Michael Padua, MD

Dr. Jylia Lobanova is a board-certified psychiatrist who began her medical career in Tashkent, Uzbekistan, where she worked at the Central Psychiatric Hospital. After moving to the U.S., she completed her residency at MetroHealth Medical Center, affiliated with Case Western Reserve University. She has treated diverse populations in both inpatient and outpatient settings, including work at Portage Health Clinic in Ohio, Harris Health in Houston, and Legacy Community Health, where she focused on LGBTQ and HIV-positive patients.

Dr. Lobanova values building a trustful and respectful therapeutic relationship. She creates a welcoming space for open communication and mutual understanding, which she believes is the cornerstone of effective treatment. She is especially passionate about supporting patients from diverse cultural backgrounds and has a special interest in women’s mental health across the lifespan.

Dr. Lobanova takes a holistic approach to care, combining medications, psychotherapy, psychoeducation, proper nutrition, and physical activity. She partners closely with each patient to develop an individualized treatment plan tailored to their unique goals and needs, always striving to empower them in their journey toward mental wellness.

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Background and credentials  

Dr. Alexandra Baluna, MD, is board-certified by the American Board of  Psychiatry and Neurology. She received her medical degree from  LSUHC-Shreveport and completed her psychiatry residency training at  Montefiore/Albert-Einstein College of Medicine, where she served as chief of  the Consultation-Liaison (C/L) service. Following residency, Dr. Baluna  served as Senior Chief, during which she was honored with the Leo M. Davidoff  Award for Outstanding Achievement in the Teaching of Medical Students. Her  professional experiences include roles at Fordham University, Albert Einstein  Student Mental Health Counseling Center, and most recently, as an outpatient  psychiatrist at Maimonides Medical Center, where she enjoyed teaching and  supervising residents.  

Treatment approach  

Dr. Baluna emphasizes creating a warm, empathic, and nonjudgmental  therapeutic environment. She collaborates closely with patients to develop  personalized treatment plans that consider cultural, biological,  psychological, and social factors. With a strong interest in psychotherapy,  she frequently employs ego-supportive and insight-oriented therapy techniques  during follow-up sessions.  

What you can expect in a first visit    

During an initial visit, patients can expect a welcoming and supportive  atmosphere where Dr. Baluna conducts a comprehensive assessment. This  involves exploring the patient's history, current challenges, and individual  circumstances. The goal of the first session is to collaboratively build an  individualized treatment plan tailored specifically to the patient's unique  needs.  

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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.

Robynn Cavaliere, PMHNP-BC, is a nationally board-certified Psychiatric Mental Health Nurse Practitioner. She earned her nursing practice degree from the University of San Diego (USD). Her passion for helping others began at the age of 16 when she became an EMT and volunteered with a local emergency unit. Inspired by a strong belief in service to country and a desire to follow in her brothers’ footsteps, she proudly served in the United States Marine Corps.

Robynn’s nursing journey began over two decades ago, driven by a deep calling to care for others. She started her career as an LVN on medical/surgical/telemetry floors, advanced to an RN in the emergency room, and eventually became a psychiatric nurse practitioner.

Her extensive nursing experience spans a wide range of clinical settings and patient populations, shaping her approach to interviewing, assessment, and intervention. Robynn applies the Biopsychosocial Model in every patient encounter, believing that a comprehensive understanding of the whole person leads to more effective treatment recommendations, improved outcomes, and better prognoses.

She is deeply committed to making a positive impact in her patients’ lives and giving back to the nursing profession. Robynn precepts student nurse practitioners in her practice and serves as a Clinical Assistant Professor at USD, where she helps educate the next generation of healthcare providers.

Robynn emphasizes the importance of comprehensive assessments, active listening, and building therapeutic alliances that foster trust and create a safe space for patients to share their thoughts and concerns. She collaborates closely with patients to ensure they feel heard, encourages active participation in their treatment, and provides education to enhance insight and promote behavioral change. Her approach includes supportive psychotherapy and incorporates techniques from Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT), Interpersonal Therapy, Reality Therapy, and Solution-Focused Therapy during medication management visits.

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Dr. Michael Lukowski is an adult psychiatrist who holds board certification with the American Board of Psychiatry and Neurology. He has been practicing medicine for over 4 years. Dr. Lukowski focuses on medication management combined with supportive therapy in 30-minute follow-up visits. He practices whole-person medicine, caring for the wellness of your mind, body, and spirit and helping you enjoy your relationships with those around you. Dr. Lukowski received his medical degree from the University of Nevada School of Medicine in Reno, NV, before moving to southern California to complete his residency at Loma Linda University. After completing training, Dr. Lukowski began working with the Southern California Permanente Medical Group in Riverside, CA, where he treated a variety of psychiatric disorders in an outpatient setting. In March of 2020, as the pandemic changed life and medicine forever, Dr. Lukowski adopted a strictly telepsychiatry role at his clinic. He has also held a staff psychiatrist position as an adult inpatient psychiatrist in Tennessee. Dr. Lukowski treats a wide variety of psychiatric disorders within the adult demographic.

Dr. Tammara Davis is a board-certified adult psychiatrist with over 15 years of experience treating patients across inpatient, outpatient, emergency, and telepsychiatry settings. She earned her medical degree from the University of Tennessee Health Science Center, completed her psychiatry residency at St. Elizabeths Hospital in Washington, DC, and holds a B.S. from Xavier University of Louisiana.

Dr. Davis previously served as a Primary Care–Mental Health Integration psychiatrist at the Veterans Health Administration, where she helped expand access to care in community-based clinics. She is an active member of the Black Psychiatrists of America, where she advances advocacy and equity in mental health care. While she has treated a wide variety of patients from all walks of life, her clinical focus has been on improving access to quality mental healthcare for historically marginalized communities.

Dr. Davis specializes in mood and anxiety disorders, including depression, PTSD, and perinatal mental health. Her approach is holistic, integrative, and patient-centered—grounded in cultural humility and collaborative care. She does not prescribe benzodiazepines, focusing instead on evidence-based strategies that support long-term wellness. While treating a wide variety of patients, Dr. Davis’ clinical focus has been on adults from marginalized and/or minoritized communities.

Dr. Davis begins care with a consultation to ensure a strong fit and shared treatment goals. Dr. Davis is committed to creating a safe, trusting space where patients feel empowered and in control of their healing. She recognizes that not all patients require medication and integrates culturally affirming support when therapy and education are more appropriate.

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Dr. Esha Garg is a board-certified psychiatrist starting her post-graduate practice with Talkiatry. After completing an undergraduate degree in psychology at Johns Hopkins University, she completed her medical degree at Kansas City University of Medicine and Biosciences. She is a recent graduate from the Adult Psychiatry Residency at University of Kansas Medical Center.

Dr. Garg's practice focuses on medication management but she believes in the importance of both therapy and medication management in treating mental illness. She offers medication management with supportive therapy in 30-minute follow up visits. She also utilizes referrals to therapists to enhance collaborative care and management of illness.

Dr. Garg believes in the importance of building a strong therapeutic relationship. She focuses on treating patients with depression and anxiety disorders. She believes in a holistic, patient-centered approach to care and encourages patient's to explore their physical, emotional, social and spiritual needs in addition to their mental health.