Jeffrey Niles, DO

Dr. Mary Lou Gutierrez is board-certified in both Child & Adolescent Psychiatry and General Psychiatry, with over 20 years of clinical experience. She earned her M.D. from Loyola University Medical Center, where she also completed her residency in Adult Psychiatry. She pursued fellowship training in Child and Adolescent Psychiatry at Northwestern University’s Children’s Memorial Hospital. Her past roles include Medical Director for Compass Health Center’s Under 18 Program and Attending Psychiatrist at Loyola. She has been recognized as a “Top Doctor” in Child and Adolescent Psychiatry by US News and World Report and Negocios Now.

Dr. Gutierrez fosters a warm, collaborative environment where patients and families feel supported and understood. She emphasizes open communication and works closely with patients to define meaningful, realistic treatment goals. Her holistic, family-centered approach integrates medication management, therapy, and psychoeducation with a deep commitment to cultural sensitivity and compassionate care.

Dr. Gutierrez begins by learning each patient’s personal story, clinical history, and goals through a comprehensive evaluation. She creates individualized, evidence-based treatment plans tailored to each child’s unique needs and family context. She continuously collaborates with patients, families, and care teams to ensure treatment remains effective, combining psychotherapy, medication management, and coordination with other providers and resources.

David Arabie is a licensed professional counselor and certified tobacco treatment specialist with extensive experience working in the mental health field. David has worked directly with clients from various demographics and in various clinical settings, from inpatient hospitals, outpatient clinics, private practice, to working with the incarcerated. David has a long history of working with clients with an array of mental health conditions and challenges, from mood disorders, adjustment-related issues, addiction, family dynamics, relationship issues, emotional trauma, behavioral issues, anger management, and clinical anxiety and depression. He has a working knowledge of psychotropic medications to help with med-compliance and treatment barriers. David obtained undergraduate and graduate degrees from the University of Houston Clear Lake in Houston, Texas. David has been practicing as an LPC for 19 years but has also worked as a Licensed Chemical Dependency Counselor before obtaining his LPC. Working with David, treatment is tailored to the individual, so the goals of therapy can be met, and the client can experience a sense of vested interest in their own emotional contentment and growth. David uses an eclectic approach to therapy, with a strong foundation in Solution-Focused Therapy, Cognitive-Behavioral Therapy, and Rational Emotive Behavioral Therapy. Personally, David is a musician, community theater actor, educator, coach, and swim official.‍

Violetta Aranda, LPC is a native South Texan and second generation Mexican- American. She is a 2011 graduate of St. Edward's University in Austin, Texas and obtained full LPC licensure in Texas in August of 2017. Her practice focuses on cognitive behavioral modalities within a humanistic client-centered approach to foster healing through self-acceptance and self-awareness. She has over a decade's worth of experience working within the mental health field and fifteen years working directly with children and adolescents in various capacities. Before joining Talkiatry, Miss Aranda practiced exclusively within the community health sector and these experiences provided the opportunity to become fully immersed in Trauma and Crisis Management and fostered the passion for evolving research in the treatment of trauma-informed care. She now aspires to utilize these allocated experiences and passion for the field to promote mental health awareness, client advocacy, and quality of care.

Background and credentials

Dr. Jenny Joseph is a board-certified adult psychiatrist. She earned her medical degree from St. George's University School of Medicine and completed her adult psychiatry residency at New York Medical College at Metropolitan Hospital Center. She has experience working with diverse patient populations and treating a range of psychiatric conditions.

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Treatment approach

Dr. Joseph specializes in medication management for various psychiatric conditions, including mood, anxiety, and psychotic disorders. She employs a patient-centered approach that emphasizes empathy, open communication, and collaboration. In addition to pharmacological treatment, she incorporates psychoeducation and supportive therapy to help patients better understand and manage their conditions. When beneficial, she may recommend additional therapy and coordinate care with a therapist to ensure comprehensive treatment.

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What you can expect in a first visit

During the first visit, patients can expect a thorough evaluation that explores their symptoms, treatment history, and personal goals. Dr. Joseph takes the time to listen and understand each patient's needs, ensuring that their treatment plan is tailored to their specific concerns. She provides a compassionate and structured approach to medication management while fostering a collaborative environment where patients feel supported in their mental health journey.

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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.

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Dr. Vargas is an adult psychiatrist who received her medical degree from the University of Texas Health Science Center of San Antonio. She subsequently completed her psychiatry residency training at UT Health San Antonio.

Dr. Vargas has a patient-centered and thorough approach to treatment. She has experience treating a broad spectrum of mental health disorders, with particular interest in depression, anxiety, and post-traumatic stress disorder. She has also worked in clinic with severely mentally ill patients at the South Texas VA in San Antonio.

Dr. Vargas's primary focus is medication management with an emphasis on shared decision-making; however, she frequently also utilizes supportive therapy, cognitive behavioral therapy, and psychodynamic therapy principles in her approach. She may refer patients to a therapist if further support would be beneficial.

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Dr. Wharton-Mohammed is double board certified in General Psychiatry as well as Child and Adolescent Psychiatry. She has worked in various settings with culturally diverse populations. Her primary focus has been caring for children in the outpatient programs. Dr. Wharton-Mohammed has spent over ten years as an administrative leader. She has chaired and co-chaired committees overseeing the practice of fellow Psychiatrists and served as the Discipline Chief. She has been teaching/ supervising Nurse Practitioner students and Physician assistant students.

Dr. Wharton-Mohammed is experienced with a wide variety of psychiatric diagnoses and therapeutic modalities. She is a dedicated clinician who looks out for her patients. She views each patient and their caregivers circumstance as unique. She takes a holistic approach with a collaborative approach to help patients understand their options. While the focus may be on psycho education and medication management with supportive and psychodynamic therapeutic interventions there may be a need for additional therapy.  She may ask that a therapist be added to your treatment team. She works towards establishing a meaningful trusting relationship and looks forward to working with you to help you achieve your goals.