Alexis Kropf, MD

Dr. Scott Masters is a Board-Certified psychiatrist and psychoanalyst with over 30 years' experience in medication management and therapy. He is living in Hawaii after a 20-year training and working in New York City.

Columbia University Vagelos College of Physicians and Surgeons

Columbia University Psychiatry Residency Program, Chief Resident

Columbia University Public Psychiatry Fellowship

Columbia University Center for Psychoanalytic Training and Research

Dr. Masters offers an integration of medication management and various psychotherapy. He is certified in supportive psychotherapy, prolonged exposure therapy for PTSD, motivational interviewing, CBT for chronic pain, Integrated Behavioral Couples Therapy and Whole Health.  With the right combination of treatments, patients can achieve their potential and relieve suffering.

In an initial visit, patients can expect a thorough, collaborative discussion with shared decision making to understand their symptoms, life goals, and clinical needs. Dr. Masters will evaluate the patient's condition to determine appropriate medication interventions and discuss personalized treatment recommendations including integrated psychotherapy.  Typical follow-up visits are approximately 20-30 minutes in length. Depending on the severity and complexity of a patient's situation, referrals to additional counseling or therapy may also be suggested.

‍

Dr. Faizan Syed is a board-certified attending psychiatrist who graduated from St. George's University School of Medicine in 2012. He completed his residency in adult psychiatry at Creedmoor Psychiatric Center, an affiliate of Columbia University, in June 2016 .Dr. Syed was born in Karachi, Pakistan, and has lived transnationally in the United States, the Caribbean, the United Kingdom, and the Middle East throughout his life. He is currently based in Queens, NY, and alongside his professional development in his career as a psychiatrist, he has also worked to develop himself personally through writing. As a poet, essayist, and author, he has been published numerous times, and he maintains connections with his community through his participation in a group known as the Queens Poetic Alchemy Collective. He has spoken out publicly against the cultural stigma against mental health that has become a barrier to seeking and finding help. He has also been featured on Humans of New York. Dr. Syed believes strongly in the power and importance of psychotherapy as part of the therapeutic process. As such, he integrates individualized psychotherapy for each patient he sees and tailors various techniques to suit each patient's needs. He believes in an integrative, holistic approach that borrows from and blends various schools of psychology, philosophy, and neuroscience, including mindfulness, existentialism, cognitive-behavioral therapy, dialectical therapy, psychodynamics, genetics, and psychopharmacology. In addition, he is a great believer in the therapeutic power of the arts, whether it is visual arts, music, bibliotherapy, or expressive writing. Dr. Syed focuses on exploring the role of meaning in every patient's life so they can define and fulfill their potential in many areas of life. He has experience working with patients of all ages who have struggled with trauma, relationship or attachment issues, bipolar disorder, depression, anxiety, panic attacks, psychosis, and personality disorders.

Dr. Maria is a Board-Certified Adult Psychiatrist with specialized training in Child and Adolescent Psychiatry. She earned her medical degree from Andes University in Colombia, completed her Psychiatry Residency at The Wright Center in Scranton, Pennsylvania, and pursued further training through a Child and Adolescent Psychiatry fellowship at Louisiana State University in New Orleans.

Dr. Maria is deeply committed to providing kind, thoughtful, and inclusive care. She creates a warm, welcoming space where patients of all ages feel safe, listened to, and truly seen. Her approach blends evidence-based practices with compassion and patient collaboration. She works closely with each patient to understand their unique story and help them move toward meaningful, personal goals.

She takes time to build strong, trusting relationships and conducts thorough evaluations to understand each person’s experiences and needs. Her treatment often includes psycho-education, supportive therapy, and medication management—always shaped by what matters most to the patient.

Dr. Maria has experience treating a wide range of mental health conditions, including ADHD, PTSD, Depression, Anxiety, OCD, and Bipolar Disorder. She is especially passionate about supporting minority and marginalized communities, and she strives to ensure everyone feels valued and cared for.

Dr. Maria practices with a patient centered approach, focusing on each patients unique needs. She practices evidence based medicine with empathy, warmth and in a supportive, nonjudgmental environment.

It is important to Dr. Maria to build trust with patients, so they feel comfortable during their visits. She provides a thorough evaluation to understand symptoms, challenges and personal goals. Dr. Maria conducts visits that incorporate both medication management and psycho-education through supportive therapy. She works with her patients to set clear goals that align with their preferences.

‍

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.

Dr. Alexandre is a board-certified psychiatrist who completed his psychiatry training both in Brazil and in the United States, where he served as Chief Resident in both programs. He is fluent in both English and Portuguese and is especially attuned to the unique challenges faced by international and immigrant populations. Dr. Alexandre is passionate about helping patients achieve meaningful and sustained improvements in their mental health.

He brings over a decade of experience in mental health care and has a strong foundation in evidence-based treatment. His clinical interests include mood and anxiety disorders, ADHD, and cross-cultural psychiatry.

Dr. Alexandre incorporates a collaborative and compassionate approach to care, combining medication management with elements of cognitive behavioral therapy, behavioral activation, and interpersonal strategies when appropriate.

‍

Mary Birse is a board-certified Psychiatric Mental Health Nurse Practitioner (ANCC) with over 20 years of nursing experience. She graduated magna cum laude with a BSN from Florida Atlantic University and earned her MSN from the University of Florida. She completed a Psychiatric NP Residency at the VA in Charleston, SC. Mary has worked in a variety of settings including the West Palm Beach VA Medical Center, the Palm Beach County Firefighter’s Clinic, various outpatient telehealth platforms, and a child and adolescent inpatient facility. She was also an adjunct professor at Palm Beach State College.

Mary believes in empowering patients through education and collaboration so they can play an active role in their mental health journey. She works to create a warm and welcoming space where patients feel safe, heard, and understood. Whether the treatment path includes therapy, medication, integrative approaches, or a combination, she ensures that the plan reflects the patient's needs and goals.

Mary takes a thorough and holistic approach to care. She spends time understanding each patient’s history and past treatments—what has or hasn’t worked—and listens carefully to their current concerns and future goals. By factoring in lifestyle and preferences, she works with patients to build thoughtful, individualized treatment plans.