Deborah Edelman, DO

Dr. Carolyn Benson has 21 years of experience in treating adults, adolescents, and children. After graduating medical school at Brody School of Medicine in Greenville, North Carolina, she moved to Rochester, NY to complete her residency and fellowship at University of Rochester School of Medicine. Her focus over the last ten years has been on working with young adults, children/adolescents, and their families. Her expertise covers a wide array of therapeutic modalities and mental health diagnoses. The primary focus of her sessions is to provide medication management with education on treatment options. She will provide therapy models that are appropriate within that 20�30 minute medication session. If longer therapy time frames are indicated, she will discuss the need to add a therapist to your treatment team to achieve optimal care. Her successful treatment outcomes are based on experience, staying current on psychiatric treatments, and having open communication with patients and families of children/adolescents so they can choose the most effective treatments. Prior to medical school, she worked in both marine and biochemical research venues and was coauthor in several research papers. She has an avid interest in the emerging field of neuroscience and frequently gives talks to colleagues and students on current research topics. Her primary objectives in her work are to help patients achieve success in both treatment and life goals and to always take time to truly listen to her patients.

Dr. Irene Pastis is a board-certified psychiatrist who specializes in adult psychiatry.  She completed residency training at East Carolina University in both internal medicine and psychiatry.  After residency, she pursued her passion in psychiatry and stayed on as a clinical assistant professor in the department of psychiatry at East Carolina University.  In this role she specialized in treating adults with mental illness in both the inpatient and outpatient settings.  She has spent a considerable amount of time teaching residents and medical students and has published several papers focusing on the neuroscience pathways of mental health conditions.  In her daily practice, Dr. Pastis focuses on evidence-based treatments utilizing the latest clinical guidelines and current approved treatments.  In addition to medication management, she also incorporates psychotherapy in the treatment of mental health conditions.  Dr. Pastis is passionate about taking a collaborative approach with her patients to help them reach their potential.

Dr. Lundgren is a board-eligible adult psychiatrist who completed his residency at the University of Rochester. During his final year, he served as Chief Resident in both inpatient and emergency psychiatry, demonstrating leadership and clinical excellence in high-acuity settings.

Before beginning his medical journey, Dr. Lundgren earned a degree in philosophy from the University of Georgia. He went on to serve as a police officer and investigator near Atlanta, Georgia, for six years. These formative experiences gave him unique insight into the complex relationship between mental health and personal well-being, safety, and fulfillment. Motivated by this perspective, he pursued a degree in neuroscience at Columbia University, graduating with honors, before attending medical school.

Dr. Lundgren brings experience across outpatient, inpatient, and emergency psychiatric care. He emphasizes a strong therapeutic alliance, supportive psychotherapy, and evidence-based treatment. He is committed to understanding people within the context of their experiences and circumstances, recognizing how these factors may contribute to their mental health concerns and strengths.

Dr. Lundgren provides comprehensive psychiatric medication management and cares for individuals experiencing depression, anxiety, trauma-related disorders, and other mental health conditions. When beneficial, he may also recommend collaborating with a therapist to support a more holistic and effective treatment plan.

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Dr. Akshar Brahmbhatt, DO, attended the University of Tennessee, Knoxville, where he majored in Economics before earning his medical degree from Lincoln Memorial University. He completed his psychiatry residency at the University of Tennessee Health Science Center in Memphis. He has experience in both inpatient and outpatient care and brings expertise in ADHD, depression, anxiety disorders, bipolar disorder, bipolar depression, OCD, and a wide range of psychiatric conditions.

Dr. Brahmbhatt creates a warm, collaborative environment where patients feel heard and respected. He values open communication and works with patients to set meaningful, realistic goals at a pace that feels comfortable. Using evidence-based treatments, he explains the reasoning behind each approach so patients feel informed and empowered throughout their care.

In the first session, Dr. Brahmbhatt takes time to understand each patient’s history, concerns, and goals. Together, they identify key areas of focus and build an individualized treatment plan. Follow-up sessions build on progress, address challenges, and adjust the plan as needs evolve. He works at the patient’s pace, helping them explore patterns, gain insight, and develop a sustainable path forward.

Dr. Michelle Ferrara is a psychiatrist whose path into medicine was inspired by a desire to care for patients in a compassionate and comprehensive way. She was drawn to psychiatry because it focuses on the whole person rather than only the illness. In her work, Dr. Ferrara takes a holistic view of mental health, considering medical conditions, personal history, social determinants of health, support systems, and life goals when guiding care.

Dr. Ferrara strives to create a supportive environment where patients feel heard, respected, and comfortable communicating openly. She believes effective mental health care is built on collaboration and trust. Her approach centers on understanding each patient’s unique experiences and values so that treatment aligns with what matters most to them.

Dr. Ferrara works collaboratively with patients to establish clear treatment goals and develop individualized care plans. With training in adult psychiatry and additional training in addiction psychiatry, she provides evidence-based care and current pharmacologic treatments. She values partnering with patients on their path toward recovery, recognizing that each person’s journey is unique.

Dr. Carder has been practicing for over 20 years in general adult psychiatry. She is board certified by the American Board of Psychiatry and Neurology and has a certification in Elder Law. She has advanced training in psychopharmacology, which she earned with distinction. Dr. Carder's practice focuses on medication management. Typically, she offers this in conjunction with supportive therapy in 30-minute follow-up visits. However, occasionally Dr. Carder may believe that additional therapy is also needed and ask that you bring a therapist into your care team to provide the best outcome. She received her medical degree from the University of Toledo, College of Medicine and Life Sciences, where she was given the outstanding medical student award by the Department of Head and Neck Surgery. She completed her internship with the Department of Family Medicine and completed her residency with the Department of Psychiatry both at the University of Toledo, College of Medicine and Life Sciences. Throughout her career, she has been the Medical Director of two Community Mental Health Centers and is also the Corporate Medical Director for a company providing neuropsychiatric and general psychiatric care to patients residing in nursing facilities. She received her certification in Elder Law through the Mitchell Hamline School of Law. She has also been a preceptor for numerous universities and has trained advanced practice providers in psychiatry. In addition to general adult and geriatric psychiatry, Dr. Carder's areas of interest include complex psychiatric and medical conditions, neuropsychiatric issues, and treatment-resistant cases. She enjoys using her medical expertise to solve difficult cases. She has an interest in exploring combined traditional psychiatric practice with complementary and holistic approaches to treatment and believes in keeping her patients healthy rather than only addressing illness.