Alexandra Baluna, MD

Dr. Dennis Valerstain is a board-certified Adult and Child and Adolescent Psychiatrist. After completing his undergraduate education at Emory University, he attended medical school at the Northwestern University Feinberg School of Medicine. He subsequently completed psychiatry residency at University of Miami/Jackson Health System and further sub-specialized at University of Miami/Jackson Health System with a fellowship in Child and Adolescent Psychiatry. Dr. Valerstain has had the opportunity of working with a diverse array of patients including children, adolescents, the severely mentally ill, veterans, and cancer patients across three distinct hospital systems. Dr. Valerstain has had varied clinical experiences in specialty inpatient psychiatry units, emergency psychiatry, consultation liaison psychiatry, psycho-oncology, and outpatient clinics via telemedicine and face to face interactions. Dr. Valerstain has experience working with patients of all ages, particularly those with depression, anxiety, bipolar disorder, ADHD, Tic disorders, substance use disorders, and more. Dr. Valerstain's practice focuses on medication management and also employs empathic listening, supportive psychotherapy techniques, and a comprehensive and methodological approach to his visits. Given his broad and diverse training experiences, he enjoys problem solving and working collaboratively with patients (and their families) to navigate their complex issues and jointly focusing on simple solutions to work towards improving their mental health.

Dr. Nieves-Alvarado is a Board-certified psychiatrist who completed medical training at Duke University Psychiatry Program. Originally from Puerto Rico, she is fluent in both English and Spanish, which allows her to connect deeply with a diverse patient population.

Her practice combines medication management with insight-oriented therapy during every visit, promoting a comprehensive approach to mental health care. She advocates for her patients to engage in therapy alongside medication management, as she believes this integrated approach leads to better outcomes and sustained improvement. Dr. Nieves-Alvarado's practice is rooted in a collaborative, team-based approach, working closely with her patients to achieve long-term mental wellness.

Dr. Nieves-Alvarado earned her medical degree from the Universidad Central del Caribe School of Medicine in Bayamon, PR. Afterward, she moved to North Carolina, where she completed her residency at Duke University Hospital. During her training, she was nominated for a fellowship in psychodynamic practice by the Psychoanalytic Center of the Carolinas, showcasing her expertise in this area. She is also a dedicated advocate against childhood sexual trauma.

Her diverse training includes significant experience in jail and forensic psychiatry, as well as the treatment of military veterans under the veteran affairs health care system. She has experience in medically assisted treatments (MAT) for substance use disorders, Electroconvulsive therapy (ECT), and family therapy, enabling her to care for patients with complex needs.

Dr. Nieves-Alvarado treats patients across a wide age range, from young adults to the elderly. Passionate about improving access to mental health care, she joined Talkiatry to help patients facing time or transportation challenges receive the care they need.  

In addition to her clinical practice, Dr. Nieves-Alvarado remains involved with her alma mater’s Behavioral Health Department, contributing to academic education and maintaining a connection with the next generation of medical professionals. She continues to seek ongoing improvement in her field, remaining engaged with medical associations including North Carolina Psychiatric Association, American Psychiatric Association, and Alpha Omega Alpha national medical honor society. Dr. Nieves-Alvarado is committed to working hand-in-hand with her patients to achieve mental wellness.”

Donna is a Board-Certified Psychiatric Nurse Practitioner dedicated to breaking down mental health stigma and expanding access to compassionate, quality care. With over 20 years of nurse practitioner experience, she has supported patients and families through life’s emotional and physical challenges across outpatient, inpatient, and telepsychiatry settings. Donna is passionate about creating a safe, empowering space where individuals feel seen, heard, and valued on their mental health journey.

Donna helps patients become the best, healthiest version of themselves, both mentally and emotionally. She values open communication, mutual respect, and collaborative decision-making. Her treatment plans include medication management, healthy coping strategies, and tools to build self-awareness and resilience. Known for her warmth and empathy, Donna creates a judgment-free environment where every voice matters.

Donna begins by building trust through a compassionate, in-depth initial interview. Together with each patient, she develops a personalized treatment plan that blends medication management with lifestyle recommendations tailored to individual goals and values. Her holistic approach focuses not just on symptom relief, but on fostering lasting growth, confidence, and overall well-being.

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Dr. O’Mara is a board-certified geriatric and general adult psychiatrist. She is originally from Ohio where she obtained her bachelor’s degree in neuroscience and psychology from Wright State University and attended medical school at Ohio University. She completed her psychiatry residency and geriatric psychiatry fellowship through Michigan State University at Pine Rest in Grand Rapids, Michigan. She has provided psychiatric care in both inpatient and outpatient settings. She was a faculty member and Associate Program Director for Trinity Health Livonia’s psychiatry residency. In her free time, she enjoys drawing and hiking.

Dr. O’Mara eagerly treats a wide range of age groups and conditions and is passionate about patients coping with chronic medical conditions and caregivers. She also has experience with perinatal mood disorders, obsessive compulsive disorder, and PTSD. She strives to deliver evidence-based treatment tailored to her patient’s individual needs.

In addition to medication management, she incorporates brief therapy modalities into her appointments including supportive therapy, cognitive behavioral therapy, and dialectical behavioral therapy skills. She will work with you to determine if more comprehensive therapy may be needed. She also can provide practical and realistic behavioral strategies to caregivers and patients with memory changes. Dr. O’Mara prefers to meet patients where they are in a supportive, safe, and non-judgmental environment.

Dr. Jennifer Snowden completed medical school at the University of Arkansas for Medical Sciences in Little Rock, Arkansas in 1995. She then completed a residency in general psychiatry at Emory University in Atlanta, Georgia, followed by a fellowship in forensic psychiatry also at Emory University in Atlanta, Georgia from 1995-2000. She spent ten years practicing forensic psychiatry at a state hospital in Atlanta. She then decided that she wanted to travel and spent eighteen months as a locum tenens psychiatrist primarily practicing in New England. During this time, she met her future husband and they decided together that they eventually wanted to live in the New England area. In 2013, she officially became a telepsychiatrist, which eventually provided her with the opportunity to move to Rhode Island and practice out of the home she and her husband bought there. She initially saw patients via telepsychiatry at a community mental health center in rural Georgia and later took a position as a remote consultant telepsychiatrist at Acadia Hospital in Bangor, Maine. Dr. Snowden uses a practical and realistic approach with patients to assist them in identifying small, attainable goals and then motivating them to achieve those goals. She prefers to work with adults and relishes the opportunity to work with patients who are highly motivated for change.

Matthew is a board-certified psychiatric mental health nurse practitioner and received his education in this specialty at Maryville University of St. Louis, Missouri.  He has been working in the mental health field for over 20 years and has provided care to patients in diverse care settings including psychiatric hospitals, outpatient mental health centers, psychiatric home health, and telepsychiatry.  Matthew is passionate about expanding access to high quality mental health care to all in need and greatly enjoys collaborating with patients from diverse backgrounds.  In his free time, he enjoys hiking, camping, reading, traveling, and searching for the best Mexican food around.  

Patients working with Matthew should know that he utilizes a very collaborative approach to patient care.  He does not assume that he knows what's best for patients but works closely with them to find the most appropriate and effective treatment plan for the unique individuals that he treats.  For Matthew, safety is always the first priority, but he does not believe in a "one size fits all" approach to mental health care and is focused on tailoring the treatment to the patient.  Matthew utilizes an empathic approach to mental health treatment and patients will feel heard and valued.  

Matthew's process for working with patients includes a thorough psychiatric evaluation at the initial appointment to make sure we are getting to the right diagnosis and remaining on track to improve the patient's mental health. Follow-up appointments are focused on monitoring for progress or regression and working collaboratively to meet mutually agreed upon goals. Collaboration is key!

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