Neena Mathew, PMHNP

Dr. Blackwood was born and raised in Charleston, SC. She completed medical school as well as General Psychiatry Residency and Addiction Psychiatry Fellowship at the Medical University of South Carolina. She went to the College of Charleston for undergraduate studies and double majored in Psychology and Spanish. Dr. Blackwood is the first member of her family to become a physician. Her passion for mental health and her desire to help others are what paved the way for her to become a well-trained and highly motivated psychiatrist.

While working together, Dr. Blackwood will get to know you and will be open to you sharing as much or as little about yourself as you would like. Her goal is to create a safe, judgement-free space where you will feel comfortable and heard. When it comes to mental health, Dr. Blackwood understands that having a strong therapeutic alliance is equally as important as accurate diagnosing and medication management.

Dr. Blackwood strongly believes in a patient-centered model, in which medical decision-making is driven by patient preferences. Her job is to empower patients to make informed decisions regarding their mental health. Dr. Blackwood provides a platform with a no-judgement zone for you to feel safe during your appointments.

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Background and credentials

Dr. Jessica Matthews is a board-certified general psychiatrist. She earned her medical degree from the University of Texas Health Science Center at San Antonio and completed her psychiatry residency at Tripler Army Medical Center in Honolulu, HI. After her training, she was stationed at Fort Hood, TX, where she worked as a staff physician in the inpatient unit at Carl R. Darnall Army Medical Center and later became the inpatient medical director. She subsequently transitioned to outpatient care, serving as a staff physician and later as clinic chief in the outpatient embedded behavioral health clinics. She continued working as a staff physician after leaving the military.

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Treatment approach

Dr. Matthews specializes in medication management, often incorporating supportive and cognitive-behavioral-focused therapy into treatment. Follow-up visits typically last 30 minutes, during which she evaluates progress and adjusts treatment as needed. She takes a collaborative approach and may recommend additional therapy when she believes it will optimize patient outcomes. Her primary areas of focus include treating adults with depression, anxiety, and stress/trauma-related disorders.

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What you can expect in a first visit

During the first visit, patients can expect a comprehensive evaluation where Dr. Matthews takes the time to understand their symptoms, history, and treatment goals. She prioritizes a structured yet patient-centered approach, discussing medication management options while considering therapeutic interventions tailored to individual needs. If necessary, she may recommend additional therapy as part of a well-rounded treatment plan.

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

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Dr. Karla Garcia is a board-certified psychiatrist trained in Adult Psychiatry. She graduated from the University of Notre Dame with a Bachelor of Science and a Master of Education. She then went on to complete her medical education and residency training at the University of Chicago. She is board certified in Adult Psychiatry by the American Board of Psychiatry and Neurology.

Dr. Garcia believes in patient-centered care, seeking to care for the whole person.  She values the therapeutic relationship, working to guide patients in their treatment while also encouraging patients to take an active role in their care. Dr. Garcia cares about getting to know you as a person and helping you reconnect with your values. Her clinical approach is holistic, collaborative, and supportive.

Dr. Garcia focuses on evidence-based treatments for psychiatric illness that utilize a combination of medications and psychotherapy. Using a range of skills and interventions, Dr. Garcia believes in a multi-faceted approach to treatment.

Dr. Garcia has experience working in a wide variety of inpatient, emergency, partial hospitalization, intensive outpatient, and outpatient psychiatric settings and in treating a broad spectrum of psychiatric disorders including depression, anxiety, bipolar disorder, trauma, substance use disorders, personality disorders, ADHD, and OCD. She treats patients in English and Spanish.

Dr. Lauren McClairen is a psychiatrist board certified in General Psychiatry and Addiction Medicine. She completed her medical and psychiatric training at Meharry Medical College in Nashville, TN and a fellowship in Addiction Medicine at Baptist Memorial Hospital in collaboration with IAC (Integrated Addiction Care) in Memphis, TN. Dr. McClairen has clinical experience and practice working with other specialties and disciplines in treatment teams and integrated care models both in the inpatient and outpatient setting. She has held an academic appointment at Baptist Memorial Hospital where she enjoyed teaching and supervising medical residents and fellows in training. She most recently served as the Regional Behavioral Health Medical Director for a group of mental health clinics throughout Tennessee, and as the Chief of Psychiatric Services for a residential treatment facility in Mississippi that also had Partial Hospital and Intensive Outpatient Programming (PHP/IOP). She is experienced in treating patients with a variety of mental health diagnoses including but not limited to depression, bipolar disorder, anxiety disorders, ADHD, OCD, PTSD, and those with a history of substance use disorders. Dr. McClairen works collaboratively with her patients to provide treatments tailored to each patient's individualized needs. She prioritizes building trusting relationships and fostering open communication. Patients can expect a compassionate approach often with utilization of supportive therapy, mindfulness, and at times cognitive behavioral and psychodynamic psychotherapy techniques to address their psychosocial stressors and unique needs.

Dr. Maaeesha Pushpita, MD, is a board-certified psychiatrist with experience caring for patients across all age groups in both inpatient and outpatient settings. She holds a special interest in college-age populations, women’s and reproductive health, trauma-related care, nutritional psychiatry, and psychodynamic psychotherapy and psychopharmacology. Dr. Pushpita earned her medical degree from Northeast Ohio Medical University and completed her psychiatry residency at OhioHealth Riverside Methodist Hospital.

Dr. Pushpita’s approach to care is patient-centered, holistic, empathic, evidence-based, and culturally competent. She values building trust and fostering an environment where patients feel heard, supported, and empowered in their care.

In the initial session, Dr. Pushpita takes time to understand each patient’s history, concerns, and goals. She carefully rules out underlying physical conditions that may impact mental health and cognitive functioning, and collaborates with patients to identify lifestyle changes that can support their well-being. Treatment plans are tailored, evidence-based, and designed to be practical and achievable.

Dr. Kodali is an adult psychiatrist who completed his psychiatry residency training at Trinity Health Hospital in Livonia, MI, where he was selected to be chief resident. Prior to this, he received his undergraduate bachelor’s degree in Neurology and Anthropology from Johns Hopkins University in Baltimore, MD and received his medical degree from Wayne State University in Detroit, MI. He completed the psychodynamic psychotherapy fellowship from the Michigan Psychoanalytic Institute and is adept at incorporating psychotherapy principles in all patient care encounters. He provides psychiatric medication management as well as a combination of therapeutic interventions such as supportive, cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT), psychodynamic, and lifestyle interventions. Dr. Kodali is trained in treating multiple disorders and diagnoses including depression, anxiety, bipolar disorder, panic attacks, obsessive compulsive disorder (OCD), attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD), and posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD) as well as others. He has experience treating adult patients of all ages in multiple treatment settings including outpatient clinics, inpatient hospitals, and emergency departments.

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