Paul Pennington, LPC

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Kayla is a dedicated therapist with a robust educational background and extensive experience in the field of psychology. She earned a Bachelor of Arts in Psychology from Florida International University and completed a Master of Science at Nova Southeastern University. During her internship at Aventura Hospital and Medical Center, Kayla worked within inpatient psychiatric units, gaining valuable experience in crisis management and acute psychiatric care. Kayla has a particular interest in helping clients navigate anxiety, depression, and relationship issues. She brings empathy, understanding, and a client-centered approach to her practice, ensuring that each individual feels heard and supported on their journey to mental wellness. Outside of their professional life, Kayla enjoys spending quality time with family and her two dogs. Whether hiking or relaxing by the beach, she cherishes these moments of connection and tranquility.

Whitney Cohen, LCSW

Staff Therapist

Whitney Cohen obtained her undergraduate degree from Monmouth University where she studied Psychology and Health Studies. Whitney earned her Master's degree in Clinical Social Work from New York University, where she gained a solid foundation in evidence-based practices and therapeutic techniques. She is also a licensed clinical supervisor which has allowed her to train and mentor other aspiring social workers in the field as well as nurse practitioners and other mental health professionals. ‍Whitney has worked in a variety of settings, including education, correctional facilities, substance abuse/outpatient programs, and private practice. Her diverse experiences have equipped her with a comprehensive understanding of the complexities that individuals face daily. Whitney has worked with clients of all ages, from children, adolescents, adults, the elderly, and has a special passion for working with couples and families. She specializes in treating a variety of mental health issues, including anxiety, ADHD, stress, family/relational problems, trauma and school avoidance.‍In her practice, Whitney utilizes a scope of therapeutic approaches, CBT, DBT, and Motivational Interviewing. These evidence-based techniques allow her to tailor interventions to meet the unique needs of each client, helping them achieve their goals and overcome obstacles.

Jill Sinnott, LCSW

Staff Therapist

Jill Sinnott is a Licensed Clinical Social Worker. She has practiced in Tennessee for over ten years, in a variety of roles including comprehensive child and family therapy, mobile crisis, and group-based Alcohol and Drug treatment. Most recently, she worked in community mental health for five and a half years. In this role, she focused on individual therapy with clients of all ages. Jill obtained her Bachelor's Degree from Warren Wilson College in Swannanoa, NC, and her Master's of Science in Social Work from the University of Tennessee in Knoxville, TN before settling in Johnson City, TN with her family. Jill's areas of interest include working with the LGBTQIA+ community and incorporating play therapy techniques while working with children. She uses a combination of Cognitive Behavioral Therapy, Motivational Interviewing, and Solution-Focused Therapy to develop a treatment plan addressing the client's own goals using specific, obtainable steps and recognizing each individual's strengths.

Tyler O'Brien, MD

Staff Psychiatrist

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.‍

Ashley Harmon, MD

Staff Psychiatrist

Dr. Ashley Harmon is board certified psychiatrist with specialization in geriatric psychiatry and has been in practice over 12 years. She completed her undergraduate training at Xavier University of Louisiana and residency at University of Cincinnati where she served as Chief Resident in her final year. She then went to University of Rochester where she completed her fellowship training in geriatric psychiatry. Dr. Harmon has worked in a variety of settings including acute care, long term care facilities, and residential treatment. She spent the largest part of her career in the VA Healthcare System. She served in various roles which included staff psychiatrist, Associate Program Director of Psychiatry and Inpatient Psychiatry Medical Director. She has held previous faculty appointments at the University of Rochester, Carle Psychiatry Residency Program in association with University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign, and UT Southwestern. She also received the VAIHCS ICARE Bravo Award for reducing antipsychotic use in long-term care residents at VA Illiana.

When working with Dr. Harmon, patients can expect a unique treatment plan tailored to their individual needs. Dr. Harmon has an interest in integrative psychiatry and believes that improving mental health takes a comprehensive approach. This will include a thorough history, medication management, therapeutic interventions and referrals as appropriate.

Bethanie Berson, NP

Staff Nurse Practitioner

Bethanie is a board-certified Psychiatric Mental Health Nurse Practitioner who graduated with a Doctorate of Nursing Practice and a Master of Science, Psychiatric Advanced Practice Nursing from Columbia University School of Nursing where she was inducted into the Sigma Theta Tau Nursing Honor Society. She has been in practice for over 10 years, seeing patients with Anxiety, Depression, Bipolar Disorder, and Schizophrenia. Bethanie also has a passion for women's mental health during the perinatal phase of life. She believes in a collaborative partnership between herself and the client so that a mutually agreed upon plan of action can be developed in order to have the greatest chances of success.

Xiomara Nieves Alvarado, MD

Staff Psychiatrist

Dr. Nieves-Alvarado is a board-certified psychiatrist who completed medical training at Duke University Psychiatry Program. Originally from Puerto Rico, she is fluent in both English and Spanish, which allows her to connect deeply with a diverse patient population. Her practice combines medication management with insight-oriented therapy during every visit, promoting a comprehensive approach to mental health care. She advocates for her patients to engage in therapy alongside medication management, as she believes this integrated approach leads to better outcomes and sustained improvement. Dr. Nieves-Alvarado's practice is rooted in a collaborative, team-based approach, working closely with her patients to achieve long-term mental wellness. Dr. Nieves-Alvarado earned her medical degree from the Universidad Central del Caribe School of Medicine in Bayamon, PR. Afterward, she moved to North Carolina, where she completed her residency at Duke University Hospital. During her training, she was nominated for a fellowship in psychodynamic practice by the Psychoanalytic Center of the Carolinas, showcasing her expertise in this area. She is also a dedicated advocate against childhood sexual trauma. Her diverse training includes significant experience in jail and forensic psychiatry, as well as the treatment of military veterans under the Veterans Affairs health care system. She has experience in medically assisted treatments (MAT) for substance use disorders, Electroconvulsive therapy (ECT), and family therapy, enabling her to care for patients with complex needs. Dr. Nieves-Alvarado treats patients across a wide age range, from young adults to the elderly. Passionate about improving access to mental health care, she joined Talkiatry to help patients facing time or transportation challenges receive the care they need. In addition to her clinical practice, Dr. Nieves-Alvarado remains involved with her alma mater's Behavioral Health Department, contributing to academic education and maintaining a connection with the next generation of medical professionals. She continues to seek ongoing improvement in her field, remaining engaged with medical associations including North Carolina Psychiatric Association, American Psychiatric Association, and Alpha Omega Alpha national medical honor society. Dr. Nieves-Alvarado is committed to working hand-in-hand with her patients to achieve mental wellness.

Brenda Camacho, MD

Staff Psychiatrist

Dr. Brenda Y. Camacho holds the position of Staff Psychiatrist at Talkiatry. She is board-certified in Adult Psychiatry. She has been practicing for over 25 years. While having treated a wide range of adult patients, Dr. Camacho's primary focus is treating adult outpatients with mood or psychotic disorders. Her practice focuses on medication management. Typically, she offers this in conjunction with supportive or insight-oriented therapy in 30-minute follow-up visits. On occasion, Dr. Camacho will believe additional therapy is also needed and asks that you bring a therapist into your care team to provide the best outcome. Dr. Camacho completed her undergraduate studies at Tufts University. She received her medical degree from Temple University School of Medicine in Philadelphia, PA and then continued with Temple for her residency in adult psychiatry. After completing training, Dr. Camacho worked at Cooper Hospital in Camden, NJ as Associate Director of Consultation/Liaison Service and Psychiatry Residency Training and Co-Director of the Neuropsychiatry Clinic. She then began working exclusively in outpatient settings, joined NewPoint Behavioral Health Care, and served as Medical Director before and after their merge with Acenda Integrated Health.

Andrew Li, MD

Staff Psychiatrist

Dr. Li is a board-certified adult psychiatrist based in Florida. He has a particular focus on combining supportive psychotherapy techniques with medication management in the treatment of psychiatric conditions. Some conditions he has particular experience in managing include attention/focus difficulties, anxiety, depression and bipolar mood issues, but he is well-versed in addressing a wide variety of diagnoses.

Mallory Jacobs, MD

Staff Psychiatrist

Dr. Jacobs is board-certified in Adult Psychiatry by the American Board of Psychiatry and Neurology. She specializes in medication management for adult patients across a range of psychiatric conditions, with a focus on treating depression, anxiety, bipolar disorders, and ADHD. Dr. Jacobs employs a therapeutic approach to medication management, incorporating supportive and psychodynamic psychotherapies into her sessions. She selects psychopharmacological treatments and therapies tailored to each patient's individual needs and symptoms. Dr. Jacobs earned her Bachelor of Science in Science and Business from the University of Notre Dame. She graduated from medical school at the University of Mississippi, where she was honored with membership in the Gold Humanism Honor Society for her exceptional clinical skills, interpersonal abilities, and dedication to patient care. She then returned to Texas to follow her passion for mental health, completing her residency in Psychiatry at the University of Texas Southwestern Medical Center. Dr. Jacobs developed a strong enthusiasm for enhancing mental health care within communities and completed a fellowship in Community Psychiatry through the UT Southwestern Altshuler Center for Education and Research in the Dallas-Fort Worth area. Over the years, she has worked with major community mental health organizations across Texas and has recently focused on leveraging telemedicine to coordinate mental health support with primary care providers. Throughout her career, Dr. Jacobs has been committed to psychiatric research, educational initiatives, and organizational efforts to advance mental health care education and patient care in communities. She is an active member and leader in several medical and psychiatric organizations. Dr. Jacobs takes great pleasure in connecting with patients via telemedicine, focusing on meeting them where they are in their mental health journey and supporting their needs and goals.

Boski Patel, MD

Staff Psychiatrist

Dr. Boski Patel holds the position of psychiatrist at Talkiatry. She is double board-certified in geriatric and adult psychiatry and she has been practicing for over 3 years. Dr. Patel's practice focuses on medication management and she typically in conjunction with supportive therapy in 30-minute follow-up visits. On occasion, Dr. Patel may believe that additional therapy is also needed and asks that you bring a therapist into your care team to provide the best outcome. She received her undergraduate degree from the University of Pittsburgh, and then went on to receive her medical degree from Penn State University. Following medical school, she completed general psychiatry residency training at the University of Connecticut where she was Chief resident of outpatient psychiatric services. During that time, she was also chosen as an Honors scholar by the American Association of Geriatric Psychiatry. After training, she moved to California to do her geriatric psychiatry fellowship at Stanford. Following her fellowship, she worked at Kaiser Permanente in clinical roles of outpatient, geriatric, and C/L.

Alexandra Baluna, MD

Staff Psychiatrist

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.

Paul Pennington, LPC

Education and training

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