Emily Komarczyk, MD

Dr. Dennis Valerstain is a board-certified Adult and Child and Adolescent Psychiatrist. After completing his undergraduate education at Emory University, he attended medical school at the Northwestern University Feinberg School of Medicine. He subsequently completed psychiatry residency at University of Miami/Jackson Health System and further sub-specialized at University of Miami/Jackson Health System with a fellowship in Child and Adolescent Psychiatry. Dr. Valerstain has had the opportunity of working with a diverse array of patients including children, adolescents, the severely mentally ill, veterans, and cancer patients across three distinct hospital systems. Dr. Valerstain has had varied clinical experiences in specialty inpatient psychiatry units, emergency psychiatry, consultation liaison psychiatry, psycho-oncology, and outpatient clinics via telemedicine and face to face interactions. Dr. Valerstain has experience working with patients of all ages, particularly those with depression, anxiety, bipolar disorder, ADHD, Tic disorders, substance use disorders, and more. Dr. Valerstain's practice focuses on medication management and also employs empathic listening, supportive psychotherapy techniques, and a comprehensive and methodological approach to his visits. Given his broad and diverse training experiences, he enjoys problem solving and working collaboratively with patients (and their families) to navigate their complex issues and jointly focusing on simple solutions to work towards improving their mental health.

Akif A. Khawaja M.D. is a Clinical General Psychiatrist. He has worked in this field since graduating and obtaining his residency from the University of Mississippi Medical Center Department of Neurology and Behavioral Sciences in 1996. He has worked mostly with adults ranging from 18 to 90 years of age. He has served as a director of Intensive Outpatient Programs in the state of Mississippi. He currently focuses on medical management of patients above 50 years of age and has served as a director of Geriatric Psychiatric Units.

He has a particular interest in treating mood, anxiety, and cognitive disorders, including ADHD. Patients working with him can expect thorough and detailed appointments, as he places special emphasis on gathering comprehensive medical and psychiatric histories, including specific dates of past treatments. During initial visits, he carefully reviews previous medical interventions, particularly procedures such as electroconvulsive therapy (ECT) and vagus nerve stimulation (VNS).

His approach prioritizes thorough evaluations to ensure accurate diagnoses. He strongly believes that honesty is essential for achieving the best possible treatment outcomes.

Joseph Smith, LMHC, earned his Master's Degree in Clinical Mental Health Counseling from Eastern Kentucky University in 2015 and has worked with patients in a clinical capacity for the past six years. While in graduate school, he was exposed to various clinical and research experiences, where he found his passion in examining the motivational factors of human behavior. Joseph's academic work strengthened his interest to work with individuals in a therapeutic capacity, which ultimately led to advanced experiential training in crisis interventions and the treatment of individuals with severe and persistent mental illness. Before relocating to New York City, he worked with individuals in under-served communities in the Appalachian region. Joseph subscribes to a humanistic, motivational enhancement, and cognitive behavioral framework. Understanding the benefit of therapeutic rapport, Joseph fosters an environment of self-acceptance and self-awareness while promoting intrinsic motivation for patients to act as their own catalyst of change. In addition, Joseph has a passion for working with individuals from diverse backgrounds, the LGBTQIA+ community, women with reproductive challenges, and victims of domestic violence.

Dr. Carrie Ramos is a compassionate and skilled adult general psychiatrist with a commitment to providing comprehensive mental health care. A native of Texas, Dr. Ramos embarked on her medical journey at the Burrell College of Osteopathic Medicine in New Mexico, where she obtained her medical degree. Following her passion for psychiatry, she completed her residency at HCA Florida Woodmont Hospital, honing her expertise in adult psychiatric care. Dr. Ramos brings a diverse background to her practice, having earned her Bachelor's degree in Exercise Science from the University of Mary Hardin-Baylor. This foundational knowledge underscores her holistic approach to mental health, recognizing the interconnectedness of physical and emotional well-being. As a board eligible psychiatrist, Dr. Ramos is dedicated to staying current with the latest advancements in psychiatry and utilizing evidence-based treatments to support her patients. Her approach is characterized by empathy, active listening, and a commitment to fostering a therapeutic alliance with each individual under her care. With a deep-rooted passion for helping others, Dr. Ramos is driven to empower her patients on their journey toward mental wellness. Her Texas roots, coupled with her diverse educational background and clinical experiences, uniquely position her to understand and address the diverse needs of her patients. In her role as a psychiatrist, Dr. Ramos is poised to make a meaningful impact in the lives of those she serves, offering hope, healing, and support to individuals seeking guidance on their path to mental health recovery.

Eva Sleczka LCSW has a wealth of experience and a passion for integrated patient care. Eva Sleczka, LCSW brings a unique blend of expertise and compassion that is sure to benefit psychotherapy patients. Eva Sleczka, LCSW is a broadly accomplished social worker with years of experience in hospital health-based and community-based human services environments. Eva Sleczka LCSW has an impressive background in the behavioral health field, holding an MSW, LCSW from New York University and specializing in behavioral health psychotherapy with adults, children and families. They have spent 30 years working in various healthcare settings, including health and hospital systems, emergency room and screening center for psychiatric emergency services, school-based and community-based outpatient treatment settings, where they have honed their skills and gained valuable experience in patient care. Their commitment to staying abreast of the latest advancements in behavioral health science ensures that our patients receive the highest quality of psychotherapy care. One of the key strengths Eva Sleczka, LCSW, brings to our team is their expertise in integrative care and trauma-informed psychotherapy, skilled with adults and families with mental health needs. They have a proven track record of clinical supervision of social work students in the field, experience as a Clinical Director of a community mental health setting, psychotherapist for adults, children, and families with mental health needs, making them a valuable resource for both our patients and our staff. Whether it's managing complex cases, providing preventive care, or offering specialized treatments, supervision of social work students Eva Sleczka, LCSW is dedicated to delivering comprehensive and personalized care to each patient. At the core of Eva Sleczka, LCSW's practice is a patient-centered approach that prioritizes the individual needs and preferences of each patient. They believe in fostering strong clinician-patient relationships built on trust, empathy, and open communication. By involving patients in their own care decisions and providing education about their health, Eva Sleczka, LCSW, empowers patients to take an active role in their well-being. Eva Sleczka, LCSW utilizes cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT), focusing mainly on acceptance and commitment therapy (ACT) and incorporating mindfulness into a wellness-based approach.

Dr. Prit Patel is a board-certified adult psychiatrist. He obtained his medical degree from the University of South Florida and subsequently completed his residency training at the University of Texas at Austin and Northwell Health's Zucker Hillside Hospital. During his training, Dr. Patel also served as chief resident of Zucker's Hillside Hospital's outpatient psychiatric department. Following his training, Dr. Patel has previously worked at New York Presbyterian's Gracie Square Hospital, where he served as an inpatient psychiatrist treating a variety of mental health conditions, utilizing a combination of medication management and therapeutic techniques in helping those experiencing distress due to their conditions. Throughout his training and career thus far, Dr. Patel has received several awards for his clinical care and contribution to medical and psychiatric education, such as Zucker Hillside's Psychiatric Educator award. Dr. Patel has also contributed to medical research in the domains of psychiatry and LGBTQ+ healthcare .Dr. Patel has an interest in not only treating disorders but also helping patients improve their overall well-being. He treats a variety of conditions including depression, bipolar disorder, anxiety disorders, obsessive-compulsive disorders, and trauma-related disorders, through the use of medication and therapy. He has particular experience and interest in treating LGBTQ+ patients as well as young professionals and young adults.