Ruben Mendez, MD

Dr. Ye Kyung Song is a board-certified psychiatrist with both an M.D. and a Ph.D. in medical humanities and ethics from the University of Texas Medical Branch. She completed her residency at Duke University and has experience practicing in both outpatient and inpatient settings. In addition to her clinical training, Dr. Song has pursued advanced training in several therapeutic modalities, including the Collaborative Approach to Management of Suicidality (CAMS) and Radically Open Dialectical Behavioral Therapy (RO-DBT).

Dr. Song takes a collaborative, values-driven approach to treatment, emphasizing partnership in decision-making and tailoring care to each individual’s needs. She uses medication thoughtfully and only when appropriate, considering the whole picture of a patient’s health and life. Her goal is to help patients understand the underlying reasons for their symptoms by examining patterns, conflicts, and meaning. She is committed to creating a safe and supportive environment where patients can explore their experiences openly.

During the initial appointment, Dr. Song focuses on understanding a patient’s clinical history, current concerns, and personal goals. Together with the patient, she develops an individualized treatment plan that clearly outlines areas of focus and aligns with the patient’s values and objectives. Her process emphasizes getting to the root “why” behind symptoms, while using evidence-based medicine and therapy modalities best suited for the situation. Treatment plans and medications are adjusted collaboratively over time to ensure ongoing support and progress.

Dr. Caitlin Gardiner is a board-certified psychiatrist specializing in child and adolescent psychiatry and psychotherapy. Dr. Caitlin Gardiner's practice is based on the biopsychosocial model and believes that the foundation of healing is in psychotherapy and human connection. She is known for incorporating therapy into her medication management practice. Typically she offers 30-minute follow-up visits for medication management with focused therapy based on individual needs. As a known helper, Dr. Gardiner started her career with a bachelor's degree in social work from Cazenovia College in Cazenovia, NY. After changing career paths, she received her medical degree from SUNY Upstate Medical University in Syracuse, NY. She stayed upstate to complete her general psychiatry residency, where she was chief resident at the beginning of the COVID-19 pandemic. Following this, she completed her child and adolescent psychiatry fellowship at Upstate due to the high quality of training. Dr. Gardiner has completed 3 years of advanced training in Dynamic Deconstructive Psychotherapy as well as specialized training in DBT. Dr. Gardiner is a well-rounded psychiatrist who enjoys treating youth and young adults during transitional phases of life while providing a safe and supportive environment. She believes strongly in reducing polypharmacy and providing high-quality medication management through a therapeutic and developmental lens.

Dr. Tetyana Tarnavsky is a board-certified psychiatrist trained in Adult Psychiatry. She attended Dnipropetrovsk State Medical Academy in Ukraine where she received her M.D., M.S. and Ph.D. degrees in Psychiatry. Dr. Tarnavsky completed her residency at Harvard South Shore Psychiatry Residency Training Program in MA, where she was elected chief resident. Dr. Tarnavsky has an extensive research experience in Ukraine and the USA. She had studied computer addiction for her dissertation; had multiple abstracts and presentations; published several articles in peer-reviewed psychiatric journals as well as a book entitled Computer Addiction: Formation, Diagnosis, Correction and Prophylaxis. She has helped organize international conferences with the goal of improving access to and quality of healthcare in Dnipropetrovsk, Ukraine, and providing a national model for health care reform. Dr. Tarnavsky has worked with a variety of patients with diverse backgrounds in a Community Health Center and in the Partial Hospitalization Program as well as supervised medical students, psychiatry residents, and nurse practitioners. She has been a lecturer on psychiatry at Harvard Medical School and was involved in the training of psychiatry residents in the Harvard South Shore Psychiatry Training Program. Her primary focus has been on treating adults with depression, anxiety, post traumatic stress disorder, adjustment disorder, ADHD and other disorders. Dr. Tarnavsky strives to provide quality and compassionate treatment to individuals and their families.‍

Dr. Megan Wynne is board certified in adult psychiatry and completed fellowship training in Consultation-Liaison Psychiatry (Psychosomatic Medicine). She has been in practicing psychiatry since 2006. Dr. Wynne completed her medical degree at Drexel University School of Medicine in Philadelphia, PA, her psychiatric residency at Thomas Jefferson University Hospital in Philadelphia, PA and her consultation/liaison psychiatric fellowship at Long Island Jewish Hospital in Queens, NY. She continued to work in Consultation Liaison Psychiatry at North Shore Hospital in NY, before working for nine years at Philadelphia Veterans Administration Hospital as a staff psychiatrist and associate at the University of Pennsylvania University Hospital. During this time, she worked closely with patients struggling with Traumatic Brain Injury, Post Traumatic Stress Disorder, Depression and Anxiety. She acted as an attending psychiatrist in training medical students, psychiatric residents and fellows. Following a move to New Zealand, she worked as lead psychiatrist for Te Puna Waiora, Maori Mental Health team (Indigenous Person mental health clinic) at Counties Manakau District Health Board. She worked with multiple patients facing cultural challenges, as well as psychosocial stressors (poverty, family fragmentation, poor education). During this time, she worked within the indigenous system of mental health, which treats not just emotional or physical issues for a person, but spiritual and familial as well. She has incorporated this into her treatment approach for all patients. Dr. Wynne has always believed that medication must be used in conjunction with psychodynamic therapy, and medical and social supports to most appropriately treat a patient. She offers 30-minute sessions consisting of medication management and brief therapeutic support. She specializes in treating victims of trauma, medical comorbidity.

Dr. Walter Piddoubny is a double boarded psychiatrist in Adult Psychiatry and Consultation Liaison Psychiatry. He completed his undergraduate degree at Stony Brook University followed by his medical degree at SUNY Buffalo School of Medicine and Biomedical Sciences. He completed his Psychiatry Residency at Stony Brook University Hospital followed by his fellowship in Consultation Liaison Psychiatry at Yale New Haven Hospital. Dr. Piddoubny has held academic appointment at Stony Brook University Hospital practicing as a consultant psychiatrist as well as Associate Program Director of the Psychiatry Residency Program. He has been actively involved in teaching and was awarded "Teacher of the Year" in 2018 by the psychiatry residents. Dr. Piddoubny's practice focuses on medication management. Typically, he offers this in conjunction with supportive or emotionally focused therapy during 30-minute follow-up visits. Occasionally, Dr. Piddoubny may believe that additional therapy is warranted and ask that you bring a therapist into your care team in order to provide the best possible outcome.‍

Dr. Perington is a Staff Psychiatrist with Talkiatry. She previously served in the US Air Force, where she completed her residency training in psychiatry (Lackland AFB) and was the medical director for a small-sized mental health clinic (Hill AFB). Dr. Perington uses a person-centered approach to tailor treatment to the individual, with an emphasis on shared decision making. She prefers to focus on psychotherapy and behavioral interventions as a primary part of the treatment plan, in addition to any indicated medication.

Motivation for change is a large part of the healing process, and for many people recovery doesn't happen with medication alone. Dr. Perington asks all her patients to play an active role in their treatment.

A thorough diagnostic assessment with discussion of the best treatment setting and modality, then regular follow up visits with emphasis on psychotherapy in addition to medication management (if indicated).