PTSD Psychiatrists in New Jersey

Dr. Esha Garg is a board-certified psychiatrist starting her post-graduate practice with Talkiatry. After completing an undergraduate degree in psychology at Johns Hopkins University, she completed her medical degree at Kansas City University of Medicine and Biosciences. She is a recent graduate from the Adult Psychiatry Residency at University of Kansas Medical Center.

Dr. Garg's practice focuses on medication management but she believes in the importance of both therapy and medication management in treating mental illness. She offers medication management with supportive therapy in 30-minute follow up visits. She also utilizes referrals to therapists to enhance collaborative care and management of illness.

Dr. Garg believes in the importance of building a strong therapeutic relationship. She focuses on treating patients with depression and anxiety disorders. She believes in a holistic, patient-centered approach to care and encourages patient's to explore their physical, emotional, social and spiritual needs in addition to their mental health.

Dr. Niles Drake is a board certified psychiatrist skilled in prescribing medications and working in psychotherapy. He combines a warm demeanor with excellent clinical skills, and has over 15 years' experience working with adult patients of all ages and many walks of life. He has special expertise combining medication and psychotherapy to help patients reduce symptoms and grow as individuals. Dr. Drake's additional training and experience in psychological modes of treatment enhance the quality of care he provides to all his patients, to meet them where they are and prioritize their individual needs and goals. He also provides medication management-only treatments for people who aren't looking for psychotherapy or who already have therapists. Dr. Drake completed his psychiatric residency at Columbia University Medical Center in New York. He also completed psychoanalytic training at the Columbia Center for Psychoanalytic Training and Research. He went on to teach classes at the Center, educating candidates about the nuances of combining psychotherapy with other treatment modalities. In addition to providing outpatient psychiatric treatment for over 10 years in private practice, he has worked extensively in psychiatric emergency settings, supervising residents as attending physician at Columbia-New York Presbyterian Hospital and Long Island Jewish Hospital psychiatric emergency rooms. He also has special expertise treating college-aged and young adult patients, having served as staff psychiatrist at Barnard College's Furman Counseling Center and worked with many students from Barnard and Columbia in his private practice. Dr. Drake offers treatment for many psychiatric conditions, including but not limited to depression, anxiety disorders, bipolar disorder, ADHD, and personality disorders. He identifies helping people ease and overcome their psychiatric conditions as his calling, and approaches each patient with humility, diligence, and a collaborative spirit.

Dr. Theresa Colberg is a board certified adult psychiatrist. She offers guidance with navigating difficult and painful emotions that may result from stressful life situations, such as the loss of or separation from a loved one, work related stressors, burn out, adult and childhood trauma, OCD and mood disorders including major depressive disorder, bipolar disorder, and various anxiety disorders. Within a safe, and supportive working relationship, Dr. Colberg will strive to reach an understanding of your unique situation, identify the issues that are interfering with progress, and develop a plan to better identify and achieve your goals.

Previous to joining Talkiatry, Dr. Colberg served as a clinical psychiatrist for the VA Healthcare System, providing care for veterans with a predominant focus on treatment of post traumatic stress disorder. She has also worked collaboratively as an integrated psychiatrist for a primary care FQHC, treating primarily trauma and stressor related disorders within a primary care setting.

Dr. Colberg completed her Psychiatry Residency from Mount Sinai-Beth Israel in New York City and obtained her medical degree from Temple Medical School in Philadelphia. She offers 60-minute initial appointments and 30-minute follow-up appointments, and she won't hesitate to collaborate with other mental health experts as necessary to better support your needs.

Dr. Arif Patel is a board-certified adult psychiatrist. He obtained his medical degree from Rowan University School of Osteopathic Medicine and completed his residency training at Authority Health, an affiliate of Michigan State University. In addition, he has completed a Psychoanalytic Psychotherapy Fellowship from the Michigan Psychoanalytic Institute. He has 4 years of clinical experience. Dr. Patel's practice focuses primarily on medication management. Follow-up appointments typically last 30 minutes and incorporate elements of supportive psychotherapy, CBT, and motivational interviewing. Dr. Patel utilizes a collaborative approach to treatment, ensuring that treatment plans align with patients' goals and values. Dr. Patel has extensive clinical experience in various psychiatric settings including inpatient, outpatient, and emergency settings. He has treated patients of various ages and of diverse cultural and spiritual backgrounds. He has extensive training in the community mental health system, where he has treated patients with severe mental illness and substance use disorders. Dr. Patel practices general adult psychiatry. His practice focuses on medication management in conjunction with supportive psychotherapy. Dr. Patel has experience in treating a wide array of psychiatric disorders including mood disorders, anxiety disorders, trauma, and ADHD.

Education and training

Stony Brook University (Bachelor of Science)

American University of Integrative Sciences (MD)

Davenport University (MBA)

Bergen New Bridge Medical Center (residency)

University Hospitals Cleveland Medical Center/Case Western Reserve University (fellowship)

Dr. Mohammed Islam is board certified in both General Psychiatry and Child and Adolescent Psychiatry. He completed his undergraduate studies at Stony Brook University and attended medical school at the American University of Integrative Sciences. He completed his psychiatry residency training at Bergen New Bridge Medical Center followed by completion of a fellowship in Child and Adolescent Psychiatry at University Hospitals/Case Western Reserve University where he served as Chief Fellow. Prior to joining Talkiatry, he has trained/worked in a combination of various healthcare systems across New York, New Jersey, Ohio and Kentucky.

Dr. Islam treats patients of various ages- in addition to medication management he is a strong proponent of therapy in various forms. His approach to the treatment of adults and children/adolescents incorporates the impact of various things such as family history of mental health/medical conditions as well as any adverse childhood experiences/trauma. In addition to screening for common conditions such as bipolar disorder, anxiety and depression in all patients, he also emphasizes the importance of screening for conditions that can manifest in childhood (such as ADHD, Autism) as well as first-episode psychosis in young adults.

From the initial visit and onward, Dr. Islam prioritizes a collaborative effort with his patients (and at times their families). In addition to medication adjustments, he emphasizes the importance of optimizing additional tools such as therapy while making appropriate lifestyle changes. During every follow up visit, he takes care to ensure that the current treatment is not hindering his patient’s progress in any way.

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Dr. Goel holds the position of Staff Psychiatrist at Talkiatry. She has completed adult psychiatry training and is board certified. She has been actively involved in mental health care in various capacities over the past 7 years.

Dr. Goel's practice focuses on psychopharmacological interventions. Typically, she combines this with a strong emphasis on Cognitive Behavior Therapy (CBT). Dr. Goel also strongly believes that the best outcomes are achieved, when you treat a person and not just illness.

She received her medical degree from one of the largest publicly funded medical schools in India, L.L.R.M. Medical College, Meerut, India, before moving to the US. She gained experience in mental and behavioral health in various roles at some of the most prestigious institutions in the US, namely Northwestern University, Emory University, and North Shore-LIJ. She completed her residency at Nassau University Medical Center, East Meadow, NY. Dr. Goel has been a co-author of several research papers. Her team's research work has also been presented at national and international meetings as well.

While Dr. Goel enjoys working with adults with various psychiatric disorders, her primary focus is on treating adults with various anxiety and depressive disorders. Dr. Goel also has a special interest in co-occuring sleep disorders with these conditions.

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Dr. Debbarma is double board certified in General Psychiatry and Addiction Medicine. Dr.Debbarma is also certified in mindfulness therapy. Prior to joining Talkiatry, Dr. Debbarma was working as an attending psychiatrist and teaching faculty in an Academic hospital. She has experience of managing diverse patients ranging from chronic severe mental illness , dual diagnosis patients, crisis management and high functioning outpatients population.

Dr. Debbarma is an International medical graduate from India with post graduate training in Psychiatry and Family Medicine.  

To better understand USA public health and preventive care, Dr. Debbarma pursued advanced degree in Master of Public Health from Thomas Jefferson University, Philadelphia. Due to interest in global health, Dr. Debbarma worked as a post-doctoral fellow in Global Health at Rutgers university. Dr. Debbarma completed psychiatry residency from Cooper University Hospital and served as a chief resident.

Dr. Debbarma has diverse experiences in health care. Prior to moving to USA, she worked as a medical officer in government hospital system. Dr. Debbarma has years of experience in treating patients from different cultural and religious background.

As an Individual Dr. Debbarma is intrigued by human mind and behavior that’s why she choose to specialize in psychiatry. She focuses on "wholeness" by understanding the whole person not just their symptoms.

Her treatment approach includes bio-psycho-sociocultural model and patient centered care.  She offers medication management and supportive therapy. Based on clinical need Dr. Debbarma also incorporate CBT, Mindfulness, MI.

Dr. Debbarma has special interest in women mental health and cultural psychiatry.

Dr. Thomas Spina is an adult psychiatrist who began his practice at Talkiatry after completing his psychiatry residency at the Eastern Long Island branch of Stony Brook University, where he treated a diverse patient population. Dr. Spina received his undergraduate degree from St. John's University in Queens where he studied Philosophy. Initially interested in a career in law, Dr. Spina decided to change gears and pursue a career in medicine after watching a relative struggle with her diagnosis of Diabetes Mellitus. Dr. Spina then completed medical school at Tel Aviv University in Israel, where he fell in love with psychiatry during his clerkship at Ichilov medical center. During that rotation, he came to appreciate how each patient has his or her own unique story, regardless of their diagnosis. Dr. Spina favors a holistic and integrative approach to psychiatry, combining medication management with supportive therapy, elements of cognitive behavioral therapy, while remaining open to other treatment modalities depending on the needs of his patients. When more focused therapy is indicated, Dr. Spina may recommend that his patient work with a provider specializing in a particular modality of therapy as part of their treatment. Dr. Spina treats adult patients with mood disorders including major depressive disorder and bipolar disorder, anxiety spectrum disorders, OCD, PTSD and specific phobias. In his spare time, Dr. Spina enjoys a variety of hobbies, including Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu, running, baseball, and exploring new eateries and shops.

Dr. Ellis is a graduate of Robert Wood Johnson Medical School in Piscataway, NJ. He completed his psychiatric residency at Cooper Hospital/University Medical Center in Camden, NJ, where he served as Chief Resident his senior year. Dr. Ellis has served as Assistant Medical Director of the community mental health center of Gloucester County for 28 years, providing care to a diverse population. Additionally, Dr. Ellis maintained a private practice for 15 years, treating individuals and their families with ongoing collaboration with therapists and other health care providers

Dr. Jenna Hartman is double board certified in General Psychiatry and Addiction Psychiatry. Dr. Hartman graduated from Tufts University before completing medical school at New York Institute of Technology College of Osteopathic Medicine. She then completed residency at Maimonides Medical Center, where she was a Chief Resident, and then pursued an addiction psychiatry fellowship at Mount Sinai Beth Israel. Dr. Hartman was also trained in psychodynamic psychotherapy by the Psychoanalytic Association of NY. Following her training, Dr. Hartman returned to Maimonides Medical Center, where she worked as an attending adult outpatient clinic, treating patients from many different backgrounds with a wide array of diagnoses. She holds a special interest in treating mood disorders, anxiety disorders, and OCD. Dr. Hartman uses a compassionate and thoughtful approach in order to form a collaborative partnership with her patients. She believes in treating the person as a whole and tailoring treatments to each individual's specific needs. Dr. Hartman works with patients in 30 30-minute follow up sessions, where in addition to medication management she provides supportive and at times psychodynamic therapeutic techniques.

Dr. Daniel Weiss is a double board-certified psychiatrist in adult and forensic psychiatry. His expertise is in diagnosing and treating psychiatric conditions, including depression and bipolar spectrum disorders, anxiety, stress and adjustment problems, maternal mental health, OCD, and other disorders. In addition, he has extensive experience working with individuals from diverse backgrounds, college and graduate students, creative professionals, and a range of working adults. Through a supportive psychopharmacologic approach, Dr. Weiss strives to provide a comfortable experience in which doctor and patient work to understand the presenting problems, reduce symptoms, and optimize functioning. In addition, Dr. Weiss encourages concurrent therapy and will communicate with that provider in a collaborative care arrangement. Dr. Weiss previously served as an attending psychiatrist on the staff of Montefiore Medical Center and was formerly a faculty member at the Albert Einstein College of Medicine. Before joining Talkiatry, Dr. Weiss spent a decade working at The New School as the university's staff psychiatrist.

Dr. Sara Mateo holds the position of staff Psychiatrist at Talkiatry. She is a board-eligible adult Psychiatrist. Dr. Mateo completed her Medical degree at the University of Benghazi- Faculty of Medicine and finished General Psychiatry Residency training at Tower Health/DrexelPhoenixville Hospital. Throughout her career, Dr. Mateo has actively contributed to various leadership roles and committees, demonstrating her commitment to advancing medical education and promoting diversity in the field. During her training, she generously shared her knowledge through educational presentations and lectures, fostering the growth of fellow trainees and medical students. Dr. Mateo is dedicated to creating a therapeutic environment characterized by warmth, empathy, and nonjudgmental support. Her approach involves collaborating with patients to develop individualized treatment plans that consider cultural, biological, psychological, and social factors. With a primary focus on medication management, Dr. Mateo's keen interest in psychotherapy is evident, as she often integrates supportive therapy, cognitive behavioral therapy, and psychodynamic psychotherapy during 30-minute follow-up visits to optimize wellness and recovery. Dr. Mateo brings a wealth of experience in caring for individuals of diverse ages and backgrounds, adeptly addressing a wide spectrum of conditions. Her expertise extends to treating depressive disorders, bipolar disorders, anxiety disorders, trauma and stress related disorders, ADHD, OCD, Insomnia, psychotic disorders; she also has experience treating individuals with medical comorbidities.

Dr. Ankila S. Chandran is a board certified general psychiatrist at Talkiatry with over 20 years of experience treating a diverse population of patients. After graduating with her doctorate in Communication Theory and Research from the University of Southern California she attended the Touro University College of Osteopathic Medicine in Northern California and then completed her residency in Psychiatry at the University of Medicine and Dentistry of New Jersey and became board certified by the American Osteopathic Board of Neurology and Psychiatry in 2006. Dr. Chandran has spent the past 20 years fulfilling her passion for practicing integrated and holistic care for adults suffering from mental illness. Her years of experience include working as a Clinical Psychiatrist and Assistant Professor at Rowan University School of Osteopathic Medicine, being an examiner for the oral boards for psychiatrists seeking board certification, engaging in longer term inpatient treatment for chronically ill patients and facilitating consultation-liaison psychiatry with other medical specialties as well as practicing general outpatient psychiatry. Dr. Chandran has an informal and approachable style when treating individuals who suffer from a variety of complex diagnoses, she explains conditions well and helps educate her patients about how to be actively engaged in living their best lives. Concurrent with medication management, Dr. Chandran provides supportive psychotherapy and she has psychodynamic therapy skills that help address the root causes of her patients' distress. If Dr. Chandran feels you would benefit from working separately with a weekly to every other week therapist in conjunction with getting medication management, she welcomes collaboration with your therapist to achieve optimal results. Dr. Chandran strives to empower her patients in advocating for themselves and in achieving an optimal integration of their mental and physical health.

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. Telonis is a board-eligible adult psychiatrist who had been in practice for four years. Her focus is on using a collaborative approach and shared-decision making to help patients achieve their treatment goals. Dr. Telonis typically provides monthly 30-minute follow-ups with a focus on medication management and supportive therapy. In some instances, she may recommend a separate therapist to help facilitate the best care possible. Dr. Telonis earned her bachelor's degree in History of Art from Johns Hopkins University and then completed her master's at King's College London in international development with a focus on climate change. She received her medical degree from St. George's University School of Medicine and completed her psychiatry training at Mount Sinai Morningside and West Hospitals. Dr. Telonis has worked with a diverse patient population while training at Mount Sinai Morningside.‍

Dr. Mendez-Maldonado is double board-certified in general psychiatry and geriatric psychiatry. She received her medical degree from the University of Puerto Rico School of Medicine. She then moved to New York to complete her residency training at Mount Sinai Beth Israel where she stayed to complete her fellowship in geriatric psychiatry. After her fellowship, she proceeded to work at Woodhull Hospital where she worked as an attending before becoming unit chief and running their Special Pathogens Unit during the COVID-19 pandemic. She focuses on medication management and offers this in conjunction with supportive therapy, cognitive-behavioral techniques, a focus on nutritional psychiatry, and 30-minute follow-up visits. Dr. Mendez-Maldonado focuses on integrating nutrition, physical activity, and mindfulness techniques alongside pharmacotherapy to achieve a well-rounded approach to mental health.‍