Camille Mendez-Maldonado, MD

Melissa Sims, MSN, APRN, PMHNP-BC, is a board-certified psychiatric mental health nurse practitioner who is passionate about delivering high-quality, compassionate, and comprehensive mental health care. She earned her Master of Science in Nursing from the University of Alabama at Birmingham in 2022 and has since worked in both community mental health and correctional settings.

Melissa takes a collaborative approach to care, working closely with other mental health professionals, medical providers, families, and relevant support systems to ensure well-rounded treatment. She emphasizes a patient-centered, individualized approach, combining medication management with psychotherapy to meet each person’s unique needs.

Patients working with Melissa can expect a thorough evaluation, accurate diagnosis, and a personalized treatment plan tailored to their mental health goals. One of her core priorities is to empower individuals to make informed decisions about their care by providing education grounded in research, evidence-based practices, and clinical experience.

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Background and credentials

Dr. Nina Jacobs is a board-certified psychiatrist specializing in child, adolescent, and adult psychiatry with over 20 years of clinical experience. She earned her medical degree from the University of Chicago, Pritzker School of Medicine and completed her adult, child, and adolescent psychiatry training at NYU School of Medicine. Additionally, she has specialized training in psychodynamic psychotherapy from the New York Psychoanalytic Institute. Before joining Talkiatry, she served as Chief of Adult Behavioral Health at a busy urban community health clinic.

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Treatment approach

Dr. Jacobs believes that understanding and compassion are fundamental to effective psychiatric care. She provides engaged, patient-centered treatment, focusing on reducing symptoms and restoring well-being. Her approach includes comprehensive evaluations, thoughtful medication management, supportive therapy, and the development of stress management skills. She treats youth ages 13-17 and adults with anxiety, depression, bipolar disorder, ADHD, PTSD, and other mental health conditions. For adolescent patients, she includes parental involvement during a portion of appointments to discuss progress and treatment plans.

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What you can expect in a first visit

During the first visit, patients can expect a comprehensive evaluation in which Dr. Jacobs takes time to understand their symptoms, history, and goals. She fosters a collaborative and compassionate environment, ensuring that treatment plans are personalized and patient-centered. Her approach may include medication management, therapy recommendations, and stress management techniques to support patients in achieving their mental health and well-being goals.

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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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Darcie Farrell is an ANCC Board Certified Family Psychiatric Nurse Practitioner.  She has worked exclusively in the field of psychiatry during her forty-year nursing career.  She has worked in many care settings, including as a psychiatric Home Health Nurse and as a Certified Case Manager (CCM) in Psychiatry at Blue Cross Blue Shield. During her time at Excellus Blue Cross Blue Shield, she realized the urgent need for psychiatric nurse practitioners, so enrolled in the BSN/MSN program at the University of Rochester, graduating in 2016 with her BSN and in 2018 with her MSN.  She has strong skills and experience in Motivational Interviewing, having worked as a Motivational Counselor for a University of Rochester's Pediatric Research Program.   She has worked for the past seven years as a Nurse Practitioner in Geriatric Outpatient Psychiatry.

Darcie Farrell is a compassionate provider who is client centered. I rely on evidence-based scientific research when determining the best treatment options for clients.  

Darcie Farrell has a very relaxed process for working with patients which allows the client to provide information that is pertinent to their goals for care.  Then, together, we determine which treatment options are likely to be best for the client.

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Background  and credentials    

Dr. Christa DeFries is a board-certified Adult Psychiatrist. She earned her  medical degree from UT Southwestern Medical School in Dallas, Texas, and  completed her residency in Adult Psychiatry at Baylor Scott & White in  Temple, Texas. Following residency, Dr. DeFries gained additional experience  treating homeless and formerly homeless populations in New York City,  particularly focusing on individuals with histories of trauma and substance  addiction, prior to joining Talkiatry.    

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Treatment approach    

Dr. DeFries practices Adult Psychiatry, employing an integrative treatment  approach combining medication management, psychotherapeutic methods, and  lifestyle modifications. She recognizes that each patient benefits from a  personalized mix of these three aspects of care. Dr. DeFries specializes in  treating diverse psychiatric conditions, including those related to trauma,  substance addictions, and various mental health disorders.    

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What you can expect in a first visit    

In a first visit with Dr. DeFries, patients can expect a comprehensive  evaluation aimed at understanding their individual mental health history,  specific concerns, and overall treatment goals. Dr. DeFries emphasizes an  individualized approach, carefully exploring the best combination of  medication, therapy, and lifestyle adjustments tailored specifically to each  patient's needs. Patients can anticipate an empathetic and collaborative  environment focused on their personal experiences and goals.    

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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. Ana Lilian Reyes is a board-certified psychiatrist that earned her M.D. from the University of Florida, where she served as a chief resident. She received multiple academic honors, including the Peter Regan, M.D. Award for academic excellence in psychiatry and the John E. Adams academic achievement award throughout her course of training. She also holds a B.A. in Psychology with a neuroscience focus from Harvard University.

Dr. Reyes is passionate about outpatient psychiatry and values the long-term, collaborative relationships formed in the clinic setting. She has a particular interest in women’s and reproductive mental health and has been involved in research and protocol development focused on perinatal depression. She also brings additional training in cognitive behavioral therapy and psychodynamic psychotherapy to her work. Additionally, she has worked with underrepresented college-aged populations pursuing careers in STEM.

Her approach is rooted in blending psychotherapy and psychopharmacology. She emphasizes a full lifestyle approach and a therapeutic space wherein patients can engage in self-reflection and expression.

Fluent in English and Spanish, Dr. Reyes is dedicated to providing culturally responsive care that supports patients in achieving lasting emotional health.

Dr. Rachel Sherhart is a board-certified adult psychiatrist who has been in practice for over 4 years. She specializes in medication management with 30-minute follow-up visits. This may be accompanied by elements of supportive therapy, Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT), Dialectical Behavior Therapy (DBT), and psychodynamic therapy. If more in-depth work is needed, she may refer patients to a collaborating psychotherapist. ‍Dr. Sherhart received her medical degree from Texas A&M Health Science Center and completed her psychiatry residency training at the University of Texas Southwestern in Dallas, Texas. She has served as faculty at Texas A&M University College of Medicine, providing education and supervision for psychiatry residents and medical students. ‍She has experience treating adult patients from many walks of life with a broad range of diagnoses, including depression, anxiety, bipolar disorder, ADHD, and trauma-related disorders. Dr. Sherhart has a passion for providing excellent patient care and education. Her goal is for patients to feel heard and find a safe place to discuss their concerns. She is motivated to work collaboratively with patients to find a solution that best fits their treatment goals and improves their overall quality of life.‍