Jacqueline Hong, MD

Dr. James “Jim” Staudenmeier is a physician with a distinguished career in military and civilian psychiatry. A retired Colonel in the U.S. Army, he has served as a plenary and invited speaker at national and international conferences on topics including addiction, electroconvulsive therapy, hypnotherapy, and quality improvement. He is a Certified Healthcare Executive, holds a master’s degree in preventive medicine and biometrics, and has published in peer-reviewed journals. His clinical background includes pain management, addiction psychiatry, child and adult psychiatry, and academic appointments at multiple universities.

Dr. Staudenmeier values collaboration and encourages patients to ask questions, clarify expectations, and identify their primary concerns from the start. While medication management is part of care, he emphasizes insight, goal setting, and skill building. He integrates hypnotherapy, guided imagery, relaxation, and meditation to support wellness, pain management, sleep, anxiety, and addiction, tailoring treatment to each patient’s needs.

Dr. Staudenmeier takes a flexible, whole-person approach, combining medication management with evidence-based therapies such as CBT, CPT, motivational interviewing, and family-based interventions. He works comfortably with children, adults, families, service members, Veterans, and individuals facing life transitions, including end-of-life concerns. His goal is to help patients develop practical tools for lasting mental, emotional, and spiritual well-being.

Myrtle Davenport is a dual certified Family Psychiatric Nurse Practitioner with over 12 years of experience in healthcare. She completed her Masters of Science in Nursing (MSN) degree with a concentration in Family Nurse Practitioner at Chamberlain University and a Post Master’s in Psychiatric Mental Health Nurse Practitioner at Valdosta State University. Myrtle is skilled in assessing and treating a variety of mental health disorders including but not limited to anxiety, major depression, PTSD, ADHD, OCD, and other mood disorders across the life span. She is trained in psychiatric diagnosis, medication management, and supportive therapy. Over the past 7 years, she has gained valuable experience in a number of settings, including outpatient, inpatient, and residential facilities, community mental health clinics, and private practice.

Myrtle is dedicated to providing a safe and nonjudgmental environment where patients can expect to be heard, emotionally validated, and supported. She will ensure that patients are well-informed, empowering them to be active participants in managing their care. By fostering a strong therapeutic relationship, she will support her patients in achieving long-term mental wellness and resilience.

As a dedicated Psychiatric Nurse Practitioner, Myrtle provides comprehensive mental health care to individuals across the lifespan, helping them navigate through their mental health challenges with a holistic, compassionate approach. Her clinical practice involves conducting a thorough assessment and gathering relevant information from patients about their medical, psychiatric, and social history. Through open and empathetic communication, she will ensure a deep understanding of their symptoms, challenges, and goals. Based on the assessment, she will work closely with her patients to develop an individualized treatment plan and lifestyle recommendations. She will offer education on mental health conditions, coping strategies, and self-care techniques. She also provides referrals to therapists and other support services, helping patients develop the skills they need to thrive. She also believes in providing psychoeducation to patients, families, and caregivers. Myrtle's approach to patient care is grounded in empathy, respect, and evidence-based practices, and she is committed to fostering a supportive, collaborative environment where patients feel empowered to achieve their mental health goals.

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Dr. Stephen Hawk is a board-certified psychiatrist with 25 years of experience. He earned his Doctor of Osteopathic Medicine from Kansas City University of Medicine and Biosciences and completed his psychiatry residency at the University of South Florida, Tampa. He has served in private practice and held leadership roles at the Veterans Administration, including Chief of Mental Health at Bay Pines VA. He led the launch of the VA Suicide Prevention 2.0 Telehealth Program and has training in AI in medicine.

Dr. Hawk combines talking therapies, neuromodulation, and modern psychopharmacology in a collaborative and empathic style. He focuses on family dynamics and integrates psychodynamic and biopsychosocial approaches, using creativity and open dialogue to tailor care.

He begins with open-ended conversations to help patients tell their story, then develops treatment plans together aligned with diagnostic standards. His approach includes medication review, mindfulness, CBT, supportive and psychodynamic therapy, and lifestyle education to support holistic wellness.

Dr. Robert Smeed, DO, is a board-certified psychiatrist with a passion for healing the human mind and consciousness. He earned his Doctor of Osteopathic Medicine from Lake Erie College of Osteopathic Medicine and completed his Psychiatry Residency at Wayne State University College of Medicine. Certified by the American Board of Psychiatry and Neurology (ABPN), Dr. Smeed served as an outpatient psychiatrist at Veterans Affairs for 11 years, honing his expertise in mental health care. Driven by a deep interest in consciousness and innovative treatments, he combines talking therapies, neuromodulation, and modern psychopharmacology to help patients achieve lasting wellness.

Dr. Smeed is proficient in treating a wide range of psychiatric conditions while specializing in treatment-resistant depression, neurodevelopmental disorders, anxiety and trauma disorders. His treatment style is empathic and collaborative, emphasizing family dynamics and relationships while integrating psychodynamic principles with biopsychosocial models. He approaches each patient with creativity, using open-ended discussions and innovative therapeutic and psychopharmacologic strategies to tailor care, ensuring a personalized and effective treatment experience.

Dr. Smeed begins with open-ended dialogue, allowing patients to develop their narrative, which is often therapeutic. Treatment plans are customized to patient needs and align with diagnostic standards of care. He incorporates medication reviews, mindfulness techniques, cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT), supportive therapy, and psychodynamic approaches. Dr. Smeed also educates patients on lifestyle factors, such as diet and exercise, to support mental health, fostering a holistic and individualized path to wellness.

Dr. Sabish Balan is a Board-Certified Psychiatrist with subspecialty certifications in Geriatric Psychiatry, Psychosomatic Medicine, and Addiction Medicine. He completed his medical education in India at Government Medical College, Kozhikode, followed by psychiatry training at the All India Institute of Medical Sciences (AIIMS), New Delhi. After relocating to the United States, he pursued residency at St. Luke’s Roosevelt Hospital Center and advanced fellowships at The Zucker Hillside Hospital and St. Luke’s Roosevelt Hospital Center. With over 17 years of psychiatry experience in the U.S., he has held leadership roles at NYC Health + Hospitals – Harlem and currently provides care at Northwell Health Phelps Hospital Addiction Treatment Services and the BeHealth Program. Fluent in English, Hindi, Urdu, and Malayalam, Dr. Balan brings a global perspective to patient care.

Dr. Balan strives to meet patients where they are, offering a warm and supportive environment that values the whole person. He integrates a bio-psycho-social approach to care, ensuring that patients feel heard, respected, and understood throughout their treatment journey.

In initial sessions, Dr. Balan takes a detailed history to understand each patient’s concerns, background, and goals. From there, he collaborates with patients to develop individualized treatment plans that align with their personal values and objectives, fostering partnership and long-term wellness.

Dr. Seth Flesher is double board-certified in adult psychiatry and addiction medicine.  Dr. Flesher’s practice focuses on medication management of psychiatric illness without the use of controlled substances.  Typically, he offers this in conjunction with supportive or emotionally focused therapy in 30-minute follow-up visits. However, occasionally Dr. Flesher may believe that additional therapy is also needed and ask that you bring a therapist into your care team to provide the best outcome.

Before joining Talkiatry Dr. Flesher was Medical Director of Advanced Psychiatric Services [complex/high profile cases] at Kings County Hospital and Unit Chief of the Covid19 positive unit.  He was also a clinical professor at Downstate Medical College where he was voted educator of the year numerous times by psychiatric residents and medical students.  Dr. Flesher is a graduate of the prestigious combined 6-year BS/MD program at The Sophie Davis School of Biomedical Education.  He did research at the neuropsychiatric branch of the National Institute of Mental Health, completed his psychiatric residency at St. Lukes/Roosevelt Hospital, and he received his master’s degree in public health from Columbia University.

Dr. Flesher believes that psychiatry should start with a thorough assessment to arrive at an accurate diagnosis.  Then a discussion with the patient of the different evidence-based options available.  Followed by shared decision-making to arrive at an effective treatment plan to achieve the goals that the patient identifies as being important.  This should be done in an honest, open, non-judgmental, but realistic environment.  Understanding that the ultimate goal is to get the patient to a position where they will no longer need medication and/or therapy.