Sara Mateo, MD

Background and credentials

Dr. Robert Whelpley, M.D., is board-certified in both Child and Adolescent Psychiatry and Adult Psychiatry. He completed his undergraduate studies at Binghamton University and earned his medical degree from Upstate Medical University in Syracuse, New York. He then went on to complete his residency and fellowship training at the University of Rochester. Throughout his career, he has worked with patients and families across the lifespan in inpatient, outpatient, and emergency psychiatric settings.

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Treatment approach

Dr. Whelpley believes in collaborative care, working closely with treatment providers, patients, and families to ensure that mental health concerns are addressed as a team. His approach integrates talk therapy techniques, including motivational interviewing, cognitive-behavioral therapy (CBT), mindfulness, and supportive psychotherapy, alongside medication management. He customizes treatment to maximize each patient’s mental health and overall wellness, sometimes incorporating a therapist into the care plan when beneficial.

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What you can expect in a first visit

During the first visit, patients can expect a comprehensive evaluation where Dr. Whelpley takes time to understand their symptoms, background, and treatment goals. His approach is patient-centered and team-oriented, ensuring that care is personalized and collaborative. He works with patients to develop a treatment plan that balances medication management with therapeutic interventions, fostering long-term mental wellness.

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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.

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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.

Tulsie Patel is a board certified psychiatrist who treats adults. She graduated Cum Laude from Drexel University and attended medical school at the University of Miami Miller School of Medicine. She completed her psychiatry residency at the University of Texas Southwestern (UTSW) and was elected to serve as Chief Resident during her final year of training. She has worked as an outpatient psychiatrist in California and Florida and has experience in medication management, individual and group therapy, and transcranial magnetic stimulation (TMS). She is dedicated to constantly learning and has previously published numerous articles and book chapters on various topics in the fields of psychiatry, dermatology, and psychodermatology. She is also very passionate about education and medical journalism. During her residency training, she worked at ABC News in New York City as a member of their medical unit. She provided consultation on medical stories for programs including Good Morning America and World News with David Muir. She has published a number of articles on the websites for ABC News and Good Morning America. She also has experience presenting as an on-air expert for ABC News and for mental health podcasts. She is committed to continuously evolving as a provider in order to provide the best care for her patients. Her focus is always to provide patient-centered care by prioritizing open communication and collaboration with her patients. She has experience providing care for a variety of psychiatric illnesses. The conditions she treats include but are not limited to depression, anxiety, panic disorder, OCD, PTSD, and ADHD.

Dr. Vanessa Valdes is an adult psychiatrist specializing in medication management and psychotherapy, with a strong focus on nutrition, wellness, and mindfulness. She earned her combined MD/MPH degree from the University of Miami Miller School of Medicine and completed her psychiatry residency at the University of Miami/Jackson Health System, one of the nation's leading public healthcare systems.‍During her residency, Dr. Valdes gained broad experience in diverse areas of psychiatry, including inpatient psychiatry, emergency psychiatry, outpatient care, psychotherapy, hypnosis, child and adolescent psychiatry, consultation-liaison psychiatry, psycho-oncology, and addiction psychiatry.‍Dr. Valdes primarily provides supportive psychotherapy and acceptance and commitment therapy to help patients better understand and address their stressors. She takes a holistic approach to care, emphasizing the emotional, spiritual, and physical well-being of her patients. Her goal is to inspire meaningful, sustainable changes in patients' lives through compassionate, comprehensive treatment.

Dr. Lorangelly Rivera is board-certified in Adult psychiatry and has been practicing for over 5 years. Dr. Rivera focuses on medication management and brief psychotherapy utilizing techniques from cognitive behavioral therapy, psychodynamic therapy, and supportive therapy in 30-minute appointments. When appropriate, Dr. Rivera may recommend additional psychotherapy with a psychologist as part of the treatment plan. She is fluent in both Spanish and English and is passionate about working with the Latinx population. She completed her bachelor's degree in Cellular Molecular Biology from Metropolitan University, San Juan, Puerto Rico, and her postgraduate work at the National Cancer Institute in Bethesda, Maryland. Dr. Rivera received her medical degree from Ponce Health Sciences University School of Medicine, Ponce, Puerto Rico. She completed her residency training in psychiatry at the University of Rochester Medical Center. After completing her training, she began working for Lifespan Physician Group where she became program director for Lifespan Latinx Mental Health Services and served as Staff Psychiatrist at Rhode Island Hospital and The Miriam Hospital. She holds a faculty position in The Warren Alpert Medical School of Brown University, Department of Psychiatry and Human Behavior as a Clinical Instructor. ‍

Dr. Michael A. Murphy is board-certified in General Psychiatry as well as Child and Adolescent Psychiatry by the American Board of Psychiatry and Neurology. He has over 20 years of experience practicing medicine in outpatient, acute, and residential settings. He provides psychiatric assessments and medication management along with brief supportive psychotherapy. He is a strong advocate of collaboration between psychiatric care and psychotherapeutic interventions and encourages the utilization of therapists and counselors. Dr. Murphy holds a bachelor's degree in Chemistry Pre-med from Florida A & M University and a Medical Degree from the University of Florida College of Medicine. He completed both his residency in General Psychiatry and Fellowship in Child and Adolescent Psychiatry at the University of Virginia. He formally served as Chief of Behavioral Health Services at Ft. Eustis, Virginia. He has previously provided acute care and residential treatment at Newport News Behavioral Health Center, outpatient services in the community, and the foster care system. He has recently served as medical director of Harbor Point Behavioral Health Center. Dr. Murphy has an extensive history of providing care for both the adult and child population. He specializes in the treatment of children with Mood Disorders, Anxiety Disorders, ADHD, and Pervasive Developmental Disorders.