Rita Shaughnessy, MD

Dr. Natalie Cummings is a board-certified adult psychiatrist, and board-eligible geriatric psychiatrist. She obtained her medical degree from the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, and completed her residency training in psychiatry at the University of Miami Miller School of Medicine and Jackson Memorial Hospital. She then went on to complete her geriatric psychiatry fellowship at Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai Beth Israel. During her fellowship, Dr. Cummings participated in Mount Sinai's Visiting Doctors Program, providing patient-centered and compassionate care to homebound elder adults in New York City. She also received training at Coler Rehabilitation and Nursing Care Center on Roosevelt Island during her fellowship, and presented at the American Association for Geriatric Psychiatry annual meeting. During her training, Dr. Cummings gained extensive experience providing psychiatric care to various patient populations in multiple patient care settings, including in the outpatient clinic, inpatient unit, and emergency department. Following her training, Dr. Cummings worked at New York Presbyterian's Gracie Square Hospital, serving first in the position of float psychiatrist, providing care to patients on every inpatient psychiatric unit (including the young adult/college student program, Orthodox Jewish program, psychotic disorders program, crisis-stabilization program, dual focus program, and Asian Psychiatry program), before transitioning to an established psychiatric attending for the older adult program. During her time at Gracie Square Hospital, Dr. Cummings received the Physician of the Year Award, and served as a Clinical Assistant Professor of Psychiatry at Weill Cornell Medicine. She worked closely alongside staff psychologist, social workers and nurses to provide multidisciplinary, collaborative care to patients suffering from a variety of mental health conditions. Dr. Cummings primarily focuses on medication management and supportive psychotherapy, but has extensive training in utilizing various therapy modalities, including cognitive behavioral therapy, interpersonal therapy, reminiscence therapy, and psychodynamic psychotherapy. When appropriate, Dr. Cummings will refer for more extensive psychotherapy and/or collaborate with your established psychotherapist for comprehensive care. Dr. Cummings strongly believes that addressing psychosocial and interpersonal factors (including relationship health, economic stressors, social isolation and loneliness) is as essential as pharmacologic management in treating mental health conditions. She has particular experience and interest in treating older adults and those suffering from memory disorders, but provides treatment for a variety of psychiatric conditions including depression, anxiety, bipolar disorder, obsessive-compulsive disorders, trauma-related disorders and substance use disorders. Dr. Cummings is a member of the American Psychiatric Association and American Association for Geriatric Psychiatry.

Dr. Gloria Odum is a board-certified psychiatrist who treats adult patients. She completed her undergraduate studies at Johns Hopkins University, Baltimore, MD, where she received her Bachelor's degree with Honors in Public Health, then completed her medical degree at The University of Texas at Houston. She completed her residency in psychiatry at the University of Texas Dell Medical School in Austin, where she served as chief resident. Dr. Odum has worked in several clinical, leadership and administrative positions and has been actively involved in teaching and community outreach. She previously worked at The Menninger Clinic, which specializes in psychotherapeutic treatments. Dr. Odum has expertise in treating a wide variety of mental health disorders including depression, anxiety, PTSD, trauma disorders, bipolar disorder, schizophrenia, ADHD, OCD, and addiction. Dr. Odum strongly believes in treating the person and not the diagnosis. Dr. Odum's approach is holistic, collaborative, supportive, and patient-centered. Dr. Odum has been in practice since 2011.

Dr. Vargas is an adult psychiatrist who received her medical degree from the University of Texas Health Science Center of San Antonio. She subsequently completed her psychiatry residency training at UT Health San Antonio.

Dr. Vargas has a patient-centered and thorough approach to treatment. She has experience treating a broad spectrum of mental health disorders, with particular interest in depression, anxiety, and post-traumatic stress disorder. She has also worked in clinic with severely mentally ill patients at the South Texas VA in San Antonio.

Dr. Vargas's primary focus is medication management with an emphasis on shared decision-making; however, she frequently also utilizes supportive therapy, cognitive behavioral therapy, and psychodynamic therapy principles in her approach. She may refer patients to a therapist if further support would be beneficial.

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Dr. Kothari's treatment approach begins with establishing a good therapeutic rapport with her patients and listening to her patients so that they feel heard. Dr. Kothari likes to spend time providing psychoeducation on medications when discussing the treatment plan. Dr. Kothari's practice focuses on medication management primarily, but may incorporate supportive psychotherapy during medication visits. Dr. Kothari may recommend additional psychotherapy if she feels a patient may benefit from this. Dr. Kothari's current practice does not include the use of any controlled substance medications, such as stimulants, benzodiazepines, and certain sleep aids.

Dr. Christopher DeBernard is a board-certified psychiatrist with extensive clinical leadership experience. He earned his MD and completed a combined residency in Internal Medicine and Psychiatry at Tulane University School of Medicine. Previously board certified in Internal Medicine, he is especially comfortable caring for patients with medical comorbidities. Dr. DeBernard has worked in both inpatient and outpatient settings and held leadership roles as Chief Medical Officer at Arisa Health and Lotic.ai. He also brings a systems-thinking perspective to clinical care from earlier careers in engineering and consulting. He holds active medical licenses in Louisiana and Arkansas.

Dr. DeBernard strives to create a warm, collaborative environment where patients feel respected, understood, and supported. His approach combines evidence-based medicine with an appreciation for each patient’s unique story, values, and motivations. Patients can expect open, direct communication, shared decision-making, and treatment plans that align with their personal goals. Trust, empathy, and authenticity form the foundation of his therapeutic relationships.

Dr. DeBernard begins by listening closely to each patient’s history, concerns, and hopes for treatment. Together, he works with patients to establish clear goals and develop individualized care plans that may include therapy, medication management, and lifestyle approaches. His focus is on both symptom relief and building long-term resilience, helping patients develop strategies that sustain well-being. Over time, he collaborates with patients to adapt treatment as their needs evolve, ensuring care remains effective and personalized.

Dr. Saba Mughal is a board-certified adult psychiatrist with over 5 years of experience in providing compassionate, patient-centered care. Specializing in the diagnosis, treatment, and management of a wide range of mental health conditions, Dr. Mughal works closely with individuals facing challenges such as depression, anxiety, bipolar disorder, PTSD, and OCD.‍Dr. Mughal employs an integrative approach to treatment, combining evidence-based therapies like Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT), medication management, and mindfulness techniques, tailored to each patient's needs. In addition to individual therapy, Dr. Mughal collaborates with family members and other healthcare providers to ensure a holistic and coordinated treatment plan.‍With a deep commitment to supporting emotional well-being, Dr. Mughal fosters a warm, non-judgmental environment where patients feel heard, respected, and empowered to take an active role in their mental health journey. Dr. Mughal believes that mental health is integral to overall wellness, and works to reduce stigma surrounding psychiatric care by promoting open dialogue and understanding.‍Dr. Mughal completed her medical school at Jinnah Sindh Medical University, Pakistan and completed her residency training at Nassau University Medical Center, East Meadow, NY. She is a member of APA and a diplomat of the American Board of Psychiatry & Neurology. She is passionate about advocating for mental health awareness in the community.