Julia Askinazi, LCSW

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Vanessa is a licensed psychotherapist who specializes in forensics, ADHD and anxiety disorders. Vanessa received her Master's in Clinical Social Work from Barry University and her Bachelor's degree in Human Services from Indian River State College. Vanessa has experience working with patients that are in dialysis, individuals that have co-occurring mental health and substance use disorders, and individuals that are navigating the court system.

When working with patients; Vanessa provides a safe and warm therapeutic environment for the patient to express themselves. Vanessa engages in a non-judgmental approach and offers appropriate support as well as resources. Vanessa provides compassion, empathy, unconditional positive regard and empowerment tools to assist her patients. Vanessa believes in treating everyone with respect, sensitivity, and kindness. Vanessa has experience in helping clients who have issues related to stress and anxiety, coping with life changes, & compassion fatigue. Vanessa also has experience working with concentration, memory, and focus (ADHD).

Vanessa believes that the patient is the expert in their respective lives and works with the patient towards unlocking their potential. Vanessa utilizes mindfulness, person-centered therapy, trauma-focused cognitive behavioral therapy, solution-focused therapy, narrative therapy, art therapy, and reality-based therapy as clinical approaches.

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Valentina Doumanian, MD

Staff Psychiatrist

Dr. Valentina Doumanian is a board-certified psychiatrist. She completed her psychiatry residency training at Vanderbilt University in Nashville. She has practiced in various settings over her career, including in-patient and community mental health as well as Veteran Affairs out-patient clinics. Dr. Doumanian has held leadership and teaching positions where she instructed medical students, residents & and fellows. Dr. Doumanian has more than 17 years of experience treating patients with anxiety, depression, OCD, grief, PTSD, adjustment disorders, and other mental health issues. She uses pharmacotherapy along with cognitive behavioral therapy, psychodynamic psychotherapy, and supportive therapy as needed. The philosophy of her practice is to collaborate with patients to meet their specific needs and make an impact in various stages of their lives.‍

Tara Merchant, LMHC

Staff Therapist

Tara Merchant is a person-centered, nonjudgmental, relationship-based LMHC (licensed mental health counselor) who recognizes the intrinsic value of all people and holds positive regard for all her clients. Tara views counseling as a collaborative effort that provides psychoeducation and coping skills for the obstacles with which clients may be struggling, and clients provide insights as experts on themselves. She believes that all thoughts, feelings, and behaviors are interconnected and have valid underlying factors. Tara seeks to help clients connect the dots, from both past and present, to have a greater understanding of themselves and their environments. She also fosters a safe space for clients to identify and embrace their feelings toward emotional catharsis. Tara received her Bachelor's Degree from Purchase College, State University of NY, and her Master's Degree in Mental Health Counseling from Long Island University. She has an eclectic style that utilizes Cognitive Behavior Therapy, Dialectical Behavior Therapy, and psychodynamic modality. Tara aims to uphold cultural humility for ongoing learning and awareness that supports racial and social equity. She is experienced in working with relationship issues, anxiety, depression, and child development. Tara is a big proponent of self-care and encourages you to find whatever it is that fills your cup. She, for example, loves to watch TV and sing in her spare time.

Dominika Sekulska, LCSW

Staff Therapist

Dominika is a Licensed Clinical Social Worker (LCSW) who has been in the field for ~20 years performing individual, group, and family service. During her education, Dominika focused on various forms of treatment modalities including DBT, ACT, CBT, trauma informed, family systems, motivational interviewing, and substance abuse treatment. Dominika has been an active remote, mental health therapist for the past several years, and has experience with working with diverse populations providing services to adults and children in mixed settings.

Dominika has an extensive background working with survivors of trauma, depression/bipolar disorder, anxiety, ADD/ADHD, grief, PTSD, schizophrenia and other forms of psychosis, gender/sexual identity difficulties, eating disorders, substance abuse, domestic violence, life transitions, as well as combinations of multiple problems. Dominika is a firm believer meeting people at their own pace to accomplish their objectives at their own speed.

Dominika’s initial appointment is an assessment, gathering the client’s background information and reason for seeking treatment, focusing on the client's own specific goals/desires for therapy and helping ct envision what this would look like for them in order to establish a general roadmap on moving towards their aspirations. After the first session, Dominika concentrates on what complications exist to ct’s objectives and how ct can utilize supportive tools/resources to help overcome these barriers. Dominika then helps cts establish weekly, smaller goals that can lead cts to their larger scale aspirations.

Courtney Flynn, LCSW

Staff Therapist

Courtney Flynn, LCSW, earned her Bachelor of Social Work in 2015 and Master of Social Work in 2017 from Colorado State University in Fort Collins, Colorado. She has over a decade of experience practicing psychotherapy in the Northern Colorado region.

Courtney began her career in 2014, working with high-risk youth on parole in a residential treatment setting. In this role, she provided crisis intervention and therapeutic support to adolescents with complex trauma. In 2015, she served as a facilitator at a high school Wellness Center, supporting teens struggling with substance use, trauma, and mental health challenges by connecting them with individualized resources.

From 2017 to 2022, Courtney worked at Mountain Crest Behavioral Health Center in Fort Collins as a care coordinator and behavioral health therapist. There, she provided a wide range of services, including crisis intervention, individual therapy, family and couples counseling, group therapy, trauma-focused care, and discharge planning for adolescents and adults in an inpatient psychiatric setting.

In 2022, Courtney shifted her focus to clients with substance use disorders. She joined Northpoint Recovery in Loveland, Colorado, where she served as a primary therapist for both adolescents and adults in intensive outpatient and inpatient programs, offering individual and group therapy.

In 2023, Courtney began working at The Redpoint Center in Fort Collins, an intensive outpatient program specializing in mental health and substance use treatment. There, she facilitated individual and group therapy sessions, helping clients explore and address the underlying causes of their behaviors in a safe, supportive, and authentic therapeutic environment.

Courtney is skilled in a range of therapeutic approaches, including Dialectical Behavior Therapy (DBT), Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT), Motivational Interviewing, recovery-oriented care, and Internal Family Systems (IFS). She has extensive experience working with individuals and families affected by trauma, and has successfully treated a variety of concerns, including mood disorders, PTSD, anxiety, depression, family conflict, personality disorders, and substance use disorders. Courtney takes a strengths-based approach with her clients, tailoring her methods to their unique needs and empowering them to create a life worth living.

Courtney's passion for this work is driven by a deep commitment to supporting her community and a genuine sense of empathy and compassion for others. Outside of her clinical work, she has been a professional dancer for over 15 years and has taught dance in her community for the past 12. In her free time, she enjoys spending time outdoors, listening to music, seeking new adventures, and being with her friends, family, and loved ones. Traveling is also one of her greatest joys when she's not working or dancing.

Courtney's approach to working with clients is rooted in meeting them where they are, respecting their autonomy, and empowering them to connect with both their past and present selves. She prioritizes building rapport and trust from the very first session, ensuring clear goals and objectives are established early on. Courtney brings a kind, compassionate, and positive attitude to each session, fostering a structured yet upbeat environment where clients feel safe to explore their thoughts and emotions freely.

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Gira Borad, MD

Staff Psychiatrist

Dr. Borad is a Board Certified Psychiatrist and has specialized in Addiction Psychiatry. She finished her residency at the WVU campus of Charleston, WV, and finished the Addiction Psychiatry Fellowship at UPMC/Western Psychiatry Institute in Pittsburgh, PA. She has previously worked as an Assistant Professor at WVU of Charleston, where she was involved in working with residents in inpatient and outpatient settings, provided psychiatric consult services to hospitalized patients, and was part of the Outpatient Comprehensive Opioid treatment program where she provided Medication Assisted Treatment for patients with substance use disorders. She has an interest in treating patients with mood, anxiety, and psychotic disorders. Dr. Borad has a special interest in treating individuals having a substance use history and struggling to quit, and has expertise in treating patients with a dual diagnosis of substance use with other psychiatric conditions. She primarily does medication management, in addition to providing some supportive therapy and motivational interviewing to her patients in her 30-minute follow-up appointments. In addition, she may suggest bringing in a therapist to add to your care if clinically necessary.

Sofia Pineda Ochoa, MD

Staff Psychiatrist

Dr. Pineda Ochoa is a board-certified psychiatrist with a deep commitment to delivering compassionate, evidence-based care. She completed her medical degree at the University of Guadalajara, a pediatrics internship at the University of Tennessee, and a psychiatry residency at the University of Texas Medical Branch. Before her psychiatric training, she served as a general physician in the emergency department of the county hospital in Guadalajara, Mexico.

Dr. Pineda Ochoa approaches each patient holistically, combining evidence-based practices with a psychodynamically informed understanding of emotional and psychological challenges. She values collaboration and seeks to create a supportive, nonjudgmental space where patients feel heard and empowered.

Dr. Pineda Ochoa has a special interest in mood disorders (like depression and anxiety), substance use disorders, and psychiatric conditions co-occurring with medical illnesses, such as brain injuries. She typically combines medication management with therapy principles, tailoring each treatment plan to the individual's unique needs. She has extensive experience working with diverse populations, including outpatient community mental health and correctional settings, and is dedicated to helping patients build resilience and thrive. Her care is grounded in empathy, clinical knowledge, and a deep respect for each patient’s unique story.

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Xiomara Nieves Alvarado, MD

Staff Psychiatrist

Dr. Nieves-Alvarado is a board-certified psychiatrist who completed medical training at Duke University Psychiatry Program. Originally from Puerto Rico, she is fluent in both English and Spanish, which allows her to connect deeply with a diverse patient population. Her practice combines medication management with insight-oriented therapy during every visit, promoting a comprehensive approach to mental health care. She advocates for her patients to engage in therapy alongside medication management, as she believes this integrated approach leads to better outcomes and sustained improvement. Dr. Nieves-Alvarado's practice is rooted in a collaborative, team-based approach, working closely with her patients to achieve long-term mental wellness. Dr. Nieves-Alvarado earned her medical degree from the Universidad Central del Caribe School of Medicine in Bayamon, PR. Afterward, she moved to North Carolina, where she completed her residency at Duke University Hospital. During her training, she was nominated for a fellowship in psychodynamic practice by the Psychoanalytic Center of the Carolinas, showcasing her expertise in this area. She is also a dedicated advocate against childhood sexual trauma. Her diverse training includes significant experience in jail and forensic psychiatry, as well as the treatment of military veterans under the Veterans Affairs health care system. She has experience in medically assisted treatments (MAT) for substance use disorders, Electroconvulsive therapy (ECT), and family therapy, enabling her to care for patients with complex needs. Dr. Nieves-Alvarado treats patients across a wide age range, from young adults to the elderly. Passionate about improving access to mental health care, she joined Talkiatry to help patients facing time or transportation challenges receive the care they need. In addition to her clinical practice, Dr. Nieves-Alvarado remains involved with her alma mater's Behavioral Health Department, contributing to academic education and maintaining a connection with the next generation of medical professionals. She continues to seek ongoing improvement in her field, remaining engaged with medical associations including North Carolina Psychiatric Association, American Psychiatric Association, and Alpha Omega Alpha national medical honor society. Dr. Nieves-Alvarado is committed to working hand-in-hand with her patients to achieve mental wellness.

Jeffrey Niles, DO

Staff Psychiatrist

Dr. Niles (he/him) holds the position of Staff Psychiatrist at Talkiatry. He has four years of experience in outpatient psychiatry and is board-certified for adult psychiatry. He has received training in the use of cognitive behavioral therapy, supportive therapy, motivational interviewing, psychodynamic therapy, and dialectical behavioral therapy skills. He uses his training in therapy in tandem with medicine management to provide holistic, person-centered care. During his undergraduate studies at the University of Pittsburgh, while completing his pre-medical classes, he also pursued certification in the history and philosophy of medicine. Additionally, he studied the effect of culture and ethics on healthcare. He earned a Bachelor of Science in Psychology with a minor in Chemistry. He attended medical school at the West Virginia School of Osteopathic Medicine. His psychiatry residency training was completed at Charleston Area Medical Center. While in residency, he worked to improve cultural awareness in the outpatient setting. Dr. Niles is interested in treating patients with a wide variety of diagnoses. He treats mood disorders, anxiety disorders, trauma-related disorders, personality disorders, OCD, comorbid addiction, mild eating disorders, neurodevelopmental disorders such as autism spectrum disorder, and more. He also strives to provide care that affirms LGBTQIA+ identities and underwent additional training in transgender mental healthcare.

Valentina Doumanian, MD

Staff Psychiatrist

Marcia Morris, MD

Staff Psychiatrist

Dr. Marcia Morris is a psychiatrist with over thirty years of experience providing medication management as well as supportive psychotherapy to adult patients. She takes a positive psychiatry approach to treatment, prescribing medication while supporting patient strengths, social connections, and healthy habits. She has worked with university students as well as employees in an employee assistance program. She provides care for patients with depression, anxiety, OCD, PTSD, and ADHD. In her previous role as an Associate Professor at the University of Florida, she has done research on the increase in depression and anxiety as well as the increased use of psychiatric medications among university students. She has published academic papers and given national talks in these topics with the goal of decreasing stigma and improving mental health care for young adults. She is a founding member of the Association for College Psychiatry and a member of the American Psychiatric Association college mental health caucus. Dr. Morris provides education to the public about mental health as a writer and public speaker. Her articles have appeared in the New York Times, the Tampa Bay Times, and the Huffington Post. She also has been interviewed on NPR and several podcasts. She currently writes a Psychology Today parenting blog "College Wellness: Promoting Happiness & Health in the College Years.” Her book, "The Campus Cure: A Parent's Guide to Mental Health & Wellness for College Students,” was published January 2018. Dr. Morris has an undergraduate degree from Harvard, a medical degree from Yale, and psychiatry residency training at New York Hospital Cornell Medical Center. She is a Distinguished Life Fellow of the American Psychiatric Association.

Jenny Joseph, MD

Staff Psychiatrist

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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Julia Askinazi, LCSW

Education and training

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