Allison Holt, MD

Dr. Komal Shah, M.D. is double board certified in adult & geriatric psychiatry. She did her residency at Nassau University Medical Center, New York & then did fellowship in geriatric psychiatry at LIJ-Albert Einstein school, New York. She has been practicing psychiatry for over 25 years.  

Dr. Shah has extensive experience in evaluating & managing a variety of psychiatric disorders such as mood disorders, anxiety disorders, psychotic disorders, dementia, etc. She held an academic position as a clinical assistant professor at Rutgers-UBHC for several years. Dr. Shah has worked in various clinical settings including inpatient, outpatient clinics, partial hospital programs, nursing homes, thus serving vast variety of patient populations. She has also volunteered her services at NAMI (National Alliance for mental illness)-SAMHAJ to create & promote awareness of mental health issues in the community. All this makes her a very well experienced & efficient psychiatrist.  

Dr. Komal Shah believes in creating a strong therapeutic alliance first with her patients based on mutual trust & honesty. Her primary modality of treatment is medication management, but she may also provide supportive psychotherapy and education, practicing evidence-based medicine. Dr. Shah likes to collaborate patient care with their medical providers and/or therapist.

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Dr. Zeshen Wu is an ABPN board certified psychiatrist with more than 10 years of experience. He completed his undergraduate studies at the University of Texas at Austin, followed by medical school at the University of Texas Medical Branch. He completed residency in psychiatry at Dell Medical School in Austin. Dr. Wu focuses on effective and safe medication management as well as supportive and psychodynamic therapy in his practice. He likes to focus on a gentle, collaborative, and patient-centered approach. He specializes in forming individualized pharmacological treatments as well as taking time to explore stressors and psychological issues to achieve complete and comprehensive care. Dr. Wu had previously served as assistant professor of psychiatry at UTHealth McGovern Medical School in Houston and has been involved in many years of teaching and mentorship. At UTHealth, he also served as clinical faculty in one of the nation's largest inpatient psychiatric campuses and is experienced in treating a wide range of adult mental illnesses including mood disorders, anxiety, OCD, and ADHD.

Dr. Michael Gravenstein earned his medical degree from the University of Florida College of Medicine, where he also completed his psychiatry residency. During training, he was recognized with multiple awards, including the Malcom Randall VA Resident of the Year Award, the Ross A. McElroy Psychotherapy Award, and the John “J.D.” Dorian Award for best sense of humor. He has worked across outpatient, inpatient, and consult liaison settings, and has experience treating a wide range of conditions including depression, anxiety, ADHD, OCD, personality disorders, and transitional age concerns. He also has expertise working with LGBTQIA+ patients and provides psychodynamic, CBT, and supportive therapies.

Dr. Gravenstein believes in a comprehensive approach to treatment that integrates medications, therapy, and lifestyle interventions. While medications can be very effective, he views them as just one part of a broader treatment plan tailored to each patient’s needs. He emphasizes individualized care and sees treatment as a team effort, meeting patients where they are and progressing at a pace they feel ready for.

Dr. Gravenstein strives to create a warm, collaborative environment that fosters open communication and genuine connection. He may challenge patients therapeutically but always with careful attention to their readiness and comfort. His goal is to build trust so that meaningful conversations and progress can occur. For him, success is always shared—when patients succeed, they succeed together; when challenges arise, they regroup and move forward together.

Dr. Jency Cynthia Sachidanandam completed her Residency and Fellowship at Texas Tech University Health Science Center in El Paso, gaining extensive training in diagnosing and treating various psychiatric conditions. As a Child and Adolescent Psychiatrist at Texas Tech, she works with a diverse patient population, addressing psychiatric disorders like depression, anxiety, bipolar disorders, PTSD, and OCD. Dr. Sachi emphasizes the importance of addressing both physical and mental health to achieve a good quality of life. She believes that mental health is interconnected with physical well-being and that treating one aspect without the other leads to incomplete care. Her holistic approach involves medication management, psychotherapy, and lifestyle modifications to promote overall health. Dr. Sachi is skilled in providing supportive psychotherapy and using psychodynamic therapy techniques to help patients understand and address their current stressors and underlying issues. Dr. Sachi has shown a genuine commitment to her patients and a passion for helping them achieve their best possible outcomes. She is dedicated to staying current with the latest advancements in psychiatry and continuously improving her skills to provide the highest standard of care. Her compassionate and patient-centered approach has earned her the respect and trust of her patients and colleagues alike.

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. Shahan Syed is a Board-Eligible Psychiatrist who offers personable, compassionate, and empathetic care. Before completing his residency in psychiatry, Dr. Syed graduated from International American University College of Medicine and recently completed his residency at Bergen New Bridge Medical Center in Paramus, NJ. He gained experience as a clinical researcher, emergency medical technician, and a registered nurse in both psychiatric and emergency departments prior to his formal training. This diverse background equipped him with valuable tools to deliver empathetic care to a wide range of patients with experience treating anxiety disorder, traumatic disorders, depressive and bipolar disorders, substance use disorders, ADHD, OCD, and psychotic disorders. During his residency, Dr. Syed also took on the role of chief resident, demonstrating a remarkable ability to educate both his patients and colleagues. Throughout his residency, Dr. Syed actively pursued additional training opportunities at various safety net hospitals in New Jersey to care for underserved populations.

Dr. Syed places significant importance on collaborating with patients and all relevant parties to gain a comprehensive understanding of the factors affecting the patient's life before making treatment recommendations. Additionally, Dr. Syed emphasizes the importance of lifestyle, sleep, mindfulness, and nutrition, and their impact on overall mental health. He has experience in utilizing interpersonal and supportive psychotherapy, along with principles of motivational interviewing and cognitive-behavioral therapy, to foster resilience and meaningful change in partnership with other mental health professionals involved in patient care.

Dr. Syed employs a range of therapeutic methods alongside medication management to ensure a thorough and holistic approach for every patient. His goal is to create a safe environment that encourages healing and wellness, enabling individuals to remain motivated and live their lives to the fullest.

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