Paula Wilt, MD

Dr. Mark Varela is a board-certified psychiatrist joining Talkiatry directly out of residency. He focuses primarily on medication management, often accompanied by brief cognitive, motivational, or supportive therapy. He may request that you also meet with a therapist regularly for your benefit. Dr. Varela received his medical degree and general psychiatric residency training both from Texas Tech University Health Sciences Center in West Texas. He treats young adults and adults with a wide variety of mental health concerns, including ADHD, mood disorders, anxiety, OCD, and PTSD.

Dr. Albert Fernandez is a board-certified physician who specializes in adult psychiatry. He has expertise in medication management and psychotherapy. His practice emphasizes a holistic approach to treatment and his style is empathic, insight-oriented, and flexible. He has particular interests in helping individuals struggling with depression, difficulty functioning at work or school, life transitions, bipolar spectrum disorders, ADHD, obsessive-compulsive disorders, relationship struggles, anxiety disorders, sleep disturbances, low self-esteem, and more. He received his bachelor's degree in psychology from Princeton University with a certificate in neuroscience. He earned his M.D. from Renaissance School of Medicine at Stony Brook University and completed his residency training in psychiatry at the Mount Sinai Morningside and West Hospitals. He has supervised junior residents and medical students. He also worked as a staff psychiatrist at Fordham University and published a review article on the effects of residential relocation on mental health. He is currently a Post-Doctoral Candidate in the Adult Analytic Training Program at the New York Psychoanalytic Society and Institute.

Dr. Jacqueline Lewandowski is a board-certified physician specializing in adult psychiatry. She obtained her undergraduate degree from New York University where she studied psychology and child/adolescent mental health. Dr. Lewandowski received her medical degree from St. George's University in Grenada, before moving back to New York to complete her residency at Morningside and West Mount Sinai Hospitals. Since completion of training, Dr. Lewandowski has practiced and held teaching positions in both the Comprehensive Psychiatric Emergency Department of Harlem Hospital and the inpatient units and psychiatric emergency rooms of Morningside and West Hospitals. Dr. Lewandowski has a wide range of experience treating a diverse spectrum of psychiatric diagnoses and populations. She strongly believes in tailoring treatments through a holistic and patient-centered lens based on individual and multi-faceted histories. During 30-minute monthly sessions, Dr. Lewandowski focuses on collaborating with patients using evidence-based treatments with an emphasis on medication management in conjunction with supportive therapy. Additionally, she may recommend bringing a therapist into your care team to help facilitate a more comprehensive treatment plan. Dr. Lewandowski looks forward to working with you to help achieve and optimize your wellness and improve your quality of life.

Darcie Farrell is an ANCC Board Certified Family Psychiatric Nurse Practitioner.  She has worked exclusively in the field of psychiatry during her forty-year nursing career.  She has worked in many care settings, including as a psychiatric Home Health Nurse and as a Certified Case Manager (CCM) in Psychiatry at Blue Cross Blue Shield. During her time at Excellus Blue Cross Blue Shield, she realized the urgent need for psychiatric nurse practitioners, so enrolled in the BSN/MSN program at the University of Rochester, graduating in 2016 with her BSN and in 2018 with her MSN.  She has strong skills and experience in Motivational Interviewing, having worked as a Motivational Counselor for a University of Rochester's Pediatric Research Program.   She has worked for the past seven years as a Nurse Practitioner in Geriatric Outpatient Psychiatry.

Darcie Farrell is a compassionate provider who is client centered. I rely on evidence-based scientific research when determining the best treatment options for clients.  

Darcie Farrell has a very relaxed process for working with patients which allows the client to provide information that is pertinent to their goals for care.  Then, together, we determine which treatment options are likely to be best for the client.

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Dr. Alexandra Held is a general psychiatrist who holds a bachelor’s degree in psychology. She completed her psychiatry training at the University of Miami Miller School of Medicine. Her clinical interests include mood and anxiety disorders, PTSD, and OCD. She is passionate about incorporating psychotherapeutic tools into her practice, including supportive psychotherapy.

Dr. Held takes a warm, collaborative, and nonjudgmental approach to care. Her goal is to create a safe and supportive space where patients feel heard and empowered to take an active role in their treatment, using a combination of supportive psychotherapy and medication management.

During the first few sessions, Dr. Held will take time to get to know the patient—their history, current concerns, and what they hope to achieve through treatment. Together, they will develop a comprehensive plan that may include psychiatric medications and supportive therapy. Follow-up visits are typically focused on checking in, adjusting treatments if necessary, and continuing to build on progress.

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Laura Hendricks is a psychiatric mental health nurse practitioner (PMHNP) with over 20 years of experience across a variety of clinical settings, including outpatient care, inpatient psychiatric facilities, private practice, consult-liaison psychiatry, and telepsychiatry. She has worked with individuals across the lifespan and brings a Family Systems perspective to her practice, helping patients develop greater awareness of their personal growth, attachment styles, and behavioral patterns to support more fulfilling lives.

Laura is also a long-time practitioner of Nonviolent Communication (Compassionate Communication), a method that fosters deeper empathy and connection with oneself and others. She integrates these principles into her clinical work to help individuals live more authentically and meaningfully.

Her approach is rooted in a whole-person perspective, guiding clients to recognize their strengths and utilize appropriate treatment tools. This begins with building a strong, respectful therapeutic relationship based on collaboration and shared decision-making. Laura practices evidence-based medication management and incorporates supportive counseling and psychoeducation into every session. She believes that empowering patients through education is essential to improving mental health outcomes.

Laura conducts thorough assessments to clarify diagnoses and treatment needs, with ongoing evaluation throughout the course of care. She works collaboratively with patients to refine treatment goals and strategies, always emphasizing a strengths-based and empowering approach.

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