Sallie Jo Hadley, MD

More Clinicians

Dr. Emily Sykes is a board-certified adult psychiatrist. She received her Bachelor of Arts degree with Magna Cum Laude distinction from Carleton College, where she majored in biology. Dr. Sykes completed her Doctor of Medicine degree from the University of Toledo. She completed her psychiatry residency at the University of Cincinnati and was the outpatient chief resident physician. Dr. Sykes' specialty interests include mood disorders, anxiety disorders, post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD), obsessive-compulsive and related disorders, Cognitive-Behavioral Therapy (CBT) and holistic wellness. She is a certified Cognitive Processing Therapy (CPT) provider for PTSD. Dr. Sykes provides compassionate, evidence-based, individualized, holistic care for patients suffering from a variety of mental health diagnoses and concerns. She incorporates supportive therapy, cognitive-behavioral therapy and solutions-focused therapy into her sessions.

Komal Shah, MD

Staff Psychiatrist

Dr. Komal Shah, M.D. is double board certified in adult & geriatric psychiatry. She did her residency at Nassau University Medical Center, New York & then did fellowship in geriatric psychiatry at LIJ-Albert Einstein school, New York. She has been practicing psychiatry for over 25 years.

Dr. Shah has extensive experience in evaluating & managing a variety of psychiatric disorders such as mood disorders, anxiety disorders, psychotic disorders, dementia, etc. She held an academic position as a clinical assistant professor at Rutgers-UBHC for several years. Dr. Shah has worked in various clinical settings including inpatient, outpatient clinics, partial hospital programs, nursing homes, thus serving vast variety of patient populations. She has also volunteered her services at NAMI (National Alliance for mental illness)-SAMHAJ to create & promote awareness of mental health issues in the community. All this makes her a very well experienced & efficient psychiatrist.

Dr. Komal Shah believes in creating a strong therapeutic alliance first with her patients based on mutual trust & honesty. Her primary modality of treatment is medication management, but she may also provide supportive psychotherapy and education, practicing evidence-based medicine. Dr. Shah likes to collaborate patient care with their medical providers and/or therapist.

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Diana Veliz, LCSW

Staff Licensed Clinical Social Worker

Diana Veliz, LCSW, obtained her MSW from Fordham University. Diana has over 3 years of experience providing client-centered therapy. Her practice is sensitive to race and culture, and trauma-informed. Diana has experience working with adults, and adolescents experiencing anxiety, depression, and other mental health disorders. She has worked in outpatient/inpatient clinics and in an educational setting supporting children with social emotional learning. Diana believes that the best approach is to work collaboratively with the client while also considering that each person's experience is individual to them. The client is an expert in their lives, and as a clinician, she is there to meet the client where they are at and begin the healing journey through non-judgment and compassion. Diana uses cognitive behavioral therapy, solution focused approach, and psycho-education. She also considers the client's place in society and how culture and race can contribute to challenges. Diana takes passion in working with clients to improve self-esteem, recognize schemas, regulate emotions, and develop self-awareness.

John Ewing, MD

Staff Psychiatrist

Dr. Ewing is a board-certified psychiatrist who did his undergraduate degree at the University of Texas in Austin, Texas, and then completed his medical training at the University of Texas, in Houston, Texas, where he was inducted into the AOA honor society. After a medical internship in Seattle, he did his psychiatric residency at the University of California, San Diego where he was chief resident. He went on to complete a child and adolescent fellowship at Columbia University in New York, where he was also chief resident, and earned additional board certification in addiction psychiatry.

Over the past twenty plus years, Dr. Ewing has worked with adolescents, adults and families as the Director of Psychiatry at the Wellspring Foundation, a residential treatment facility in Connecticut, where he spent his time treating patients and supervising therapists. For more than a decade he taught Child and Adolescent Psychiatry residents at Columbia University, and has been in private practice in New York and CT. The length of his experience helps him in understanding the treatment of bipolar disorder, major depression, OCD and anxiety disorders, as well as substance use disorders and eating problems and how they evolve over time. He is an expert in the medical management of these disorders. He is a careful listener and a real person, with a wry sense of humor.

Megan Green, DO

Staff Psychiatrist

Dr. Green (she/her) holds the position of staff psychiatrist at Talkiatry. She is board-certified in adult psychiatry. She has extensive experience in various settings including inpatient, outpatient, consult-liaison, emergency, Veteran, and community-based environments. She is licensed in the states of Maryland, New York, and Virginia. Dr. Green's practice focuses on the integration of medication management and psychotherapy. Her practice style is collaborative to establish trust and build rapport while meeting patient-specific goals. Dr. Green approaches patient care from a holistic perspective that is individualized, evidence-based, and patient-centered. She received her medical degree from the New York Institute of Technology's College of Osteopathic Medicine on Long Island, NY. Her adult residency training was completed at Virginia Commonwealth University (VCU) in Richmond, VA. In addition to general, adult psychiatry, Dr. Green is clinically experienced and interested in treating patients of a wide variety. She is particularly interested in treating patients with mood disorders, anxiety disorders, obsessive compulsive disorder, eating disorders, trauma-related disorders, and personality disorders. Dr. Green enjoys exploring with patients a holistic approach to mental health treatment, which includes a discussion of interpersonal relationships, lifestyle behaviors (exercise, diet, sleep), and self-compassion. ‍**Dr. Green's current practice does not include the use of any controlled substance medication, such as stimulants or benzodiazepines.

Valentina Doumanian, MD

Staff Psychiatrist

Dr. Valentina Doumanian is a board-certified psychiatrist. She completed her psychiatry residency training at Vanderbilt University in Nashville. She has practiced in various settings over her career, including in-patient and community mental health as well as Veteran Affairs out-patient clinics. Dr. Doumanian has held leadership and teaching positions where she instructed medical students, residents & and fellows. Dr. Doumanian has more than 17 years of experience treating patients with anxiety, depression, OCD, grief, PTSD, adjustment disorders, and other mental health issues. She uses pharmacotherapy along with cognitive behavioral therapy, psychodynamic psychotherapy, and supportive therapy as needed. The philosophy of her practice is to collaborate with patients to meet their specific needs and make an impact in various stages of their lives.‍

David Schwartz, MD

Staff Psychiatrist

Dr. Schwartz is a board-certified Staff Psychiatrist at Talkiatry. He completed his residency at Bergen New Bridge Medical Center in Paramus, New Jersey, where he excelled in his leadership and knowledge, becoming the Chief Resident in just his third year of residency at the busiest outpatient behavioral health clinic in New Jersey. Upon completion of his third year of residency, he went on to become Chief Academic Resident of his program, which allowed him to bestow his knowledge of psychiatry on younger psychiatrists in training. After completing his residency in General Psychiatry, he went on to complete a fellowship in the prestigious Mount Sinai Health System in New York City, based primarily out of the Beth Israel location. During this fellowship he studied Consultation-liaison psychiatry, also known as psychosomatic medicine. It is an exciting subspecialty of psychiatry that focuses on the care of patients with comorbid psychiatric and general medical conditions. Consultation-liaison psychiatry deals with the understanding and advancement of medical science, education, and the provision of healthcare for medically ill and complex patients. Using his training, Dr. Schwartz can focus on using his extensive medication knowledge to help treat an array of psychiatric disorders. Despite medication management, he also works on a holistic approach to psychiatry, including working with the patient to get the proper therapy services when clinically indicated. During the initial interview, a thorough assessment is done, including any medical and psychiatric history, medications you may be currently taking, and supplements before any medication is dispensed. Using his knowledge in psychiatry and consult-liaison psychiatry, Dr. Schwartz's interests include depression, anxiety, ADHD, obsessive compulsive and related disorders, transgender patients on hormone therapies and post-surgical transition. He also has an extensive interest in medical illnesses with a psychiatric component such as cancer patients, transplant, HIV, and many others alike. He looks forward to working with you to enhance your emotional well-being.

Candice Hacker, MD

Staff Psychiatrist

Dr. Candice Hacker is a board-certified Psychiatrist at Talkiatry. She completed her Psychiatry residency and a fellowship in Consultation Liaison Psychiatry at Mount Sinai/St. Luke's Hospital. She is passionate about a holistic approach to patient care, trained in psychosomatic medicine, and she has a deep appreciation for the intricate connection between the mind and body. With over 20 years of experience, Dr. Hacker has facilitated excellent outcomes in the treatment of various mental health conditions, including anxiety disorders, mood disorders, and trauma-related conditions. Dr. Hacker believes in creating a safe, nurturing and non-judgmental environment where patients can openly explore their emotions and experiences. By integrating evidence-based psycho-pharmacological modalities with mindfulness and cognitive-behavioral techniques, she empowers her patients to challenge a negative mindset and reach their goals. Beyond her clinical practice, Dr. Hacker is deeply committed to community mental health advocacy and the destigmatization of mental illness.

Valene Gifford, LMHC

Staff Licensed Mental Health Counselor

Valene, pronounced (Val-leen), is a Licensed Mental Health Counselor who has worked in the mental health field for 7 years. During this time, she has worked with clients from various backgrounds and cultures with a variety of mental health conditions. Valene's experience ranges from an inpatient psychiatric facility to private practice to telehealth. Valene attended the University of South Florida for her undergraduate degree in Psychology and Florida International University for her graduate degree in Mental Health Counseling.‍Valene believes each therapeutic interaction should be individualized and client-centered, thus she uses an eclectic therapy approach. An eclectic approach means assisting clients by drawing from various therapeutic approaches and techniques, thus tailoring treatment to each client's needs. Valene considers the therapeutic relationship to be extremely important and strives to be a collaborative, empathetic, non-judgmental, person-centered therapist. Valene's professional interests include working with young adults, Caribbean Americans, and the BIPOC community. Within mental health she enjoys working with anxiety, depression, women's issues, adjustment disorders, and relationship issues, just to name a few.

Jennifer Shoenfelt, MD

Staff Psychiatrist

Dr. Jennifer Shoenfelt is a staff psychiatrist at Talkiatry. She is double board certified in child and adolescent psychiatry and adult psychiatry. She has been practicing for over 14 years. Dr. Shoenfelt's practice focuses on child and adolescent medication management. Typically, she offers this in conjunction with supportive or emotionally focused therapy in 30-minute follow-up visits. However, occasionally Dr. Shoenfelt may believe that additional therapy is needed and will ask that you bring a therapist into your care team to provide the best outcome. She provides treatment plans that include holistic recommendations for diet, exercise, and educational and psychosocial/spiritual aspects of care. She is known for listening to and respecting patients' stories and walking them on a path of recovery and growth. Dr. Shoenfelt received her medical degree from the Boonshoft School of Medicine at Wright State University in Dayton, Ohio. She earned her Bachelor of Science degree in Physical Therapy from The Ohio State University. Dr. Shoenfelt practiced for 14 years in physical therapy with a specialization in children with developmental and neurological disabilities before attending medical school. Dr. Shoenfelt has held multiple positions in hospital and outpatient psychiatry, including community mental health, developmental and foster care settings, and medical director positions. She has served as clinical faculty for both the Wright State Department of Psychiatry and the University of Cincinnati School of Medicine. She has a passion for the education of medical students, residents, and patients. Dr. Jennifer Shoenfelt is a staff psychiatrist at Talkiatry. She is double board certified in child and adolescent psychiatry and adult psychiatry. She has been practicing for over 14 years.

Kimberly Rodriguez, LCSW

Staff Licensed Clinical Social Worker

Kimberly Rodriguez is a Licensed Clinical Social Worker (LCSW) with extensive experience in the fields of mental health and substance abuse. She completed both her undergraduate (BSSW) and graduate (MSW) studies at Florida International University in Miami, Florida, graduating as one of the youngest in her cohort. Kimberly also completed the Behavioral Health Workforce Education and Training Fellowship, where she gained expertise in inter-professional behavioral health practices while working with vulnerable and culturally diverse populations. With three years of professional practice as a clinical social worker, Kimberly specializes in treating co-occurring disorders, as well as addressing concerns such as childhood trauma, attachment wounds, and other factors that may impact an individual's current functioning. She is dedicated to fostering a therapeutic environment in which she actively listens to and understands her clients, allowing her to tailor treatment approaches to meet the unique needs of each individual. Kimberly is able to implement therapeutic modalities in both English and Spanish, ensuring accessibility for a broader range of clients. Kimberly employs an eclectic therapeutic approach, grounded in Psycho-dynamic Therapy, Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT), and Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT).

Kristen Soukup, LCSW

Staff Therapist, Clinical Lead

Kristen Soukup, LCSW is a mental health therapist at Talkiatry. Kristen completed her undergraduate degree at the University of Rochester where she studied Psychology and Brain & Cognitive Science. She then went on to pursue her Master's degree in Social Work at the State University of New York at Buffalo. After completing her Master's degree, Kristen began working at an outpatient cancer center where she provided care coordination and therapeutic support to patients and their families enduring cancer diagnoses, treatments, and end of life. She then worked to pursue her clinical license in working with adults with significant and persistent mental illness in an outpatient setting. Kristen functioned not only as a primary therapist but also as the crisis team leader, providing supervision to other clinicians and assisting clients both in the clinic and the community. Kristen believes in looking at the whole person in their environment when working with her patients. She comes from a nonjudgmental and empathetic standpoint and genuinely wants to put the patient's goals and values first. Kristen has experience in treating patients with anxiety, depression, OCD, Bipolar disorder, and personality disorders. Kristen is trained in Dialectical Behavioral Therapy and tends to utilize Cognitive Behavioral Therapy techniques in treatment. She has knowledge and interest in human motivation and performance related issues, and utilizes Motivational Interviewing and mindfulness skills to assist her patients with these concerns. Kristen also has training in treating anxiety and Obsessive Compulsive disorders and uses exposure therapy to assist patients in overcoming these struggles.‍

Sallie Jo Hadley, MD

Education and training

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