Adele Veksman, MD

Dr. Fatima Ghandour is an adult psychiatrist originally from Southeast Michigan. She earned her undergraduate degree at the University of Michigan and her medical degree at Western Michigan University Homer Stryker MD School of Medicine. She completed her psychiatry residency at Authority Health in Detroit, where she was recognized as Resident of the Year in her graduating class. Dr. Ghandour has experience practicing in both outpatient and inpatient settings and has treated a wide range of conditions including depression, anxiety, ADHD, and PTSD.

Dr. Ghandour values open communication and collaboration, working closely with patients to set clear and meaningful treatment goals. She fosters a warm, supportive environment where patients feel heard, respected, and empowered to take an active role in their care. Her empathetic and patient-centered approach helps individuals feel safe sharing their unique experiences and challenges.

Dr. Ghandour begins each relationship with a thorough evaluation, taking time to understand each patient’s history, concerns, and goals. From there, she develops an individualized treatment plan that reflects the patient’s needs and preferences. She combines evidence-based strategies with ongoing dialogue to ensure treatment remains responsive and aligned with each patient’s progress and well-being.

Background and credentials  

Dr. Alexandra Baluna, MD, is board-certified by the American Board of  Psychiatry and Neurology. She received her medical degree from  LSUHC-Shreveport and completed her psychiatry residency training at  Montefiore/Albert-Einstein College of Medicine, where she served as chief of  the Consultation-Liaison (C/L) service. Following residency, Dr. Baluna  served as Senior Chief, during which she was honored with the Leo M. Davidoff  Award for Outstanding Achievement in the Teaching of Medical Students. Her  professional experiences include roles at Fordham University, Albert Einstein  Student Mental Health Counseling Center, and most recently, as an outpatient  psychiatrist at Maimonides Medical Center, where she enjoyed teaching and  supervising residents.  

Treatment approach  

Dr. Baluna emphasizes creating a warm, empathic, and nonjudgmental  therapeutic environment. She collaborates closely with patients to develop  personalized treatment plans that consider cultural, biological,  psychological, and social factors. With a strong interest in psychotherapy,  she frequently employs ego-supportive and insight-oriented therapy techniques  during follow-up sessions.  

What you can expect in a first visit    

During an initial visit, patients can expect a welcoming and supportive  atmosphere where Dr. Baluna conducts a comprehensive assessment. This  involves exploring the patient's history, current challenges, and individual  circumstances. The goal of the first session is to collaboratively build an  individualized treatment plan tailored specifically to the patient's unique  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 speciualize in  medication management and collaborate with you on a treatment plan that fits  your needs and comfort level.

Dr. Albert Fernandez is a board-certified physician who specializes in adult psychiatry. He has expertise in medication management and psychotherapy. His practice emphasizes a holistic approach to treatment and his style is empathic, insight-oriented, and flexible. He has particular interests in helping individuals struggling with depression, difficulty functioning at work or school, life transitions, bipolar spectrum disorders, ADHD, obsessive-compulsive disorders, relationship struggles, anxiety disorders, sleep disturbances, low self-esteem, and more. He received his bachelor's degree in psychology from Princeton University with a certificate in neuroscience. He earned his M.D. from Renaissance School of Medicine at Stony Brook University and completed his residency training in psychiatry at the Mount Sinai Morningside and West Hospitals. He has supervised junior residents and medical students. He also worked as a staff psychiatrist at Fordham University and published a review article on the effects of residential relocation on mental health. He is currently a Post-Doctoral Candidate in the Adult Analytic Training Program at the New York Psychoanalytic Society and Institute.

Damaris Chukwura, DNP, PMHNP-BC, is a Board-Certified Family Psychiatric Mental Health Nurse Practitioner with over a decade of experience in mental health care. She began her nursing career in 2007 and has been practicing as a psychiatric nurse practitioner since 2014. Damaris has worked in a wide range of settings including inpatient hospitals, residential treatment centers, partial and intensive outpatient programs, correctional psychiatry, and substance abuse treatment. Her clinical experience spans various conditions such as ADHD, eating disorders, mood disorders, psychotic disorders, PTSD, and treatment-resistant depression. She earned her BSN from Texas Christian University, MSN from The University of Texas at Arlington, and her DNP from The University of Alabama in Huntsville.

Damaris values open communication and collaboration with her patients. She creates a warm, caring environment where individuals feel heard and respected. Her approach is both evidence-based and supportive, blending professionalism with a welcoming demeanor. She is passionate about mental health advocacy and reducing stigma. Outside of work, Damaris enjoys spending time with her husband and three children, traveling, decorating, and watching reality TV.

During initial psychiatric evaluations, Damaris takes time to fully understand each patient’s history, concerns, and goals. She develops individualized treatment plans that align with these goals and may include supportive therapy or referrals for more intensive therapy if needed. Follow-up appointments typically last 30 minutes, allowing time to track progress and make adjustments as necessary.

Background and credentials

Dr. Faujia Sobhan is a psychiatrist with over 20 years of clinical experience practicing psychiatry in Nebraska and South Florida. She completed her Adult Psychiatry Residency Training at Creighton-Nebraska University.

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Treatment approach

Dr. Sobhan is emphasizes compassionate, comprehensive psychiatric care. Her practice integrates medication management, supportive therapy, and psychoeducation. Dr. Sobhan specializes in treating Depression, Bipolar Disorder, Anxiety Disorders, Social Anxiety, Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD), Obsessive Compulsive Disorder (OCD), and ADHD. She emphasizes treating each patient as a whole person, considering life stressors, personal goals, and overall functioning, all within a nurturing and non-judgmental environment.

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What you can expect in a first visit

Patients can expect their first visit with Dr. Sobhan to be thorough, compassionate, and patient-centered. She takes time to actively listen and fully understand each individual's symptoms, stressors, goals, and personal needs. Dr. Sobhan emphasizes creating a trusting, non-judgmental environment and collaborates closely with patients to develop tailored treatment plans that support them in achieving their optimal mental health and 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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Dr. Bernard is a board-certified Psychiatrist from New Orleans, LA, with fellowship training in Consultation-Liaison Psychiatry at Stanford University. His career has spanned both academic medicine and clinical leadership, including serving as Medical Director of a hospital-based C-L Psychiatry service and teaching medical students and residents. His background in academics, leadership and subspecialty training allows him to bridge all aspects of his patient's health. His hobbies include yoga, meditation, martial arts, snowboarding and inline hockey.

Patients can expect a thoughtful, respectful, and collaborative approach. He works to understand both the biological and psychological aspects of each person’s experience, and he believes in creating individualized treatment plans that are practical and evidence-based. His style emphasizes open communication, setting clear goals together, and making sure patients feel heard and supported throughout their care.

He begins with a comprehensive assessment to understand each patient’s medical, psychological, and social background. From there, he partners with patients to identify their goals and tailor a treatment plan that may include psychotherapy, medication, lifestyle modifications or coordination with other healthcare providers. He regularly checks in on progress, adjusts as needed, and strives to create a therapeutic relationship that feels safe, structured, and effective.