Amrish Pipalia, MD

Background and credentials  

Dr. Alexandra Baluna, MD, is board-certified by the American Board of  Psychiatry and Neurology. She received her medical degree from  LSUHC-Shreveport and completed her psychiatry residency training at  Montefiore/Albert-Einstein College of Medicine, where she served as chief of  the Consultation-Liaison (C/L) service. Following residency, Dr. Baluna  served as Senior Chief, during which she was honored with the Leo M. Davidoff  Award for Outstanding Achievement in the Teaching of Medical Students. Her  professional experiences include roles at Fordham University, Albert Einstein  Student Mental Health Counseling Center, and most recently, as an outpatient  psychiatrist at Maimonides Medical Center, where she enjoyed teaching and  supervising residents.  

Treatment approach  

Dr. Baluna emphasizes creating a warm, empathic, and nonjudgmental  therapeutic environment. She collaborates closely with patients to develop  personalized treatment plans that consider cultural, biological,  psychological, and social factors. With a strong interest in psychotherapy,  she frequently employs ego-supportive and insight-oriented therapy techniques  during follow-up sessions.  

What you can expect in a first visit    

During an initial visit, patients can expect a welcoming and supportive  atmosphere where Dr. Baluna conducts a comprehensive assessment. This  involves exploring the patient's history, current challenges, and individual  circumstances. The goal of the first session is to collaboratively build an  individualized treatment plan tailored specifically to the patient's unique  needs.  

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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 speciualize in  medication management and collaborate with you on a treatment plan that fits  your needs and comfort level.

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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Dr. Robben proudly served in the U.S. Air Force and has been practicing psychiatry for 17 years. He is happy to have completed his medical school education, as well as his residency in general psychiatry and fellowship in addiction psychiatry, all at the University of South Florida in Tampa. Dr. Robben is board certified in both general psychiatry and addiction psychiatry. He has experience in many roles over the span of his career to include working with Veterans diagnosed with posttraumatic stress disorder and substance use disorders, managing specialty clinics for patients with treatment-resistant depression, and working in general outpatient psychiatry clinics, as well as emergency and inpatient psychiatric settings. Dr. Robben also previously served as the Training Director for the University of South Florida Morsani College

of Medicine Addiction Psychiatry Fellowship Program. He is currently the Medical Director at a residential substance use disorder treatment center in Florida. Additionally, Dr. Robben is a certified Medical Review Officer and has additional qualifications in transcranial magnetic stimulation (TMS) and Spravato.

(esketamine). Dr. Robben has been voted as Addiction Medicine "Top Doctor" in Tampa Bay, FL by physicians for 8 of the last 9 years. Dr. Robben specializes in treating depression, bipolar disorder, anxiety, PTSD, OCD, ADHD and substance use disorders.

Dr. Robben uses a supportive, patient-centered approach, taking into account each individual's personal values and goals when formulating a treatment plan. He educates patients on the most up to date scientific evidence and provides multiple treatment options to help each person determine the most appropriate plan for them.  

Dr. Robben believes in a collaborative and holistic approach to working with his patients. Dr. Robben spends a significant amount of time educating his patients on all forms of mental health treatment, from medications and psychotherapy, to nutrition, exercise, meditation and sleep hygiene. What works well for

One person may not work well for another person. Having options and understanding the potential benefits and risks of each treatment empowers patients to take an active role in their own healthcare.

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Violetta Aranda, LPC is a native South Texan and second generation Mexican- American. She is a 2011 graduate of St. Edward's University in Austin, Texas and obtained full LPC licensure in Texas in August of 2017. Her practice focuses on cognitive behavioral modalities within a humanistic client-centered approach to foster healing through self-acceptance and self-awareness. She has over a decade's worth of experience working within the mental health field and fifteen years working directly with children and adolescents in various capacities. Before joining Talkiatry, Miss Aranda practiced exclusively within the community health sector and these experiences provided the opportunity to become fully immersed in Trauma and Crisis Management and fostered the passion for evolving research in the treatment of trauma-informed care. She now aspires to utilize these allocated experiences and passion for the field to promote mental health awareness, client advocacy, and quality of care.

Dr. Ethan Atwood is a board-certified psychiatrist. He earned his medical degree from the College of Medicine at the University of Arkansas for Medical Sciences. He completed his psychiatry residency and fellowship at the University of Alabama at Birmingham, and he completed a forensic fellowship at the University of Arkansas for Medical Sciences.

New patients can expect a warm and welcoming atmosphere when beginning their journey with Dr. Atwood. He emphasizes a holistic approach to mental health care, combining medication management with supportive therapies. His empathetic nature and commitment to patient well-being ensures a nurturing and supportive environment.

Dr. Atwood believes in a collaborative approach, working closely with his patients to develop treatment goals and adjust treatment strategies as needed. He is committed to providing ongoing support and guidance, ensuring that patients feel confident and supported throughout their mental health journey.

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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.