Mary Bartek, MD

Ashley LaBanca provides medication management and supportive psychotherapy services. She has worked in mental health for over 12 years. A graduate of the University of North Dakota, she began her career in an outpatient setting, later transitioning into a lead nurse practitioner role before moving into telehealth services. Her goal is to reach individuals in need when in-person care is not feasible. Ashley lives in North Dakota with her family and enjoys traveling, reading, and spending quality time with them.

Ashley views medication as a tool rather than a cure. She incorporates alternative treatments by assessing physical health, exploring natural alternatives to medication, focusing on nutrition, and helping clients develop coping skills to manage daily stressors. Her guiding principle is the integration of therapy and medication management to support healing and growth. She encourages clients to be active participants in their treatment, fostering a collaborative, respectful, and open therapeutic relationship.

Ashley tailors her collaborative approach to each individual’s needs. She draws from Dialectical Behavioral Therapy (DBT), Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT), and other treatment modalities, combining them with evidence-based prescribing to create personalized care plans. She also considers the social dimensions of mental health, addressing relationships, self-esteem, and internal healing.

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Lea Wersan is a licensed clinical social worker with extensive experience working in the mental health field. She has worked directly with clients of various demographics, living with a variety of mental health conditions. Lea attended undergraduate school in Queens, NY and graduate school in New York, NY. Lea has been practicing for 3 years as a Clinical Social Worker, focusing on anxiety disorders, trauma and life transitions. Her approach is person-centered and trauma informed, focusing on the client as a whole. Working with Lea, treatment is tailored to each individual client, as great effort is put into choosing the treatment modalities that fit the individual's personal needs. Lea uses an eclectic approach with a foundation in cognitive behavior therapy and dialectical behavior therapy, which are intertwined with mindfulness.

Background and credentials

Dr. Escamilla is a board-certified psychiatrist with over 20 years of experience in treating mental health conditions. He is a graduate of Harvard College and earned his medical degree from the University of Texas Southwestern Medical School. He completed his psychiatry training at the University of California at San Francisco and further specialized through a research fellowship with the American Psychiatric Association. In addition to his clinical work, he is a Jungian Analyst and holds academic positions as an adjunct professor at Rutgers University Department of Psychiatry and as the Frank McMillan Jr. Scholar at the Jung Center of Houston.

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Treatment approach

Dr. Escamilla brings a deeply analytical and research-driven approach to psychiatry, integrating traditional psychiatric treatment with Jungian analysis. He has a strong background in academic research and clinical psychiatry, contributing extensively to the field through research publications. His expertise spans a wide range of mental health challenges, and he is committed to understanding the complexities of each patient’s experience to tailor a treatment plan that best suits their needs.

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What you can expect in a first visit

During the first visit, patients can expect a comprehensive psychiatric evaluation that takes into account their personal history, psychological patterns, and treatment goals. Dr. Escamilla’s approach emphasizes thoughtful analysis and evidence-based care, ensuring that each patient receives a personalized and insightful treatment plan. His sessions may incorporate medication management, psychotherapy, and Jungian analytical techniques to provide a holistic and individualized treatment experience.

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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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Dr. Heath Foreman is double board-certified in General Psychiatry and Child and Adolescent Psychiatry. He is a Texas native and received his Bachelor of Science in Medical Technology from UTSouthwestern Medical Center in Dallas. His medical degree was earned at the University of North Texas Health Science Center - Texas College of Osteopathic Medicine in Fort Worth. He completed residency and fellowship training at Baylor Scott & White - Texas A&M in Temple and has been practicing since 2015. He served as Medical Director for a community mental health system for 10 years and has experience working with patients who have ADHD, Autism, Intellectual Developmental, Anxiety, Mood and Traumatic Stress Disorders and Psychosis.

Dr. Foreman uses a professional yet conversational style so that patients may feel at ease while developing a comprehensive understanding of the issues at hand. He prefers an educational approach so that patients can gain the knowledge and tools required to achieve improvement.

Dr. Foreman will perform a broad evaluation and work with his patients to create an evidence-based, personalized treatment plan. Subsequent meetings will incorporate medication management as well as psychotherapeutics based on Cognitive Behavioral, Trauma Based and Psychodynamic techniques. He will provide referrals for traditional counseling or testing when appropriate.

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***Provider does not prescribe controlled substances*** Dr. David Eiler is a staff psychiatrist at Talkiatry. He is board certified in adult psychiatry. Before joining Talkiatry, Dr. Eiler was a staff psychiatrist at Dartmouth-Hitchcock Medical Center (DHMC), where he had an academic appointment and served as clinical director of transcranial magnetic stimulation (TMS) and intranasal esketamine services. In his practice, Dr. Eiler has focused on medication management and interventional techniques, including TMS, for the treatment of depression and other disorders. Dr. Eiler received his MD from the University of Wisconsin School of Medicine and Public Health and completed his residency at DHMC.

Nekeisha Hutchinson, LPC, earned her Master's Degree in Clinical Mental Health Counseling at Post University in 2017 and has worked with a diverse demographic in a clinical capacity including outpatient and in-home settings conducting both individual and family therapy, within the Department of Corrections with clients struggling with substance use challenges and crisis services over the past seven years. Prior to becoming a therapist, Nekeisha spent 10 years working in early childhood education and seven years working as a Family Support Specialist in homes with both prenatal and postnatal mothers providing support in attachment building and assisting them in securing community resources. Nekeisha has experience working with adolescents, adults, senior citizens and families. Nekeisha uses a variety of evidence-based interventions including Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT), Motivational Interviewing (MI) and Solution Focused Therapy (SFT) to help clients develop appropriate tools to address their challenges and live more fulfilling lives.

Nekeisha Hutchinson has experience working with youth, adolescents, adults, the elderly and families. She specializes in treating anxiety, depression, substance use disorders, parenting challenges, stress management and conflict resolution. Nekeisha utilizes evidence-based practices such as cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT), Motivational Interviewing (MI) and solution focused therapy (SFT) to enable clients to develop effective coping skills to overcome their challenges. She provides a safe and judgement free environment that supports exploration and healing. Please allow me to assist you in your journey of self-discovery and wellness.

I believe that establishing a healthy therapeutic alliance begins with communication and establishing trust. My communication style is direct and assertive, and I use open-ended questions and active listening so that clients can express themselves freely. I enjoy providing a safe environment for clients so that they can share their narratives while receiving empathy and positive regards. I place great effort in fostering collaboration in an effort to gain understanding of the situation and the symptoms in order to form an appropriate diagnosis, identifying goals, working together in treatment planning and monitor progress. I encourage clients to participate in their care through commitment, shared decision-making and reflective listening.