Paul Pennington, LPC

Tiffany Vickers is a board-certified Psychiatric Nurse Practitioner who earned her Master of Science Degree from Southeastern Louisiana University. She takes a holistic approach to mental health by recognizing the essential connection between the mind and body. Tiffany has 26 years of diverse experience in the clinical, home, and telepsychiatry settings.

Tiffany is committed to creating a safe, supportive, and nonjudgmental space where clients feel heard. She is especially passionate about reducing the stigma surrounding mental illness and believes in partnering closely with clients to help them achieve meaningful and lasting progress.

New patients working with Tiffany can expect a collaborative, respectful, and goal-oriented approach to care. She specializes in treating adults with ADHD, anxiety, bipolar disorder, depression, OCD, and PTSD. Tiffany's treatment approach utilizes a combination of medication management, lifestyle modifications, supportive therapy, and solution-focused techniques.

Her approach is grounded in empathy, clinical expertise, and a commitment to helping each individual achieve their mental health goals.

Tiffany follows a multi-stage, personalized approach when working with clients. She begins by gathering a comprehensive history, understanding the client's primary concerns, and identifying both short- and long-term goals. From there, she collaborates with each individual to develop a tailored treatment plan that includes client-specific interventions.

Tiffany's process is dynamic and adaptive! She monitors each client's progress and adjusts care as needed to ensure it remains aligned with their needs and goals. This thoughtful, individualized approach supports lasting outcomes and empowers clients to take an active role in their mental health journey.

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 veteran 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.”

Eva Sleczka LCSW has a wealth of experience and a passion for integrated patient care. Eva Sleczka, LCSW brings a unique blend of expertise and compassion that is sure to benefit psychotherapy patients. Eva Sleczka, LCSW is a broadly accomplished social worker with years of experience in hospital health-based and community-based human services environments. Eva Sleczka LCSW has an impressive background in the behavioral health field, holding an MSW, LCSW from New York University and specializing in behavioral health psychotherapy with adults, children and families. They have spent 30 years working in various healthcare settings, including health and hospital systems, emergency room and screening center for psychiatric emergency services, school-based and community-based outpatient treatment settings, where they have honed their skills and gained valuable experience in patient care. Their commitment to staying abreast of the latest advancements in behavioral health science ensures that our patients receive the highest quality of psychotherapy care. One of the key strengths Eva Sleczka, LCSW, brings to our team is their expertise in integrative care and trauma-informed psychotherapy, skilled with adults and families with mental health needs. They have a proven track record of clinical supervision of social work students in the field, experience as a Clinical Director of a community mental health setting, psychotherapist for adults, children, and families with mental health needs, making them a valuable resource for both our patients and our staff. Whether it's managing complex cases, providing preventive care, or offering specialized treatments, supervision of social work students Eva Sleczka, LCSW is dedicated to delivering comprehensive and personalized care to each patient. At the core of Eva Sleczka, LCSW's practice is a patient-centered approach that prioritizes the individual needs and preferences of each patient. They believe in fostering strong clinician-patient relationships built on trust, empathy, and open communication. By involving patients in their own care decisions and providing education about their health, Eva Sleczka, LCSW, empowers patients to take an active role in their well-being. Eva Sleczka, LCSW utilizes cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT), focusing mainly on acceptance and commitment therapy (ACT) and incorporating mindfulness into a wellness-based approach.

Background and credentials

Dr. Schaefer is a board-certified adult psychiatrist with over 16 years of experience. She earned her medical degree from the University of Nebraska Medical Center in Omaha, NE, and completed her adult psychiatry residency at Oregon Health and Science University in Portland, OR. She then specialized further by completing a forensic psychiatry fellowship at Yale University. She has worked as a staff psychiatrist at Atrium Health System for over 16 years.

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Treatment approach

Dr. Schaefer’s practice primarily focuses on medication management, which she offers in conjunction with supportive therapy and elements of cognitive-behavioral therapy (CBT). She takes a patient-centered and collaborative approach, ensuring that treatment is tailored to each individual’s needs. If additional therapy is required, she may recommend working with a therapist as part of a comprehensive care plan. Her primary focus areas include depression, anxiety disorders, and obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD).

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What you can expect in a first visit

During the first visit, patients can expect a thorough psychiatric evaluation, where Dr. Schaefer carefully assesses their symptoms, treatment history, and mental health goals. She works collaboratively with patients to develop a personalized treatment plan, which may include medication management and therapy recommendations. Follow-up visits are typically 30 minutes and focus on monitoring progress, adjusting treatment as needed, and ensuring the best possible patient 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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Bernadette Hulsinger, LPC works with individuals from young adulthood through senior adulthood and has experience across inpatient and outpatient settings. She is a clinical trauma counselor with expertise in crisis intervention, risk assessment, TBI, ASD, and couples and family counseling. Bernadette has provided telehealth services since 2017 and holds Board Certification in Telemental Health (BC-TMH). She also serves as a supervisor for counselors working toward licensure.

Bernadette’s style is warm, conversational, and wellness-focused. While she may challenge clients, it is always done in a non-confrontational and supportive manner. She provides a judgment-free space for all clients, including those in poly relationships. Sessions emphasize collaboration, with clients setting their own goals while receiving guidance and exploration along the way.

The first session focuses on understanding a client’s history, life experiences, and previous counseling. Bernadette works collaboratively to develop a treatment plan with attainable goals, emphasizing steady progress and overall wellness—being “just a bit more well today than in past days.” She regularly checks in about the therapeutic relationship and values feedback, always prioritizing client safety, comfort, and fit.

Frank Miller is a Licensed Professional Counselor with years of experience in a variety of mental health settings. Frank has worked in hospitals, community mental health care, a treatment center for clients struggling with co-occurring mental health and substance use disorders, as well as providing individual outpatient therapy to a wide variety of clients.

Frank attended graduate school at Midwestern State University in Wichita Falls, TX, while working in the mental health field, earning a Masters degree in their Clinical Mental Health Counseling Program in 2019. Frank has provided individualized, client-focused therapy for adults and adolescents since that time, helping others to find purpose and meaning in their lives.

Frank utilizes a combination of Cognitive Behavioral Therapy, Dialectical Behavior Therapy, and Reality Therapy, depending on the client’s needs. Frank believes that we can all benefit from eliminating distorted thinking leading to negativity and self-defeat, and becoming more emotionally regulated, stress tolerant, and mindful, putting us back into the driver’s seat of our daily lives. We may then achieve the freedom to positively fulfill our needs, pursue our goals, and feel confident in our journey towards balance and peace of mind.