeing patients located in the states of New York, Florida, and Texas for medication management.

Dr. Reaghan Hicks is a double board-certified psychiatrist in General and Addiction Psychiatry. She completed her undergraduate training at The College of Charleston followed by medical school at The University of South Carolina School of Medicine. Dr. Hicks completed Residency in General Psychiatry at The University of Florida College of Medicine in Jacksonville followed by Fellowship in Addiction Psychiatry at The Medical University of South Carolina. Dr. Hicks is an experienced clinician that specializes in treating individuals with a variety of diagnoses including adjustment disorders, depression, anxiety, PTSD, bipolar disorder, ADHD, and substance use disorders.‍She has an approachable style and values building rapport with her patients. She believes it is a privilege to be a part of someone's journey towards recovery and wellness. Dr. Hicks aims to meet each patient where they are while maintaining a nonjudgemental, patient-centered, and evidenced-based treatment approach. Dr. Hicks provides supportive psychotherapy, cognitive behavioral skills, and utilizes motivational interviewing to meet the needs of her patients. She believes effective utilization of therapy skills in conjunction with medication management can help patients meet their individualized treatment goals.

Dr. John Hendrick is a practicing psychiatrist who has recently served as medical director for clinical services at Erlanger Behavioral Health Hospital in Chattanooga, TN. After several years of private practice, he had served as Chief of Inpatient Psychiatric Services and then as Chief of Psychiatry at Mountain Home VA Medical Center. During his time at Mountain Home VA he was also a Professor of Psychiatry at Quillen Medical School at East Tennessee State University where he taught General Psychiatry courses and the Neurosciences of Psychiatry. His specialties include affective and anxiety disorders and he has specific expertise in neuropsychiatry, psychopharmacology and alternative treatments for affective disorders. He is a Distinguished Life Fellow of the American Psychiatric Association and is a Past President of both the Tennessee Psychiatric Association and the Southern Psychiatric Association. He has been awarded a Distinguished Service Award from the United States Public Health Service. He has been twice named the Outstanding Teacher Award from the ETSU Psychiatry Residency program and was awarded Course Director of the year for the Neurosciences residency course he developed. He holds an Irma J. Bland Award for Excellence in Psychiatric Education from the APA. He has an extensive psychiatric background in practice and as a teacher. He practices psychotherapy from an Eriksonian perspective and is well versed in individual and psychodynamic psychotherapies.

Dr.Gusta Shurdut is a board-certified adult psychiatrist with 8 year experience. She completed her medical training at SUNY Downstate Medical center in Brooklyn, and psychiatric residency at Mount Sinai Beth Israel, NYC. After her residency, she worked as an assistant professor at Mount Sinai Psychiatric Ambulatory Services. Dr.Shurdut graduated magna cum laude from Columbia University with an undergraduate degree in biology. Prior to moving to New York, she obtained a degree in communications and public relations and worked as a journalist at her hometown in Latvia.

Dr.Shurdut believes in individual, empathetic, and collaborative treatment approach. Through her residency and work experiences, Dr.Shurdut has developed expertise to treat various mental health conditions including mood disorders, anxiety, OCD, ADHD, PTSD. While her primary focus is medication management, she also incorporates CBT, psychodynamic and supportive psychotherapy.

Dr.Shurdut’s goal is empowering patients to participate in their healthcare choices. As a psychiatrist, she feels honored to witness the complexity of the human experience, and curious to explore the factors that contribute to it.  On intake appointment, she will take time to understand your concern, provide assessment, discuss treatment options and collaboratively decide on most appropriate action. The follow up appointments are usually 30 minutes and include a psychotherapy modality.

Dr. Jessica Healey is a board-certified adult psychiatrist. She obtained her medical degree from Cooper Medical School of Rowan University and completed her residency training in psychiatry at the University of Miami Miller School of Medicine and Jackson Memorial Hospital. During her training, Dr. Healey gained extensive experience providing psychiatric care to various patient populations in multiple patient care settings, including in the outpatient clinic, inpatient unit, and emergency department. Following her training, Dr. Healey worked as an outpatient psychiatrist for the Veterans Health Administration. During her tenure with the VA, she worked closely with staff psychologists, social workers and nurses to provide multidisciplinary, collaborative care to the veteran population suffering from a variety of mental health conditions.

Dr. Healey has experience and interest in treating adults suffering from trauma-related disorders and anxiety disorders but provides treatment for a variety of psychiatric conditions including depression, bipolar disorder, and obsessive-compulsive disorder.

Dr. Healey focuses on medication management and supportive psychotherapy, but has training in utilizing various therapy modalities, including cognitive behavioral therapy, interpersonal therapy, and psychodynamic psychotherapy. When appropriate, Dr. Healey will refer for more extensive psychotherapy and/or collaborate with your established psychotherapist for comprehensive care.

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Dr. Ismail is double board-certified by the American Board of Psychiatry and Neurology in both Adult Psychiatry and Child and Adolescent Psychiatry. She earned her medical degree from Cairo University, where she also completed her neurology residency at Cairo University Hospitals. Following this, she pursued psychiatric training at New York Medical College at St. Vincent’s Hospitals, where she was appointed Chief Resident and recognized as Resident of the Year.

Dr. Ismail further specialized with a fellowship in Child and Adolescent Psychiatry at UMDNJ/Rutgers Robert Wood Johnson Medical School. Her career includes multiple leadership roles, notably serving as Chief of the Child and Adolescent Partial Hospital Programs (PHP) at Rutgers University in Newark, NJ, where she provided direct care to young patients. She has also held Medical Director positions across various clinical settings, including child and adolescent inpatient units, outpatient programs, and intensive outpatient services for both adolescents and adults with mental health and co-occurring substance use disorders.

An active educator, Dr. Ismail has been a teaching faculty member, delivering lectures and providing supervision and evaluations for medical residents and child and adolescent psychiatry fellows. Her academic contributions extend to research, where she has served as a principal investigator on multiple studies.

Throughout her career in leadership and teaching, Dr. Ismail maintained an integrative private practice in New Jersey, serving residents of the NJ and NY metropolitan areas before relocating to North Carolina.

Dr. Ismail is passionate about integrative medicine, which combines evidence-based alternative therapies with conventional treatments to optimize outcomes. Her approach focuses on promoting overall wellness, keeping both the body and mind in harmony.

During the diagnostic evaluation, Dr. Ismail will review your medical history and past treatments to develop a comprehensive, personalized treatment plan that prioritizes your overall wellness. In addition to medication management, she incorporates supportive, cognitive, or psychodynamic psychotherapy during follow-up visits, as time allows. When appropriate, she may also recommend referrals to specialized psychotherapists to address your individual needs as part of a holistic treatment approach.

Dr. Steven Mathew is a trained adult and child and adolescent psychiatrist. He recently completed his child and adolescent psychiatry fellowship at the University of Miami/Jackson Health System, where he served as chief fellow. He completed his general psychiatry residency at Pine Rest Christian Mental Health Services in Grand Rapids, Michigan. Dr. Mathew earned his Doctor of Osteopathic Medicine from the Philadelphia College of Osteopathic Medicine’s Georgia campus, a satellite campus located in the Atlanta metro area. He graduated from the University of Georgia with a Bachelor of Science in Biology and afterwards obtained a Master of Public Health in Health Policy and Management.

Dr. Mathew has had extensive clinical experiences caring for patients across the lifespan in specialty inpatient units, partial hospitalization programs, emergency psychiatry, outpatient clinics, consult liaison psychiatry, and telemedicine. He has clinical expertise in treating depression, anxiety, trauma, OCD, ADHD, and tic disorders.

Dr. Mathew's treatment approach combines evidence-based medication management with supportive therapy, emphasizing empathy, collaboration, and goal-oriented care tailored to each patient and family.

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