Mekayla Davila, LMHC

Dr. Jessica Healey is a board-certified adult psychiatrist. She obtained her medical degree from Cooper Medical School of Rowan University and completed her residency training in psychiatry at the University of Miami Miller School of Medicine and Jackson Memorial Hospital. During her training, Dr. Healey gained extensive experience providing psychiatric care to various patient populations in multiple patient care settings, including in the outpatient clinic, inpatient unit, and emergency department. Following her training, Dr. Healey worked as an outpatient psychiatrist for the Veterans Health Administration. During her tenure with the VA, she worked closely with staff psychologists, social workers and nurses to provide multidisciplinary, collaborative care to the veteran population suffering from a variety of mental health conditions.

Dr. Healey has experience and interest in treating adults suffering from trauma-related disorders and anxiety disorders but provides treatment for a variety of psychiatric conditions including depression, bipolar disorder, and obsessive-compulsive disorder.

Dr. Healey focuses on medication management and supportive psychotherapy, but has training in utilizing various therapy modalities, including cognitive behavioral therapy, interpersonal therapy, and psychodynamic psychotherapy. When appropriate, Dr. Healey will refer for more extensive psychotherapy and/or collaborate with your established psychotherapist for comprehensive care.

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Dr. Emily Goncalves is a board-certified adult psychiatrist who earned her undergraduate degree at Syracuse University and medical degree from the American University of Antigua. She holds an MBA from Plymouth State University focusing on health care administration. She completed her adult psychiatry residency at Delaware Division of Substance Abuse and Mental Health, where she was chief resident and completed her fellowship in consultation liaison psychiatry at Jackson Memorial Hospital/University of Miami. Dr. Goncalves specializes in treating patients with psychiatric disorders with complex medical illnesses, cancer, and also has expertise in reproductive psychiatry. She is experienced in treating mood disorders, anxiety disorders, PTSD, psychosis, substance use disorders, and adult ADHD. Dr. Goncalves had the opportunity to work in various settings with a diverse patient population including veterans, inmates, cancer patients, and perinatal and postpartum patients. Dr. Goncalves provides medication management along with psychotherapy.

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.

Jaime Sather, PMHNP is a board certified psychiatric nurse practitioner with over 20 years' experience in the mental health field. Specialty areas include ADHD, anxiety, depression, mood disorders, substance abuse, PTSD, and women’s health. Clinical experience with inpatient, outpatient, detoxifications rehab, psychiatric emergency department, IOP, and PHP.

Comprehensive psychiatric evaluations, medication management, and brief psychotherapy are provided. Besides medication management with psychotherapy, individual therapy may be recommended for the best possible patient outcome.

Patients feel comfortable discussing their concerns in a non-judgmental therapeutic environment. Education is provided about diagnosis and treatment options with the patient being empowered to be an active part of their treatment plan.

Dr. Danielle Gelfond is an Adult Psychiatrist and a graduate from Loyola University Medical Center's residency program in Chicago, IL. Prior to attending residency, Dr. Gelfond graduated from Rush Medical College at Rush University. Throughout residency, Dr. Gelfond spent time focusing on her clinical interests which include mood disorders, anxiety disorders, substance use disorders, and women's mental health. During her training, Dr. Gelfond spent several years working with the Perinatal population and completed a year-long program focusing on Women's Mental Health through the National Curriculum in Reproductive Psychiatry organization. She held the role of Chief Resident of her program during the last two years of her training and received several awards commending her leadership style and rapport with patients through her program. Dr. Gelfond takes on a holistic and "patient-centered" approach in her treatment style. She incorporates both medication management, supportive psychotherapy, and discussions surrounding lifestyle and wellness into her appointments and emphasizes patient education and autonomy, which she believes helps support the therapeutic relationship, improve clinical outcomes, and helps treatment align with the patient's goals of care.

Dr. Shahan Syed is a Board-Eligible Psychiatrist who offers personable, compassionate, and empathetic care. Before completing his residency in psychiatry, Dr. Syed graduated from International American University College of Medicine and recently completed his residency at Bergen New Bridge Medical Center in Paramus, NJ. He gained experience as a clinical researcher, emergency medical technician, and a registered nurse in both psychiatric and emergency departments prior to his formal training. This diverse background equipped him with valuable tools to deliver empathetic care to a wide range of patients with experience treating anxiety disorder, traumatic disorders, depressive and bipolar disorders, substance use disorders, ADHD, OCD, and psychotic disorders. During his residency, Dr. Syed also took on the role of chief resident, demonstrating a remarkable ability to educate both his patients and colleagues. Throughout his residency, Dr. Syed actively pursued additional training opportunities at various safety net hospitals in New Jersey to care for underserved populations.

Dr. Syed places significant importance on collaborating with patients and all relevant parties to gain a comprehensive understanding of the factors affecting the patient's life before making treatment recommendations. Additionally, Dr. Syed emphasizes the importance of lifestyle, sleep, mindfulness, and nutrition, and their impact on overall mental health. He has experience in utilizing interpersonal and supportive psychotherapy, along with principles of motivational interviewing and cognitive-behavioral therapy, to foster resilience and meaningful change in partnership with other mental health professionals involved in patient care.

Dr. Syed employs a range of therapeutic methods alongside medication management to ensure a thorough and holistic approach for every patient. His goal is to create a safe environment that encourages healing and wellness, enabling individuals to remain motivated and live their lives to the fullest.

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