Clara Kim, MD

Dr. Syed Abbasi is an adult psychiatrist who completed his undergraduate education at Rutgers University and earned his medical degree at Ross University. He completed his psychiatry residency training at Creedmoor Psychiatric Center with training at New York-Presbyterian/Columbia University Medical Center, additionally as Chief Resident at Columbia University's Outpatient Adult Psychiatry Eye-6 clinic. Dr. Abbasi is passionate about and experienced in providing holistic, thoughtful, evidence-based care for patients with depression, anxiety, obsessive compulsive disorder, trauma-related disorders, relationship issues and struggles with self-image. He believes empathy and understanding are the most fundamental components of the doctor-patient relationship. He provides psychiatric medication management and integrates supportive psychotherapy, elements of dialectical behavioral therapy (DBT), stress management techniques and lifestyle interventions to meet patients where they are and collaborate toward improvement and optimization of their wellness. Occasionally, when appropriate, he may recommend adding a therapist to your care team for further benefit.

Dr. Gotsche is a board-certified adult psychiatrist who is dedicated to helping individuals navigate their mental health journey. Originally from Illinois, she completed her undergraduate studies at Illinois State University before earning her medical degree from Kansas City University. She went on to complete her psychiatry residency at the University of Oklahoma. Following residency, she worked at the Kansas City VA Medical Center where she primarily focused on outpatient mental health. Outside of her clinical work, she enjoys cooking, reading, cycling, and hiking.

Dr. Gotsche takes a holistic, integrative, and evidence-based approach to mental health care. She emphasizes the importance of building a strong therapeutic alliance and working closely with each patient to ensure treatment fits their unique needs and goals. She is experienced in treating a variety of psychiatric conditions including mood disorders, anxiety, trauma-related disorders, and ADHD. She is committed to providing comprehensive care in a supportive environment.

Dr. Gotsche will conduct a thorough evaluation to learn each patient’s medical history, current symptoms, and treatment goals. She values open communication and a collaborative approach, ensuring that patients are actively involved in the decision-making process. An individualized treatment plan will be developed which may include medication management, psychotherapy, or referrals to additional services as needed. Her goal is to provide integrated, patient-centered care that promotes long-term well-being.

Dr. Sarah Benito Figueroa is a board-certified Adult Psychiatrist and a board-certified Child and Adolescent Psychiatrist. She earned her medical degree from the University of Puerto Rico Medical Sciences Campus.  She completed her Adult Psychiatry residency at the University of Connecticut. Following this, she sub-specialized in Child and Adolescent Psychiatry at New York University. Prior to joining Talkiatry, Dr. Benito Figueroa served as a Child and Adolescent Psychiatrist at a busy academic outpatient clinic and on an inpatient basis, providing care to children with complex medical needs.

Dr. Benito Figueroa strives to provide a patient-centered and collaborative approach when developing treatment plans. She specializes in medication management and supportive psychotherapy. When appropriate, she may make a referral for more specialized therapeutic interventions. For child and adolescent patients, Dr. Benito Figueroa encourages parental involvement at each visit to ensure a family centered approach is being followed to best support the child's needs.

During the first visit, Dr. Benito Figueroa will conduct a comprehensive psychiatric evaluation with a goal of understanding a patient's treatment history, current symptomatology and personal goals. She will work together with her patients to foster a collaborative environment, personalize treatment plans and support patients in achieving an improved quality of life.

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Dr. Clayton Stone (he/him) is a native of the Tennessee mountains who specializes in treating both children and adults. He completed a fellowship in Child and Adolescent Psychiatry at Washington University in St. Louis and a general psychiatry residency in San Antonio, Texas. Dr. Stone has worked in academic medical centers, public schools, state hospitals, a transgender health clinic, and a residential eating disorder center. He is experienced in caring for LGBTQIA+ individuals and underserved rural communities.

Dr. Stone offers a friendly, nonjudgmental space where patients feel supported and empowered. His collaborative style emphasizes respect, transparency, and shared decision-making. He is especially passionate about helping people navigate stress, build self-esteem, and develop healthy relationships. Depending on patient needs, he uses tools like talk therapy, lifestyle changes, parent coaching, and medication management to support healing.

Sessions begin with a detailed review of each patient's history, current concerns, and goals. Dr. Stone then works together with the patient to create a personalized care plan that may include therapy techniques, medications, psychoeducation, or coping strategies. When treating children or teens, he often includes family involvement or parent coaching to promote meaningful progress.

Michael Robbins is a psychiatric nurse practitioner with over 17 years of experience specializing in psychiatric medication management. He earned his MSN from the University of Tennessee in 2006. His career spans various settings, including acute inpatient care, private practice, community mental health, and substance abuse treatment. Michael treats conditions such as depression, anxiety, PTSD, OCD, bipolar disorder, and ADHD. He has worked both remotely and in-person, adapting to the evolving healthcare landscape. Michael is known for his expertise in psychopharmacology, tailoring treatment plans to each patient’s needs while minimizing side effects. His compassionate and patient-centered approach has made him a trusted provider in the mental health community.

Dr. Alexandra ("Sasha”) Blaes is a board-certified psychiatrist. Before joining Talkiatry, she practiced consult-liaison psychiatry, seeing medically ill patients with psychiatric problems at the Department of Veterans Affairs, where she also treated veterans in nursing homes. Dr. Blaes graduated from New York University with a B.A. in philosophy and photography and worked in nonprofit marketing in New York before deciding she wanted to pursue a life in medicine. Following a post-baccalaureate, pre-medical program at Columbia University, Dr. Blaes completed medical school at The University of Maryland, followed by a psychiatry residency at The Johns Hopkins Hospital. While at Johns Hopkins, she mastered clinical assessment and treatment of general psychiatric problems. She also received specialized training in eating disorders, addiction, reproductive psychiatry, chronic pain, and geriatric psychiatry, an interest she pursued further with a fellowship at University of Pittsburgh Medical Center. In fellowship and in her subsequent experience at the VA, she developed expertise in caring for the difficulties that can accompany aging, including depression, anxiety, and memory loss, as well as the stress of medical illness. Dr. Blaes' practice focuses on medication management. She works to foster a safe and collaborative space in which patients can address psychiatric illness and other barriers holding them back from the lives they want to lead. Typically, she offers appointments for medication management coupled with supportive or emotionally focused therapy in 30-minute sessions. When Dr. Blaes feels that additional therapy is needed, she will suggest inviting a therapist to join the team for additional support and guidance. She welcomes collaborations with other clinicians, be they therapists or other physicians caring for her patients. She strives to build strong therapeutic relationships that help patients grow and meet their goals - whatever their situation, challenge, or life stage. Dr. Blaes welcomes patients from all walks of life and cultural backgrounds and is LGBTQ+ friendly. In addition to her background in geriatrics, she has experience working with peripartum women and enjoys working with patients navigating major life changes.