Alexandra Baluna, MD

Angel Vest is a licensed clinical/independent social worker with extensive experience working in the mental health and substance use fields. Angel has worked with patients of various populations with differing levels of need. Angel's undergraduate university, where she obtained her Bachelor of Arts with a concentration in psychology, is located in Portsmouth, OH. Her graduate school, where she completed her Master's of Social Work with a concentration in advanced clinical practice, is located in Minneapolis, MN. Angel's internships were completed in Portsmouth, OH, and academic residencies were completed in Atlanta, GA. Angel has been treating substance use disorders since 2016 and other mental health conditions since 2019. She uses an eclectic and trauma-focused approach with a foundation in Motivational Interviewing and Cognitive Behavioral Therapy, accompanied by somatic interventions to enhance the mind-body connection. Angel specializes in the treatment of Insomnia Disorder, Obsessive-Compulsive Disorder, depression, anxiety, and trauma-related disorders. Angel prioritizes the therapeutic relationship as a collaborative one and will work with you to address any barriers to overall health, happiness, and well-being.

Background and credentials    

Dr. Alexander Wittenberg is a board-certified adult psychiatrist. He received his undergraduate degree from Cornell University, majoring in Human Biology, Health, and Society. He earned his medical degree from the New York Institute of Technology College of Osteopathic Medicine, where he was a  member of the Psi Sigma Alpha Osteopathic Honor Society. As chief resident at  Mount Sinai Beth Israel, he gained extensive experience working in outpatient  settings and managing patient care at one of New York City's busiest clinics. Dr. Wittenberg has expertise in treating a wide range of mental health conditions, including depressive disorders, anxiety disorders, bipolar disorder, trauma and stressor-related disorders, and OCD.    

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Treatment approach    

Dr. Wittenberg offers highly individualized and empathic treatment, primarily focusing on medication management. He frequently recommends integrating therapy into treatment plans and may suggest collaborating with a therapist. Dr. Wittenberg prioritizes a holistic approach, emphasizing overall well-being alongside symptom relief. He encourages the incorporation of mindfulness, self-compassion, exercise, nutrition, and attention to interpersonal relationships into his treatment strategy.    

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What you can expect in a first visit    

During an initial visit with Dr. Wittenberg, patients can anticipate a collaborative, patient-centered, and non-judgmental environment designed to foster a meaningful therapeutic relationship. He will thoroughly discuss individual concerns and treatment goals, exploring potential therapeutic interventions, including medication management and holistic strategies to support mental health and overall wellness.

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. Carrie Ramos is a compassionate and skilled adult general psychiatrist with a commitment to providing comprehensive mental health care. A native of Texas, Dr. Ramos embarked on her medical journey at the Burrell College of Osteopathic Medicine in New Mexico, where she obtained her medical degree. Following her passion for psychiatry, she completed her residency at HCA Florida Woodmont Hospital, honing her expertise in adult psychiatric care. Dr. Ramos brings a diverse background to her practice, having earned her Bachelor's degree in Exercise Science from the University of Mary Hardin-Baylor. This foundational knowledge underscores her holistic approach to mental health, recognizing the interconnectedness of physical and emotional well-being. As a board eligible psychiatrist, Dr. Ramos is dedicated to staying current with the latest advancements in psychiatry and utilizing evidence-based treatments to support her patients. Her approach is characterized by empathy, active listening, and a commitment to fostering a therapeutic alliance with each individual under her care. With a deep-rooted passion for helping others, Dr. Ramos is driven to empower her patients on their journey toward mental wellness. Her Texas roots, coupled with her diverse educational background and clinical experiences, uniquely position her to understand and address the diverse needs of her patients. In her role as a psychiatrist, Dr. Ramos is poised to make a meaningful impact in the lives of those she serves, offering hope, healing, and support to individuals seeking guidance on their path to mental health recovery.

Brenda Keirns, LPC, NCC, is a Licensed Professional Counselor recognized by the National Board for Certified Counselors. She earned her Master’s degree in Clinical Counseling from Bellevue University and has extensive experience across inpatient, outpatient, and telehealth settings. Brenda is trained in EMDR through an EMDRIA-approved program and brings over six years of licensure experience. With a multicultural upbringing and more than 18 years as a military spouse, including Command Team involvement, she has a deep understanding of the unique challenges faced by diverse individuals and families. Brenda also serves as a Committee Member for Integratus, the academic journal of the Catholic Psychotherapy Association.

Brenda values open communication and creates a warm, non-judgmental environment where patients feel respected and supported. She tailors treatment to each patient’s unique needs and utilizes an eclectic, evidence-based approach drawing on CBT, EMDR, SFBT, REBT, DBT, attachment-based theory, trauma-informed care, and faith-based therapy rooted in Thomistic Psychology. Brenda helps patients address depression, anxiety, trauma, substance use, relational challenges, personality disorders, and life transitions.

Brenda partners with patients to develop practical coping tools while building on strengths and resilience. She emphasizes collaboration to ensure that patients actively shape their therapeutic goals. With a balance of compassion and clinical expertise, Brenda integrates evidence-based practices with individualized strategies to promote emotional well-being, personal growth, and improved daily functioning.

Background and credentials

Dr. Matthew Koller is a board-certified adult psychiatrist who completed his undergraduate training at The University of Texas at Austin. He earned his medical degree from The University of Texas Health Science Center at San Antonio and completed his general adult psychiatry residency at Baylor College of Medicine in Houston, TX, where he served as Chief Resident of Education in his final year of training.

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Treatment approach

Dr. Koller believes that understanding a patient fully is essential before treatment begins, emphasizing a collaborative and patient-centered approach to care. His practice is primarily focused on medication management, but he also incorporates supportive therapy and other therapeutic modalities as needed. He may recommend including a therapist in the treatment plan to ensure comprehensive, well-rounded care. He has experience treating a wide range of mental health conditions, including depression, anxiety, insomnia, personality disorders, bipolar disorder, PTSD, and psychotic disorders.

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What you can expect in a first visit

During the first visit, patients can expect a thorough and individualized psychiatric evaluation, where Dr. Koller takes the time to understand their symptoms, history, and treatment goals. He prioritizes open communication and shared decision-making, working closely with patients to develop personalized treatment plans. While medication management is the foundation of his approach, he remains flexible and adaptive, incorporating therapy and other interventions as needed to help patients achieve optimal mental health.

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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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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.