John Banks, DO

Dr. Adele Veksman is double board-certified in adult psychiatry and psychosomatic medicine, with over 14 years of experience diagnosing and treating a wide range of psychiatric conditions. She approaches each patient as a unique individual, offering a non-judgmental space to help patients develop into their best selves. She focuses primarily on medication management to alleviate symptoms while working with patients on behavioral changes to address underlying issues. If additional therapy is needed, she may suggest adding a therapist to your care team to provide the best outcome. Dr. Veksman received her medical degree from St. George's University and then completed a residency in psychiatry and fellowship in psychosomatic medicine at Zucker Hillside Hospital at Northwell Health. Next, she was an attending and ER psychiatrist at North Shore University Hospital providing psychiatric care to medically ill patients. She then transitioned to adult outpatient care at Maimonides Medical Center, treating various psychiatric illnesses. Throughout her career, she taught and supervised residents and medical students.

Dr. Cheng is a board-certified psychiatrist who provides medication management alongside supportive therapy. She takes an individualized, patient-centered approach, creating comprehensive treatment plans tailored to each person's needs. With an approachable and caring demeanor, she helps patients address both immediate concerns and underlying stressors. Dr. Cheng believes in evidence-based practices while maintaining sensitivity to each patient's unique mental health journey.

Cody Zaiontz is an LPC in the state of Texas. He has been providing counseling services to a variety of clients, who have sought help for many different types of mental health conditions, for over 5 years. Cody completed his undergraduate education in San Marcos, Texas at Texas State University and earned his bachelor's degree in psychology. He went on to complete his graduate school training in Counseling & Guidance at Texas A&M University San Antonio. His practicum training took place at the UT Health Science Center in San Antonio, Texas where he was trained in Cognitive Behavioral Therapy, Dialectical Behavioral Therapy, Motivational Interviewing, Solution-Focused Brief Therapy, and crisis management. Upon graduating with his master's in counseling, Cody worked for 2 years helping individuals diagnosed with a serious mental illness (schizophrenia, bipolar disorder, etc.) in an inpatient psychiatric hospital. He then learned how to provide outpatient counseling services, both in-person and through a secure telehealth platform. In his private practice, he worked with adults dealing with substance abuse, PTSD, depression, anxiety, and family issues. He also helped his clients work towards weight loss goals, learn ways to improve sleep, learn ways to increase their social support system, and learn other skills that will help them live a happier, more fulfilled life. Cody operated his private practice until he joined Talkiatry in the fall of 2024.

Dr. Krithika Mittakanti is a board-certified psychiatrist with experience in both outpatient and inpatient settings. She earned a Bachelor of Science in Biomedical Engineering from The University of Texas at Austin and her medical degree from the University of Texas Southwestern Medical Center in Dallas. She completed her psychiatry residency at Baylor College of Medicine Menninger Department of Psychiatry and Behavioral Sciences in Houston, TX. Dr. Mittakanti previously served as a Staff Psychiatrist at the Michael E. DeBakey Veterans Affairs Medical Center for over seven years, where she evaluated and treated veterans with a wide range of psychiatric conditions including depression, anxiety and panic disorders, PTSD, bipolar-related disorders, ADHD, and substance use disorders.

Dr. Mittakanti practices with empathy, compassion, and active listening, maintaining a non-judgmental approach to create a safe and respectful environment. She values open communication and works closely with patients to establish clear, shared treatment goals.

Dr. Mittakanti begins by gaining a thorough understanding of each patient’s history, concerns, and goals. She takes a holistic approach, considering biological, psychological, social, and environmental factors. Treatment plans are individualized and may include medication, psychotherapy, and lifestyle changes, with a collaborative team-based approach when appropriate.

Valene, pronounced (Val-leen), is a Licensed Mental Health Counselor who has worked in the mental health field for 7 years. During this time, she has worked with clients from various backgrounds and cultures with a variety of mental health conditions. Valene's experience ranges from an inpatient psychiatric facility to private practice to telehealth. Valene attended the University of South Florida for her undergraduate degree in Psychology and Florida International University for her graduate degree in Mental Health Counseling.‍Valene believes each therapeutic interaction should be individualized and client-centered, thus she uses an eclectic therapy approach. An eclectic approach means assisting clients by drawing from various therapeutic approaches and techniques, thus tailoring treatment to each client's needs. Valene considers the therapeutic relationship to be extremely important and strives to be a collaborative, empathetic, non-judgmental, person-centered therapist. Valene's professional interests include working with young adults, Caribbean Americans, and the BIPOC community. Within mental health she enjoys working with anxiety, depression, women's issues, adjustment disorders, and relationship issues, just to name a few.

Cassandra Lozano, LPC, LCDC is located in Texas. She graduated with her bachelor's degree in psychology from the University of Texas-Brownsville. Following obtaining her master's degree in counseling and guidance from the University of Texas Rio Grande Valley. She has 10 years of experience in the addictions field and 7 years in mental health, working with her local mental health authority for the past 8 years. She has dedicated her career to specializing in addictive disorders, ADHD, individuals struggling with mood disorders such as depression, anxiety, self-esteem issues, and life transitions. Cassandra works with both adults and adolescents and is a strong ally of the LGBTQ community and Latinx communities. Her therapeutic approach is eclectic in nature, and client-centered. She collaborates with her clients, meeting them where they are and helping them find personalized solutions to achieve their goals and become their best selves. She utilizes a combination of Motivational Interview approaches, CBT, Solution-Focused counseling, and DBT. She ensures that clients are fully aware of their treatment goals and will work collaboratively to facilitate meeting their needs, finding meaning in life, and finding solutions to their current issues. In her personal life, Cassandra is the proud mother of two boys and enjoys tending to their Kuk Sool Won (martial arts) events. She loves relaxing on the beach and is very family oriented. She enjoys fishing, hunting, and off-roading in her jeep.