Mary Poupon, PMHNP

Languages: English and Burmese

Dr. Pe Win is a board-certified psychiatrist.  He earned his medical degree (M.B.,B.S) from Institute of Medicine (1), Rangoon, Burma.  He went to obtain master’s degree in public health (MPH, Epidemiology and Biostatistics) from New York Medical College, Valhalla, New York.  He worked as a researcher in the area of Behavioral Health associated with drug use among HIV patients and Colombian youth.  He published several papers together with principal investigators on NIMH grants.  He received his residency training in psychiatry at Westchester Medical Center, Valhalla, New York.

Dr. Win has extensive experience in working with veterans (23 years in VA health care system) in outpatient setting. He has plethora of experience in dealing with different levels of PTSD (combat-related and military sexual trauma), anxiety, bipolar disorder, depression, OCD, mood disorders as well as behavioral issues related with memory impairment (e.g. Traumatic Brain Injury and  dementia).      

Dr. Win also worked in inpatient setting for both adolescents and adults for 5 years on a part-time basis in Four Winds Hospital, Katonah, New York.

During the first visit, patients can expect comprehensive interview focusing on patient- center approach.  After attentive, compassionate interview and open communication, patients will be evaluated thoroughly of their symptoms, mental and medical heath history, social history, family history, risk assessment, patient’s goals and needs, and treatment plan will be discussed.

He will provide warm and supportive environment by active listening and giving constructive suggestions.  He will explore possible coping strategies, assess patient’s readiness to change, and provide mindfulness, behavioral modification, CBT, motivational interview as well as medication management emphasizing on personalized treatment plan.

Dr. Win is committed to ongoing follow-up visit, reviewing prior discussions, any changes in patient’s mental/medical condition, stress level, side effects of medication, psychoeducation, coping strategies, psychotherapy, and adjustment of care as needed (medication as well as behavioral therapy)

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 veteran 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.”

Dr. Ismail is double board-certified by the American Board of Psychiatry and Neurology in both Adult Psychiatry and Child and Adolescent Psychiatry. She earned her medical degree from Cairo University, where she also completed her neurology residency at Cairo University Hospitals. Following this, she pursued psychiatric training at New York Medical College at St. Vincent’s Hospitals, where she was appointed Chief Resident and recognized as Resident of the Year.

Dr. Ismail further specialized with a fellowship in Child and Adolescent Psychiatry at UMDNJ/Rutgers Robert Wood Johnson Medical School. Her career includes multiple leadership roles, notably serving as Chief of the Child and Adolescent Partial Hospital Programs (PHP) at Rutgers University in Newark, NJ, where she provided direct care to young patients. She has also held Medical Director positions across various clinical settings, including child and adolescent inpatient units, outpatient programs, and intensive outpatient services for both adolescents and adults with mental health and co-occurring substance use disorders.

An active educator, Dr. Ismail has been a teaching faculty member, delivering lectures and providing supervision and evaluations for medical residents and child and adolescent psychiatry fellows. Her academic contributions extend to research, where she has served as a principal investigator on multiple studies.

Throughout her career in leadership and teaching, Dr. Ismail maintained an integrative private practice in New Jersey, serving residents of the NJ and NY metropolitan areas before relocating to North Carolina.

Dr. Ismail is passionate about integrative medicine, which combines evidence-based alternative therapies with conventional treatments to optimize outcomes. Her approach focuses on promoting overall wellness, keeping both the body and mind in harmony.

During the diagnostic evaluation, Dr. Ismail will review your medical history and past treatments to develop a comprehensive, personalized treatment plan that prioritizes your overall wellness. In addition to medication management, she incorporates supportive, cognitive, or psychodynamic psychotherapy during follow-up visits, as time allows. When appropriate, she may also recommend referrals to specialized psychotherapists to address your individual needs as part of a holistic treatment approach.

Denise White, PMHNP, has worked in the mental health field for over 30 years following the completion of her Bachelor’s degree in Psychology from Suffolk University in Boston. She began her career as a mental health technician in a geriatric residential program and later pursued additional education in nursing, earning an Associate Degree in Nursing from Quincy College, a Bachelor’s Degree in Nursing from South University, and a Master’s in Nursing from Eastern Kentucky University. Over the years, she has held diverse roles in adult and children’s case management, residential and intensive outpatient programs, inpatient psychiatric care, and crisis stabilization. Denise has provided care in both inpatient and outpatient settings as well as through hospital consult services across the country.

Denise prides herself on her ability to empathize with her patients and meet them exactly where they are in their journey. She believes that trust is the foundation of the therapeutic relationship and works diligently to create a supportive, nonjudgmental environment where patients feel safe, heard, and respected.

In the initial evaluation, Denise focuses on gathering comprehensive information to form a complete understanding of each patient’s unique background and needs. From there, she develops an individualized treatment plan that aligns with the patient’s prioritized goals. Each session begins from that foundation, allowing her to support patients at their own pace as trust deepens and progress unfolds.

Dr. Zhou is a board-certified psychiatrist who has more than 4 years of experience practicing in various clinical settings with an emphasis on mental health care in outpatient settings. She practices a holistic approach to developing an individualized plan to work toward a patient's goals. Dr. Zhou is experienced in treating depression, bipolar spectrum disorders, obsessive-compulsive disorders, post-traumatic stress disorder, generalized anxiety, and other related psychiatric disorders. Dr. Zhou received her medical degree from Texas Tech University Health Sciences Center School of Medicine and completed her adult psychiatry residency training at LSU Health Shreveport. Dr. Zhou's background and experiences have broadened her understanding of cultural stigmas and the relationship it plays in psychiatric care. She incorporates a multitude of treatment modalities such as supportive therapy, cognitive behavioral therapy, and mindfulness practices as an adjunct to pharmacotherapy. Dr. Zhou recognizes the value of a multifaceted approach to wellbeing and may recommend treatment modalities that are complementary to medication management.

Dr. Mitchell Laski earned a Bachelor of Science in Psychology from the University of Nebraska–Lincoln in 2011 and completed his medical degree at the University of Nebraska College of Medicine in 2017. He completed his residency in psychiatry at Naval Medical Center Portsmouth, Virginia, in 2021, where he was selected as Chief Resident. Dr. Laski has extensive experience in both outpatient and deployed settings, having completed two operational tours with the U.S. Navy. During these tours, he served in Embedded Mental Health Clinics and aboard deployed ships, working directly with Sailors.

Dr. Laski brings empathy, attentiveness, and a non-judgmental approach to every patient interaction. He is deeply committed to ensuring patients feel heard, respected, and understood. Patients can expect him to be thorough and dedicated, consistently advocating for their overall wellness throughout the course of treatment.

Understanding that beginning mental health care can be difficult, Dr. Laski starts with friendly, casual questions to build rapport—asking about patients’ background, interests, and current life situation. He then reviews their medical and psychiatric history before exploring current symptoms and stressors. Together, he and the patient collaborate to create a personalized treatment plan.

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