ADHD Psychiatrists in New York

Iesha Whitaker is a Licensed Clinical Social Worker that graduated in 2012 from Hunter College School of Social Work. She has been practicing since that time. Ms. Whitaker has worked with many populations including, Women, Men, adults aged 18 and up, homeless population, parents with children in foster care and parents in need support and learning communication skills with teens. Ms. Whitaker has knowledge of working with clients recently discharged from a psychiatric hospital setting as well as the.  hospital discharge planning process, and emergency room care. Her primary areas of focus are helping clients that suffer with Depression, Anxiety, ADHD, Stress, Trauma, Relationship issues, PTSD, Life transitions as well as Emotional Dysregulation. Ms. Whitaker enjoys working closely with clients that struggle with healthy lifestyles, poor decision making, suffering with substance use disorder and people dealing with chronic homelessness, Domestic violence and challenges of daily living. Ms. Whitaker uses treatment modalities such as Cognitive Behavioral therapy, Dialectical Behavior Therapy, Mindfulness, Motivational Interviewing, Narrative Therapy, Supportive Therapy, Solution Focused Therapy, Trauma focused Therapy, Psychodynamic Therapy, Acceptance and Commitment Therapy and many other modalities. Ms. Whitaker has a passion for helping the are less fortunate and have challenges with routine daily activities, basic life needs such as food, housing, education, work stress and chronic medical conditions. Ms. Whitaker is very warm and open, very personable and allows her clients to work at their own pace. Ms. Whitaker enjoys helping clients to gain healthy insight to their conditions and allows clients to create the future they want for themselves.

Working with Ms. Whitaker will be an open, collaborative experience. Ms. Whitaker will help the client create the best version of themselves, while teaching the client to identify concrete obtainable goals.

Ms. Whitaker typical therapeutic process is a somewhat structured and flexible framework that provides empathy, rapport building and using evidence-based practices to provide mental health treatment. She uses a collaborative therapeutic relationship that warmly welcomes the client into therapy, discuss limits of confidentiality as it pertains to self harm or harm to others. She discuss the length of sessions and the frequency of meetings, invite questions from client and describe their role in the treatment process. Provides a safe space where a client can express themselves in an environment open to all cultures, gender identities while helping clients explore their strengths. Clinical assessments by use of standardized tools PHQ-9, GAD-7, and client interview and report. Clinician continues to monitor and track safety and implement Evidence based Interventions such as CBT, DBT, Solution Focused Therapy, Mindfulness, Psychodynamic and Supportive Therapy to provide care. Over time Clinician continues to revisit progress, highlight growth and obtained goals, moving toward termination when appropriate, also providing aftercare and referrals.

Dr. Austin Davidson grew up in Nashville, TN before moving to CA for his undergraduate studies at the University of California, Irvine where he was on the rowing team. He then attended medical school at the Alabama College of Osteopathic Medicine. He completed his psychiatry residency training at the University of Nevada, Las Vegas.

When he’s not practicing medicine, he enjoys spending time with his family, working out in his garage gym, and playing board games.

Dr. Davidson focuses on treating the whole patient. He believes medication is just one of the many important aspect to address when concerning mental health. Therapy, lifestyle changes, diet, and exercise are also equally important modalities that must be considered in treatment.  

Dr. Davidson’s treatment process typically begins with an in-depth history that focuses on getting to know his patients. He prefers to take his time with each patient and to make sure they feel they are heard. He believes the treatment process is a team effort and he takes time to come up with treatment plans that both he and his patients are comfortable with.

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Evelyn Kuang, PMHNP, is a Board-Certified Psychiatric Nurse Practitioner with over 10 years of experience spanning clinical practice, research, and teaching. She trained at Columbia School of Nursing and in specialized psychiatric programs including Gracie Square Hospital, NYP Mt. Sinai SAGE elders, and Harlem’s STAY program. Evelyn has worked with diverse communities, including LGBTQ+ youth, older adults, and Asian-American populations, with expertise in sexual health, geriatric psychiatry, and trauma. She is also a musician and composer, integrating creative expression into therapeutic work.

Evelyn provides person-centered, trauma-informed care with an intersectional and decolonized lens. She emphasizes shared decision-making and creates a compassionate environment where patients feel safe and heard. Passionate about addressing implicit bias in healthcare and supporting ethnic identity formation, she focuses on improving access and quality of mental health care for Asian diaspora communities.

Evelyn begins by exploring each patient’s history, concerns, and goals through a trauma-informed, intersectional approach. She develops individualized treatment plans aligned with patient goals, incorporating supportive psychodynamic psychotherapy alongside medication management to ensure holistic care.

Jackie LaVe' is a board certified Psychiatric Mental Health Nurse Practitioner. She is also dually certified as a Family Nurse Practitioner. She received her master’s degree and post-master’s certificate from Vanderbilt University. Jackie has 12 years of experience as a nurse and over 7.5 years of experience as a Nurse Practitioner. Jackie is licensed to practice in Montana, Arizona and New York.

Jackie LaVe’ offers a patient centered approach, working with individuals aged 18-65. She believes in engaging patients in the decision-making process. Jackie has professional interests in treating a wide range of adult psychiatric conditions including depression, anxiety, trauma, ADHD, OCD, panic, autism and bipolar disorder.

She provides psychiatric assessments and medication management along with brief supportive psychotherapy. She believes in educating patients, so they are empowered to work together to create treatment plans that improve their health and quality of life. Jackie has additional education and experience in cognitive behavioral therapy, mindfulness and motivational enhancement. Jackie can also review if adding a therapist to your care team could improve outcomes.

Dr. Velda Pugh-Kinsey is a Board-Certified Psychiatrist with over three decades of experience in both outpatient and inpatient settings. She earned her medical degree from the University of Alabama School of Medicine and completed her psychiatry residency at University Hospital. She has previously served as Chief of Mental Health at a VA Hospital and has maintained a successful private practice focused on medication management and supportive therapy.

Dr. Pugh-Kinsey values open communication and believes in building a warm, respectful environment where patients feel heard. She works collaboratively with patients to set clear treatment goals and tailors her approach to meet each person’s unique needs. Her practice emphasizes both medication management and supportive therapy to promote long-term well-being.

During initial sessions, Dr. Pugh-Kinsey takes time to understand each patient’s history, concerns, and goals. She uses a team-based approach, partnering with patients in treatment planning and decision-making to ensure care is both effective and aligned with their values.

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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Dr. Komal Shah, M.D. is double board certified in adult & geriatric psychiatry. She did her residency at Nassau University Medical Center, New York & then did fellowship in geriatric psychiatry at LIJ-Albert Einstein school, New York. She has been practicing psychiatry for over 25 years.  

Dr. Shah has extensive experience in evaluating & managing a variety of psychiatric disorders such as mood disorders, anxiety disorders, psychotic disorders, dementia, etc. She held an academic position as a clinical assistant professor at Rutgers-UBHC for several years. Dr. Shah has worked in various clinical settings including inpatient, outpatient clinics, partial hospital programs, nursing homes, thus serving vast variety of patient populations. She has also volunteered her services at NAMI (National Alliance for mental illness)-SAMHAJ to create & promote awareness of mental health issues in the community. All this makes her a very well experienced & efficient psychiatrist.  

Dr. Komal Shah believes in creating a strong therapeutic alliance first with her patients based on mutual trust & honesty. Her primary modality of treatment is medication management, but she may also provide supportive psychotherapy and education, practicing evidence-based medicine. Dr. Shah likes to collaborate patient care with their medical providers and/or therapist.

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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. He is board-certified in adult psychiatry and addiction medicine. She is passionate about providing quality and accessible mental health care while considering each patient's concerns, values, and life circumstances. She received her medical doctorate degree from State University of New York (SUNY) Downstate Medical Center, and completed her psychiatry residency at George Washington University Hospital in DC. Prior to medical school, she completed a Master of Public Health from Yale School of Public Health. Dr. He has special clinical interests in providing trauma-informed and culturally competent care in the treatment of mental health conditions. She has experience working with special populations, such as minorities, immigrants, perinatal women, and LGBTQ+ communities. She holds a certificate from Harvard in Global Mental Health: Trauma and Recovery Program. She currently serves on the Board of Directors for a non-profit organization in Washington DC to prepare people recovering from mental illness to improve their quality of life. Although Dr. He's practice primarily focuses on medication management, she looks forward to getting to know you and incorporating her experiences with insight-oriented therapy in 20 or 30 minute follow-up visits.

Sonya R. Isler, PMHNP-BC, began her nursing journey over 30 years ago in a state psychiatric hospital in Goldsboro, NC, inspired by the poised nurse she admired at church as a child. Her path includes roles as LPN, RN, BSN, and multiple advanced practice degrees. Sonya has worked in inpatient and outpatient settings, VA clinics, and private practices. She also serves as a preceptor for PMHNP students at her alma mater, the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill.

Sonya creates a welcoming, respectful space where patients feel safe to communicate openly. She practices active listening and values patient input when setting therapy goals. Her approach is holistic—treating the whole person—and she encourages collaboration, helping patients feel seen, heard, and empowered in their care.

Sonya reviews a patient's history before each session and begins with clear introductions and goal setting. She invites open discussion of concerns and tailors' treatment plans with patient input. She often incorporates CBT, motivational interviewing, and solution-focused therapy into care, promoting growth through supportive, personalized strategies.

Mary Poupon is an experienced board certified psychiatric APRN/psychiatric nurse practitioner with over 30 years' experience in her field. She completed her graduate work at Columbia University and is published in her field. Her practice sites have included inpatient hospital treatment, partial hospital programs, in-home programs, outpatient clinics and alternative therapy including equine assisted therapy.  She was the program director and clinician with the Ryan White Mental Health Program in New York providing innovative mental health treatment for adolescents and adults living with HIV/AIDS in the boroughs of Manhattan, Queens, Brooklyn and the Bronx.  In 2013 she became certified as an equine assisted psychotherapist and served as the Director of Mental Health at Embrace Hope in Sandy Hook, CT. She was appointed as the Executive Director of Embrace Hope in 2017. Embrace Hope provided treatment to children, adolescents and adults who were victims of trauma related to the shooting at the Sandy Hook Elementary School. She presented a TED x talk in 2018 regarding her work with victims of trauma. She has provided treatment in the outpatient setting for children, teens, and adults. She has provided treatment to young adults at the Covenant House New York shelter program for homeless young adults.

Mary believes the human spirit is resilient. There are many challenges in the lifespan and self-care is paramount to success.

Mary provides psychiatric consultation and assessment and provides a pathway to change. Treatment may include medication management, therapy, and coping skills to assist with life challenges. Mary believes treatment is a partnership and believes in establishing mutually agreed upon goals.

Mary's process for working with patients begins with active listening. The assessment begins with the patient describing why they are seeking engagement in behavioral health treatment at this time. She will complete a psychiatric assessment and evaluation and establish mutually agreed upon goals for treatment. She offers medication management in conjunction with supportive therapy in 30-minute follow-up visits. Mary believes therapy and medication management if indicated together provides the best treatment outcomes.

Jennifer Garner is a board-certified Family Psychiatric Nurse Practitioner with Talkiatry. She obtained a Bachelor of Science in Nursing from the University of Tennessee, Knoxville, in 2009 and a master's degree from Vanderbilt University in 2011. Jennifer enjoys treating all adults and has outpatient experience with community mental health, corrections, and private practice. Besides outpatient care, she has worked in crisis stabilization and ambulatory detox for adults with primary psychiatric and dual diagnosis illnesses. Jennifer is skilled in treating a wide range of conditions including ADHD, bipolar disorder, substance misuse, anxiety, OCD, and PTSD. She is committed to fostering a welcoming and inclusive environment, ensuring all gender identities feel safe and respected. With a focus on patient-centered care, her approach is carefully tailored to each person's individual needs and goals, promoting a collaborative therapeutic relationship. During appointments, she combines medication management with therapy techniques to empower patients with the skills for their well-being. Appointments are as unique as each individual that she meets with. If you're ready (and even if you're not so sure) take the first step and let's talk.

Dr. Perington is a Staff Psychiatrist with Talkiatry. She previously served in the US Air Force, where she completed her residency training in psychiatry (Lackland AFB) and was the medical director for a small-sized mental health clinic (Hill AFB). Dr. Perington uses a person-centered approach to tailor treatment to the individual, with an emphasis on shared decision making. She prefers to focus on psychotherapy and behavioral interventions as a primary part of the treatment plan, in addition to any indicated medication.

Motivation for change is a large part of the healing process, and for many people recovery doesn't happen with medication alone. Dr. Perington asks all her patients to play an active role in their treatment.

A thorough diagnostic assessment with discussion of the best treatment setting and modality, then regular follow up visits with emphasis on psychotherapy in addition to medication management (if indicated).

Severine Dondina, PMHNP-BC, is a board-certified psychiatric nurse practitioner with licensure in Washington and Florida. She holds a Master of Science in Nursing from the University of Alabama at Birmingham and graduated summa cum laude with dual bachelor’s degrees in nursing and biomedical science. Her background spans outpatient, community, forensic, and crisis psychiatry, including leadership roles with Florida’s Assertive Community Treatment (FACT) and Multi-Disciplinary Forensic Teams.

Currently serving patients in Washington, Severine treats adults with ADHD, anxiety, depression, PTSD, and bipolar disorder. She brings a trauma-informed, strengths-based approach to care and is deeply committed to creating affirming spaces for LGBTQ+ and gender-diverse individuals. Her clinical style combines evidence-based medication management with warm, collaborative support.

Trilingual in English, French, and Spanish, Severine is known for her cultural sensitivity, clinical rigor, and authentic presence. She approaches each patient with curiosity, humility, and respect—believing healing begins with connection.

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Amy Gonzalez is a board certified Psychiatric Mental Health Nurse Practitioner as well as a Family Nurse Practitioner. She has been practicing in the field of nursing since 1996. Amy has been a practicing Family Nurse Practitioner since 2007, and she started to focus on substance abuse treatment in 2010. She found that many people with substance use disorder also struggle with their mental health and went on to get her Psychiatric Mental Health Nurse Practitioner degree completing it in 2017. Her past experience includes working in both outpatient and inpatient psychiatry, 24-hour crisis care, substance use treatment, mental health court, and both adult and geriatric psychiatry. Amy has expertise in treating depression, bipolar spectrum disorder, anxiety, insomnia, PTSD, substance use disorders and thought disorders.

Amy believes in providing a safe and supportive environment where she really gets to know her patients as individuals and works collaboratively with them to develop a treatment plan. She is concerned with a patient's overall wellness, emphasizing nutrition, movement, hobbies, social connection, and mindfulness. She takes a holistic approach to treatment which focuses on evidence-based treatments including conventional medications, supplements, and alternative and complementary treatments.

Amy focuses on medication management as well as providing supportive therapy, psychoeducation, and motivational interviewing to her patients in 30-minute follow up appointments. Sometimes Amy may recommend more intense therapy and ask that you bring a therapist into your care team to provide the best outcome.

Akif A. Khawaja M.D. is a Clinical General Psychiatrist. He has worked in this field since graduating and obtaining his residency from the University of Mississippi Medical Center Department of Neurology and Behavioral Sciences in 1996. He has worked mostly with adults ranging from 18 to 90 years of age. He has served as a director of Intensive Outpatient Programs in the state of Mississippi. He currently focuses on medical management of patients above 50 years of age and has served as a director of Geriatric Psychiatric Units.

He has a particular interest in treating mood, anxiety, and cognitive disorders, including ADHD. Patients working with him can expect thorough and detailed appointments, as he places special emphasis on gathering comprehensive medical and psychiatric histories, including specific dates of past treatments. During initial visits, he carefully reviews previous medical interventions, particularly procedures such as electroconvulsive therapy (ECT) and vagus nerve stimulation (VNS).

His approach prioritizes thorough evaluations to ensure accurate diagnoses. He strongly believes that honesty is essential for achieving the best possible treatment outcomes.