Natalie Armijo, MD

Background and credentials    

Dr. Alexander Wittenberg is a board-certified adult psychiatrist. He received his undergraduate degree from Cornell University, majoring in Human Biology, Health, and Society. He earned his medical degree from the New York Institute of Technology College of Osteopathic Medicine, where he was a  member of the Psi Sigma Alpha Osteopathic Honor Society. As chief resident at  Mount Sinai Beth Israel, he gained extensive experience working in outpatient  settings and managing patient care at one of New York City's busiest clinics. Dr. Wittenberg has expertise in treating a wide range of mental health conditions, including depressive disorders, anxiety disorders, bipolar disorder, trauma and stressor-related disorders, and OCD.    

‍

Treatment approach    

Dr. Wittenberg offers highly individualized and empathic treatment, primarily focusing on medication management. He frequently recommends integrating therapy into treatment plans and may suggest collaborating with a therapist. Dr. Wittenberg prioritizes a holistic approach, emphasizing overall well-being alongside symptom relief. He encourages the incorporation of mindfulness, self-compassion, exercise, nutrition, and attention to interpersonal relationships into his treatment strategy.    

‍

What you can expect in a first visit    

During an initial visit with Dr. Wittenberg, patients can anticipate a collaborative, patient-centered, and non-judgmental environment designed to foster a meaningful therapeutic relationship. He will thoroughly discuss individual concerns and treatment goals, exploring potential therapeutic interventions, including medication management and holistic strategies to support mental health and overall wellness.

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.

Background and credentials

Dr. Tyler Josephs is a staff psychiatrist at Talkiatry. He earned his medical degree from Kansas City University in 2017 and completed his psychiatric residency at the University of Kansas Medical Center in 2021. During his residency, he served as Chief Resident at both the University of Kansas Medical Center and the Kansas City VA Medical Center. Most recently, Dr. Josephs worked at the Kansas City VA Medical Center, where he was the psychiatric director of the outpatient mental health clinic and served as Psychiatry Executive for behavioral health services.

‍

Treatment approach

Dr. Josephs believes in a holistic approach to mental health treatment, integrating medication management, supportive psychotherapy, and collaboration with therapists and support staff. He tailors treatment to each patient's unique needs, ensuring a comprehensive and individualized approach to care. His expertise includes treating a variety of psychiatric diagnoses, such as depression, anxiety disorders (including OCD), ADHD, and PTSD.

‍

What you can expect in a first visit

In a first visit, patients can expect a thorough evaluation, where Dr. Josephs takes the time to understand their medical history, symptoms, and treatment goals. He emphasizes open communication and collaborative decision-making, ensuring that patients feel heard and supported. Based on this initial assessment, he will develop a personalized treatment plan, which may include medication management and referrals to therapy or other supportive services as needed.

‍

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.

‍

Dr. Thomas Spina is an adult psychiatrist who began his practice at Talkiatry after completing his psychiatry residency at the Eastern Long Island branch of Stony Brook University, where he treated a diverse patient population. Dr. Spina received his undergraduate degree from St. John's University in Queens where he studied Philosophy. Initially interested in a career in law, Dr. Spina decided to change gears and pursue a career in medicine after watching a relative struggle with her diagnosis of Diabetes Mellitus. Dr. Spina then completed medical school at Tel Aviv University in Israel, where he fell in love with psychiatry during his clerkship at Ichilov medical center. During that rotation, he came to appreciate how each patient has his or her own unique story, regardless of their diagnosis. Dr. Spina favors a holistic and integrative approach to psychiatry, combining medication management with supportive therapy, elements of cognitive behavioral therapy, while remaining open to other treatment modalities depending on the needs of his patients. When more focused therapy is indicated, Dr. Spina may recommend that his patient work with a provider specializing in a particular modality of therapy as part of their treatment. Dr. Spina treats adult patients with mood disorders including major depressive disorder and bipolar disorder, anxiety spectrum disorders, OCD, PTSD and specific phobias. In his spare time, Dr. Spina enjoys a variety of hobbies, including Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu, running, baseball, and exploring new eateries and shops.

Dr. Sierra-Cintron is board-certified in adult psychiatry by the American Board of Psychiatry and Neurology and has been in practice for 12 years. Dr. Sierra-Cintron focuses her practice on medication management. She also engages in supportive therapy in a comprehensive way, focusing on the patient as a whole and not just the symptoms. Dr. Sierra-Cintron has a broad understanding of vitamin support as an adjunctive treatment to traditional medication. She has broadened her understanding of second-line treatment, having been certified in Electroconvulsive Therapy (ECT), conducting clinics in Clozapine and Long-Acting Antipsychotics (LOA), and even conducting assessments for patients interested in weight loss surgery. Dr. Sierra-Cintron has a comprehensive approach to treatment, and might consider the addition of therapy, either by referral or collaborating with an existing therapist for a more rounded approach and improved outcome. Dr. Sierra-Cintron received her medical degree from the Universidad Central del Caribe located in Bayamon, Puerto Rico. Upon graduation, she relocated to Philadelphia, where she started her residency program at Einstein Medical Center. After completing her training, she worked for 8 years in a community mental health clinic, treating an underserved population in all modalities of psychiatric care. In her 12-year career, Dr. Sierra-Cintron has treated both adult males and females, including seniors. This has led to varied and wide-ranging diagnoses during the length of her career. After leaving the community clinic setting, she started working for an outpatient clinic in a suburb of Philadelphia. Dr. Sierra-Cintron's current areas of focus are adults with Mood Disorders, Anxiety Co-Occurring Substance disorders, as well as patients with varied concomitant medical problems.‍

Dr. Carrie Schmitt, DO, graduated from Edward Via College of Osteopathic Medicine in Spartanburg, South Carolina in 2016. She completed her psychiatry residency at Henry Ford Allegiance Health in Jackson, Michigan in 2020 and a subspecialty in Forensic Psychiatry at the University of Maryland in 2021. Dr. Schmitt is dual board certified in Adult and Forensic Psychiatry and has practiced in inpatient, outpatient, community, academic, and forensic settings.

Dr. Schmitt values compassionate, well-rounded care and works collaboratively with patients to develop effective treatment plans. She emphasizes communication, active listening, and dignity, creating a supportive, nonjudgmental environment where patients feel understood and empowered.

Dr. Schmitt begins by understanding each patient’s history, concerns, and goals. She works together with patients to establish clear, practical treatment objectives and ensures each plan is tailored to their unique needs, fostering progress and long-term wellness.

Dr. Gregory Marc Varhely is a board-certified general adult psychiatrist. He grew up in Austin, Texas, and attended Texas State University, where he earned a BA in Psychology and a Master's degree in Biology/Biochemistry. After graduating from medical school at Ross University, he completed his residency in Psychiatry at the Medical College of Wisconsin. Dr. Varhely has served as an outpatient psychiatrist at the Department of Veterans Affairs and acted as an attending physician for resident psychiatrists at Texas A&M and UT Dell Medical Schools. He then acted as a sole proprietor of an outpatient psychiatric medication management and psychotherapy practice in Georgetown, Texas and later started contracting for North Central Health Care Mental Health Clinic, applying psychotropic medication management expertise to community-based treatment facilities in Wisconsin. Dr. Varhely's approach is rooted in forming meaningful connections with his patients. He wholeheartedly believes that psychological suffering stems from a blend of biological, psychological, social, and environmental factors. Dr. Varhely works together with his patients to uncover these factors and create treatment plans tailored to their specific needs using an eclectic blend of the latest in psychopharmacology, as well as psychodynamic, supportive, and cognitive-behavioral therapy.