Ruben Mendez, MD

Staff Psychiatrist
Languages
English
Spanish
Conditions Treated
ADHD
Anxiety
Bipolar Disorder
Depression
Obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD)
PTSD/Trauma

Education and training

  • University of Texas Medical School at Houston Doctor of Medicine (MD)

Get to know

Ruben Mendez, MD

Dr. Mendez obtained his medical degree from the University of Texas Medical School in Houston. He subsequently completed his Psychiatry residency training at the same institution, UT Medical School in Houston. Dr. Mendez has extensive training in the field and is board certified in Adult Psychiatry by the American Board of Psychiatry and Neurology. After professional training, Dr. Mendez has had vast experience of 15 years primarily in the outpatient setting including ample experience with telemedicine services to patients. He has extensive experience in diagnosing and treating adult patients dealing with attention deficit disorders and a wide spectrum of adjustment and anxiety disorders. Dr. Mendez has a special interest in the treatment of mood disorders from Major Depression to Bipolar spectrum disorders. Dr. Mendez prioritizes the development of great communication, mutual understanding and trust with his patients as he finds these elements to be key to a successful treatment. He establishes his treatment plans upon evidence-based guidelines and encourages a holistic approach for optimal well-being. Through effective medication management and supportive psychotherapy, Dr. Mendez leads his patients to optimal mental health. He encourages patients to strive to develop fulfillment and optimal functionality in their life's roles.

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Diane Lewis, MD

Staff Psychiatrist

Background and credentials

Dr. Diane Lewis is board-certified in general psychiatry by the American Board of Psychiatry and Neurology. She earned both her undergraduate and medical degrees at Texas A&M University (College Station and Temple, TX) before completing her general psychiatry residency at UT Southwestern - Austin Programs (now Dell Medical School residency programs). After her residency, she practiced for eight years as a staff psychiatrist at the University of Texas' student counseling center. She also has experience working in hospital admissions and emergency department settings.

Treatment approach

Dr. Lewis employs a medication-management-focused approach typically paired with supportive therapy during 30-minute follow-up visits. She strongly values a collaborative treatment approach, frequently encouraging patients to incorporate additional therapy for the best outcomes. Her primary specialty is college mental health, treating patients aged 18-45 with a range of mental health conditions from mild to complex. Dr. Lewis emphasizes authenticity, compassion, and recognizing patients beyond their diagnoses, providing care tailored to individual circumstances and goals.

What you can expect in a first visit

During a first visit, patients can expect Dr. Lewis to conduct a thorough evaluation, carefully listening to their concerns, and considering their symptoms within the broader context of their lives. Her patients appreciate her down-to-earth and compassionate communication style. She aims to create an environment where patients feel understood, respected, and actively involved in shaping their personalized treatment plan, often recommending additional therapy support when beneficial for achieving optimal outcomes.

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.

Nana Cudjoe, MD

Staff Psychiatrist

Dr. Nana Cudjoe is a board-certified adult psychiatrist who focuses on comprehensive psychiatric care in the form of medication management and psychotherapy. Dr. Cudjoe's motto is to "treat each person with humanity, dignity, and respect.” She believes in wholeheartedly supporting patients in their various walks of life. Dr. Cudjoe is a graduate of Creighton University School of Medicine in Omaha, NE and completed her psychiatry residency at Southern Illinois University (SIU) in Springfield, IL. While at SIU, Dr. Cudjoe served as a chief resident and received the Resident of the Year award from the Illinois Psychiatric Society in 2020. She was awarded resident of the year in her residency program. Dr. Cudjoe previously served as the Associate Medical Director of an Inpatient Psychiatric Unit, the Psychiatry Clerkship Co-Director and Assistant Professor at Eastern Virginia Medical School (EVMS). During her time at EVMS, she was honored with Alpha Omega Alpha (AOA) membership, and was awarded faculty of the year. Throughout her time in residency and beyond, Dr. Cudjoe has participated in various research and quality improvement projects aimed at improving outcomes for patients with mental health conditions. Dr. Cudjoe is a member of the American Psychiatric Association, Black Psychiatrists of America, and the Psychiatric Society of Virginia. Dr. Cudjoe employs her expertise in clinical psychopathology and psychopharmacology to tailor patient-specific treatment plans. She has extensive knowledge in Mood Disorders, Anxiety Disorders, OCD and supporting patients receiving gender-affirming care.

Jason Reece Sadeh, MD

Staff Psychiatrist

Dr. Jason Reece Sadeh is a compassionate, highly skilled, and board-certified psychiatrist dedicated to patient care. With a blend of professionalism and a touch of levity, Dr. Sadeh brings a unique approach to psychiatry that combines expertise and a warm, relatable demeanor. Dr. Sadeh completed his undergraduate degree at Washington University in St. Louis. He then graduated from the Sackler School of Medicine, New York Program. Dr. Sadeh completed his psychiatry residency at New York Medical College, Metropolitan Hospital, where he was selected to serve as chief resident during his final year. When not practicing psychiatry, Dr. Sadeh finds joy in pursuing various hobbies and interests, including tennis, figure skating, exploring new restaurants, and watching all things Bravo. Dr. Sadeh specializes in psychopharmacology, especially tailoring individualized treatment to serve the needs of patients with a variety of conditions. He has a lot of experience in treating patients with ADHD, depression, bipolar disorder, anxiety disorders, eating disorders, and OCD. If deemed helpful or necessary, Dr. Sadeh may recommend the addition of a therapist with whom he will collaborate in order to facilitate the best care for his patients. As a patient of Dr. Sadeh, you can expect a warm and welcoming environment where you can feel comfortable sharing your concerns and working towards improved mental health.

Rebecca Farias, MD

Staff Psychiatrist

Dr. Farias is a board-certified physician in both adult and child & adolescent psychiatry, with a focus on the diagnosis and treatment of depressive disorders, anxiety disorders, trauma- and stressor-related disorders, and ADHD. Dr. Farias graduated magna cum laude with a Bachelor of Science degree from the University of Houston, majoring in Biology with a minor in Chemistry. She then pursued her medical education at Texas Tech University Health Sciences Center, earning her Doctor of Medicine degree. Dr. Farias completed a three-year psychiatric residency at TTUHSC, followed by fellowship training in child and adolescent psychiatry. She completed her first year of fellowship at the University of Texas Medical Branch in Galveston and her second year at TTUHSC. With a diverse clinical background, Dr. Farias has gained experience in a variety of settings, including academic psychiatry, consult liaison psychiatry, intensive outpatient programs (IOP), partial hospitalization programs (PHP), emergency psychiatry, and outpatient psychiatry. This broad range of experience allows her to provide comprehensive, individualized care to patients at all stages of life. Dr. Farias takes a holistic approach to treatment, incorporating both medication management and psychotherapy. She utilizes principles from Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT), Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT), and supportive psychotherapy, recognizing that a combined approach leads to better outcomes for patients.

Brenda Camacho, MD

Staff Psychiatrist

Dr. Brenda Y. Camacho holds the position of Staff Psychiatrist at Talkiatry. She is board-certified in Adult Psychiatry. She has been practicing for over 25 years. While having treated a wide range of adult patients, Dr. Camacho's primary focus is treating adult outpatients with mood or psychotic disorders. Her practice focuses on medication management. Typically, she offers this in conjunction with supportive or insight-oriented therapy in 30-minute follow-up visits. On occasion, Dr. Camacho will believe additional therapy is also needed and asks that you bring a therapist into your care team to provide the best outcome. Dr. Camacho completed her undergraduate studies at Tufts University. She received her medical degree from Temple University School of Medicine in Philadelphia, PA and then continued with Temple for her residency in adult psychiatry. After completing training, Dr. Camacho worked at Cooper Hospital in Camden, NJ as Associate Director of Consultation/Liaison Service and Psychiatry Residency Training and Co-Director of the Neuropsychiatry Clinic. She then began working exclusively in outpatient settings, joined NewPoint Behavioral Health Care, and served as Medical Director before and after their merge with Acenda Integrated Health.

Amy Gonzalez, PMHNP

Staff Nurse Practitioner

Amy Gonzalez is a board certified Psychiatric Mental Health Nurse Practitioner as well as a Family Nurse Practitioner. She has been practicing in the field of nursing since 1996. Amy has been a practicing Family Nurse Practitioner since 2007, and she started to focus on substance abuse treatment in 2010. She found that many people with substance use disorder also struggle with their mental health and went on to get her Psychiatric Mental Health Nurse Practitioner degree completing it in 2017. Her past experience includes working in both outpatient and inpatient psychiatry, 24-hour crisis care, substance use treatment, mental health court, and both adult and geriatric psychiatry. Amy has expertise in treating depression, bipolar spectrum disorder, anxiety, insomnia, PTSD, substance use disorders and thought disorders.

Amy believes in providing a safe and supportive environment where she really gets to know her patients as individuals and works collaboratively with them to develop a treatment plan. She is concerned with a patient's overall wellness, emphasizing nutrition, movement, hobbies, social connection, and mindfulness. She takes a holistic approach to treatment which focuses on evidence-based treatments including conventional medications, supplements, and alternative and complementary treatments.

Amy focuses on medication management as well as providing supportive therapy, psychoeducation, and motivational interviewing to her patients in 30-minute follow up appointments. Sometimes Amy may recommend more intense therapy and ask that you bring a therapist into your care team to provide the best outcome.

Daniel Azzopardi, MD

Staff Psychiatrist

Dr. Daniel Azzopardi was born and raised in Malta where he attended medical school and worked in internal medicine for several years before moving to New York in 2017. He then completed a psychiatry residency at SUNY Downstate and stayed on for his Child and Adolescent Psychiatry fellowship, which he completed in June 2024. Dr. Azzopardi is a dedicated adult and child and adolescent psychiatrist who treats individuals of all ages and uses his strong foundation in internal medicine to handle complex cases requiring intricate medication management. This combination of skills allows for comprehensive care that addresses both mental and physical health challenges. Dr. Azzopardi's holistic approach ensures that each patient receives tailored treatment, fostering improved outcomes and overall well-being.

Shivani Borhara, LMFT

Staff Licensed Marriage and Family Therapist

Shivani M. Borhara is a Licensed Marriage and Family Therapist, who has been providing therapy to individuals and couples for the past 10 years. Shivani has a background in trauma and has worked with a diverse population of clients with a variety of issues and mental health struggles. Shivani attended Hofstra University in Hempstead, NY to obtain her Master's in Marriage and Family Therapy and Queens College in Flushing, NY for her Master's in Psychology, where she taught as an adjunct professor for undergraduate students. Shivani has also spent time bringing mental health resources and trainings to the NYC public school system. She is very passionate about mental health and helping individuals through the tough times in life. Shivani's approach is collaborative and she tends to focus on Cognitive Behavioral and Solution Focused Interventions. She explores childhood traumas and whether they are related to current issues. Shivani believes that there is no one size fits all model, and meets individuals where they are in their journey. Shivani focuses on normalizing anxiety and stress, while allowing one to move forward in life.

Greg Morgan, MD

Staff Psychiatrist

Dr. Greg Morgan is a board-certified psychiatrist. He completed his undergraduate training at the University of Toronto, followed by medical school at the Jacobs School of Medicine at the University at Buffalo. He completed his psychiatric residency at the Icahn School of Medicine at The Mount Sinai Hospital, where he acted as Chief Resident. Dr. Morgan has a keen interest in treating patients with a wide range of disorders: depression, anxiety, bipolar disorders, personality disorders, trauma-related illnesses, ADHD, and obsessive compulsive disorders. Dr. Morgan also has expertise in providing psychodynamic psychotherapy, an attitude he brings to all of his patient visits. He completed the Intensive Psychoanalytic Psychotherapy program at the William Alanson White Institute in New York City. He aims to use this knowledge to better understand the subjective experience of his patients in order to provide them with the most caring and effective treatment possible.

John Bardugon, MD

Staff Psychiatrist

Dr. Bardugon is a board-eligible psychiatrist who specializes in the treatment of adults. He has experience in treating patients with various forms of depression and anxiety, bipolar disorder, OCD, ADHD, PTSD, and substance use disorders. He seeks to provide a safe, non-judgmental, gender affirming space for patients as they strive to lead a happier, more contented life. After a pediatrics residency, Dr Bardugon worked for 13 years as a pediatric ER physician. His interest in psychiatry was piqued during this time as he witnessed the emergence of a child and adolescent mental health crisis. While ultimately deciding to focus his efforts on the treatment of adults, Dr Bardugon is keenly aware of the influence of child development and family systems on the behavioral health of adults. Dr Bardugon employs a holistic, multimodal treatment approach. Aiming to treat the whole person, he stresses the importance of nutrition, exercise, and sleep. Dr Bardugon believes an informed patient actively engaged in decision making surrounding treatment has the best chance of effecting lasting change. Believing in the synergistic effect of talk therapy and medication, he incorporates one or more talk therapy techniques including motivational interviewing, cognitive behavioral therapy, and supportive and psychodynamic psychotherapies into most sessions. He often recommends formal participation in some form of talk therapy and is happy to collaborate with other providers.

Michelle Scott, PMHNP

Staff Nurse Practitioner

Michelle Scott is a dual board certified Psychiatric, Family, and Emergency Nurse Practitioner with 16 years experience. Michelle Scott has extensive experience working in Psychiatry across the lifespan, Emergency Medicine, and Internal Medicine. Psychiatric experience specifically includes a focus on adult outpatient and inpatient psychiatry. Michelle Scott has additionally provided care as an acute care hospitalist and as an Assistant Medical Director, in multiple acute care psychiatric facilities. Michelle has additional experience in addiction treatment, CBT, motivational, and problem focused therapy. She provides holistic care, addressing the needs of mood disorders, anxiety disorders, autism, genetic disabilities, and adult mood, anxiety, and adult addiction issues. With 16 years of experience treating all ages in the areas of acute and chronic medical conditions and psychiatry, I have seen the difference the right provider can make in the lives of patients. Her goal is positive and sustainable outcomes, with an emphasis on combined treatment modalities, treating the whole person, and concurrent issues.

Lori Peppers, MD

Staff Psychiatrist

Dr. Peppers works with patients to meet the goals that matter to them. She believes that feeling heard and being understood are key factors in a successful treatment relationship.

She has been working in telehealth since 2018. She has worked extensively with patients dealing with trauma from childhood abuse, assaults, combat, and accidents. She also has a lot of experience treating depression, anxiety disorders, bipolar disorder, ADHD, and personality disorders.

After completing her training, Dr. Peppers worked in private practice and in various roles for the Department of Veterans Affairs. She most enjoys working in the clinic because of the long term follow-up.        

Dr. Peppers enjoys her work and includes psychotherapy in her appointments. She offers medication options to treat symptoms but also works with patients to examine behaviors and defenses that may be contributing to their problems. For patients who would benefit from more extensive psychotherapy, she may refer patients to a therapist and work collaboratively with the therapist.

She starts off with a thorough evaluation to make a diagnosis. Then, she works with patients to determine what their treatment goals are and develops a treatment plan to meet those goals.

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