Christa DeFries, MD

Dr. Lemaire Leo Pierre is a board certified adult psychiatric provider with over 10 years of experience. He has additional years working in the medical field as a physician assistant. Dr. Pierre's practice entails medication management accompanied by supportive psychotherapy. He frequently encourages other forms of psychotherapy with a counselor to maximize treatment outcomes. After completing medical school at Central America Health Science University, he returned to New York City and completed his psychiatry residency at New York Medical College Program at Metropolitan Hospital Center. Subsequently, he moved to Minnesota and worked with Park Nicollet Health Service/HealthPartners. He had been there for 10.5 years, where he oversaw a successful psychiatric practice and helped his patients who had been struggling with their conditions. Dr. Pierre is a member of the American Board of Psychiatry and Neurology, in addition to the American Psychiatry Association and State Psychiatry Association. He also enjoys attending conferences and reading journals to learn about cutting-edge treatments so that he is updated on the most recent FDA-approved medications.

Dr. Jason Chin earned his Bachelor’s degree from Duke University and his M.D., along with completing his psychiatry residency, at Wake Forest University School of Medicine. He is board-certified in psychiatry and brings extensive experience from both outpatient and inpatient settings. He also specializes in interventional treatments, including Electroconvulsive Therapy (ECT) and Transcranial Magnetic Stimulation (TMS).

Dr. Chin values patient autonomy and strives to provide the knowledge needed for patients to make informed decisions. He prioritizes building a strong therapeutic alliance and integrating evidence-based medicine to guide care.

Dr. Chin begins by listening to the patient’s full story to understand them as a whole. He explores their past, present, and future to create a comprehensive treatment plan designed to empower patients to move forward and improve their mental health.

Tamara Lazenby, MD is a board-certified psychiatrist with more than 20 years of clinical and academic experience in emergency mental health, disaster response, and trauma-focused care. She earned her undergraduate degree at George Mason University and completed her medical degree at Eastern Virginia Medical School. After the September 11th attacks, Dr. Lazenby trained in psychiatry at New York Medical College’s Saint Vincent’s Hospital, specializing in emergency and trauma psychiatry.

She previously served as Associate Director of Wellness & Emergency Response Services at New York University’s Student Health Center, leading a team that cared for more than 50,000 global NYU students. Dr. Lazenby also previously served as Staff Psychiatrist and Team Lead for the Combat PTSD Clinical Team at the Hampton VA Medical Center, providing care for veterans with service-related trauma and implementing National VA Standards of Care.

Dr. Lazenby believes healing happens when mind, body, and spirit are aligned. She creates a compassionate and collaborative environment where patients feel deeply heard and empowered in their own care. Her approach blends conventional psychiatric treatment with nutrition, mindfulness, movement, and stress-reduction strategies to support long-term mental wellness.  She values authenticity, open communication, and shared decision-making, empowering patients to build resilience and restore balance in their lives.

She begins with a comprehensive assessment exploring medical, psychological, and lifestyle factors that influence mental health. Treatment plans are personalized and may include psychotherapy, targeted laboratory testing, lifestyle modifications, supplements, and medication when appropriate. Dr. Lazenby works closely with patients to restore balance, resilience, and overall well-being through a truly integrative approach. Regular collaboration and feedback, helping patients heal, grow, and thrive.

Dr. Ernesto Gonzalez is a board certified adult psychiatrist. He completed his undergraduate training at Yale University and received his medical degree from the University of Pennsylvania School of Medicine. He completed his residency training at the Cambridge Health Alliance/Harvard Medical School Adult Psychiatry Training Program. Dr. Gonzalez prefers a holistic approach that takes the time to know the whole patient, incorporating biological, psychological, social, and cultural perspectives in crafting a comprehensive, individualized, treatment plan. He practices medication management combined with supportive therapy, typically delivered within 30 minute sessions. Elements of psychodynamic, dialectical behavior and cognitive-behavioral therapy will also be incorporated into sessions based on a patient's individual needs. If additional therapy is needed, Dr. Gonzalez will recommend the addition of an individual therapist to the patient's treatment team. Having dedicated his career to adult outpatient psychiatry, Dr. Gonzalez has worked with patients from a wide range of ages, cultures, ethnicities, and social settings across the New York City area. His primary focus is working with patients with depression, anxiety, ADHD, and PTSD. He also values working with people adjusting to changes in their lives, whether it be grieving the loss of a loved one, changes in employment, relationships, or adjusting to changes that come with age. Prior to joining Talkiatry, Dr. Gonzalez was an Assistant Professor at the NYU Grossman School of Medicine and served as Director of the Adult Outpatient Psychiatric Department, Assertive Community Treatment (ACT) Team, and Collaborative Care Departments at Woodhull Hospital in Brooklyn, New York. He also had a small practice near his home. Dr. Gonzalez has also had a lifelong interest in meeting new people and experiencing different cultures. This interest has taken him as far away as the townships of Cape Town, South Africa and as close as his local diner, and it edifies the work he does with patients.

Elisabeth Davis is a Licensed Professional Clinical Counselor with an MA, licensed in both Kentucky and Ohio. She is also a Board Certified-TeleMental Health Provider. Her professional journey has been eclectic and wide-ranging, allowing her to work with a diverse range of populations and issues. She specializes in areas such as anxiety, depression, PTSD, trauma from physical and sexual abuse, family and relationship issues, parenting problems, and LGBTQIA+ support. Additionally, she has significant experience working with the military and providing education and career counseling.

One of her main goals is to make counseling / therapy "user friendly. "  Many people are apprehensive about starting therapy, and from the first session she tries to create an atmosphere where they feel safe and supported. Maya Angelou said 'My mission in life is not merely to survive, but to thrive; and to do so with some passion, some compassion, some humor, and some style.' Her mission is to help you find the best way to overcome and thrive in your life.

Her counseling style is rooted in unconditional positive regard, meaning she always approaches therapy from a strength-based perspective. Her clients are treated with respect, genuine care, compassion, and concern. She will work with clients to create goals and find solutions that best suit their needs. She also considers herself a holistic counselor, focusing on the whole person—mind, body, and spirit. As Plato said, 'The part can never be well unless the whole is well.'

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Natisha Joseph is a Licensed Mental Health Counselor (LMHC) with a Master of Science in Mental Health Counseling from Mercy University and certification as a Trauma Specialist. Her career began even before completing graduate school in 2014, with more than 10 years of experience providing services to youth in residential treatment. She has also served adults with developmental and intellectual disabilities as a Residential Coordinator for 8 years, supported patients in palliative care for 5 years, and has spent the last 4+ years as a dedicated Mental Health Counselor in both inpatient and outpatient settings.

Natisha values open communication and collaboration, working with clients to set clear treatment goals. She creates a warm, respectful, and nonjudgmental environment where individuals feel supported and validated in their therapeutic journey. With a structured yet flexible approach, she helps patients navigate challenges such as trauma, emotional dysregulation, and self-care while fostering healing, growth, and problem-solving.

In the first session, Natisha takes time to understand each patient’s history, concerns, and goals. She builds therapeutic relationships rooted in trust, confidentiality, and respect, and co-develops individualized treatment plans tailored to each person’s needs. Drawing from CBT, ACT, and trauma-informed interventions, she provides active treatment through weekly or biweekly sessions, reviewing and adjusting goals to support ongoing progress.