Alexandra Baluna, MD

Sonya R. Isler, PMHNP-BC, began her nursing journey over 30 years ago in a state psychiatric hospital in Goldsboro, NC, inspired by the poised nurse she admired at church as a child. Her path includes roles as LPN, RN, BSN, and multiple advanced practice degrees. Sonya has worked in inpatient and outpatient settings, VA clinics, and private practices. She also serves as a preceptor for PMHNP students at her alma mater, the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill.

Sonya creates a welcoming, respectful space where patients feel safe to communicate openly. She practices active listening and values patient input when setting therapy goals. Her approach is holistic—treating the whole person—and she encourages collaboration, helping patients feel seen, heard, and empowered in their care.

Sonya reviews a patient's history before each session and begins with clear introductions and goal setting. She invites open discussion of concerns and tailors' treatment plans with patient input. She often incorporates CBT, motivational interviewing, and solution-focused therapy into care, promoting growth through supportive, personalized strategies.

Background and credentials

Dr. Kristina Schnitzer is a board-certified psychiatrist. She earned her medical degree from the New York University School of Medicine and completed her residency in Adult Psychiatry at the Massachusetts General Hospital/McLean Adult Psychiatry Residency Program. She further specialized by completing a one-year clinical and research fellowship in Public and Community Psychiatry through Massachusetts General Hospital and the Massachusetts Department of Mental Health. In addition to her medical training, she holds a Master of Public Health (MPH) from the Harvard T.H. Chan School of Public Health. She has over three years of experience practicing psychiatry across inpatient, emergency, and outpatient settings.

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Treatment approach

Dr. Schnitzer focuses on medication management as the foundation of her treatment approach, typically combining it with supportive or emotionally focused therapy during 30-minute follow-up visits. She takes a collaborative and individualized approach to patient care and, when needed, may recommend additional therapy by integrating a therapist into the care team to ensure the best possible outcomes. She has experience treating a broad range of psychiatric disorders in various clinical settings.

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What you can expect in a first visit

Patients can expect a thorough and structured evaluation in their first visit, where Dr. Schnitzer carefully assesses their symptoms, medical history, and treatment goals. She emphasizes open communication and collaboration, ensuring that patients are fully involved in shaping their treatment plans. Follow-up visits typically last 30 minutes, during which she monitors progress, adjusts treatment as needed, and may recommend additional therapeutic support for comprehensive care.

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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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Tulsie Patel is a board certified psychiatrist who treats adults. She graduated Cum Laude from Drexel University and attended medical school at the University of Miami Miller School of Medicine. She completed her psychiatry residency at the University of Texas Southwestern (UTSW) and was elected to serve as Chief Resident during her final year of training. She has worked as an outpatient psychiatrist in California and Florida and has experience in medication management, individual and group therapy, and transcranial magnetic stimulation (TMS). She is dedicated to constantly learning and has previously published numerous articles and book chapters on various topics in the fields of psychiatry, dermatology, and psychodermatology. She is also very passionate about education and medical journalism. During her residency training, she worked at ABC News in New York City as a member of their medical unit. She provided consultation on medical stories for programs including Good Morning America and World News with David Muir. She has published a number of articles on the websites for ABC News and Good Morning America. She also has experience presenting as an on-air expert for ABC News and for mental health podcasts. She is committed to continuously evolving as a provider in order to provide the best care for her patients. Her focus is always to provide patient-centered care by prioritizing open communication and collaboration with her patients. She has experience providing care for a variety of psychiatric illnesses. The conditions she treats include but are not limited to depression, anxiety, panic disorder, OCD, PTSD, and ADHD.

Dr. Ryan Rode is a board-certified psychiatrist with experience in both outpatient and inpatient settings, treating a wide range of mental health conditions. He earned his medical degree from St. George’s University School of Medicine and completed his psychiatry residency at the University of Kansas. Dr. Rode holds medical licenses in New York, South Carolina, and Georgia.

Dr. Rode values open communication and prioritizes patient education. He collaborates with patients to set clear treatment goals and fosters a supportive environment where individuals feel heard and respected.

In the first session, Dr. Rode focuses on understanding each patient’s history, concerns, and goals. He then develops individualized treatment plans aligned with these goals and works with patients to update their plans as needed to ensure care remains effective and personalized.

Dr. John Lundeen earned his medical degree from the Medical College of Georgia and completed his psychiatry residency at TriStar Centennial Medical Center. He has worked with adults of all ages in both outpatient and inpatient settings, bringing a wide range of experience to his practice.

Dr. Lundeen approaches every patient with respect, empathy, and a genuine desire to understand their unique experience. He recognizes that seeking treatment can be intimidating and strives to create a welcoming, non-judgmental environment where patients feel safe and heard.

Dr. Lundeen believes in a collaborative treatment process, prioritizing each patient’s goals, values, and input. He emphasizes mental health education as a core component of care, empowering patients to better understand their treatment options and take an active role in their well-being.

Dr. Alexandre Cupler is a board-certified psychiatrist who began his career in community mental health in 2014, working as a counselor in psychiatric rehabilitation facilities. Since then, he has gained experience across inpatient hospitals, outpatient clinics, and residential treatment settings. Dr. Cupler earned his medical degree from Rush Medical College and completed his psychiatry residency at Chicago Medical School.

Dr. Cupler takes a patient-centered approach to care, making it a priority to ensure that each patient’s concerns are genuinely heard. He strives to create a culturally sensitive, non-judgmental, and safe environment where patients feel comfortable discussing difficult topics and working collaboratively toward their goals.

Initial sessions with Dr. Cupler focus on understanding the patient’s primary concerns, history, and treatment goals. He tailors care to each individual's preferred treatment style and ensures patients are informed about their treatment plan so they know what to expect and can take an active role in their care.