Matthew Green, LMHC

Jennifer Murdock is a board-certified psychiatric nurse practitioner from Wisconsin. She specializes in mental health and has over a decade of experience. Seeking treatment for mental health issues can be intimidating and difficult. It can also come at a time of challenges and hardships. If you are dealing with mental health issues that don’t seem to be resolving with traditional talk therapy, it may be necessary to consider more intensive outpatient treatment options such as medication and/or alternative strategies to relieve symptoms. As a board-certified psychiatric nurse practitioner, Jennifer strives to create an open, inviting, and non-judgmental environment with compassion and acceptance. Jennifer, a PMHNP, is here to support, guide, and empower you in your journey to recovery and ultimately in becoming the best version of yourself. With an emphasis on a client-centered approach, she works with each unique client to find an evidence-based psychiatric or substance use treatment model that works best with them and their lifestyle. She will utilize an eclectic, holistic approach to your treatment plan including conventional medicine, supplements, alternative and complementary methods, and lifestyle modifications to help you achieve your goals. Jennifer reflects on her own experiences and feelings to connect with whoever comes into the office on a deep empathic level. She enjoys partnering with patients from teens to geriatrics and is passionate about working with those who struggle with trauma, grief, depression, anxiety and related disorders, mood disorders, and addiction. Jennifer also has experience in treating patients with medical comorbidities. She loves animals and finds them a source of comfort, healing, and humor.

Dr. Koster is board certified in psychiatry and forensic psychiatry. After completing her medical education, residency, and fellowship, she started working on a Forensic Assertive Community Treatment (FACT) team, followed by working at a community hospital. She then transitioned to a clinic serving patients who were determined severely mentally ill (SMI). Dr. Koster has been involved with teaching residents and working within an academic institution. Dr. Koster is a Fellow of the American Psychiatric Association, a member of the American Academy of Psychiatry and the Law and the American Osteopathic Association. Dr. Koster enjoys working with people of diverse backgrounds and experiences. She uses a culturally sensitive and holistic approach in the evaluation and treatment of brain health conditions. She believes in a team approach and her patients' active participation in treatment planning. She incorporates a variety of modalities in her treatment that can include medications, personal medicine, psychotherapy, mindfulness, and lifestyle changes. Dr. Koster specializes in psychopharmacology and believes in using medications when indicated at the lowest effective dose to minimize the risk of side effects. She is experienced in treating depression, bipolar disorder, anxiety disorders, OCD, PTSD and schizophrenia. If Dr. Koster believes you would benefit from additional therapy, she will collaborate with your therapist to achieve the best outcome.

Myrtle Davenport is a dual certified Family Psychiatric Nurse Practitioner with over 12 years of experience in healthcare. She completed her Masters of Science in Nursing (MSN) degree with a concentration in Family Nurse Practitioner at Chamberlain University and a Post Master’s in Psychiatric Mental Health Nurse Practitioner at Valdosta State University. Myrtle is skilled in assessing and treating a variety of mental health disorders including but not limited to anxiety, major depression, PTSD, ADHD, OCD, and other mood disorders across the life span. She is trained in psychiatric diagnosis, medication management, and supportive therapy. Over the past 7 years, she has gained valuable experience in a number of settings, including outpatient, inpatient, and residential facilities, community mental health clinics, and private practice.

Myrtle is dedicated to providing a safe and nonjudgmental environment where patients can expect to be heard, emotionally validated, and supported. She will ensure that patients are well-informed, empowering them to be active participants in managing their care. By fostering a strong therapeutic relationship, she will support her patients in achieving long-term mental wellness and resilience.

As a dedicated Psychiatric Nurse Practitioner, Myrtle provides comprehensive mental health care to individuals across the lifespan, helping them navigate through their mental health challenges with a holistic, compassionate approach. Her clinical practice involves conducting a thorough assessment and gathering relevant information from patients about their medical, psychiatric, and social history. Through open and empathetic communication, she will ensure a deep understanding of their symptoms, challenges, and goals. Based on the assessment, she will work closely with her patients to develop an individualized treatment plan and lifestyle recommendations. She will offer education on mental health conditions, coping strategies, and self-care techniques. She also provides referrals to therapists and other support services, helping patients develop the skills they need to thrive. She also believes in providing psychoeducation to patients, families, and caregivers. Myrtle's approach to patient care is grounded in empathy, respect, and evidence-based practices, and she is committed to fostering a supportive, collaborative environment where patients feel empowered to achieve their mental health goals.

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Dr. Jacobs is board-certified in Adult Psychiatry by the American Board of Psychiatry and Neurology. She specializes in medication management for adult patients across a range of psychiatric conditions, with a focus on treating depression, anxiety, bipolar disorders, and ADHD. Dr. Jacobs employs a therapeutic approach to medication management, incorporating supportive and psychodynamic psychotherapies into her sessions. She selects psychopharmacological treatments and therapies tailored to each patient's individual needs and symptoms. Dr. Jacobs earned her Bachelor of Science in Science and Business from the University of Notre Dame. She graduated from medical school at the University of Mississippi, where she was honored with membership in the Gold Humanism Honor Society for her exceptional clinical skills, interpersonal abilities, and dedication to patient care. She then returned to Texas to follow her passion for mental health, completing her residency in Psychiatry at the University of Texas Southwestern Medical Center. Dr. Jacobs developed a strong enthusiasm for enhancing mental health care within communities and completed a fellowship in Community Psychiatry through the UT Southwestern Altshuler Center for Education and Research in the Dallas-Fort Worth area. Over the years, she has worked with major community mental health organizations across Texas and has recently focused on leveraging telemedicine to coordinate mental health support with primary care providers. Throughout her career, Dr. Jacobs has been committed to psychiatric research, educational initiatives, and organizational efforts to advance mental health care education and patient care in communities. She is an active member and leader in several medical and psychiatric organizations. Dr. Jacobs takes great pleasure in connecting with patients via telemedicine, focusing on meeting them where they are in their mental health journey and supporting their needs and goals.

Renee LaRock-Gary is a licensed mental health counselor in New York State. She has extensive experience working in an array of settings from crisis to office settings; with children to adults; and with individuals to groups. She graduated magna cum laude with a masters from SUNY Plattsburgh and has a current certification as an Integrative Sex and Couples Therapist and several past certifications in a variety of areas including anxiety, grief, and substance abuse. Renee's specialty is trauma and she worked for a decade exclusively with survivors of sexual trauma. Overall, she has over 30 years of experience in the human and social services field and has held a variety of positions, including LGBTQ Teen outreach worker, domestic violence counselor, and manager at a halfway house, to name a few. As an eternal learner, Renee regularly participates in ongoing training in a variety of areas in order to keep abreast of the most up-to-date knowledge in the mental health field. Primarily, she utilizes CBT (Cognitive Behavioral Therapy) and/or DBT (Dialectical Behavioral Therapy) to help people reach their goals, and she often brings in other modalities to fit a person's individual needs.

Background and credentials    

Dr. Abernethy is a board-certified psychiatrist who received his medical  degree from the University of Texas Medical School at Houston. He completed  his internship at UT Southwestern in Dallas and earned a Master's of Public  Health in Epidemiology and Occupational and Environmental Health from Texas  A&M. He completed his psychiatry residency training at the University of  Oklahoma Health Science Center. Dr. Abernethy has over 12 years of experience  practicing psychiatry in various outpatient settings, including private  practice and community mental health centers in Texas and Oklahoma,  specifically reaching underserved communities. He has treated a broad  spectrum of mental health symptoms among diverse populations, addressing  issues ranging from mood and anxiety disorders to behavioral manifestations  of Autism and other developmental disorders.    

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Treatment approach    

Dr. Abernethy utilizes a collaborative and patient-centered approach to  psychiatry, focusing primarily on medication interventions that align with  each patient's unique treatment goals and clinical needs. He emphasizes  cooperation with patients to effectively treat and reduce mental  health-related symptoms. His practice centers around medication management,  supplemented by supportive treatments tailored to individual needs. Depending  on each patient’s circumstances, he may recommend additional support from  individual, family, or group counselors and therapists to achieve optimal outcomes.    

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What you can expect in a first visit

In an initial visit, patients can expect a thorough, collaborative  discussion focused on understanding their symptoms, goals, and clinical  needs. Dr. Abernethy will evaluate the patient's condition to determine  appropriate medication interventions and discuss personalized treatment  recommendations. Typical follow-up visits are approximately 20-30 minutes in  length. Depending on the severity and complexity of a patient's situation,  referrals to additional counseling or therapy may also be suggested.    

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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 speciualize in  medication management and collaborate with you on a treatment plan that fits  your needs and comfort level.