Jennifer Ruch, DO

Iesha Whitaker is a Licensed Clinical Social Worker that graduated in 2012 from Hunter College School of Social Work. She has been practicing since that time. Ms. Whitaker has worked with many populations including, Women, Men, adults aged 18 and up, homeless population, parents with children in foster care and parents in need support and learning communication skills with teens. Ms. Whitaker has knowledge of working with clients recently discharged from a psychiatric hospital setting as well as the.  hospital discharge planning process, and emergency room care. Her primary areas of focus are helping clients that suffer with Depression, Anxiety, ADHD, Stress, Trauma, Relationship issues, PTSD, Life transitions as well as Emotional Dysregulation. Ms. Whitaker enjoys working closely with clients that struggle with healthy lifestyles, poor decision making, suffering with substance use disorder and people dealing with chronic homelessness, Domestic violence and challenges of daily living. Ms. Whitaker uses treatment modalities such as Cognitive Behavioral therapy, Dialectical Behavior Therapy, Mindfulness, Motivational Interviewing, Narrative Therapy, Supportive Therapy, Solution Focused Therapy, Trauma focused Therapy, Psychodynamic Therapy, Acceptance and Commitment Therapy and many other modalities. Ms. Whitaker has a passion for helping the are less fortunate and have challenges with routine daily activities, basic life needs such as food, housing, education, work stress and chronic medical conditions. Ms. Whitaker is very warm and open, very personable and allows her clients to work at their own pace. Ms. Whitaker enjoys helping clients to gain healthy insight to their conditions and allows clients to create the future they want for themselves.

Working with Ms. Whitaker will be an open, collaborative experience. Ms. Whitaker will help the client create the best version of themselves, while teaching the client to identify concrete obtainable goals.

Ms. Whitaker typical therapeutic process is a somewhat structured and flexible framework that provides empathy, rapport building and using evidence-based practices to provide mental health treatment. She uses a collaborative therapeutic relationship that warmly welcomes the client into therapy, discuss limits of confidentiality as it pertains to self harm or harm to others. She discuss the length of sessions and the frequency of meetings, invite questions from client and describe their role in the treatment process. Provides a safe space where a client can express themselves in an environment open to all cultures, gender identities while helping clients explore their strengths. Clinical assessments by use of standardized tools PHQ-9, GAD-7, and client interview and report. Clinician continues to monitor and track safety and implement Evidence based Interventions such as CBT, DBT, Solution Focused Therapy, Mindfulness, Psychodynamic and Supportive Therapy to provide care. Over time Clinician continues to revisit progress, highlight growth and obtained goals, moving toward termination when appropriate, also providing aftercare and referrals.

Michael Robbins is a psychiatric nurse practitioner with over 17 years of experience specializing in psychiatric medication management. He earned his MSN from the University of Tennessee in 2006. His career spans various settings, including acute inpatient care, private practice, community mental health, and substance abuse treatment. Michael treats conditions such as depression, anxiety, PTSD, OCD, bipolar disorder, and ADHD. He has worked both remotely and in-person, adapting to the evolving healthcare landscape. Michael is known for his expertise in psychopharmacology, tailoring treatment plans to each patient’s needs while minimizing side effects. His compassionate and patient-centered approach has made him a trusted provider in the mental health community.

Dr. Robert Dugger is a board-certified psychiatrist in General Psychiatry and Child & Adolescent Psychiatry. Born and raised in Miami to a Virginian father and Cuban mother, he is bilingual in English and Spanish. He earned a B.A. in Biology and Political Science from the University of Miami, a Master of Public Health in Health Policy from New York Medical College, and his M.D. from Stony Brook University School of Medicine. He completed residency and fellowship training in New York through the Northwell Health System and BronxCare Health System, where he served as Chief Fellow in Child Psychiatry. He has also worked as a researcher at institutions including Columbia University. Outside of work, he enjoys gaming, sci-fi fantasy, Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu, hiking, sailing, and sportfishing.

Dr. Dugger strives to create a supportive and respectful environment where patients feel genuinely heard and understood. He values careful listening, curiosity, and follow-through, and takes a practical, individualized approach to care. Rather than relying on one-size-fits-all solutions, he collaborates with patients to clarify goals, track progress, and focus on changes that meaningfully improve daily life.

Dr. Dugger begins by developing a thorough understanding of each patient’s history, current concerns, strengths, and goals. Early visits focus on understanding context—what is happening now, what has been tried, and what the patient hopes to change. Treatment plans are developed collaboratively and adjusted over time, with follow-up visits emphasizing steady, sustainable improvement through integrated and comprehensive care.

Background and credentials

Dr. Shama Milon is a triple-board eligible physician in Pediatrics, Psychiatry, and Child and Adolescent Psychiatry. She earned her undergraduate degree from Duke University and her medical degree from the University of Cincinnati College of Medicine. She completed her combined training in Pediatrics, Psychiatry, and Child and Adolescent Psychiatry at the Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai in New York, where she served as chief resident during her final year of training.

‍

Treatment approach

Dr. Milon specializes in treating mood disorders, anxiety, PTSD, ADHD, OCD, and patients with co-occurring psychiatric and medical conditions. She is dedicated to outpatient care, focusing on long-term relationships with her patients. Her treatment approach is comprehensive, integrating medication management with psychotherapy, including psychodynamic psychotherapy, cognitive-behavioral therapy (CBT), dialectical behavior therapy (DBT), play therapy, dyadic therapy, and family therapy. She emphasizes creating an empathetic, judgment-free space where patients and families feel supported and understood. If she believes additional therapy is necessary, she may recommend adding a therapist to the care team.

‍

What you can expect in a first visit

During the first visit, patients can expect a comprehensive psychiatric evaluation, where Dr. Milon carefully assesses physical, emotional, and psychological needs. She takes a holistic and patient-centered approach, ensuring that treatment plans are tailored to each individual’s unique circumstances. She prioritizes open communication and collaboration with both patients and families to create a structured, effective treatment plan that may include medication management and therapy interventions.

‍

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.

‍

Dr. Li is a board-certified adult psychiatrist based in Florida. He has a particular focus on combining supportive psychotherapy techniques with medication management in the treatment of psychiatric conditions. Some conditions he has particular experience in managing include attention/focus difficulties, anxiety, depression and bipolar mood issues, but he is well-versed in addressing a wide variety of diagnoses.

Jan Hollis-Cole, LCSW, began her career as a social worker for hospice in 1999 and has extensive experience helping families cope with death and grief due to illness and/or trauma. Following her foundational work with hospice care, Jan expanded her clinical knowledge and expertise in a variety of settings to include substance abuse, challenges related to ADHD, anxiety, depression, LGBTQIA+ issues, and navigating the foster care/adoption system.

Jan believes that connection is the foundation of positive growth and dedicates her work to providing a safe place for clients to engage in self-expression and to explore the particular challenges they face on a daily basis.

Her approach is client centered, focusing on evidenced based therapies such as Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT), Dialectical Behavorial Therapy (DBT) and Eye Movement Desensitization Reprocessing (EMDR). Jan works with clients of all ages and encourages inclusion and diversity within families to promote individual growth.

‍