Benita Dieperink, MD

Dr. Sara Mateo holds the position of staff Psychiatrist at Talkiatry. She is a board-eligible adult Psychiatrist. Dr. Mateo completed her Medical degree at the University of Benghazi- Faculty of Medicine and finished General Psychiatry Residency training at Tower Health/DrexelPhoenixville Hospital. Throughout her career, Dr. Mateo has actively contributed to various leadership roles and committees, demonstrating her commitment to advancing medical education and promoting diversity in the field. During her training, she generously shared her knowledge through educational presentations and lectures, fostering the growth of fellow trainees and medical students. Dr. Mateo is dedicated to creating a therapeutic environment characterized by warmth, empathy, and nonjudgmental support. Her approach involves collaborating with patients to develop individualized treatment plans that consider cultural, biological, psychological, and social factors. With a primary focus on medication management, Dr. Mateo's keen interest in psychotherapy is evident, as she often integrates supportive therapy, cognitive behavioral therapy, and psychodynamic psychotherapy during 30-minute follow-up visits to optimize wellness and recovery. Dr. Mateo brings a wealth of experience in caring for individuals of diverse ages and backgrounds, adeptly addressing a wide spectrum of conditions. Her expertise extends to treating depressive disorders, bipolar disorders, anxiety disorders, trauma and stress related disorders, ADHD, OCD, Insomnia, psychotic disorders; she also has experience treating individuals with medical comorbidities.

Dr. Jacqueline Lewandowski is a board-certified physician specializing in adult psychiatry. She obtained her undergraduate degree from New York University where she studied psychology and child/adolescent mental health. Dr. Lewandowski received her medical degree from St. George's University in Grenada, before moving back to New York to complete her residency at Morningside and West Mount Sinai Hospitals. Since completion of training, Dr. Lewandowski has practiced and held teaching positions in both the Comprehensive Psychiatric Emergency Department of Harlem Hospital and the inpatient units and psychiatric emergency rooms of Morningside and West Hospitals. Dr. Lewandowski has a wide range of experience treating a diverse spectrum of psychiatric diagnoses and populations. She strongly believes in tailoring treatments through a holistic and patient-centered lens based on individual and multi-faceted histories. During 30-minute monthly sessions, Dr. Lewandowski focuses on collaborating with patients using evidence-based treatments with an emphasis on medication management in conjunction with supportive therapy. Additionally, she may recommend bringing a therapist into your care team to help facilitate a more comprehensive treatment plan. Dr. Lewandowski looks forward to working with you to help achieve and optimize your wellness and improve your quality of life.

Dr. Wasser is a staff psychiatrist at Talkiatry, dedicated to providing compassionate and effective care through telepsychiatry. He completed his undergraduate studies at Moravian College in Bethlehem, Pennsylvania, where he focused on Neuroscience and Pre-Medical studies. Subsequently, he pursued his medical degree at Rocky Vista University in Parker, Colorado before completing his psychiatry residency at HCA Aurora in Aurora, Colorado. Dr. Wasser was the recipient of the Chairman's Crystal Distinction of Excellence Award, rewarding a resident's exemplary performance and endorsing a resident's future success in the field of psychiatry. With a strong foundation in both neuroscience and psychiatry, Dr. Wasser approaches each patient with a deep understanding of the mind-body connection and the complexities of mental health. When Dr. Wasser is not providing professional care, he is an advocate for personal health and wellness. He enjoys spending quality time with his wife and family, staying active through exercise, relaxing at the Jersey Shore, and exploring new travel destinations.

Dr. Wasser's approach to patient care is rooted in empathy, trust, and collaboration. He is dedicated to listening closely to each patient's unique concerns and crafting personalized treatment plans that address both immediate symptoms and long-term mental well-being. His specialties include managing mood disorders, anxiety, depression, obsessive-compulsive disorder and stress-related conditions, with a particular emphasis on helping individuals navigate life transitions and mental health challenges.

Dr. Wasser believes in a thorough and patient-centered approach. During the first session, he takes the time to understand his patient’s history, current struggles, and goals for treatment. Together, they establish clear and realistic objectives to guide the treatment process. Dr. Wasser offers a combination of psychotherapy, medication management, and wellness strategies to support his patients. He values open communication and ensures that every patient feels heard and empowered throughout their mental health journey.

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Dr. Sabrina Lefcochilos-Fogelquist earned her bachelor’s degree from Georgetown University and her medical degree from Sidney Kimmel Medical College at Thomas Jefferson University. She completed her psychiatry residency at the Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai Morningside/West in New York City. She has experience in outpatient, inpatient, and emergency psychiatry, treating a broad spectrum of mental health conditions across diverse populations.

Dr. Lefcochilos-Fogelquist values compassionate, holistic care and strives to build long-term, collaborative relationships with her patients. She is particularly drawn to the outpatient setting, where she can engage with the evolving narratives of her patients’ lives. She creates a warm, supportive environment where individuals feel safe, respected, and heard.

Her process begins with a comprehensive evaluation to understand each patient’s history, concerns, and goals. Treatment plans are individualized and may include medication management and psychotherapy. She integrates supportive, cognitive behavioral, psychodynamic, and mindfulness-based techniques to meet patients' evolving needs.

Dr. Priya Mukhopadhyay is a board certified adult psychiatrist. She completed her psychiatry residency training at Richmond University Medical Center in NYC. She has practiced in various settings over her career including inpatient, outpatient, comprehensive psychiatric emergency program (CPEP), and the consult liaison service to name a few. She has experience providing patients with compassionate psychiatric care treating patients with anxiety, depression, bipolar disorder, PTSD, family and relationship issues, as well as other mental health issues. Dr. Priya's practice focuses on medication management. Typically, she offers this in conjunction with supportive or emotionally focused therapy in 30-minute follow-up visits. The philosophy of her practice is to collaborate with patients to meet their specific needs and make an impact in various stages of their lives. Growing up in NYC as a South Asian American female in medicine, Dr. Priya strongly values diversity and compassion and strives to make her patients feel heard, validated, and comfortable at all times.

Dr. Nieves-Alvarado is a Board-certified psychiatrist who completed medical training at Duke University Psychiatry Program. Originally from Puerto Rico, she is fluent in both English and Spanish, which allows her to connect deeply with a diverse patient population.

Her practice combines medication management with insight-oriented therapy during every visit, promoting a comprehensive approach to mental health care. She advocates for her patients to engage in therapy alongside medication management, as she believes this integrated approach leads to better outcomes and sustained improvement. Dr. Nieves-Alvarado's practice is rooted in a collaborative, team-based approach, working closely with her patients to achieve long-term mental wellness.

Dr. Nieves-Alvarado earned her medical degree from the Universidad Central del Caribe School of Medicine in Bayamon, PR. Afterward, she moved to North Carolina, where she completed her residency at Duke University Hospital. During her training, she was nominated for a fellowship in psychodynamic practice by the Psychoanalytic Center of the Carolinas, showcasing her expertise in this area. She is also a dedicated advocate against childhood sexual trauma.

Her diverse training includes significant experience in jail and forensic psychiatry, as well as the treatment of military veterans under the veteran affairs health care system. She has experience in medically assisted treatments (MAT) for substance use disorders, Electroconvulsive therapy (ECT), and family therapy, enabling her to care for patients with complex needs.

Dr. Nieves-Alvarado treats patients across a wide age range, from young adults to the elderly. Passionate about improving access to mental health care, she joined Talkiatry to help patients facing time or transportation challenges receive the care they need.  

In addition to her clinical practice, Dr. Nieves-Alvarado remains involved with her alma mater’s Behavioral Health Department, contributing to academic education and maintaining a connection with the next generation of medical professionals. She continues to seek ongoing improvement in her field, remaining engaged with medical associations including North Carolina Psychiatric Association, American Psychiatric Association, and Alpha Omega Alpha national medical honor society. Dr. Nieves-Alvarado is committed to working hand-in-hand with her patients to achieve mental wellness.”