Anastasia Ruiz, MD

Bethanie is a board-certified Mental Health Nurse Practitioner who earned her Psychiatric Mental Health Nursing credentials and a Master’s in Psychiatric and Mental Health Nursing from Columbia University School of Nursing, where she was inducted into the Sigma Theta Tau Nursing Honor Society. She has been in practice for over 10 years, providing care to individuals with anxiety, depression, bipolar disorder, and schizophrenia. Bethanie also has a strong passion for supporting women’s mental health during the perinatal phase of life.

She believes in a collaborative partnership with her clients, working together to develop a mutually agreed-upon plan of action that maximizes the chances of success.

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Valene, pronounced (Val-leen), is a Licensed Mental Health Counselor who has worked in the mental health field for 7 years. During this time, she has worked with clients from various backgrounds and cultures with a variety of mental health conditions. Valene's experience ranges from an inpatient psychiatric facility to private practice to telehealth. Valene attended the University of South Florida for her undergraduate degree in Psychology and Florida International University for her graduate degree in Mental Health Counseling.‍Valene believes each therapeutic interaction should be individualized and client-centered, thus she uses an eclectic therapy approach. An eclectic approach means assisting clients by drawing from various therapeutic approaches and techniques, thus tailoring treatment to each client's needs. Valene considers the therapeutic relationship to be extremely important and strives to be a collaborative, empathetic, non-judgmental, person-centered therapist. Valene's professional interests include working with young adults, Caribbean Americans, and the BIPOC community. Within mental health she enjoys working with anxiety, depression, women's issues, adjustment disorders, and relationship issues, just to name a few.

Dr. Leslie Chavez is a board-certified adult psychiatrist with a diverse background in clinical and academic medicine. She completed her medical school and residency at the University of New Mexico, where she later served as a psychiatrist and assistant professor, treating high-need patients and teaching residents and medical students. During the pandemic, she transitioned to telehealth and has been dedicated to this field for the past four years. Dr. Chavez is known for making her patients feel seen and heard, using both medication management and supportive psychotherapy. Dr. Chavez began her academic journey as a physics major at UNM and then studied biophysics at the University of San Diego, California. During her postdoctoral fellowship at Los Alamos National Laboratories, she was inspired by presentations about professionals working with patients in African countries, which sparked her interest in medicine. During this time, her father died of cancer, and she saw the impact of mental health therapy on his quality of life, further solidifying her motivation to attend medical school. Witnessing the profound impact of mental health on her patients and family, she specialized in psychiatry. Dr. Chavez is a seasoned psychopharmacologist and emphasizes the importance of nutrition, exercise, and community in mental health. She enjoys all aspects of medicine and combines her extensive knowledge with a patient-centered approach.

Dr. Kasey Broom earned her medical degree from the University of South Carolina School of Medicine Greenville and completed general psychiatry residency and an addiction psychiatry fellowship at the Medical University of South Carolina in Charleston. She holds undergraduate and master’s degrees in biomedical engineering. Dr. Broom has experience in telepsychiatry, inpatient, outpatient, and interventional psychiatry settings, with expertise in treating mood, anxiety, trauma-related, attention, and substance use disorders, as well as women’s behavioral health and veteran populations.

Dr. Broom believes it’s a privilege to be part of her patients’ healing journey. She fosters authentic, therapeutic relationships in a supportive, judgment-free space that encourages open, honest communication. Her collaborative style integrates motivational interviewing, supportive psychotherapy, and cognitive behavioral strategies, all while providing evidence-based, patient-centered care that may include medication, therapy, and lifestyle changes.

In the initial session, Dr. Broom focuses on understanding each patient’s history, concerns, and personal goals. She creates individualized treatment plans that align with those goals and emphasizes education to help patients better understand their diagnoses. Through this approach, she empowers individuals to actively participate in their care and take meaningful steps toward recovery.

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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Dr. Juliet Nichols has been a diplomate of the American Board of Psychiatry and Neurology since 2002 and has been practicing psychiatry for over 25 years. While an expert in psychopharmacology, Dr. Nichols has an integrative approach to treatment and she often incorporates psychotherapeutic techniques when appropriate, tailoring every treatment to each patient's individual needs. She completed her Psychiatry residency at Stony Brook-SUNY and Geriatric Psychiatry Fellowship at the Albert Einstein School of Medicine. Over the last two decades, Dr. Nichols served as an attending psychiatrist at JT Mather Hospital in Port Jefferson, NY, where she became proficient in delivering stellar psychiatric care in a variety of settings. She specializes in treating adult and geriatric mental illnesses, including: Depression, Anxiety Disorders (eg, OCD, Panic Disorder, GAD, PTSD), ADHD, and Cognitive Disorders in the elderly. Dr. Nichols strives to help her patients gain insights into their inner conflicts, unveil their strengths, accept their limitations, and build their coping skills. Her approach is dynamic, straightforward, and empathic so patients always feel safe, understood, and at ease. She engages the patient to be an active participant in treatment decision-making, creating a strong therapeutic alliance.‍