Find a Psychiatrist in Brooklyn, NY

I chose the field of psychiatry with the goal of empowering my patients and equipping them with the skills and tools to improve their mental health. I strive to create a safe, nonjudgmental space where patients feel heard and supported, and to destigmatize mental illness and normalize seeking help when struggling. My passion for psychiatry stems from a deep interest in connecting with people and understanding their unique stories.

I believe the patient-physician relationship should be a partnership, built on trust, empathy, and shared goals. I encourage honesty, collaboration, and open communication, and believe there are no wrong questions, and your voice matters. I encourage questions and feedback and tailor care to each person's goals, comfort level, and pace. I want to get to know the whole person, not just their symptoms. Together, I work with patients to create a personalized and thoughtful treatment plan that may include therapy, lifestyle support, and/or medication, always with room to adjust based on your evolving needs and preferences.

I am double board-certified in adult psychiatry and addiction medicine. My practice focuses on medication management of psychiatric illness without the use of controlled substances. Typically, I offer this in conjunction with supportive or emotionally focused therapy in 30-minute follow-up visits. However, occasionally I may believe that additional therapy is also needed and ask that you bring a therapist into your care team to provide the best outcome.

I believe that psychiatry should start with a thorough assessment to arrive at an accurate diagnosis, followed by a discussion with the patient of the different evidence-based options available, and then shared decision-making to arrive at an effective treatment plan to achieve the goals that the patient identifies as being important. This should be done in an honest, open, non-judgmental, but realistic environment, with the understanding that the ultimate goal is to get the patient to a position where they will no longer need medication and/or therapy.

Before joining Talkiatry, I was Medical Director of Advanced Psychiatric Services (complex/high profile cases) at Kings County Hospital and Unit Chief of the Covid-19 positive unit. I was also a clinical professor at Downstate Medical College, where I was voted educator of the year numerous times by psychiatric residents and medical students.

I am a graduate of the prestigious combined 6-year BS/MD program at The Sophie Davis School of Biomedical Education. I did research at the neuropsychiatric branch of the National Institute of Mental Health, completed my psychiatric residency at St. Lukes/Roosevelt Hospital, and received my master's degree in public health from Columbia University.

At the heart of my clinical approach is a strong emphasis on establishing trust, rapport, and therapeutic alliance to help persons to feel and live well and to progress toward their goals, both in treatment and in life. I begin with consultation, a compassionate, collaborative process of discovery that culminates in a working diagnostic impression and, in turn, treatment recommendations. For those with whom I engage in a treatment relationship, I provide psychoeducation, medication management, and individual psychotherapy, this last modality predominantly drawing from both psychodynamic and behavioral psychological models to tailor treatment to each patient. On some occasions, I may believe that additional therapy is needed and ask that you bring a therapist into your care team to provide the best outcome.

I am a board-certified adult psychiatrist who has been in practice for over ten years. I received my medical degree from Stanford University and went on to complete my residency in psychiatry at Harvard University. After completing training, I cultivated a private practice of psychiatry in San Francisco, California, treating persons with a variety of psychiatric illnesses, while also providing consultation and clinical supervision to psychotherapists in day-treatment and office-based practices. I then served as a psychiatry professor at the Florida Atlantic University Charles E. Schmidt College of Medicine in Florida, where, as Associate Director of the Psychiatry Residency Training Program, I provided psychiatric inpatient treatment while bringing leadership, scholarship, teaching, supervision, and mentoring to psychiatry residents and medical students. Most recently, I worked as a senior medical officer/consultant psychiatrist in New Zealand's public health system, serving local communities with expert diagnosis and treatment for a wide range of mental health conditions. I also continued to supervise U.S.-based psychiatrists, along with New Zealand psychotherapists, in advanced and complex clinical psychopharmacology and psychotherapy.

I am a Board-Certified Adult Psychiatrist with specialized training in Child and Adolescent Psychiatry. I practice with a patient-centered approach, blending evidence-based medicine with compassion and patient collaboration in a supportive, nonjudgmental environment. I work closely with each patient to understand their unique story and help them move toward meaningful, personal goals. I am especially passionate about supporting minority and marginalized communities, and I strive to ensure everyone feels valued and cared for.

My treatment often includes psycho-education, supportive therapy, and medication management, always shaped by what matters most to the patient. I take time to build strong, trusting relationships and conduct thorough evaluations to understand each person's symptoms, challenges, experiences, and needs. I work with my patients to set clear goals that align with their preferences. I have experience treating a wide range of mental health conditions, including ADHD, PTSD, Depression, Anxiety, OCD, and Bipolar Disorder.

I earned my medical degree from Andes University in Colombia, completed my Psychiatry Residency at The Wright Center in Scranton, Pennsylvania, and pursued further training through a Child and Adolescent Psychiatry fellowship at Louisiana State University in New Orleans.

I am a Board-Eligible Psychiatrist who offers personable, compassionate, and empathetic care. I place significant importance on collaborating with patients and all relevant parties to gain a comprehensive understanding of the factors affecting a patient's life before making treatment recommendations. I also emphasize the importance of lifestyle, sleep, mindfulness, and nutrition, and their impact on overall mental health. I have experience treating anxiety disorder, traumatic disorders, depressive and bipolar disorders, substance use disorders, ADHD, OCD, and psychotic disorders. I utilize 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. I employ a range of therapeutic methods alongside medication management to ensure a thorough and holistic approach for every patient. My goal is to create a safe environment that encourages healing and wellness, enabling individuals to remain motivated and live their lives to the fullest.

I graduated from International American University College of Medicine and completed my residency at Bergen New Bridge Medical Center in Paramus, NJ. Prior to my formal training, I gained experience as a clinical researcher, emergency medical technician, and a registered nurse in both psychiatric and emergency departments. This diverse background equipped me with valuable tools to deliver empathetic care to a wide range of patients. During my residency, I also took on the role of chief resident, demonstrating a commitment to educating both patients and colleagues. Throughout my residency, I actively pursued additional training opportunities at various safety net hospitals in New Jersey to care for underserved populations.

My practice focuses on medication management and supportive psychotherapy in typically 30-minute follow-up visits. At times, additional psychotherapy is needed, and a therapist may be added to provide the best outcome. I have developed expertise in quickly building rapport with patients, conducting medication management assessments, and implementing effective interventions. I understand the delicate balance of providing thorough care within the constraints of virtual sessions, and I have developed strategies to ensure patients feel supported and understood, even through a screen. By combining clinical expertise with genuine empathy and persistence, I help my patients navigate their treatment journey with confidence and hope.

I am a board-certified psychiatrist who treats adults. I graduated Magna Cum Laude and with General Honors from the University of Miami, and I completed medical school at the University of Miami Miller School of Medicine in the prestigious Honors Program in Medicine. I continued my medical education at Jackson Memorial Hospital and University of Miami Hospital for my 4-year psychiatry residency training program. After completing my training, I held an academic appointment at the University of Miami while working at the Miami Veterans Affairs Hospital, initially as a behavioral health consultant in the Primary Care Mental Health Integration (PCMHI) model and later as a Behavioral Health Interdisciplinary Program (BHIP) psychiatrist in the Mental Health Treatment Coordinator (MHTC) role. My background spans clinical care, academic research, and community service, giving me a comprehensive understanding of mental healthcare delivery across different settings. These experiences taught me how to maintain clinical excellence while showing patience and respect for each patient's unique circumstances.

I value open, collaborative communication and take a warm, respectful, and nonjudgmental approach to care. I emphasize partnership and shared decision-making, ensuring patients feel heard and actively involved in their treatment. I bring a trauma-informed lens to my work and collaborate closely with patients to clarify goals and align care with their values. I take a holistic view of mental health, considering biological, psychological, and social factors. My clinical interests include trauma, trauma-informed care, and integrating psychotherapy principles with medication management. My clinical work includes treating mood disorders, anxiety, trauma-related conditions, and substance use disorders.

I am a medical doctor with experience working across outpatient, inpatient, and community mental health settings. I have extensive experience caring for underserved and diverse populations and was a recipient of the SAMHSA Minority Fellowship Program Grant. My fellowship training included a focus on Seeking Safety, an evidence-based, trauma-informed treatment model.

I begin care with a thorough assessment of psychiatric history, current concerns, and treatment goals, and I prioritize understanding how past experiences and trauma may influence present symptoms. Treatment plans are individualized and evidence-based, integrating medication management with therapeutic principles and psychoeducation. I collaborate with therapists and other providers as needed and regularly review progress, adjusting treatment based on patient feedback.

I believe trust is the foundation of meaningful treatment. I aim to create a space where patients feel seen and supported yet thoughtfully challenged, using genuine curiosity, warm humor, humility, and a direct style. I collaborate with each patient to develop holistic, realistic treatment plans that may or may not include medication. My therapeutic work blends psychodynamic and humanistic approaches, with availability for a limited number of weekly psychotherapy patients. In the first appointment, I explore each patient's life story, asking detailed questions to understand them as a whole person. I then focus on their immediate concerns and work collaboratively over time to refine a treatment plan that balances symptom relief with deeper, long-term healing. I think integratively and holistically, considering medical and mental health history, lifestyle, self-narrative, psychological structure, cultural and spiritual background, and broader societal influences.

I earned my undergraduate degree from Northwestern University, my medical degree from Texas A&M University College of Medicine, and completed psychiatry residency at the University of Colorado Anschutz School of Medicine. I am ABPN certified in Psychiatry and completed a rigorous 3-year psychotherapy scholars track, gaining experience across multiple therapeutic modalities. During residency, I served as outpatient chief resident and was recognized with a selective service excellence and leadership award. Before medical school, I worked as a project manager for a large electronic health corporation.

My practice focuses on medication management from a holistic perspective, informed by a background in psychotherapy. I believe that mental health is the cornerstone of overall well-being and that treatment is a collaborative journey toward improved health and function in life, work, and relationships. I have experience treating a variety of mental health concerns but have a particular interest in depression, anxiety, and mental health in the perinatal period. I offer culturally sensitive treatment to people from all backgrounds and sexual orientations.

I attended the University of OK as a National Merit Scholar and went on to graduate with my MD from Eastern Virginia Medical School. I specialized in Adult Psychiatry at the University of NC Hospitals, where I was a chief resident. I received psychotherapy training in insight-oriented and cognitive-behavioral approaches and trained at the Psychoanalytic Institute of the Carolinas. I have 18 years of experience providing medication management and psychotherapy in both private practice and community mental health settings, and over 10 years of experience in telepsychiatry providing care to underserved communities.

I am committed to providing compassionate, high-quality mental health care. I foster a therapeutic, nonjudgmental environment where patients can openly share their concerns and values. Viewing treatment as a partnership, I encourage patients to play an active role in their care and take a whole-person approach, considering lifestyle, environmental, and social factors that contribute to healing. My clinical interests include mood and anxiety disorders, PTSD, and childhood psychiatric disorders.

I begin with a comprehensive assessment to understand each patient's history, background, and treatment priorities. I develop individualized treatment plans using evidence-based approaches, supporting patients in navigating life's challenges and finding a path to mental wellness.

I am Board Certified in Adult and Child & Adolescent Psychiatry and treat patients of all ages. I earned my medical degree from New York Medical College, completed Adult Psychiatry Residency at New York-Presbyterian/Weill Cornell, and completed Child and Adolescent Fellowship training at NYU Langone and Bellevue Hospital. I have over a decade of experience in both community mental health centers and private practice, working with individuals from diverse backgrounds.

Dr. Sheela Vaswani is a board-certified psychiatrist who provides care for children, adolescents, and adults. She has experience treating anxiety disorders, depression, ADHD, obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD), and trauma-related disorders. Dr. Vaswani has a special interest in working with college-aged individuals and young adults, recognizing this stage of life as a time of growth, transition, and self-discovery.

Dr. Vaswani’s approach is patient-centered, recognizing that each person’s experiences, goals, and response to treatment are unique. She emphasizes open communication and believes effective treatment often includes a thoughtful combination of medication management, psychotherapy, and lifestyle strategies. She values building a strong therapeutic relationship based on trust, compassion, and collaboration.

Dr. Vaswani works closely with patients to develop personalized treatment plans that align with their values and long-term goals. She values continuity of care and collaborates with patients to identify approaches that support meaningful, lasting improvement.

My practice focuses on medication management. My goals include helping people feel comfortable seeking treatment as well as promoting an understanding of the purpose and reasoning behind the use of various medications to treat psychiatric disorders. Typically, I offer this in conjunction with supportive or emotionally focused therapy in 30-minute follow-up visits. When I believe that additional therapy is also needed, I will ask that you bring a therapist into your care team to provide the best outcome. I appreciate and value working with therapists within the Talkiatry practice and in the community in a collaborative effort to promote wellness. I strive to build strong therapeutic relationships with the people I see in my practice. I have interests in pharmacogenomics as well as treatment resistant approaches to depression.

I am a board certified general psychiatrist. Before joining Talkiatry, I practiced extensively in community mental health with adults of all ages in both outpatient and inpatient settings and as the medical director of several intensive outpatient and dialectical behavioral therapy (DBT) based programs. I also have experience in private practice and in the dual diagnoses of mental health and substance abuse disorders. I graduated from Carnegie Mellon University with a Bachelor of Science in Biology and Psychology and then completed medical school at West Virginia University School of Medicine. I trained during my residency at WVU, where I served as a chief resident and received the Brandon K. Fuller Award for Physician Empathy in 2017. I appear in several professional publications.

My passions include working in the community at large to encourage a better understanding of mental health disorders and to promote suicide awareness and prevention.