Rebecca Kostopoulos, PMHNP

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Mary Poupon is an experienced board certified psychiatric APRN/psychiatric nurse practitioner with over 30 years' experience in her field. She completed her graduate work at Columbia University and is published in her field. Her practice sites have included inpatient hospital treatment, partial hospital programs, in-home programs, outpatient clinics and alternative therapy including equine assisted therapy. She was the program director and clinician with the Ryan White Mental Health Program in New York providing innovative mental health treatment for adolescents and adults living with HIV/AIDS in the boroughs of Manhattan, Queens, Brooklyn and the Bronx. In 2013 she became certified as an equine assisted psychotherapist and served as the Director of Mental Health at Embrace Hope in Sandy Hook, CT. She was appointed as the Executive Director of Embrace Hope in 2017. Embrace Hope provided treatment to children, adolescents and adults who were victims of trauma related to the shooting at the Sandy Hook Elementary School. She presented a TED x talk in 2018 regarding her work with victims of trauma. She has provided treatment in the outpatient setting for children, teens, and adults. She has provided treatment to young adults at the Covenant House New York shelter program for homeless young adults.

Mary believes the human spirit is resilient. There are many challenges in the lifespan and self-care is paramount to success. Mary provides psychiatric consultation and assessment and provides a pathway to change. Treatment may include medication management, therapy, and coping skills to assist with life challenges. Mary believes treatment is a partnership and believes in establishing mutually agreed upon goals.

Mary's process for working with patients begins with active listening. The assessment begins with the patient describing why they are seeking engagement in behavioral health treatment at this time. She will complete a psychiatric assessment and evaluation and establish mutually agreed upon goals for treatment. She offers medication management in conjunction with supportive therapy in 30-minute follow-up visits. Mary believes that therapy and medication management if indicated together provides the best treatment outcomes.

Ashlyn Tellers, PMHNP

Staff Nurse Practitioner

Dr. Ashlyn Tellers is a board certified Psychiatric Mental Health Nurse Practitioner. She received her Doctorate degree in nursing with an emphasis in psychiatry, in 2020 from the University of Arizona. She has been caring for mental health patients for twelve plus years in the long-term care, inpatient, residential, and outpatient settings. She specializes in treating adults with depression, anxiety disorders, bipolar disorder, ADHD, and OCD with medication management and supportive therapy. She focuses on educating her patients to build a therapeutic and safe treatment plan with every patient. Dr. Tellers encourages her patients to discuss their past mental history and current stressors to finding the root cause of their triggers and identify healthy coping skills, while also referring patients to therapists for more specialized therapies.

Deborah Bearman, PMHNP

Staff Nurse Practitioner

Deborah Bearman, PMHNP, is a board-certified psychiatric nurse practitioner who is dedicated to helping those struggling with mental health concerns to live a more fulfilling life. Deborah received her Master of Science in Nursing with a specialty in psychiatry from SUNY Upstate Medical University. She is trained in psychiatric diagnosis, medication management, and psychodynamic and cognitive behavioral therapies. Over the past 10 years, she has gained valuable experience in a number of settings, including inpatient and outpatient facilities, community mental health clinics, and private practice. Deborah is devoted to addressing adult mental health from a holistic perspective, utilizing a combination of medication management with supportive counseling, which she offers during 30-minute follow up sessions. While she focuses on medication management, she believes most people benefit from therapy as well and has extensive experience in psychodynamic and cognitive behavior therapies. She also believes in providing psychoeducation to patients, families, and caregivers. As a psychiatric nurse practitioner, Deborah understands the value of the therapeutic relationship and the positive impact it can have on daily function. By working with patients to create comprehensive and effective treatment plans, Deborah supports her patients in living healthier and more satisfying lives.

Bryce Thacker, PMHNP

Staff Nurse Practitioner

Bryce Thacker grew up in a rural community. He learned to be part of a community where helping everyone achieve their “best ‘selves” meant improving/maintaining community health and helping the community thrive. With his passion for helping people live “their best lives”, he received his undergrad in biology from the University of Nebraska and Creighton University where he majored in nursing. He obtained a Master of Science majoring in nursing (Family Nurse Practitioner) and Community health from Creighton University, and a Doctor of Nursing Practice from the University of Colorado where he focused on population and community health. He then obtained a post doctorate/graduate certification in psychiatric mental health from Washburn University.

Bryce practiced for 18 years in family practice before specializing in psychiatric mental health. This helped him gain a holistic view of mental and physical health. Since focusing on psychiatric mental health in 2022, he has helped people live “their best lives” through medication management. Whether mood disorders, PTSD, anxiety, ADHD, or other mental health conditions which may disrupt your desired QOL, he would like to be part of your journey to achieve your desired mental health goals. Bryce still lives in a rural community with his family and continues to enjoy being part of helping people live “their best ‘selves”.

Bryce understands that his goals are not your goals, and that everyone’s “best ‘self” is unique to them. He understands “meeting someone where they are at” regarding their mental health is important when helping them on their journey to “living their best life” and having a quality of life they desire. He will always keep you at the center of your care and would love to be part of your journey to achieve your mental health goals in a safe, sustaining way.

Bryce will take time to learn about you and understand what adverse symptoms are disrupting your quality of life, and how they impact your ability to “live your best self”. Keeping your personal quality of life goals at the center, he will work with you to help overcome self-defeating thoughts and mental health labels you may have been told there is only a certain way to achieve goals that may not even be your goals. Finding a safe, sustainable way for you to achieve your desired quality of life in a holistic approach will always be at the center of your care.

Deborah Ford, PMHNP

Staff Nurse Practitioner

Deborah Ford PMHNP, FNP is a dually certified board certified Psychiatric Mental Health Nurse Practitioner. She is also qualified as a family nurse practitioner. She completed her education at the University of Cincinnati in Ohio and the University of Kennesaw in Ga. Ms. Ford has 10 years of treating patients with mental health issues. Working in various settings such as outpatient, inpatient, private practice and telepsychiatry.

Whether you’re struggling with Schizophrenia, ADD, Anxiety, Depression, PTSD, Bipolar, Panic, or other mental health disorders. Together we can work to help equip you with the necessary tools to help you face and overcome challenges. Please understand you are the priority! Deborah Ford offers encouragement, empathy, hope and understanding by providing compassion and promoting self-care. In her free time, she enjoys exercise and travel. Believing that self-love is an essential part of mental wellness. She believes in continuous learning and is a patient advocate. As a team, support is provided with the help of psychotherapy such as cognitive behavioral therapy, mindfulness, psychodynamic therapy using motivational interviewing. Deborah Ford’s Core Values surround Integrity, accountability, diversity, collaboration, inclusion & respect.

Gabrielle Kull, LPC

Staff Therapist

Gabrielle Kull is a Licensed Professional Counselor with a strong foundation in mental health care. She earned her undergraduate degree from Indiana University of Pennsylvania in 2017 and went on to complete her Master's degree at West Virginia University in 2019. Since then, Gabrielle has gained experience working with diverse populations and age groups while working for a non-profit organization that served victims of sexual assault, domestic violence, and other violent crimes. She has a genuine interest in treating a vast array of psychiatric disorders including Post-Traumatic Stress Disorders, Depression, Anxiety, and Obsessive-Compulsive related disorders. Gabrielle became licensed in 2022. She has been trained extensively in Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing (EMDR) therapy since 2019 and achieved her EMDR certification in 2025. She takes a trauma-informed, client-centered approach, meeting individuals where they are in their healing journey. Her practice incorporates evidence-based modalities, including Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT), Internal Family Systems (IFS), and mindfulness techniques, to support her clients in achieving their goals. Gabrielle is committed to ongoing education and continuous learning to ensure she provides the most effective and up-to-date care for her clients. She is currently expanding her specialties to include mental performance counseling with athletes.

Rebecca Crosbie, MD

Staff Psychiatrist

Dr. Rebecca Crosbie is a board-certified adult psychiatrist and has been practicing in outpatient psychiatry for nearly 7 years. Her practice focuses on medication management, and she typically offers medication management combined with supportive therapy or Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT) in 30 minute follow-up visits. If Dr. Crosbie feels you would benefit from working with a dedicated talk therapist, she may encourage you to pursue this or refer you in order to achieve the best outcome. Dr. Crosbie is a graduate of Michigan State College of Human Medicine. She completed her psychiatry residency at Pine Rest/Michigan State University in Grand Rapids, MI. She has previously worked as an outpatient psychiatrist and in tele-psychiatry. She has a lot of experience treating patients with a broad array of mental health conditions, including: anxiety disorders, depression, OCD, bipolar disorder, and ADHD. She also treats combined mental health diagnoses such as ADHD plus another diagnosis. She also has a lot of experience working with patients who identify as LGBTQI+. Her approach is always to meet the patient where they are and educate and enable patients to make good choices about treatment that are in line with their personal preferences and values.

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.

Amrish Pipalia, MD

Staff Psychiatrist

Dr. Pipalia is board-certified in both adult psychiatry and internal medicine. Since graduation from residency, he gained specialized experience in treating veterans with terminal illness, specifically Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis (aka Lou Gehrig's Disease), at the VA Medical Center in Portland, OR. He combines both psychotherapy and medication treatment to provide holistic care that addresses not only your mental health but also the parts of your life that surround and are deeply intertwined with your mental health. When more intensive psychotherapy is warranted, he collaborates with an experienced psychotherapist to serve you better. With his experience of internal medicine, he is also comfortable with navigating complex medical issues that may interact with your mental health. Dr. Pipalia is a graduate of St. George's University School of Medicine. He completed a combined Psychiatry & Internal Medicine residency training program at East Carolina University. He went on to complete a fellowship in Clinical Informatics at Oregon Health & Science University, learning how to use modern digital technologies and patient data to improve patient care. His academic activities include a presentation he has given multiple times on Illness Identity, teaching other clinicians how having an illness can change how we perceive our place in the world and how to help patients manage their relationship with illness.

Caitlin Tillberg, MD

Staff Psychiatrist

Dr. Caitlin Tillberg (she/her) is a board-certified psychiatrist. She has a BA in musicology and cognitive science from Oberlin College, an MD from Quinnipiac University in Connecticut, and completed general adult psychiatry residency at Duke University. Dr. Tillberg practices patient-centered and trauma-informed care, valuing patient autonomy and collaborative decision-making, acknowledging the burden many people carry from intersecting oppressions. She believes therapy is important � often equally important as medication, or more � and will work together with you to make a realistic treatment plan that will fit into your life. Dr. Tillberg also has a niche working with people with complicated relationships with their bodies, whether due to disordered eating, gender dysphoria, chronic illness/disability, or trauma. She welcomes LGBTQ+ patients, including trans and non-binary adults. She also enjoys working with patients with OCD, as well as autistic/neurodivergent adults (including those seeking adult autism evaluation). Please note Talkiatry is most appropriate for autistic patients with Level 1 (or case-by-case Level 2) support needs and who are verbal. Regarding eating disorders: Please note that for patient safety, per Talkiatry policy, Dr. Tillberg is unable to work with patients with current active anorexia nervosa or bulimia nervosa (or significant relapse in the last 6 months), or with patients requiring current regular medical or lab monitoring for complications of binge-eating disorder or ARFID. Bariatric surgery patients are welcome if medically stable. Patients with current disordered eating that does not rise to the level of a formal diagnosis of anorexia or bulimia, or with a past history of anorexia or bulimia in sustained remission, will be evaluated on a case-by-case basis at the first appointment. Dr. Tillberg looks forward to meeting you.

Rebecca Benedict, LMHC

Staff Licensed Mental Health Counselor

Rebecca Benedict is a Licensed Mental Health Counselor (LMHC) with a background in providing mental health services across several diverse settings. She has gained invaluable experience working in two community mental health agencies and completing two internships. Rebecca holds a Master's degree in Clinical Mental Health Counseling from Syracuse University, and has been working in the role of mental health counselor for three years. Rebecca specializes in addressing the complex interplay between neuro-divergence and mental health symptoms. Her expertise encompasses a wide range of conditions including anxiety, depression, trauma, obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD), attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder (ADHD), dissociative disorders, and challenges with emotion regulation. Her therapeutic approach is eclectic, incorporating Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT), Dialectical Behavior Therapy (DBT), mindfulness, narrative therapy, and existentialism. Rebecca is dedicated to tailoring her treatment modalities to fit the unique needs of each client, often integrating creativity and clients' personal hobbies or interests into the therapeutic process to enhance engagement and outcomes. With a compassionate and holistic approach, Rebecca Benedict is committed to fostering a supportive and transformative environment for her clients, guiding them towards improved mental health and overall well-being.

Alexander Wittenberg, DO

Staff Psychiatrist

Background and credentials

Dr. Alexander Wittenberg is a board-certified adult psychiatrist. He received his undergraduate degree from Cornell University, majoring in Human Biology, Health, and Society. He earned his medical degree from the New York Institute of Technology College of Osteopathic Medicine, where he was a member of the Psi Sigma Alpha Osteopathic Honor Society. As chief resident at Mount Sinai Beth Israel, he gained extensive experience working in outpatient settings and managing patient care at one of New York City's busiest clinics. Dr. Wittenberg has expertise in treating a wide range of mental health conditions, including depressive disorders, anxiety disorders, bipolar disorder, trauma and stressor-related disorders, and OCD.

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Treatment approach

Dr. Wittenberg offers highly individualized and empathic treatment, primarily focusing on medication management. He frequently recommends integrating therapy into treatment plans and may suggest collaborating with a therapist. Dr. Wittenberg prioritizes a holistic approach, emphasizing overall well-being alongside symptom relief. He encourages the incorporation of mindfulness, self-compassion, exercise, nutrition, and attention to interpersonal relationships into his treatment strategy.

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What you can expect in a first visit

During an initial visit with Dr. Wittenberg, patients can anticipate a collaborative, patient-centered, and non-judgmental environment designed to foster a meaningful therapeutic relationship. He will thoroughly discuss individual concerns and treatment goals, exploring potential therapeutic interventions, including medication management and holistic strategies to support mental health and overall wellness.

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.

Rebecca Kostopoulos, PMHNP

Education and training

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