Giselle Brito, MD

Dr. Ruiz is a compassionate psychiatrist specializing in adult and maternal mental health. She develops personalized treatment plans to address anxiety, depression, bipolar disorder, ADHD, OCD, PTSD, PMDD, and perinatal conditions. Her goal is to help patients reconnect with their values and live balanced, fulfilled, and meaningful lives.

Her passion for medicine began in childhood, inspired by curiosity about the mind and body. She earned an Honors Chemistry degree with  magna cum laude and completed her medical training and psychiatry residency at Texas Tech University Health Sciences Center. With a strong scientific foundation, Dr. Ruiz understands the role of medications, and embraces holistic healing through connection, gratitude, and spirituality.

Dr. Ruiz has experience in diverse clinical settings and has received national awards including the AWP International Fellowship and ADMSEP Innovations Award. She is dedicated to advancing maternal mental health screening and treatment through clinical care and education.

Dr. Ruiz combines pharmacotherapy (medication) with psychotherapy to create individualized treatment plans. Therapy provides powerful tools to manage thoughts, emotions, and behaviors that support balanced brain chemistry. Research shows that medication helps restore this balance more quickly and effectively, especially in moderate to severe cases.  

Dr. Ruiz likens medication for the brain to fertilizer for a garden. Imagine your mental health as a vibrant garden—when well-nourished, it can thrive with resilience, beauty, and balance. But when symptoms like depression, anxiety, ADHD, or mood instability take hold, they act like invasive weeds, crowding out healthy growth and making it hard to enjoy the space. Medication acts like fertilizer, strengthening the garden’s natural systems so the healthy parts can reclaim their place and flourish. Just as some gardens need only seasonal care while others require more consistent tending, medication plans are personalized to support each person’s long-term mental wellness. When the garden is healthy, there's more room to grow, connect, and fully enjoy life.

With a strong background in chemistry and pharmacology, Dr. Ruiz prioritizes educating her patients about how medications work and why they can be helpful. She believes patients should take an active role in understanding their diagnosis and treatment. Her approach emphasizes diagnostic clarity, medication management, patient education, and brief psychotherapy based on cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT) and acceptance and commitment therapy (ACT).

Your first appointment is a supportive, in-depth conversation to share your story, challenges, and goals. Dr. Ruiz will review your medical and psychiatric history and assess symptoms using a whole-person approach that considers biological, psychological, and social factors.

Together, you’ll develop a personalized plan that may include lab work, medication, and therapy. Initial visits last 60 minutes for thorough evaluation; follow-ups typically last 20–30 minutes, focusing on medication management and brief therapy. If needed, Dr. Ruiz can refer you to in-house or community therapists for add-on therapy support.  

Throughout your care, Dr. Ruiz prioritizes shared decision making to ensure you feel informed, empowered, and supported.

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Dr. Bangs earned a Bachelor of Science in Biology from Nicholls State University and a Master of Science in Acupuncture from Texas Health and Science University. She completed both her MD and General Psychiatry training at Texas Tech Paul Foster School of Medicine, which was followed by specialized training in Child and Adolescent Psychiatry at the University of Texas School of Medicine. Her clinical approach is grounded in psychodynamic psychotherapy, and she continually expands her knowledge by incorporating tools from a variety of therapeutic modalities.

Dr. Bangs is warm, open-minded, and introspective and is fascinated with the connectedness of the conscious and subconscious mind, body, and spirit.   She approaches treatment through the lens of growth-mindset.  She is prioritizes creating a safe space where patients can strengthen their courage to be vulnerable and authentic. She views therapy as a journey of helping patients explore their inner world, where she acts as a mirror in order for patients to gain insight into their motivations, patterns, values, and higher purpose.

Dr. Bangs prefers knowing her patients on deep level, and highly values the therapeutic process, which requires patience over speed.  She acknowledges that it takes many sessions before even a preliminary understanding of the human being in front of her can be formulated.  She honors the truth that her patients are the experts of themselves, and prefers empowering them over micromanagement.  As subconscious patterns emerge, Dr. Bangs will highlight these, as they are often blind spots to the patient.  Dr. Bangs understands that when it comes to mental health, quick fixes are not the most appropriate or effective means to healing.  However, she respects the use of medications when indicated in addition to talk therapy.

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.

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.

Dr. Jon-Kar Zubieta is a board-certified psychiatrist and nuclear medicine physician whose work bridges neuroscience and clinical care. He focuses on understanding how the brain regulates motivation and stress, applying this knowledge to mood disorders, pain, and substance use. With extensive experience in functional imaging, Dr. Zubieta explores how neurobiological mechanisms shape emotional and physical well-being.

Dr. Zubieta takes a collaborative and evidence-based approach to care. He values patient perspectives and prioritizes creating a supportive environment where patients feel heard. His goal is to tailor treatment plans that address both the psychological and biological aspects of mental health conditions.

Dr. Zubieta begins with a thorough assessment of each patient’s history, symptoms, and goals. He integrates clinical evaluation with insights from neuroscience and imaging research when relevant. Together with patients, he develops a personalized treatment plan that may include therapy, medication, or combined approaches, continually adjusting strategies to optimize outcomes.

Dr. Mirica Sanders is a board-certified adult psychiatrist. She graduated from Tennessee State University and earned her medical degree from Ohio University College of Medicine. She completed her Psychiatry Residency as Chief Resident at The Cleveland Clinic and pursued advanced training in community and public psychiatry at Case Western Reserve University. Dr. Sanders has experience practicing in both outpatient and inpatient settings and holds a special interest in women’s mental health.

Dr. Sanders values creating a warm and inviting atmosphere where patients feel comfortable and heard. She encourages openness and authenticity, aiming for each patient to leave with a clear understanding of their treatment plan. She also welcomes questions to ensure patients feel fully informed and supported throughout their care.

Patients can expect a conversational interview in which Dr. Sanders gathers medical, social, family, and psychiatric history to inform a personalized treatment plan. Each session involves collaboration, with patients actively participating in shaping their care. Following appointments, patients receive an after-visit summary and instructions to guide them between sessions.