Cheryl Dasler, MD

Shaneika Lindsay, PMHNP, is a board-certified psychiatric nurse practitioner dedicated to providing personalized and empathetic care to those in need of mental health care. Her academic journey began with a B.S. in Biology from the University at Albany. She later received her B.S. in Nursing from Pace University and attained her Psychiatric Mental Health Nurse Practitioner M.S. from Hunter-Bellevue School of Nursing, graduating magna cum laude. Shaneika's practice focuses on medication management. Occasionally, Shaneika may believe that additional therapy is also needed and ask that you bring a therapist into your care team to provide the best outcome. For the last seven years, Shaneika has diligently provided care to our nation's veterans, working on a dual diagnosis inpatient psychiatric unit in the VA New York Harbor Healthcare System. In her time at the VA, she has gained extensive experience in managing substance abuse and co-morbid psychiatric disorders. In addition, while attending Hunter College, she completed a yearlong clinical rotation at Casa Promesa, a mental health outpatient and inpatient facility that services some of the most vulnerable and underserved populations in the South Bronx. As a Nurse Practitioner, her primary focus is holistic care, taking into consideration all physical, psychological, interpersonal, and environmental factors when creating unique treatment plans. She strongly believes that all of these factors are interconnected and play a significant role in any individual's mental health and vitality. Shaneika's goal is to work with clients to create a safe, non-judgmental, and collaborative treatment environment that promotes sustained healing and positive self-development.

Mu Xu, MD is a Psychiatrist at Talkiatry. He obtained his medical doctorate degree from the University of Chicago Pritzker School of Medicine and PhD from New York University. He completed his psychiatry residency at New York University. Dr Xu is licensed to practice in California, New York, New Jersey, Connecticut, Pennsylvania, and Maryland. Dr. Xu provides both medication management for a variety of psychiatric conditions. Dr. Xu is fluent in English and Mandarin. Dr. Xu is a general adult psychiatrist specializing in medication management. He values building strong connections with patients from all walks of life and tailoring treatments to their unique needs. His working style is characterized by attentive listening, detailed follow-up questions, and straightforward communication, fostering a collaborative and empathetic environment.

Dr. Macdonnell is a double-boarded psychiatrist with over 25 years of experience in adult psychiatry and geriatric psychiatry. Dr. Macdonnell focuses on treating individuals with medication management. Supportive and interpersonal therapy is incorporated as needed. When additional therapy or longer sessions are necessary to enhance the individual's treatment, she invites a therapist to become a member of your care team. Dr. Macdonnell attended undergraduate school at Manhattan School of Music earning a bachelor's and master's degree in violin performance and musicology. She then attended the City University of New York � Hunter College campus majoring in premedical sciences. Dr. Macdonnell attended Albert Einstein College of Medicine in the Bronx, New York, earning a degree in MD. She completed an internship in internal medicine before entering psychiatry residency at New York-Presbyterian Hospital � Westchester Division. After completing her residency, she stayed for an additional year, completing a fellowship in geriatric psychiatry. She was promoted to Attending Psychiatrist and Unit Chief of the Geriatric Partial Hospital Program. After two years in academic psychiatry, she entered private practice in New York and Connecticut for 8 years. She then served 2 years in the National Health Service providing outpatient care to an underserved area in central Florida. Moving to Georgia, she has worked in private practice and academic psychiatry at Mercer University College of Medicine before moving on to Veterans' care at Atlanta VA and Carl Vinson VA Medical Center. While Dr. Macdonnell has a wide range of experience, she focuses on general adult psychiatry.

Dr. Jennifer Ruch is a board-certified psychiatrist who strives to understand her patients' lived experiences and aspirations to develop supportive therapeutic relationships through empathetic listening, mutual trust, and respect. She collaboratively creates individualized care plans that align with personal treatment goals in a safe and judgment-free environment. After completing her Bachelor of Science degree in Human Biology with a focus in psychology from the University of California, Merced, she earned her medical degree from Lake Erie College of Osteopathic Medicine. Dr. Ruch completed her General Psychiatry Residency at Arnot Ogden Medical Center in New York. Her clinical experience involves treating individuals of all age groups from diverse populations and socioeconomic backgrounds suffering from anxiety, depression, bipolar disorder, psychotic disorders, neurodevelopmental disorders, and neurocognitive disorders. She has provided care in inpatient and outpatient psychiatric facilities, the Veterans Affairs Medical Center, emergency rooms, state facilities, and an inpatient chemical dependency center. She also performed pre-procedure psychological evaluations for bariatric and spinal cord surgeries, and psychiatric consult liaison services on medical units and has clinical training in inpatient and outpatient neurology. Her clinical experience incorporated treatment modalities such as pharmacotherapy and interventional psychiatry, including Transcranial Magnetic Stimulation and Spravato. Dr. Ruch integrates a wide array of psychotherapy as needed; however, her practice primarily focuses on medication management while utilizing referrals to therapists and providing collaborative care for optimal outcomes.

Dr. Allison Holt is an experienced, board-certified child, adolescent, and adult psychiatrist who has worked in mental health care in a variety of settings, including health care administration, academia, inpatient psychiatry, private practice outpatient care, forensic and disability evaluations, correctional psychiatry, eating disorder care, and ECT. Dr. Holt is dedicated to providing patients with a relaxed, trusting environment that encourages dialogue and instills the freedom to pursue healing and growth. With empathy, patience and an approachable style, she helps patients see their future with fresh eyes � and develop a plan that will accomplish their goals for change. While medical expertise forms the foundation of Dr. Holt's treatment, her warmth and a sense of compassion are often key motivating factors for patient change and success. Dr. Holt treats a wide variety of needs and illnesses in children, adolescents, and adults, including depressive disorders, bipolar disorders, anxiety disorders, substance-related and addictive disorders, attention disorders, trauma related disorders, and obsessive-compulsive disorders. Through a patient-centered mix of evidence-based treatments, including medication, psychotherapy, and patient education, she helps her patients understand their options and create appropriate treatment plans that empower them to move toward positive change. Dr. Holt received her medical degree from Ohio State University. She completed a General Psychiatry Residency Program (with extra emphasis in addiction and forensic psychiatry), and a Child and Adolescent Psychiatry Fellowship, at the University of Minnesota. Prior to joining Talkiatry, Dr. Holt was the Physician Chief of the Mental Health and Addiction Service Line at M Health Fairview, the largest provider of mental health care in Minnesota. At the same time she was the Vice Chair of Clinical Affairs at the University of Minnesota Department of Psychiatry. Dr. Holt has been awarded "Top Doctor" by Minneapolis-St. Paul Magazine every year from 2014 to 2022. She was president of the Minnesota Psychiatric Society 2020-2021, and was also the co-editor of the Minnesota Psychiatric Society's newsletter, Ideas of Reference, from 2010-2019.

Neena Tressa Mathew has built an impressive career in the medical field, with a strong focus on mental health. She is dually board-certified as a Psychiatric Mental Health Nurse Practitioner (PMHNP-BC) and Family Nurse Practitioner (FNP-BC), providing care across all age groups. Fluent in English, Hindi, and Malayalam, she is licensed to practice in Florida, New York, Texas, and Georgia. Neena offers a patient-centered approach that integrates her diverse experience and certifications.

Her dedication to mental health is evident through her extensive hands-on experience in assessing, treating, and evaluating patients with a wide range of psychiatric conditions, including ADHD, depression, anxiety, PTSD, OCD, schizophrenia, and bipolar disorder. She has delivered exceptional care at institutions such as Mindful Behavioral Healthcare, AdventHealth Hospital, and Park Place Behavioral Health Care. Her international experience includes roles in Canada, where she further developed her expertise in geriatric psychiatry. Neena has also worked in various practice areas, including addiction medicine, grief counseling, and primary care.

Her academic background includes a Post-Master’s Certification from Florida State University and a Master of Science from D’Youville College in Buffalo, NY. She also holds a Bachelor of Science in Nursing from Delhi University and a Master’s Degree in Social Work from the Delhi School of Social Work. Her professional affiliations, including membership in the American Nurses Association, reflect her commitment to the field. Recognized for her academic, leadership, and research capabilities, Neena was invited to join Sigma Theta Tau International (STTI) as a graduate nursing student for her excellence in scholarship and outstanding achievements in nursing.

Neena has contributed to several U.S. nursing journals and magazines and has published and presented research articles in international peer-reviewed journals. She maintains an active academic presence through platforms like Google Scholar and ResearchGate.

Her approach to care is both traditional—prescribing evidence-based psychiatric medications—and holistic, incorporating natural treatments such as vitamins, supplements, lifestyle modifications, nutrition, exercise, and stress management. She believes in the mind-body-spirit connection, viewing individuals as whole beings rather than a collection of symptoms, echoing the philosophy of Hippocrates, the "Father of Medicine." Her holistic philosophy is evident in her skillful management of psychotropic medications and her integration of psychotherapy, including supportive therapy, cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT), and psychodynamic therapy.

Neena’s primary interest lies in exploring the relationship between mental, physical, and spiritual health. She finds great fulfillment in helping others and goes beyond diagnosis and treatment by conducting thorough mental health assessments to ensure accurate identification of psychiatric conditions. What sets her apart is her commitment to patient education—empowering individuals and their families with a deep understanding of their conditions and treatment plans, including medication as part of a comprehensive care strategy.

In addition to her clinical work, Neena serves as a clinical instructor, sharing her knowledge and insights with future healthcare professionals. This dual role highlights her multifaceted contribution to healthcare, emphasizing both treatment and education in supporting individuals on their mental health journeys.

Outside of her professional life, Neena enjoys reading, writing, beach activities, hiking, and traveling with her family. She is also actively involved in charitable work through the Lions Club. She lives by the principle:

“Give, and it will be given to you. A good measure, pressed down, shaken together and running over, will be poured into your lap. For with the measure you use, it will be measured to you.” (Luke 6:38)

Indeed, she believes that it is in giving that we truly receive.

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