Robert Whelpley, MD

Christopher Zeoli, DNP, PMHNP, is a nationally board-certified Psychiatric Nurse Practitioner with over 20 years of certification and more than 30 years of experience in the psychiatric and mental health field. He earned his Doctor of Nursing Practice degree from Stony Brook University and has worked with patients across the lifespan in clinics, outpatient programs, hospitals, and private practices.

Christopher’s approach combines thoughtful medication management with supportive therapy. He is not only focused on addressing immediate concerns but also on guiding patients toward long-term well-being. Patients can expect a collaborative, compassionate, and goal-oriented partnership in their care.

Christopher values patient feedback as an essential part of treatment. He conducts careful evaluations, listens to each individual’s concerns, and tailors care to align with personal goals. By working together, he helps patients develop treatment plans that support both current needs and future growth.

Dr. Sabish Balan is a Board-Certified Psychiatrist with subspecialty certifications in Geriatric Psychiatry, Psychosomatic Medicine, and Addiction Medicine. He completed his medical education in India at Government Medical College, Kozhikode, followed by psychiatry training at the All India Institute of Medical Sciences (AIIMS), New Delhi. After relocating to the United States, he pursued residency at St. Luke’s Roosevelt Hospital Center and advanced fellowships at The Zucker Hillside Hospital and St. Luke’s Roosevelt Hospital Center. With over 17 years of psychiatry experience in the U.S., he has held leadership roles at NYC Health + Hospitals – Harlem and currently provides care at Northwell Health Phelps Hospital Addiction Treatment Services and the BeHealth Program. Fluent in English, Hindi, Urdu, and Malayalam, Dr. Balan brings a global perspective to patient care.

Dr. Balan strives to meet patients where they are, offering a warm and supportive environment that values the whole person. He integrates a bio-psycho-social approach to care, ensuring that patients feel heard, respected, and understood throughout their treatment journey.

In initial sessions, Dr. Balan takes a detailed history to understand each patient’s concerns, background, and goals. From there, he collaborates with patients to develop individualized treatment plans that align with their personal values and objectives, fostering partnership and long-term wellness.

Dr. Helms is a graduate of the University of Arizona College of Medicine. He completed his General Psychiatry and Child/Adolescent fellowship training at the University of Texas, Health Science Center at San Antonio. He has over 25 years of experience as a psychiatrist treating patients of all ages (child, adolescent, and adult�including geriatric) while working in a multitude of treatment settings including outpatient clinics and psychiatric hospitals. He also has several years of experience working as a psychiatric consultant for medical-surgical hospitals, seeing an extensive variety of patients on all floors of the hospital from mother-baby to pediatrics, as well as adult patients on the medical and surgical floors. Dr. Helms takes with him into each patient encounter, his wide breadth of experience and his genuine care and concern for each and every individual patient. He provides both medication treatment and talk therapy. He understands that many patients greatly benefit from either short or long term medication treatment; however, he also understands that talk therapy can oftentimes lead to significant, long lasting positive change, personal growth, and improvements in occupational and relationship success. Moreover, patients will always find Dr. Helms encouraging and supportive as they search for greater meaning and purpose in their lives.

Dr. Merna Guirguis is a general psychiatrist known for her patient-centered and accessible approach. She blends compassion with evidence-based care, creating a supportive environment where patients feel heard. Her practice integrates psychiatric medication management with psychoeducation, empowering patients to make informed decisions about their treatment.

Dr. Guirguis emphasizes collaboration and transparency. She listens carefully to each patient’s concerns, encourages questions, and works to build a trusting therapeutic relationship. Her style is approachable and adaptable, ensuring patients feel comfortable sharing their experiences and actively participating in their care.

She begins by reviewing each patient’s history, concerns, and goals to craft personalized treatment plans. Dr. Guirguis combines current clinical needs with long-term wellness objectives, adjusting care collaboratively over time. When appropriate, she may recommend additional therapy to complement medication management and optimize outcomes.

Dr. Alejandra Vivas is board-certified in adult psychiatry and board-eligible in child and adolescent psychiatry. She completed her general psychiatry residency at Montefiore Medical Center and a child and adolescent fellowship at Mount Sinai School of Medicine. Dr. Vivas brings extensive experience from outpatient, emergency, and telepsychiatry settings. She has advanced training in CBT, Motivational Interviewing, and Psychodynamic Therapy. Fluent in English and Spanish, she is committed to culturally sensitive, individualized care.

Dr. Vivas fosters a warm, respectful, and professional space where patients feel seen and empowered. She values open communication and builds collaborative relationships to align treatment with each person’s values, goals, and lifestyle. Her approach is integrative and flexible, grounded in evidence-based methods to support lasting, meaningful change.

Dr. Vivas begins with a thorough evaluation to understand each patient’s history and goals. She creates customized treatment plans that may include therapy, medication, or both. Drawing on CBT, Motivational Interviewing, and Psychodynamic Therapy, she adapts care to meet evolving needs, aiming to relieve symptoms, foster resilience, and support long-term well-being.

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Ashley LaBanca provides medication management and supportive psychotherapy services. She has worked in mental health for over 12 years. A graduate of the University of North Dakota, she began her career in an outpatient setting, later transitioning into a lead nurse practitioner role before moving into telehealth services. Her goal is to reach individuals in need when in-person care is not feasible. Ashley lives in North Dakota with her family and enjoys traveling, reading, and spending quality time with them.

Ashley views medication as a tool rather than a cure. She incorporates alternative treatments by assessing physical health, exploring natural alternatives to medication, focusing on nutrition, and helping clients develop coping skills to manage daily stressors. Her guiding principle is the integration of therapy and medication management to support healing and growth. She encourages clients to be active participants in their treatment, fostering a collaborative, respectful, and open therapeutic relationship.

Ashley tailors her collaborative approach to each individual’s needs. She draws from Dialectical Behavioral Therapy (DBT), Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT), and other treatment modalities, combining them with evidence-based prescribing to create personalized care plans. She also considers the social dimensions of mental health, addressing relationships, self-esteem, and internal healing.

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