Bryce Thacker, PMHNP

Dr. Tiffany Abtahi is board certified in adult psychiatry and has been in practice for over 6 years. She completed her residency at Icahn School of Medicine, Elmhurst Hospital Center program where she served as Chief Resident in her final year. After completing her residency training, Dr Abtahi worked as a staff psychiatrist in the VA Medical Center focusing on PTSD, depression, and anxiety. Dr. Abtahi has held an academic appointment at the University of UT Southwestern medical school and has spent her professional career supervising/teaching medical students and psychiatry residents. Dr. Abtahi's practice focuses on medication management and providing psychoeducation to her patients. However, if indicated, Dr. Abtahi may believe that additional therapy is also needed and ask that you bring a therapist into your care team to provide the best outcome. Dr. Abtahi has experience treating a large variety of mental health conditions across a variety of populations. She strongly believes in tailoring treatments through a holistic and patient-centered approach based on individual and multi-faceted histories. Dr. Abtahi looks forward to working with you.

Dr. Amber Blue is a board-certified psychiatrist trained in Adult Psychiatry. She completed her residency at Yale University. She offers medication management in 30-minute follow-up visits informed by her psychotherapy experience. Occasionally, she may believe additional therapy would be beneficial, and therefore, she recommends that you add a therapist to your care team for the best results. She has received specialized training in psychoanalytic psychotherapy at Columbia University and NYU. Over the past three years, Dr. Blue has worked in college student health centers and private practice. She has a wide range of experience in treating various mental illnesses including depression, bipolar disorder, anxiety, and OCD. Her approach is to educate clients on their mental health, available pharmacologic and psychotherapeutic options, and to collaborate with them in formulating an evidence-based treatment plan.

Background  and credentials    

Dr. Christine Reyes is a bilingual Spanish-speaking adult psychiatrist with  25 years of experience. She completed her residency in Adult Psychiatry at  Saint Vincent's Hospital and Medical Center in New York City and subsequently  completed a Child Psychiatry fellowship at the University of Pennsylvania in  Philadelphia. Dr. Reyes has extensive experience practicing in outpatient and  community mental health settings.    

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Treatment approach    

Dr. Reyes provides compassionate psychiatric care using pharmacotherapy  combined with supportive psychotherapy. She specializes in treating anxiety,  depression, bipolar disorder, post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD), and  numerous other psychiatric conditions. Additionally, Dr. Reyes emphasizes  nutritional counseling, assisting patients in achieving and maintaining a  healthy weight as part of their overall wellness plan.    

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What you can expect in a first visit    

Patients can expect a compassionate and thorough initial assessment aimed  at understanding their psychiatric symptoms, personal health goals, and  lifestyle considerations. Dr. Reyes combines medication evaluation with  supportive psychotherapy and may discuss nutritional guidance as part of a holistic  treatment plan. She prioritizes creating a supportive environment for  bilingual (English/Spanish) patients to openly discuss their mental health  concerns.    

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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.

Dr. Dennis Valerstain is a board-certified Adult and Child and Adolescent Psychiatrist. After completing his undergraduate education at Emory University, he attended medical school at the Northwestern University Feinberg School of Medicine. He subsequently completed psychiatry residency at University of Miami/Jackson Health System and further sub-specialized at University of Miami/Jackson Health System with a fellowship in Child and Adolescent Psychiatry. Dr. Valerstain has had the opportunity of working with a diverse array of patients including children, adolescents, the severely mentally ill, veterans, and cancer patients across three distinct hospital systems. Dr. Valerstain has had varied clinical experiences in specialty inpatient psychiatry units, emergency psychiatry, consultation liaison psychiatry, psycho-oncology, and outpatient clinics via telemedicine and face to face interactions. Dr. Valerstain has experience working with patients of all ages, particularly those with depression, anxiety, bipolar disorder, ADHD, Tic disorders, substance use disorders, and more. Dr. Valerstain's practice focuses on medication management and also employs empathic listening, supportive psychotherapy techniques, and a comprehensive and methodological approach to his visits. Given his broad and diverse training experiences, he enjoys problem solving and working collaboratively with patients (and their families) to navigate their complex issues and jointly focusing on simple solutions to work towards improving their mental health.

Dr. Bryce Toburen is a board-certified psychiatrist dedicated to compassionate, collaborative care across the lifespan. His training includes an MD from the Medical College of Wisconsin, residency at The Ohio State University where he served as Chief Resident, and a fellowship in Child & Adolescent Psychiatry at Nationwide Children's Hospital. Outside the clinic, he enjoys sports, tennis, exploring nature, traveling, and spending time with loved ones.

Each patient brings a unique story, and he strives to create a safe, respectful space where you feel heard and supported. His interest in psychiatry stems from a desire to maximize the well-being of patients and their families through strong therapeutic relationships. Compassion and curiosity guide his work, along with a strong belief in the power of connection and collaboration. You can expect open communication and a focus on your personal goals throughout your time together.

Treatment is personalized using evidence-based approaches that include psychotherapy, medication management, and lifestyle strategies. He specializes in addressing anxiety, depression, ADHD, OCD, and trauma-related concerns. Collaboration and trust are central to his approach, with an emphasis on empowering patients to take an active role in their healing and well-being.

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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.