Brett Abernethy, MD

Dr. Desir is a Board-Certified Psychiatrist who completed her undergraduate training at The University of Scranton followed by medical school at the New York Institute of Technology College of Osteopathic Medicine. She completed psychiatry residency at Nassau University Medical Center where she served as the Administrative Chief Resident in her final year. Dr. Desir has been in practice for 4 years and has provided patients with compassionate psychiatric care. She has worked in community mental health settings throughout her career, in which she served a wide variety of patient populations. Dr. Desir is experienced in treating various psychiatric illnesses including mood disorders, anxiety disorders, OCD, PTSD, and ADHD. At the heart of Dr. Desir's clinical approach is a strong emphasis on establishing trust and building a therapeutic relationship. She also provides psychoeducation to help patients make informed decisions regarding their care. She works collaboratively with patients to develop individualized treatment plans to help them achieve their goals. Dr. Desir's practice focuses on medication management. Typically, she offers this in conjunction with supportive or emotionally focused therapy in 30-minute follow-up visits. Occasionally, Dr. Desir may believe that additional therapy is also needed and ask that you bring a therapist into your care team to provide the best outcome. Talkiatry takes medication management seriously. All state-controlled substance databases are reviewed and taken into consideration during your initial evaluation.

Dr. Irene Pastis is a board-certified psychiatrist who specializes in adult psychiatry.  She completed residency training at East Carolina University in both internal medicine and psychiatry.  After residency, she pursued her passion in psychiatry and stayed on as a clinical assistant professor in the department of psychiatry at East Carolina University.  In this role she specialized in treating adults with mental illness in both the inpatient and outpatient settings.  She has spent a considerable amount of time teaching residents and medical students and has published several papers focusing on the neuroscience pathways of mental health conditions.  In her daily practice, Dr. Pastis focuses on evidence-based treatments utilizing the latest clinical guidelines and current approved treatments.  In addition to medication management, she also incorporates psychotherapy in the treatment of mental health conditions.  Dr. Pastis is passionate about taking a collaborative approach with her patients to help them reach their potential.

Dr. Caitlin Schroen completed her Psychiatry residency at Rutgers Robert Wood Johnson Medical School in Piscataway, NJ. She received her bachelor's degree in Psychology from Fordham University and then attended medical school at the Lewis Katz School of Medicine at Temple University. Dr. Schroen provides psychiatric services to adults ages 18 and older. She focuses on medication management and psychoeducation, often along with supportive therapy. With a patient-centered approach, Dr. Schroen believes in fostering a safe and non-judgmental environment where individuals can openly discuss their mental health concerns. Dr. Schroen is well-versed in a wide spectrum of psychiatric conditions and offers evidence-based treatments tailored to each patient's unique needs. She has a particular interest in treating mood disorders, anxiety disorders, OCD, and ADHD. Dr. Schroen is passionate about reducing the stigma surrounding mental health and strives to provide the highest quality care to help individuals lead happier and more fulfilling lives.

Dr. Amada holds the position of staff psychiatrist at Talkiatry. She was born and raised in Queens, NY. She completed her undergraduate education at New York University, followed by medical school at SUNY Downstate College of Medicine in Brooklyn, NY. She went on to complete her psychiatry residency at Stony Brook University Hospital, where she received an award for academic achievement. Dr. Amada believes in a holistic approach to mental health that addresses lifestyle factors alongside medication management. She values the importance of both therapy and medication in treating mental illness.

Dr. Amada takes a collaborative approach to care and strives to involve her patients in every step of the treatment process. She believes in creating a safe, supportive, and nonjudgmental space where patients can openly discuss their concerns. While her focus is on medication management, she often recommends incorporating additional therapy into the treatment plan and may ask that patients work with a therapist to help achieve the best outcomes.

Dr. Amada works closely with her patients to develop personalized treatment plans. She believes in open communication, shared decision-making, and taking into account the whole person when addressing mental health concerns. Her goal is to ensure that patients feel heard, supported, and actively engaged in their care.

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Thomas Sargent, MD, holds a master's degree in pharmacology and a Doctor of Medicine from Tulane University School of Medicine. He completed his psychiatry residency at the Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai West/Morningside in New York City. Over the past four years, he has treated a wide range of mental health conditions in various clinical settings. Dr. Sargent has extensive experience treating mood, anxiety and psychotic disorders, PTSD, OCD, personality disorders, and substance use issues. He utilizes both medication management and psychotherapy to provide comprehensive care. Dr. Sargent has received specialized training at the VA and the Center for Intensive Treatment of Personality Disorders in NYC. Passionate about holistic treatment, Dr. Sargent considers the biological, psychological, and social factors that influence mental health. He believes in addressing core issues through targeted care rather than defaulting to prescribing multiple medications. Dr. Sargent strives to create a supportive environment where patients can openly express their concerns. He believes in shared decision-making to ensure that care is evidence-based but also tailored to each patient's unique needs. Dr. Sargent takes the time to thoroughly explain diagnoses and treatment options, empowering patients to make informed decisions about their mental health. His approach emphasizes patient autonomy and aims to build trust, leading to more effective and personalized care outcomes.

Dr. Zhou is a board-certified psychiatrist who has more than 4 years of experience practicing in various clinical settings with an emphasis on mental health care in outpatient settings. She practices a holistic approach to developing an individualized plan to work toward a patient's goals. Dr. Zhou is experienced in treating depression, bipolar spectrum disorders, obsessive-compulsive disorders, post-traumatic stress disorder, generalized anxiety, and other related psychiatric disorders. Dr. Zhou received her medical degree from Texas Tech University Health Sciences Center School of Medicine and completed her adult psychiatry residency training at LSU Health Shreveport. Dr. Zhou's background and experiences have broadened her understanding of cultural stigmas and the relationship it plays in psychiatric care. She incorporates a multitude of treatment modalities such as supportive therapy, cognitive behavioral therapy, and mindfulness practices as an adjunct to pharmacotherapy. Dr. Zhou recognizes the value of a multifaceted approach to wellbeing and may recommend treatment modalities that are complementary to medication management.