Rita Shaughnessy, MD

Dr. Absar Tahir is an adult psychiatrist double-boarded in psychiatry and internal medicine who specializes in evidence-based, holistic, and individualized care. He graduated from the University of Alabama at Birmingham, where he earned both his undergraduate and medical degrees. Dr. Tahir completed sequential residency training in both internal medicine at the Mayo Clinic in Rochester, Minnesota, followed by psychiatry at Emory University in Atlanta, Georgia. Dr. Tahir integrates his knowledge of psychiatry and internal medicine to address the complex interplay between mental and physical health, ensuring a comprehensive and thoughtful approach to diagnosis and treatment. Throughout his career, he has helped patients from all walks of life, from diverse backgrounds, with a compassionate and empathetic treatment style. He strives to ensure his patients feel their voice is heard while working collaboratively towards achieving their treatment goals. As a psychiatrist, he specializes in the treatment of depression, anxiety disorders, bipolar disorder, obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD), post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD), and attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder (ADHD). He is also highly experienced in treating psychiatric problems in patients with medical comorbidities.

Dr. Rodriguez is an adult psychiatrist, who is fluent in Spanish and English. She completed residency at St Luke's-Roosevelt Hospital in New York City via Columbia University College of Physicians and Surgeons followed by a Fellowship in Forensic Psychiatry in a combined Cornell University - Columbia University program with the New York State Psychiatric Institute. She obtained her medical degree at the Pontificia Universidad Catolica Madre y Maestro in the Dominican Republic. Dr. Rodriguez is an adult psychiatrist and has worked with a wide array of patients across various medical settings including extensive experience in Telehealth. Her experience includes Kings County Hospital in Brooklyn, New York, in addition to outpatient experience in both clinics and correctional facilities. Dr. Rodriguez has experience treating patients with psychiatric illness who may also be suffering from medical comorbidities, such as obesity, hypertension, pain, and diabetes. She has been deeply involved with teaching and emphasizes psychoeducation while working in collaboration with her patients to help tailor their personalized treatment plan. Her primary focus has been on treating adults with depression, bipolar disorder, anxiety, ADHD, OCD, and PTSD. Dr. Rodriguez has an approachable, patient-centered style, combined with a passion for optimizing sleep as it pertains to management of a psychiatric illness and overall well-being. She offers supportive therapy as part of her medication management visits, and at times may also offer cognitive behavioral therapy to address underlying stressors which may be contributing to one's presenting ailments. She may also recommend including a therapist in your care team to optimize outcomes.

Angie Catlin DNP has been working in mental health for over a decade. She has experience working inpatient, outpatient, and intensive outpatient clinics. She has also worked as a provider in residential care centers and long-term care. She began as a BSN nurse, after graduating from Pittstate University in Kansas, in the critical care field before finding psychiatry at an inpatient child and adolescent hospital. Working with young patients in crisis led her to want to continue her education to become a psychiatric provider to address lack of access to care for those with mental health needs. Angie continued to help ensure those in need have access to care, and assisting her patients obtain the best outcomes became her passion.

She then enrolled in a dual master’s program to obtain her Master’s in Nursing and Master’s in Business for health care administration as she wanted to gather as much knowledge as she could on the barriers to care and to address those barriers. After finishing her dual Master’s with a MSN and MBA/HA from University of Phoenix, she enrolled in the Doctor of Nursing Practice program at University of Missouri in Columbia to become a Psychiatric Nurse Practitioner. While in her Doctorate program she completed residencies in rural outpatient clinics, urban outpatient clinics, and nursing homes to understand the barriers for patients of all age groups in each level of care. Since graduating from Mizzou, Angie maintained her zealousness in making care available to all; working with diverse populations in every setting. She enjoys reading up on the latest research pertinent to her clients, including new medications and treatments on the horizon. Angie is an avid football fan and enjoys cooking, reading, live music, and spending quality time with her family including her Saint Bernard and two English bull dogs during her downtime.

Angie Catlin DNP has worked with patients suffering from anxiety, depression, OCD, PTSD, ADHD personality disorders, learning disabilities, insomnia, Autism, bipolar disorder, Alzheimer’s and dementia, Parkinson’s, Psychosis, Depression, Schizoaffective disorder, and schizophrenia. Angie has always been an advocate for those with mental health issues and is willing to do what is needed to help patient’s feel supported, educating her patients on current treatments and treatment options, and best practices. Moreover, Angie advocates for LGBT issues and understands the issues facing those who are LGBT in society.

She is compassionate about the care she provides as she wants patients to achieve their best life. She will always spend time with patients discussing medications to ensure decisions are a team decision between patient and provider. She has always included counseling and education as part of her practice to ensure her patient receive best evidenced based outcomes She believes that psychiatric care decisions should be made with the patient, not for the patient, so patients feel heard respected and understood.

Angie Catlin DNP begins her sessions with new patients by gathering a thorough history including family history, medical history, surgical history, medication and psychiatric history. This ensures that the whole patient is treated and their entire histories are considered in influencing how the patient came to her and what their issues may be. Angie is careful to listen to each patient and assess what is important to them along with goals they may have for their treatment. Angie collaborates with her patients in a team approach to develop treatment plans that the patient feels comfortable with in achieving their goals.  

She values open communication and individualized treatment plans that focus on each patient’s needs and the barriers they face helping to address those barriers so patients can achieve to live their best lives. Angie wants the best for all patients she treats and accepts her patients as they are and supports what they believe is vital to their needs. Angie is a firm believer that the patient knows what works for them and is always patient centered in her approach.

Dr. Ali is a lifelong New Yorker who has always been fascinated by the complexity of the human mind, behavior, and experience. Growing up in a vibrant and diverse city, she developed a deep appreciation for how culture, environment, and individual background shape a person’s psychological well-being. Driven by this passion, she pursued her medical degree at SUNY Downstate Health Sciences University, where she gained a strong foundation in both the biological and psychosocial aspects of medicine. She then completed her general psychiatry training at SUNY Stony Brook University Hospital, where she worked closely with a diverse patient population from varied religious, cultural, socioeconomic, and age groups.

Dr. Ali prioritizes open communication and mutual trust, creating a safe, nonjudgmental environment where patients feel respected and empowered to actively engage in their care. She integrates psychotherapy techniques and takes a holistic, person centered approach to treatment.

Dr. Ali believes in collaboration and shared understanding grounded in evidence-based therapies. Her typical process includes developing individualized treatment plans aimed at symptom relief, improved functioning, and overall quality of life. Beyond medication management, she incorporates psychotherapy techniques and psychoeducation to help patients build coping skills and insight.

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Dr. Tiffany Chu earned her medical degree from the University of Southern California and completed her psychiatry residency at the Medical Center of Aurora. She has experience treating a wide range of psychiatric conditions, including depression, anxiety, ADHD, obsessive-compulsive disorder, panic disorder, and post-traumatic stress disorder.

Dr. Chu takes a holistic approach to psychiatry, aiming to promote long-term wellness and address root causes. Along with medication and psychotherapy, she may explore diet, nutrition, lifestyle factors, and integrative therapies. She strives to create a warm, supportive environment where patients feel truly heard.

Dr. Chu values shared decision-making. She listens carefully to patients’ concerns and goals and collaborates with them to develop individualized treatment plans tailored to each person’s needs.

Thomas Sargent, MD, holds a master's degree in pharmacology and a Doctor of Medicine from Tulane University School of Medicine. He completed his psychiatry residency at the Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai West/Morningside in New York City. Over the past four years, he has treated a wide range of mental health conditions in various clinical settings. Dr. Sargent has extensive experience treating mood, anxiety and psychotic disorders, PTSD, OCD, personality disorders, and substance use issues. He utilizes both medication management and psychotherapy to provide comprehensive care. Dr. Sargent has received specialized training at the VA and the Center for Intensive Treatment of Personality Disorders in NYC. Passionate about holistic treatment, Dr. Sargent considers the biological, psychological, and social factors that influence mental health. He believes in addressing core issues through targeted care rather than defaulting to prescribing multiple medications. Dr. Sargent strives to create a supportive environment where patients can openly express their concerns. He believes in shared decision-making to ensure that care is evidence-based but also tailored to each patient's unique needs. Dr. Sargent takes the time to thoroughly explain diagnoses and treatment options, empowering patients to make informed decisions about their mental health. His approach emphasizes patient autonomy and aims to build trust, leading to more effective and personalized care outcomes.