Absar Tahir, MD

Dr. Sophia Mikityanskiy is a board-certified psychiatrist with extensive experience in outpatient and psychiatric emergency settings in Brooklyn, where she served a diverse patient population. She earned her medical degree from the New York Institute of Technology College of Osteopathic Medicine and completed her adult psychiatry residency at Maimonides Medical Center, where she was Chief of Outpatient Psychiatry. Dr. Mikityanskiy spent six years as Associate Program Director and Director of Medical Student Education, mentoring future clinicians and leading initiatives to support mental health professionals.

Dr. Mikityanskiy creates a warm, supportive environment where patients feel heard and understood. She is collaborative, culturally sensitive, and integrates talk therapy with lifestyle interventions to address mental health holistically. She is thoughtful, detail-oriented, and values open communication to develop clear, personalized treatment plans with each patient.

Dr. Mikityanskiy begins with a comprehensive initial evaluation, listening closely to patient concerns, medical and psychiatric history, and treatment goals. She then develops an individualized plan, incorporating lifestyle modifications and shared decision-making. Throughout care, she remains actively involved, continuously adjusting plans to ensure patients feel informed and empowered.

Languages: English and Burmese

Dr. Pe Win is a board-certified psychiatrist.  He earned his medical degree (M.B.,B.S) from Institute of Medicine (1), Rangoon, Burma.  He went to obtain master’s degree in public health (MPH, Epidemiology and Biostatistics) from New York Medical College, Valhalla, New York.  He worked as a researcher in the area of Behavioral Health associated with drug use among HIV patients and Colombian youth.  He published several papers together with principal investigators on NIMH grants.  He received his residency training in psychiatry at Westchester Medical Center, Valhalla, New York.

Dr. Win has extensive experience in working with veterans (23 years in VA health care system) in outpatient setting. He has plethora of experience in dealing with different levels of PTSD (combat-related and military sexual trauma), anxiety, bipolar disorder, depression, OCD, mood disorders as well as behavioral issues related with memory impairment (e.g. Traumatic Brain Injury and  dementia).      

Dr. Win also worked in inpatient setting for both adolescents and adults for 5 years on a part-time basis in Four Winds Hospital, Katonah, New York.

During the first visit, patients can expect comprehensive interview focusing on patient- center approach.  After attentive, compassionate interview and open communication, patients will be evaluated thoroughly of their symptoms, mental and medical heath history, social history, family history, risk assessment, patient’s goals and needs, and treatment plan will be discussed.

He will provide warm and supportive environment by active listening and giving constructive suggestions.  He will explore possible coping strategies, assess patient’s readiness to change, and provide mindfulness, behavioral modification, CBT, motivational interview as well as medication management emphasizing on personalized treatment plan.

Dr. Win is committed to ongoing follow-up visit, reviewing prior discussions, any changes in patient’s mental/medical condition, stress level, side effects of medication, psychoeducation, coping strategies, psychotherapy, and adjustment of care as needed (medication as well as behavioral therapy)

Thomas Reis is a clinical social worker, independently licensed in Massachusetts. He has 13 years of experience working as a psychotherapist providing psychotherapy to adults both in an outpatient setting and through telehealth. Thomas has experience working with anxiety and mood disorders, attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder and stress. He specializes in helping people navigate challenging life transitions, existential crisis, addictions, including chemical, behavioral, and process addictions. Thomas helps others empower themselves to improve their self-esteem and the quality of their relationships by teaching healthy boundaries, assertive communication, and active listening skills. By utilizing teach strategies and interventions from Motivational Interviewing, Cognitive Behavioral Therapy, Acceptance and Commitment Therapy and Solution Focused Brief Therapy Thomas takes a client centered approach while working with his clients. He enjoys his work and is passionate about helping people who want help. He attempts to empower clients to work toward achieving their own individual goals at their own pace while being empathetic and open-minded. Thomas works with his clients to create an open and safe environment where thoughts and feelings can be shared without fear of judgment.

Dr. Catherine Bledowski is board-certified in General Psychiatry and Consultation-Liaison Psychiatry (Psychosomatic Medicine) by the ABPN.  She received her medical degree from the University of South Carolina School of Medicine and completed her residency in General Psychiatry as well as her fellowship in Consultation-Liaison Psychiatry (Psychosomatic Medicine) at Virginia Commonwealth University.  Dr. Bledowski spent most of her career in large, urban academic medical centers, primarily taking care of patients with severe mental illness, as well as those with mental illness comorbid with other complex medical conditions.  

Dr. Bledowski has a passion for medical education and has held faculty appointments at Virginia Commonwealth University, University of Utah, Georgetown University, George Washington University, and Walter Reed National Military Medical Center.  Dr. Bledowski has authored numerous peer-reviewed journal articles and provided academic presentations to both national and international audiences.  Her interests include emergency psychiatry, brain stimulation therapies, complex psychopharmacology, and psychopharmacology in the medically ill.  Prior to joining Talkiatry, Dr. Bledowski held various leadership positions in academic medicine, emergency psychiatry, consultation-liaison psychiatry, and brain stimulation at multiple academic medical centers.  

Dr. Bledowski's approach to patient care is centered upon collaboration and utilizing the most up-to-date evidence-based practices.

Rebecca Kostopoulos, PMHNP, is a board-certified psychiatric nurse practitioner committed to helping individuals facing mental health challenges lead full and balanced lives.

Her practice primarily focuses on medication management, often combined with supportive or emotionally focused therapy during 30-minute follow-up visits. When appropriate, Rebecca may recommend involving an additional therapist to ensure the most effective and comprehensive care.

She earned her Master of Science in Nursing with a specialization in psychiatry from Columbia University and her Bachelor of Science in Nursing from Boston College. Her training includes psychiatric diagnosis, medication management, and both psychodynamic and cognitive-behavioral therapies.

With over a decade of experience, Rebecca has evaluated and treated adults in a variety of clinical settings. Her previous roles include working at Elmhurst Hospital’s Comprehensive Psychiatric Emergency Program, Gracie Square Hospital’s inpatient unit, as well as in community health centers and skilled nursing facilities.

As a nurse practitioner, Rebecca believes that mental health is just as vital as physical health. She values the therapeutic relationship and approaches treatment with empathy and collaboration, ensuring that each patient receives personalized and compassionate care.

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Dr. Maxim Chasanov, MD, brings over 30 years of experience in both inpatient and outpatient psychiatric settings. He has held leadership roles, including serving as Medical Director across various clinical programs. Dr. Chasanov completed his undergraduate studies at the University of Chicago and earned his medical degree from Loyola University Stritch School of Medicine in Chicago, Illinois. He completed his residency at Loyola University Medical Center, where he was appointed chief resident during his final year.

Dr. Chasanov values open, honest communication and takes a collaborative approach to care. He partners with patients to identify clear treatment goals and uses symptom screener tools to objectively track progress. He strives to create a warm, supportive, and empathetic environment where patients feel heard, respected, and actively engaged in their treatment journey.

In the first session, Dr. Chasanov works to gain a thorough understanding of each patient’s history, current concerns, and long-term goals. He then develops a personalized treatment plan aligned with those goals. His approach balances symptom improvement with medication tolerability and incorporates therapies that further enhance outcomes.