Nereida Gonzalez-Berrios, MD

Dr. O'Brien is a board-certified adult psychiatrist who completed his medical education at Northeast Ohio Medical University. Following his graduation from NEOMED, he completed a residency in Psychiatry and Behavioral Medicine at West Virginia University/Charleston Area Medical Center. Throughout his training, he has enjoyed working in both outpatient and hospital settings and has a great passion for medical education and teaching the next generation of mental healthcare providers. Dr. O'Brien's practice focuses on medication management for a wide variety of mental health diagnoses, including anxiety disorders, depression, Bipolar Disorders, Obsessive Compulsive Disorder, Tic Disorders, and Post Traumatic Stress Disorder. In addition to medication, he offers a mixture of Cognitive Behavioral Therapy, Dialectical Behavioral Therapy, and Psychodynamic Therapy during 30 minute follow up appointments. Dr. O'Brien believes in a truly collaborative and holistic approach to mental healthcare, striving to involve patients and all members of the healthcare team in every aspect of care.‍

Dr. Alexandra ("Sasha”) Blaes is a board-certified psychiatrist. Before joining Talkiatry, she practiced consult-liaison psychiatry, seeing medically ill patients with psychiatric problems at the Department of Veterans Affairs, where she also treated veterans in nursing homes. Dr. Blaes graduated from New York University with a B.A. in philosophy and photography and worked in nonprofit marketing in New York before deciding she wanted to pursue a life in medicine. Following a post-baccalaureate, pre-medical program at Columbia University, Dr. Blaes completed medical school at The University of Maryland, followed by a psychiatry residency at The Johns Hopkins Hospital. While at Johns Hopkins, she mastered clinical assessment and treatment of general psychiatric problems. She also received specialized training in eating disorders, addiction, reproductive psychiatry, chronic pain, and geriatric psychiatry, an interest she pursued further with a fellowship at University of Pittsburgh Medical Center. In fellowship and in her subsequent experience at the VA, she developed expertise in caring for the difficulties that can accompany aging, including depression, anxiety, and memory loss, as well as the stress of medical illness. Dr. Blaes' practice focuses on medication management. She works to foster a safe and collaborative space in which patients can address psychiatric illness and other barriers holding them back from the lives they want to lead. Typically, she offers appointments for medication management coupled with supportive or emotionally focused therapy in 30-minute sessions. When Dr. Blaes feels that additional therapy is needed, she will suggest inviting a therapist to join the team for additional support and guidance. She welcomes collaborations with other clinicians, be they therapists or other physicians caring for her patients. She strives to build strong therapeutic relationships that help patients grow and meet their goals - whatever their situation, challenge, or life stage. Dr. Blaes welcomes patients from all walks of life and cultural backgrounds and is LGBTQ+ friendly. In addition to her background in geriatrics, she has experience working with peripartum women and enjoys working with patients navigating major life changes.

Dr. Katherine Vital-Daley is an adult psychiatrist at Talkiatry. She treats all adults and her passion lies in providing accessible care for women facing challenges throughout pregnancy, childbirth, and postpartum and in reproductive psychiatry. Dr. Vital-Daley's academic background is rooted in science, with an undergraduate degree in biochemistry and molecular biology from the University of California, Merced. She then pursued her medical doctorate at the Medical University of the Americas. Following medical school, she completed her psychiatry residency training. The first two years were spent at East Carolina University, Brody School of Medicine, with a culmination of her last two years of residency at Allegheny Health Network in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, to further specialize in women's mental health, which solidified her expertise in this vital area.‍At Allegheny Health Network's Women's Behavioral Health clinic, Dr. Vital-Daley honed her skills in treating a range of conditions, including depression, anxiety, PTSD, OCD, bipolar disorder, and related issues, and served as a medical provider for their intensive perinatal/postpartum outpatient clinic. She also developed a deep understanding of perinatal mental health, supporting patients coping with perinatal loss and traumatic birthing experiences. In her practice, she employs supportive psychotherapy and mindfulness along with evidence-based medication management, utilizing the most current clinical guidelines and treatment modalities. ‍Dr. Vital-Daley's approach is rooted in a collaborative treatment approach. She works closely with patients, exploring past and current stressors and any relevant medical conditions to develop a comprehensive understanding of their individual needs. Recognizing the importance of cultural competency, she incorporates patients' unique backgrounds, beliefs, and core values into her care plans.

Asmita Neupane is a board-certified Post Mental Health Nurse Practitioner (PMHNP). She received her bachelor’s in nursing degree from Metropolitan state university, master’s in nursing degree from Texas Women’s University which specializes in Adult Geriatric Nurse Practitioner and completed her post-master’s degree as PMHNP from Wilkes University. Asmita Neupane has 20 plus years of experience as a Registered Nurse and almost 10 years of experience as Nurse Practitioner. Asmita Neupane is licensed to practice in Maryland and District of Columbia.

Asmita Neupane has professional interests in treating a wide range of psychiatry conditions including depression, anxiety, OCD, ADHD, PTSD, bipolar disorder, schizophrenia and eating disorders. She provides psychiatric assessments and medication management along with brief supportive psychotherapy. She focuses on holistic approaches to treatment and believes in keeping her patients healthy rather than only addressing illness. Asmita Neupane is fluent in Nepali, Hindi and English.

Dr. Hajr Ben Cheikh earned her medical degree from Eastern Virginia Medical School, where she worked with refugee populations and participated in global health initiatives in Haiti. She completed her psychiatry residency at MedStar Georgetown University Hospital, serving as inpatient chief resident. Dr. Ben Cheikh has experience across diverse settings including inpatient units, PHPs, IOPs, collaborative care, academic and community clinics, and perinatal mental health.

Dr. Ben Cheikh values open communication, transparency, and collaboration, and she takes a friendly, supportive approach to patient care. She practices evidence-based medicine with a minimalist perspective on pharmacologic treatment, often preferring single agents that can address multiple concerns when clinically appropriate.

Dr. Ben Cheikh approaches care holistically, considering diagnoses, comorbidities, social background, and lifestyle. Initial sessions focus on diagnostic clarity, with treatment goals developed collaboratively. Follow-ups center on patient priorities, emphasizing shared goals and personalized strategies for meaningful progress.

Background and credentials

Dr. Diane Lewis is board-certified in general psychiatry by the American Board of Psychiatry and Neurology. She earned both her undergraduate and medical degrees at Texas A&M University (College Station and Temple, TX) before completing her general psychiatry residency at UT Southwestern - Austin Programs (now Dell Medical School residency programs). After her residency, she practiced for eight years as a staff psychiatrist at the University of Texas' student counseling center. She also has experience working in hospital admissions and emergency department settings.

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Treatment approach

Dr. Lewis employs a medication-management-focused approach typically paired with supportive therapy during 30-minute follow-up visits. She strongly values a collaborative treatment approach, frequently encouraging patients to incorporate additional therapy for the best outcomes. Her primary specialty is college mental health, treating patients aged 18-45 with a range of mental health conditions from mild to complex. Dr. Lewis emphasizes authenticity, compassion, and recognizing patients beyond their diagnoses, providing care tailored to individual circumstances and goals.

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What you can expect in a first visit

During a first visit, patients can expect Dr. Lewis to conduct a thorough evaluation, carefully listening to their concerns, and considering their symptoms within the broader context of their lives. Her patients appreciate her down-to-earth and compassionate communication style. She aims to create an environment where patients feel understood, respected, and actively involved in shaping their personalized treatment plan, often recommending additional therapy support when beneficial for achieving optimal outcomes.

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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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