Carolyn Benson, MD

Dr. Maxim Chasanov, MD, brings over 30 years of experience in both inpatient and outpatient psychiatric settings. He has held leadership roles, including serving as Medical Director across various clinical programs. Dr. Chasanov completed his undergraduate studies at the University of Chicago and earned his medical degree from Loyola University Stritch School of Medicine in Chicago, Illinois. He completed his residency at Loyola University Medical Center, where he was appointed chief resident during his final year.

Dr. Chasanov values open, honest communication and takes a collaborative approach to care. He partners with patients to identify clear treatment goals and uses symptom screener tools to objectively track progress. He strives to create a warm, supportive, and empathetic environment where patients feel heard, respected, and actively engaged in their treatment journey.

In the first session, Dr. Chasanov works to gain a thorough understanding of each patient’s history, current concerns, and long-term goals. He then develops a personalized treatment plan aligned with those goals. His approach balances symptom improvement with medication tolerability and incorporates therapies that further enhance outcomes.

Dr. Illise Perlmutter is the Director of Child and Adolescent Psychiatry at Talkiatry. She is double board-certified in child and adolescent psychiatry and adult psychiatry. Before joining Talkiatry, Dr. Perlmutter was the Chair of Behavioral Health and Addiction Services at Bergen New Bridge Medical Center. Prior to Bergen New Bridge, she was the Director of Inpatient Psychiatry at Montefiore Medical Center-Wakefield, in New York. Over 35 years, Dr. Perlmutter has held numerous leadership roles with some of the largest hospital systems in the New York Metro Area. Dr. Perlmutter is a Distinguished Life Fellow of the American Psychiatric Association, a Fellow of the American College of Psychiatrists, and a Distinguished Fellow of the American Academy of Child and Adolescent Psychiatry. She has received awards for her contributions both locally and nationally. Dr. Perlmutter was included in Castle Connolly's "America's Top Doctors” list from 2006-2011 and 2017, as well as "Best Doctors in America” from 2009- 2012. Dr. Perlmutter received her MD from George Washington University School of Medicine and Health Sciences. After an internship in pediatrics, she completed a residency in Psychiatry at Mt. Sinai Medical Center followed by a fellowship in Child and Adolescent Psychiatry at Columbia University/New York State Psychiatric Institute. Dr. Perlmutter has held leadership roles in several academic institutions and is a Clinical Associate Professor of Psychiatry and Behavioral Science at George Washington University School of Medicine and Health Sciences in Washington, D.C. Dr. Perlmutter has authored numerous publications and research articles and has lectured and presented extensively on clinical, epidemiologic, and psychopharmacologic issues in child and adolescent psychiatry. She has made frequent media appearances addressing topical issues in disaster psychiatry during the course of her work in disaster psychiatry outreach.

Dr. Molly Fels is a board-certified psychiatrist. She completed her undergraduate education at Barnard College followed by medical school at Rutgers-Robert Wood Johnson Medical School. Dr Fels then completed her psychiatry residency training at Mount Sinai Beth Israel. She has previously worked in the Mount Sinai health system in the psychiatric emergency department and inpatient psychiatric unit. Dr. Fels has an interest in treating patients with a wide variety of psychiatric disorders including depression, anxiety, ADHD, and in working with patients who have experienced trauma. She believes in addressing holistic and lifestyle factors with her patients, including nutrition and sleep, in addition to pharmacology. Dr. Fels combines medication management and supportive psychotherapy to provide well-rounded and comprehensive care to her patients and prioritizes involving patients actively in each step of their psychiatric treatment.

Dr. Darius Robinson is a board-certified psychiatrist who is passionate about providing patient-centered, evidence-based mental health care. He specializes in diagnosing and treating a wide range of psychiatric conditions, including anxiety, depression, ADHD, and post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD). Dr. Robinson combines evidence-based medication management with supportive psychotherapy to help his patients thrive. Dr. Robinson earned his undergraduate degree from Southern University at New Orleans. He later completed a Master's of Medical Science degree at Mississippi College in Clinton, MS. He went on to obtain his medical degree from Louisiana State University in Shreveport and completed his psychiatry residency at Louisiana State University in New Orleans. Dr. Robinson is certified by the American Board of Psychiatry and Neurology and is licensed to practice medicine in Louisiana, Michigan, Tennessee, and Kansas. Dr. Robinson believes in fostering a collaborative approach to care, partnering with his patients to create tailored treatment plans that honor their unique needs and goals. Dedicated to lifelong learning, he stays at the forefront of advancements in psychiatric care to ensure his patients receive the best possible outcomes. Above all, he is committed to empowering individuals to achieve lasting mental health and well-being.

Dr. Fatemeh Safian is a psychiatrist with experience in outpatient, inpatient, and telepsychiatry settings. She completed her residency at Larkin Community Hospital, caring for a diverse range of patients. Dr. Safian diagnoses and treats a wide variety of conditions, including depression, anxiety, OCD, PTSD, trauma-related disorders, phobias, personality disorders, ADHD, bipolar disorder, postpartum depression, and concerns across all age groups. She is dedicated to creating a safe, supportive space where people feel truly heard—believing good psychiatry starts with listening.

Dr. Safian fosters a warm, respectful, and judgment-free environment where patients can share openly. She takes time to understand each person’s symptoms, story, values, and goals. Medication is just one option; she also considers therapy, lifestyle changes, and other supports. Collaboration and trust are central to her approach, with patients guiding the care decisions.

During the first appointment, Dr. Safian conducts an in-depth, unhurried conversation to explore the patient’s history and goals. Together, they develop a personalized treatment plan that may include medication, therapy referrals, and practical strategies. Ongoing follow-ups provide space to track progress, make adjustments, and ensure the patient feels comfortable and empowered.

Dr. Peckover is a Staff Psychiatrist at Talkiatry. He is certified by the American Board of Psychiatry and Neurology in Adult Psychiatry. He has been practicing for three and a half years. Dr. Peckover provides patient-centered care with an emphasis on medication management, psychoeducational, and lifestyle adjustments. He typically provides supportive or integrative therapy along with medication management, but some cases will require the addition of a therapist to the treatment team. Dr. Peckover received a Bachelor's of Medical Science from the University of Western Ontario in Canada and received his Medical Degree from Ross University. He completed his residency at Metropolitan Hospital in Manhattan, where he served as chief resident in his final year. He then worked as a psychiatrist in the outpatient department at Kings County hospital, where he also supervised residents from SUNY Downstate. As an outpatient psychiatrist, Dr. Peckover has an extensive history of treating patients of all ages with a wide variety of psychiatric disorders, with an emphasis on mood and anxiety disorders. He treated patients remotely during the COVID-19 outbreak, helping to manage the increase in stress that came with the pandemic.