Carolyn Benson, MD

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. Maria is a Board-Certified Adult Psychiatrist with specialized training in Child and Adolescent Psychiatry. She earned her medical degree from Andes University in Colombia, completed her Psychiatry Residency at The Wright Center in Scranton, Pennsylvania, and pursued further training through a Child and Adolescent Psychiatry fellowship at Louisiana State University in New Orleans.

Dr. Maria is deeply committed to providing kind, thoughtful, and inclusive care. She creates a warm, welcoming space where patients of all ages feel safe, listened to, and truly seen. Her approach blends evidence-based practices with compassion and patient collaboration. She works closely with each patient to understand their unique story and help them move toward meaningful, personal goals.

She takes time to build strong, trusting relationships and conducts thorough evaluations to understand each person’s experiences and needs. Her treatment often includes psycho-education, supportive therapy, and medication management—always shaped by what matters most to the patient.

Dr. Maria has experience treating a wide range of mental health conditions, including ADHD, PTSD, Depression, Anxiety, OCD, and Bipolar Disorder. She is especially passionate about supporting minority and marginalized communities, and she strives to ensure everyone feels valued and cared for.

Dr. Maria practices with a patient centered approach, focusing on each patients unique needs. She practices evidence based medicine with empathy, warmth and in a supportive, nonjudgmental environment.

It is important to Dr. Maria to build trust with patients, so they feel comfortable during their visits. She provides a thorough evaluation to understand symptoms, challenges and personal goals. Dr. Maria conducts visits that incorporate both medication management and psycho-education through supportive therapy. She works with her patients to set clear goals that align with their preferences.

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Background and credentials

Dr. Sonal Harneja is a board-certified adult psychiatrist specializing in medication management and psychotherapy for anxiety and depressive disorders. She earned her undergraduate degree from Stony Brook University and her medical degree from the University at Buffalo School of Medicine and Biomedical Sciences (now called the Jacobs School of Medicine and Biomedical Sciences). She completed her adult psychiatry residency at Montefiore Medical Center/Albert Einstein College of Medicine. Dr. Harneja has held academic appointments at New York Presbyterian/Weill Cornell Medical College and Montefiore Medical Center/Albert Einstein College of Medicine, providing collaborative and client-centered psychiatric care.

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Treatment approach

Dr. Harneja specializes in medication management and supportive psychotherapy, with a strong emphasis on promoting well-being, resilience, and mindfulness. She works closely with patients to develop individualized treatment plans, ensuring that care is collaborative and patient-centered. Follow-up visits typically last 30 minutes, during which she evaluates treatment progress and adjusts care as needed. If additional therapy is beneficial, she may recommend working with a therapist as part of a comprehensive treatment approach.

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What you can expect in a first visit

During the first visit, patients can expect a thorough psychiatric evaluation, where Dr. Harneja takes time to understand their symptoms, medical history, and treatment goals. She prioritizes open communication and trust, working collaboratively to create a personalized care plan that aligns with the patient’s mental health needs. Whether through medication management, therapy, or mindfulness techniques, she aims to foster long-term well-being and emotional resilience.

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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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Bryan Larson is a Psychiatric Mental Health Nurse Practitioner (PMHNP) with a Doctorate of Nursing Practice from Washington State University (2019). He earned his Bachelor of Science in Nursing from Walla Walla University in 2003 and worked for over a decade as an emergency department nurse. Since 2019, he has provided outpatient psychiatric care for diverse patients, offering medication management and support for a variety of mental health diagnoses.

Bryan works with patients from all backgrounds with a focus on treating each individual uniquely. He emphasizes meeting patients “where they’re at” and collaborates in a supportive environment to achieve personalized treatment goals, ensuring every patient feels understood and valued.

During the initial appointment, Bryan reviews a patient’s psychiatric history and current concerns to develop a tailored treatment plan, which may include medication and/or therapy services. He fosters a welcoming environment and continually adjusts care plans to align with each patient’s goals, supporting long-term mental health improvement.

Dr. Patel is a distinguished psychiatrist with over 24 years of experience. He completed his psychiatric residency at the University of South Dakota School of Medicine, where he served as chief resident and earned the Outstanding Resident of the Year award. He then pursued a fellowship in Consultation-Liaison Psychiatry at Harvard Medical School/Beth Israel Deaconess Medical Center.

He is triple Board certified in Adult Psychiatry, Consultation-Liaison Psychiatry, and Sleep Medicine and also holds certification in Behavioral Neurology and Neuropsychiatry from the United Council for Neurological Subspecialties. These credentials reflect his expertise in psychiatry, neurology, and the management of complex psychiatric conditions in medically ill patients.

Dr. Patel has worked in diverse settings including inpatient units, psychiatric consult services, outpatient clinics, and nursing homes. He is skilled in neuromodulation treatments such as Electroconvulsive Therapy (ECT) and Transcranial Magnetic Stimulation (TMS).

In addition to clinical practice, he has served leadership roles of chairman of a psychiatric department, medical director of a behavioral health service line in a regional health system, and founder/CEO of a private psychiatric and TMS clinic. Dedicated to ongoing professional growth, Dr. Patel remains at the forefront of psychiatric advancements in psychiatric care, earning a reputation as a respected leader in the field.

Dr. Patel combines deep knowledge of neurobiology, behavioral health, and the mind-body connection to offer a collaborative, evidence-based, and holistic approach to care. He integrates diet, exercise, yoga, meditation, and lifestyle modifications with psychotherapy and medication management.

His approach emphasizes active listening, curiosity, compassion, and even humor—creating a warm and supportive environment. By encouraging patients to integrate their unique life experiences into their treatment, he fosters ownership, empowerment, and active participation in the healing process.

During your first visit, Dr. Patel will review your symptoms, medical and psychiatric history, past treatments, substance use, psychosocial factors, and family history. He will discuss treatment options—including risks and benefits—and determine if his expertise and the telehealth platform are the right fit for your needs. Your safety is his top priority.

Follow-up visits focus on monitoring progress, adjusting treatments, maintaining stability, and supporting your motivation to achieve your fullest potential.

Dr. Jillian Saad is a board-certified adult psychiatrist who specializes in patient-centered care. She has been practicing for over 8 years in private practice and academic medicine .Dr. Saad focuses on medication management in 30-minute follow-up visits in conjunction with supportive and emotionally focused therapy. She takes a patient-centered approach that acknowledges all the psychosocial aspects of each individual to ensure they receive the most effective treatment possible. She received her medical degree from UMDNJ Robert Wood Johnson Medical School in Piscataway, NJ, then moved to Pennsylvania to complete her residency at Thomas Jefferson University Hospital in Philadelphia. Upon completion of training, Dr. Saad went into private practice for 5 years in southern NJ where she treated children, adolescents, and adults with a wide array of psychiatric disorders. She then went into academic medicine at Cooper University Hospital in Camden, NJ, where she served as the Associate Program Director of the Psychiatry Residency Program supervising and teaching both residents and medical students .Dr. Saad has experience working with a broad range of psychiatric disorders including mood disorders, PTSD, OCD, and ADHD. She also has a strong interest in Women's Mental Health and alternative treatment options.