Dennis Valerstain, MD

Dr. Scot McKay is board certified in Psychiatry and Child/Adolescent Psychiatry. He graduated medical school from the Medical University of South Carolina in Charleston, SC. He completed his residency and child/adolescent fellowship trainings at the University of Colorado - Anschutz Medical Center in Denver, CO. Previously, he has worked on the inpatient and partial hospitalization child/adolescent psychiatric units at Children's Hospital Colorado as well as in the school-based health clinics through Denver Health in partnership with Denver Public Schools. He has also worked in community mental health at the Mental Health Cooperative clinics throughout the Middle Tennessee region. He most recently joined a private practice before joining Talkiatry. He has been named to the Nashville Lifestyles Magazine's Top Doctors list in 2022, 2023, and 2024. He is a fellow of the American Psychiatric Association, and a member of the American Academy of Child and Adolescent Psychiatry. Dr. McKay enjoys working with patients going through life transitions such as high school to college and college to adult life. He believes it is important to understand the whole person (mind, body, and spirit) when treating them. He treats people struggling with depression, anxiety, bipolar, and ADHD, as well as trouble with relationships and family conflict. Dr. McKay provides both medication management and therapy. He believes that medication is just one of the items in a psychiatrist's toolbox and that therapy is equally important as medication.

Dr. Daniel Weiss is a double board-certified psychiatrist in adult and forensic psychiatry. His expertise is in diagnosing and treating psychiatric conditions, including depression and bipolar spectrum disorders, anxiety, stress and adjustment problems, maternal mental health, OCD, and other disorders. In addition, he has extensive experience working with individuals from diverse backgrounds, college and graduate students, creative professionals, and a range of working adults. Through a supportive psychopharmacologic approach, Dr. Weiss strives to provide a comfortable experience in which doctor and patient work to understand the presenting problems, reduce symptoms, and optimize functioning. In addition, Dr. Weiss encourages concurrent therapy and will communicate with that provider in a collaborative care arrangement. Dr. Weiss previously served as an attending psychiatrist on the staff of Montefiore Medical Center and was formerly a faculty member at the Albert Einstein College of Medicine. Before joining Talkiatry, Dr. Weiss spent a decade working at The New School as the university's staff psychiatrist.

Dr. Amber Blue is a board-certified psychiatrist trained in Adult Psychiatry. She completed her residency at Yale University. She offers medication management in 30-minute follow-up visits informed by her psychotherapy experience. Occasionally, she may believe additional therapy would be beneficial, and therefore, she recommends that you add a therapist to your care team for the best results. She has received specialized training in psychoanalytic psychotherapy at Columbia University and NYU. Over the past three years, Dr. Blue has worked in college student health centers and private practice. She has a wide range of experience in treating various mental illnesses including depression, bipolar disorder, anxiety, and OCD. Her approach is to educate clients on their mental health, available pharmacologic and psychotherapeutic options, and to collaborate with them in formulating an evidence-based treatment plan.

Dr. Jacqueline Hong is a board-certified adult psychiatrist who takes a genuine interest in her patients and values collaborative decision-making. Over the past 4 years of practicing, she has followed a holistic model of care that accounts for the physical, mental, social, and spiritual needs of the individual. She has a down-to-earth, patient, and warm personality, and prides herself on timeliness and professionalism. Though Dr. Hong focuses on medication management, she has a passion for supportive therapy with elements of CBT, psychodynamic therapy, and mindfulness. She may also recommend that a therapist be included in your care team if more specialized therapy is required. Dr. Hong graduated summa cum laude from Grove City College, and completed medical school at UTMB at Galveston. She finished her residency at Memorial Healthcare System in FL, where she held a leadership position in Graduate Medical Education. Dr. Hong has experience in treating a wide range of disorders, including depression, anxiety, OCD, PTSD, ADHD, schizophrenia, bipolar disorder, and addiction. She has worked with adolescent, geriatric, pregnant, and medically complex patients. Growing up in a Korean immigrant household and training in the ethnically diverse South Florida region has informed her of the unique struggles that immigrant populations face. Dr. Hong has a special interest in treating mood and anxiety disorders. Outside of the office, Dr. Hong enjoys art, cinema, and powerlifting.

Dr. Ali-Noor Jessani, DO, completed medical school in Des Moines, Iowa, and third-year rotations in Chicago. They finished internship and residency at VCU School of Medicine in Richmond, VA, and are currently completing a forensic psychiatry fellowship in Dallas, Texas.

Dr. Jessani has a conversational style that fosters trust and openness. They encourage patients to ask any and all questions and take pride in helping people understand their symptoms. Patients can expect a provider who genuinely enjoys listening to their stories.

Dr. Jessani begins by thoroughly reviewing each patient’s history, concerns, and goals during the initial session. From there, they develop individualized treatment plans tailored to align with each patient’s objectives, emphasizing collaborative care and clear communication.

Dr. Rodriguez is a board-certified adult psychiatrist. He earned his medical degree from the David Geffen School of Medicine at UCLA and completed his residency at the University of Southern California. Dr. Rodriguez has experience working in a variety of settings, including inpatient, outpatient, community mental health, and correctional facilities.

Dr. Rodriguez specializes in treating depression and anxiety. He acknowledges that while medications can be necessary, they are not magic, and a holistic approach is essential for achieving mental health. With this understanding, Dr. Rodriguez spends time getting to know his patients, focusing on helping them achieve mental wellness rather than simply prescribing medications. When he became a doctor, he made a pledge to "do no harm." He takes this commitment seriously and only prescribes medications, especially those with addictive properties, when it is safe and clearly indicated.

The first one or two appointments focus on a thorough assessment to establish a provisional diagnosis, which is essential for effective treatment planning. Once this initial diagnosis is made, Dr. Rodriguez collaborates with his patients to develop tailored treatment recommendations. During follow-up appointments, he actively listens to his patients and proposes adjustments to the treatment plan as needed.