John Bardugon, MD

Dr. Syed Abbasi is an adult psychiatrist who completed his undergraduate education at Rutgers University and earned his medical degree at Ross University. He completed his psychiatry residency training at Creedmoor Psychiatric Center with training at New York-Presbyterian/Columbia University Medical Center, additionally as Chief Resident at Columbia University's Outpatient Adult Psychiatry Eye-6 clinic. Dr. Abbasi is passionate about and experienced in providing holistic, thoughtful, evidence-based care for patients with depression, anxiety, obsessive compulsive disorder, trauma-related disorders, relationship issues and struggles with self-image. He believes empathy and understanding are the most fundamental components of the doctor-patient relationship. He provides psychiatric medication management and integrates supportive psychotherapy, elements of dialectical behavioral therapy (DBT), stress management techniques and lifestyle interventions to meet patients where they are and collaborate toward improvement and optimization of their wellness. Occasionally, when appropriate, he may recommend adding a therapist to your care team for further benefit.

Margaret Ngumi, MSN, APRN, FNP-C, PMHNP-BC, is a dual board-certified Psychiatric Mental Health and Family Nurse Practitioner with over 20 years of experience in healthcare. She began her career as a Family Nurse Practitioner and later pursued a post-master’s certification in psychiatry to address the growing need for accessible mental health services. Margaret has extensive experience in both inpatient and outpatient settings, treating conditions such as depression, anxiety, PTSD, mood disorders, and substance use disorders.

She takes a collaborative, patient-centered approach to care, creating a safe and supportive environment where individuals feel heard and empowered. With a strong emphasis on holistic care, Margaret considers all aspects of a patient’s well-being—including lifestyle, relationships, and overall health. Whether through medication management, therapy, or lifestyle modifications, she is committed to helping patients achieve meaningful and lasting improvements in their mental health.

Margaret begins with a comprehensive psychiatric evaluation to understand each patient’s history, concerns, and goals. She then works closely with them to develop a personalized care plan that may include medication, therapy, and evidence-based lifestyle interventions. She prioritizes open communication, patient education, and ongoing collaboration to ensure treatment remains effective and evolves with each patient’s needs. Through her compassionate and evidence-based approach, Margaret is dedicated to helping individuals find balance and improve their overall quality of life.

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Dr. Shaily C. Desai, MD is a board-certified psychiatrist who treats adults. She graduated Magna Cum Laude and with General Honors from University of Miami. She completed medical school at the University of Miami Miller School of Medicine in the prestigious Honors Program in Medicine. She continued her medical education at Jackson Memorial Hospital & University of Miami Hospital for her 4-year psychiatry residency training program. After completing her training, Dr. Desai held an academic appointment at the University of Miami while working at the Miami Veterans Affairs Hospital initially as a behavioral health consultant in the Primary Care Mental Health Integration (PCMHI) model and later as a Behavioral Health Interdisciplinary Program (BHIP) psychiatrist in the Mental Health Treatment Coordinator (MHTC) role.

Dr. Desai’s background spans clinical care, academic research, and community service, giving a comprehensive understanding of mental healthcare delivery across different settings. Dr. Desai developed expertise in quickly building rapport with patients, conducting medication management assessments, and implementing effective interventions. These experiences taught Dr. Desai how to maintain clinical excellence while showing patience and respect for each patient's unique circumstances. She understands the delicate balance of providing thorough care within the constraints of virtual sessions and she has developed strategies to ensure patients feel supported and understood, even though a screen.

By combining clinical expertise with genuine empathy and persistence, Dr. Desai helps her patients navigate their treatment journey with confidence and hope. Dr. Desai’s practice focuses on medication management and supportive psychotherapy in typically 30-minute follow up visits. At times, additional psychotherapy is needed, and a therapist may be added to provide the best outcome.

Dr. Catherine Bledowski is board-certified in General Psychiatry and Consultation-Liaison Psychiatry (Psychosomatic Medicine) by the ABPN.  She received her medical degree from the University of South Carolina School of Medicine and completed her residency in General Psychiatry as well as her fellowship in Consultation-Liaison Psychiatry (Psychosomatic Medicine) at Virginia Commonwealth University.  Dr. Bledowski spent most of her career in large, urban academic medical centers, primarily taking care of patients with severe mental illness, as well as those with mental illness comorbid with other complex medical conditions.  

Dr. Bledowski has a passion for medical education and has held faculty appointments at Virginia Commonwealth University, University of Utah, Georgetown University, George Washington University, and Walter Reed National Military Medical Center.  Dr. Bledowski has authored numerous peer-reviewed journal articles and provided academic presentations to both national and international audiences.  Her interests include emergency psychiatry, brain stimulation therapies, complex psychopharmacology, and psychopharmacology in the medically ill.  Prior to joining Talkiatry, Dr. Bledowski held various leadership positions in academic medicine, emergency psychiatry, consultation-liaison psychiatry, and brain stimulation at multiple academic medical centers.  

Dr. Bledowski's approach to patient care is centered upon collaboration and utilizing the most up-to-date evidence-based practices.

Dr. Williams-Jules is an adult psychiatrist who focuses primarily on medication management in conjunction with supportive therapy. She completed her undergraduate training at Spelman College in Atlanta, GA, followed by her master's in public health degree at New York Medical College. She has completed medical school at American University of Antigua and finished her residency in psychiatry at the University of Texas Southwestern. Dr. Williams-Jules has a passion for treating adults with mental health disorders, especially within the perinatal population. She has a genuine interest in management of trauma, while also treating a vast array of disorders including depression, anxiety, bipolar disorder and posttraumatic stress disorder. She has worked with clients of varying cultures and demographics, and has experience with treating patients with medical comorbidities. Dr. Williams-Jules takes a delicate approach to diagnosis and management and believes in holistic care, which incorporates mindfulness and deep breathing techniques to address the mind and body connection. She tailors individualized treatment to address the specific needs of patients. Dr. Williams-Jules is a member of the American Psychiatric Association and the Dallas County Medical Society. She has presented her research at the Annual APA conference and is co-author of many published psychiatric papers.

Eudora Jones, PMHNP, is a board-certified psychiatric nurse practitioner. She earned her master’s degree in biotechnology from Johns Hopkins University and her master’s degree in nursing from the University of Maryland. She also completed a nursing practice degree from Chatham University. Eudora has worked in inpatient psychiatry at Walter Reed Army Medical Center and in both inpatient and outpatient psychiatry at Fort Leonard Wood Army Community Hospital. She brings a strong background in research and has served as a biologist, nurse, and nurse practitioner at the National Institutes of Health.

Eudora uses a patient-centered, collaborative approach with a primary focus on medication management combined with supportive therapy. She applies evidence-based treatment strategies and emphasizes psychoeducation and achieving treatment goals through mutually agreed-upon methods. She specializes in treating adults with depression, anxiety, PTSD, and ADHD.

New patients can expect a comprehensive initial interview that includes an assessment of psychiatric history, current symptoms, medication history, and social background. Eudora prioritizes personalized treatment that aligns with each patient’s individual goals in a supportive environment. Follow-up appointments last approximately 30 minutes and include time to adjust or reinforce therapeutic strategies and provide supportive psychotherapy.

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