Derek Robben, MD

Staff Psychiatrist.
Languages
English
Conditions Treated
Medication Management
Obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD)
PTSD/Trauma

Education and training

  • University of South Florida College of Medicine Doctor of Medicine (MD)

Get to know

Derek Robben, MD

Dr. Robben proudly served in the U.S. Air Force and has been practicing psychiatry for 17 years. He is happy to have completed his medical school education, as well as his residency in general psychiatry and fellowship in addiction psychiatry, all at the University of South Florida in Tampa. Dr. Robben is board certified in both general psychiatry and addiction psychiatry. He has experience in many roles over the span of his career to include working with Veterans diagnosed with posttraumatic stress disorder and substance use disorders, managing specialty clinics for patients with treatment-resistant depression, and working in general outpatient psychiatry clinics, as well as emergency and inpatient psychiatric settings. Dr. Robben also previously served as the Training Director for the University of South Florida Morsani College

of Medicine Addiction Psychiatry Fellowship Program. He is currently the Medical Director at a residential substance use disorder treatment center in Florida. Additionally, Dr. Robben is a certified Medical Review Officer and has additional qualifications in transcranial magnetic stimulation (TMS) and Spravato.

(esketamine). Dr. Robben has been voted as Addiction Medicine "Top Doctor" in Tampa Bay, FL by physicians for 8 of the last 9 years. Dr. Robben specializes in treating depression, bipolar disorder, anxiety, PTSD, OCD, ADHD and substance use disorders.

Dr. Robben uses a supportive, patient-centered approach, taking into account each individual's personal values and goals when formulating a treatment plan. He educates patients on the most up to date scientific evidence and provides multiple treatment options to help each person determine the most appropriate plan for them.  

Dr. Robben believes in a collaborative and holistic approach to working with his patients. Dr. Robben spends a significant amount of time educating his patients on all forms of mental health treatment, from medications and psychotherapy, to nutrition, exercise, meditation and sleep hygiene. What works well for

One person may not work well for another person. Having options and understanding the potential benefits and risks of each treatment empowers patients to take an active role in their own healthcare.

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Co-Founder and Chief Medical Officer

Dr. Georgia Gaveras holds the position of Co-Founder and Chief Medical Officer at Talkiatry. She is triple board-certified in child and adolescent psychiatry, adult psychiatry, and addiction medicine. She has been practicing for over 18 years. Dr. Gaveras's practice focuses on medication management. Typically, she offers this in conjunction with supportive or emotionally focused therapy in 30-minute follow-up visits. However, occasionally Dr. Gaveras 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 New England College of Osteopathic Medicine in Biddeford, ME, before moving back to NY to complete her residency at the SUNY Downstate Medical Center and a fellowship in child and adolescent psychiatry at St. Luke's-Roosevelt Hospital. After completing training, she remained and worked with dually-diagnosed adolescents at the Comprehensive Rehabilitation and Education Service (CARES) before becoming the Director of Training and Education for the Mount Sinai St. Luke's and Roosevelt Hospitals. She was then the associate director of child and adolescent emergency psychiatry at Cohen Children's Medical Center before becoming the Director of the Comprehensive Psychiatric Emergency Program (CPEP) at Kings County Hospital in Brooklyn. Dr. Gaveras has held academic appointments at Columbia University College of Physicians and Surgeons, Mount Sinai Icahn School of Medicine, Touro College of Osteopathic Medicine, Zucker School of Medicine, and SUNY Downstate Medical College. In addition, she has appeared in numerous professional publications and authored several research papers. In addition to general, child, and adolescent psychiatry, Dr. Gaveras is also board-certified in addiction medicine and trained in the Eating Disorders, Compulsions and Addictions Service (EDCAS) program at the William Alanson White Institute. She completed her undergraduate studies at New York University. While having treated a wide variety of patients, her primary clinical focus has been in treating adolescents and young adults with co-occurring substance use disorders.

Robert Whelpley, MD

Staff Psychiatrist

Background and credentials

Dr. Robert Whelpley, M.D., is board-certified in both Child and Adolescent Psychiatry and Adult Psychiatry. He completed his undergraduate studies at Binghamton University and earned his medical degree from Upstate Medical University in Syracuse, New York. He then went on to complete his residency and fellowship training at the University of Rochester. Throughout his career, he has worked with patients and families across the lifespan in inpatient, outpatient, and emergency psychiatric settings.

Treatment approach

Dr. Whelpley believes in collaborative care, working closely with treatment providers, patients, and families to ensure that mental health concerns are addressed as a team. His approach integrates talk therapy techniques, including motivational interviewing, cognitive-behavioral therapy (CBT), mindfulness, and supportive psychotherapy, alongside medication management. He customizes treatment to maximize each patient’s mental health and overall wellness, sometimes incorporating a therapist into the care plan when beneficial.

What you can expect in a first visit

During the first visit, patients can expect a comprehensive evaluation where Dr. Whelpley takes time to understand their symptoms, background, and treatment goals. His approach is patient-centered and team-oriented, ensuring that care is personalized and collaborative. He works with patients to develop a treatment plan that balances medication management with therapeutic interventions, fostering long-term mental wellness.

Why Talkiatry?

We’re a virtual mental health practice that makes it easy to find great care. We combine quality and convenience to help you thrive—faster. Our providers, like this one, are highly trained experts who specialize in medication management and collaborate with you on a treatment plan that fits your needs and comfort level.

Kathryn Hu, MD

Staff Psychiatrist

Dr. Kathryn Hu is a board-certified adult psychiatrist. She majored in biology and neuroscience at Brandeis University, attended medical school at Albert Einstein College of Medicine, and completed residency training at Stony Brook University Hospital. ‍Dr. Hu practices a patient-centered approach to mental health care. She works collaboratively on goals of treatment, with a focus on medication management while incorporating supportive therapy, cognitive behavioral therapy, and mindfulness. ‍Dr. Hu treats a variety of mental health concerns including depression, anxiety, bipolar disorder, PTSD, and ADHD.

Barbara Pack, LPCC

Staff Therapist

Barbara (Barb) Pack is a Licensed Professional Clinical Counselor with the Supervision Endorsement and a Licensed Independent Chemical Dependency Counselor, Clinical Supervisor Endorsement who has been providing mental health treatment for over 24 years and addiction treatment for over 27 years. Barb utilizes a combination of approaches in working with her clients, including person-centered, cognitive behavioral therapy, motivational interviewing, solution focused techniques, and a variety of other techniques. She has experience in several different types of treatment settings and treatment modalities in both Ohio and Florida. Barb enjoys working with individuals who also have co-occurring disorders, both mental health and substance use. Barb has experience working with a wide range of age groups and mental health issues including but not limited to depression, anxiety, trauma, stress management, grief, relationship issues, and a wide range of substance use issues. She will assess individuals' needs in their first few visits and work with them to develop an individualized treatment plan. Barb works to provide the empathetic listening and emotional support that her clients need to reach their goals. Her dream has been to work herself out of a job, as she wants to help her clients find healing and happiness. Barb attended the University of Akron for graduate school in a Community Counseling Program and attended Malone College, now University, and majored in Psychology.

Nana Cudjoe, MD

Staff Psychiatrist

Dr. Nana Cudjoe is a board-certified adult psychiatrist who focuses on comprehensive psychiatric care in the form of medication management and psychotherapy. Dr. Cudjoe's motto is to "treat each person with humanity, dignity, and respect.” She believes in wholeheartedly supporting patients in their various walks of life. Dr. Cudjoe is a graduate of Creighton University School of Medicine in Omaha, NE and completed her psychiatry residency at Southern Illinois University (SIU) in Springfield, IL. While at SIU, Dr. Cudjoe served as a chief resident and received the Resident of the Year award from the Illinois Psychiatric Society in 2020. She was awarded resident of the year in her residency program. Dr. Cudjoe previously served as the Associate Medical Director of an Inpatient Psychiatric Unit, the Psychiatry Clerkship Co-Director and Assistant Professor at Eastern Virginia Medical School (EVMS). During her time at EVMS, she was honored with Alpha Omega Alpha (AOA) membership, and was awarded faculty of the year. Throughout her time in residency and beyond, Dr. Cudjoe has participated in various research and quality improvement projects aimed at improving outcomes for patients with mental health conditions. Dr. Cudjoe is a member of the American Psychiatric Association, Black Psychiatrists of America, and the Psychiatric Society of Virginia. Dr. Cudjoe employs her expertise in clinical psychopathology and psychopharmacology to tailor patient-specific treatment plans. She has extensive knowledge in Mood Disorders, Anxiety Disorders, OCD and supporting patients receiving gender-affirming care.

Sabrina Ghim, MD

Staff Psychiatrist

Dr. Sabrina Ghim is a board-certified physician specializing in adult psychiatry and practices adult psychiatric medication management. She focuses on building a strong therapeutic and collaborative environment with patients. She works with individuals struggling with depression, ADHD, obsessive compulsive disorder, anxiety disorders, including generalized anxiety, and social anxiety. Dr. Ghim usually meets with patients monthly for psychiatric follow up appointments. She provides psychiatric medication management in a comprehensive manner, paying careful attention to each patient's unique biological, psychological, and cultural make-up. She is diligent about keeping up-to-date on the research and expanding frontiers of psychiatry and psychopharmacology. She strongly believes in tailoring treatment in an integrative and collaborative manner to provide the best outcome for each unique patient. In some instances, Dr. Ghim may recommend the addition of a separate therapist in order to help facilitate the best care possible. Dr. Ghim experienced various cultures growing up in different countries and environments, shaping her open-minded demeanor and views, and eventually her interest in the human mind and psychiatry. She earned her bachelor's degree in Molecular Biology with honors, and a Doctor of Medicine (M.D.) degree from the University of Central Florida College of Medicine. She completed her Adult Psychiatric Internship and Residency training in New York City, at the Mount Sinai Morningside and West Hospitals, where she treated a diverse patient population with psychiatric illnesses in emergency, inpatient, and outpatient settings. Dr. Ghim is currently licensed in and seeing patients located in the states of New York, Florida, and Texas for medication management.

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Specialties
Medication Management
Obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD)
PTSD/Trauma
States
Florida
Languages
English