Alexandra Baluna, MD

Dr. Kristina Kurtz is a board-certified adult psychiatrist who graduated from Lake Erie College of Osteopathic Medicine in Erie, Pennsylvania. She completed a Transitional Internship at St. Joseph Mercy Hospital Oakland in Pontiac, Michigan, and Psychiatry Residency training at Henry Ford Health System in Detroit, Michigan. During her residency training, she held multiple professional leadership positions, including ethics committee consultant, associate chief resident, and chief resident. She has experience developing residency curriculum, and teaching psychiatry residents and medical students. Prior to relocating to Colorado Springs, Dr. Kurtz served as the Adult Inpatient Service Chief at Henry Ford Kingswood Hospital. She joined Talkiatry after serving as the Medical Director of Behavioral Health at UCHealth Memorial Hospital as well as Regional Medical Director for Colorado for Lifestance Health. Dr. Kurtz is passionate about providing holistic, evidence-based care to both adults and geriatric patients. She believes in providing a well-rounded approach to care which includes both medication management as well as psychodynamic psychotherapy and supportive therapy for a wide variety of disorders including depression, anxiety, PTSD, ADHD, substance use disorders, and bipolar disorder. She believes that medication management is most effective when an environment of shared decision-making exists between the prescriber and the patient and tailors her approach to meet each individual patient's needs.

Background and credentials

Dr. Vansickle is a board-certified adult psychiatrist with over 25 years of clinical experience. She earned her medical degree from the University of Texas Health Sciences Center San Antonio and completed her internship at UAB. She then completed her psychiatry residency at the University of Louisville Hospital, where she served as chief resident and received a national award in community psychiatry. Throughout her career, she has worked in both inpatient and outpatient settings as a staff psychiatrist, primarily in Texas and Alabama.

‍

Treatment approach

Dr. Vansickle places a strong emphasis on establishing trust and building therapeutic relationships to help patients achieve their goals. Her practice focuses on medication management, often combined with supportive or emotionally focused therapy during 30-minute follow-up visits. If she believes additional therapy would be beneficial, she may recommend that patients work with a therapist as part of their care team. She has extensive experience treating patients in various settings, including community mental health centers, VAMC-affiliated clinics, and hospital-based psychiatric units. She also has expertise in psychiatric consultations for medically ill patients, as well as guardianship and competency evaluations.

‍

What you can expect in a first visit

Patients can expect a thorough initial evaluation, where Dr. Vansickle takes the time to understand their symptoms, history, and treatment goals. She provides a structured yet compassionate approach to care, ensuring that each patient feels heard and supported. Follow-up visits typically last 30 minutes, during which she monitors progress and adjusts treatment as necessary. If additional therapy is needed, she collaborates with therapists to ensure comprehensive care tailored to each patient’s needs.

‍

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.

‍

Dr. Jylia Lobanova is a board-certified psychiatrist who began her medical career in Tashkent, Uzbekistan, where she worked at the Central Psychiatric Hospital. After moving to the U.S., she completed her residency at MetroHealth Medical Center, affiliated with Case Western Reserve University. She has treated diverse populations in both inpatient and outpatient settings, including work at Portage Health Clinic in Ohio, Harris Health in Houston, and Legacy Community Health, where she focused on LGBTQ and HIV-positive patients.

Dr. Lobanova values building a trustful and respectful therapeutic relationship. She creates a welcoming space for open communication and mutual understanding, which she believes is the cornerstone of effective treatment. She is especially passionate about supporting patients from diverse cultural backgrounds and has a special interest in women’s mental health across the lifespan.

Dr. Lobanova takes a holistic approach to care, combining medications, psychotherapy, psychoeducation, proper nutrition, and physical activity. She partners closely with each patient to develop an individualized treatment plan tailored to their unique goals and needs, always striving to empower them in their journey toward mental wellness.

‍

Dr. Christopher DeBernard is a board-certified psychiatrist with extensive clinical leadership experience. He earned his MD and completed a combined residency in Internal Medicine and Psychiatry at Tulane University School of Medicine. Previously board certified in Internal Medicine, he is especially comfortable caring for patients with medical comorbidities. Dr. DeBernard has worked in both inpatient and outpatient settings and held leadership roles as Chief Medical Officer at Arisa Health and Lotic.ai. He also brings a systems-thinking perspective to clinical care from earlier careers in engineering and consulting. He holds active medical licenses in Louisiana and Arkansas.

Dr. DeBernard strives to create a warm, collaborative environment where patients feel respected, understood, and supported. His approach combines evidence-based medicine with an appreciation for each patient’s unique story, values, and motivations. Patients can expect open, direct communication, shared decision-making, and treatment plans that align with their personal goals. Trust, empathy, and authenticity form the foundation of his therapeutic relationships.

Dr. DeBernard begins by listening closely to each patient’s history, concerns, and hopes for treatment. Together, he works with patients to establish clear goals and develop individualized care plans that may include therapy, medication management, and lifestyle approaches. His focus is on both symptom relief and building long-term resilience, helping patients develop strategies that sustain well-being. Over time, he collaborates with patients to adapt treatment as their needs evolve, ensuring care remains effective and personalized.

MassachusettsHolly James Corrigan, RN, MSN, PMHNP, is a board-certified psychiatric nurse practitioner committed to helping people navigate their mental health with skill and heart. She earned her BSN from Russell Sage College in 2009, her MSN from Massachusetts General Hospital Institute for Health Professions in 2016, and completed Psychiatry Redefined’s Fellowship in Functional and Integrated Psychiatry in 2025. Holly keeps current by attending top conferences, like the International Trauma Conference in Boston, ensuring she’s always at the forefront of her field.

Holly’s philosophy is simple yet powerful: care should fit the person, not just the diagnosis. She’s passionate about tackling complex issues—suicide prevention, C-PTSD, chronic depression, ASD, OCD—and advocating for underserved communities. For Holly, it’s about delivering real, meaningful support to those who need it most.

Her career began as a registered nurse in neurology, pediatrics, and emergency care, before she found her calling in psychiatry. Since then, she’s provided medication management and supportive psychotherapy in outpatient clinics and worked in inpatient units serving adults and adolescents.

Holly believes in patient-centered care based on the individual, rather than focusing only on a diagnostic algorithm. The first appointment will include a comprehensive psychiatric evaluation and a discussion about what your goals of treatment are. Pharmacological and therapeutic recommendations are both important elements of the treatment plan. Follow up appointments will be more concise, but may include various therapeutic modalities, medication changes, and supportive psychotherapy.

Jennifer Hewitt is a board-certified psychiatric nurse practitioner, credentialed through the American Nurses Credentialing Center (ANCC). She earned her master’s degree in nursing from Gonzaga University and has extensive experience treating a wide range of mental health conditions, including anxiety, depression, obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD), bipolar disorder, schizophrenia, and post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD).

Her passion for psychiatry and dedication to patient care are rooted in her background as an emergency room nurse and her experience in emergency medical services (EMS). This foundation has given her a unique perspective on the critical role mental health plays in overall well-being.

Jennifer provides compassionate care to adults, children, and adolescents, recognizing that each individual’s path to mental wellness is unique. She believes that while medication can be an important part of treatment, self-care and therapy are equally essential components of a holistic approach.

She is known for her empathetic listening and genuine connection with patients. Through collaboration, she helps individuals set realistic goals and empowers them to take an active role in their recovery. Her kindness and commitment create a supportive environment where patients can thrive on their journey toward mental wellness

‍