Kirk Ramsey, MD

Dr. Melody Santos is dual-trained in Internal Medicine and Psychiatry, with experience in both outpatient and inpatient settings. She served as Chief Resident and Deputy Chief Resident in East Carolina University’s combined residency program, where she led academic and clinical initiatives. Dr. Santos has published research on topics including adult ADHD and metabolic psychiatry, with presentations at national conferences. She earned her MD from the American University of the Caribbean and a BS in Biology with a minor in Jazz Piano from the University of Tampa. A native Spanish speaker, she is active in community service and church-based outreach.

Dr. Santos values open and clear communication, creating a safe, non-judgmental space where patients feel heard and respected. She blends traditional and innovative approaches, including metabolic psychiatry and dietary strategies, to support wellness. Her care is culturally sensitive and patient-centered, always tailored to each individual’s needs and values. Through empathy and education, she empowers patients and fosters resilience.

Dr. Santos begins with a thorough assessment of each patient’s medical, psychiatric, and lifestyle history. She collaborates with patients to build personalized, evidence-based treatment plans that reflect their goals and preferences. Her holistic care model considers social, cultural, and environmental influences, and she ensures consistent follow-up to adjust care as needed, promoting informed, long-term wellness.

Dr. Caitlin Gardiner is a board-certified psychiatrist specializing in child and adolescent psychiatry and psychotherapy. Dr. Caitlin Gardiner's practice is based on the biopsychosocial model and believes that the foundation of healing is in psychotherapy and human connection. She is known for incorporating therapy into her medication management practice. Typically she offers 30-minute follow-up visits for medication management with focused therapy based on individual needs. As a known helper, Dr. Gardiner started her career with a bachelor's degree in social work from Cazenovia College in Cazenovia, NY. After changing career paths, she received her medical degree from SUNY Upstate Medical University in Syracuse, NY. She stayed upstate to complete her general psychiatry residency, where she was chief resident at the beginning of the COVID-19 pandemic. Following this, she completed her child and adolescent psychiatry fellowship at Upstate due to the high quality of training. Dr. Gardiner has completed 3 years of advanced training in Dynamic Deconstructive Psychotherapy as well as specialized training in DBT. Dr. Gardiner is a well-rounded psychiatrist who enjoys treating youth and young adults during transitional phases of life while providing a safe and supportive environment. She believes strongly in reducing polypharmacy and providing high-quality medication management through a therapeutic and developmental lens.

Dr. Mark Varela is a board-certified psychiatrist joining Talkiatry directly out of residency. He focuses primarily on medication management, often accompanied by brief cognitive, motivational, or supportive therapy. He may request that you also meet with a therapist regularly for your benefit. Dr. Varela received his medical degree and general psychiatric residency training both from Texas Tech University Health Sciences Center in West Texas. He treats young adults and adults with a wide variety of mental health concerns, including ADHD, mood disorders, anxiety, OCD, and PTSD.

Dr. Reinhart’s practice is influenced by his training and research in political and medical anthropology, psychoanalysis, and social psychiatry. He views mental health as inseparable from history, culture, and social context––not just neurobiology. His approach ensures patients time to elaborate how their life history shapes their experiences and goals. In a healthcare system that often relies on generic diagnoses and standardized plans, Dr. Reinhart works with each patient on their own terms, integrating psychotherapy and potential medications to support the pursuit of their unique life possibilities.

Dr. Reinhart often works with writers, actors, musicians, and visual artists and with journalists, academics, athletes, healthcare workers, and activists, many of whom seek treatment in response to creative blocks, burnout, and relationship struggles. He also has long-term experience working with people who have lived through incarceration, war, torture, migration, childhood abuse, and psychosis, and with those building queer and trans identities and communities.

To facilitate durable changes, Dr. Reinhart regards psychiatric symptoms as matters to be taken seriously, understood, and worked through, not simply suppressed by medications. He asks patients to actively engage in treatment and often recommends frequent appointments to support this.

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Dr. Arif Patel is a board-certified adult psychiatrist. He obtained his medical degree from Rowan University School of Osteopathic Medicine and completed his residency training at Authority Health, an affiliate of Michigan State University. In addition, he has completed a Psychoanalytic Psychotherapy Fellowship from the Michigan Psychoanalytic Institute. He has 4 years of clinical experience. Dr. Patel's practice focuses primarily on medication management. Follow-up appointments typically last 30 minutes and incorporate elements of supportive psychotherapy, CBT, and motivational interviewing. Dr. Patel utilizes a collaborative approach to treatment, ensuring that treatment plans align with patients' goals and values. Dr. Patel has extensive clinical experience in various psychiatric settings including inpatient, outpatient, and emergency settings. He has treated patients of various ages and of diverse cultural and spiritual backgrounds. He has extensive training in the community mental health system, where he has treated patients with severe mental illness and substance use disorders. Dr. Patel practices general adult psychiatry. His practice focuses on medication management in conjunction with supportive psychotherapy. Dr. Patel has experience in treating a wide array of psychiatric disorders including mood disorders, anxiety disorders, trauma, and ADHD.

Dr. Ciara Styles is a board-certified adult psychiatrist. Originally from Orlando, Florida, she’s a proud “Double-Gator” completing both her undergraduate and medical school training at the University of Florida. She completed her psychiatric residency at the Medical University of South Carolina, where she also recently finished a fellowship in child and adolescent psychiatry. She plans to complete her child board certification later this year. She enjoys treating patients of diverse and minoritized backgrounds. She has experience related to the special needs of the LGBTQ+ population, pregnant & postpartum people, and neurodivergent youth.

Dr. Styles employs a warm, patient-centered approach to treatment. She connects with patients by “matching their energy,” creating a foundation of trust before exploring difficult conversations. She also values input from loved ones and encourages collaborative appointments to optimize treatment outcomes.

Her process begins by creating a safe, supportive space where patients feel heard and respected. Early sessions focus on building rapport and gaining a clear understanding of the patient’s background, interpersonal relationships, and goals for treatment. From there, she collaborates with each patient to develop a personalized treatment plan aiming to use the lowest amount of medication needed to support and improve overall well-being.

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