Saria El Haddad, 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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Roel Sepulveda is a board-certified psychiatric mental health nurse practitioner (PMHNP-BC) with a Master of Science in Nursing from the University of Alabama at Birmingham. Certified by the American Nurses Credentialing Center (ANCC), he has over 10 years of experience providing mental health care in psychiatric emergency rooms, outpatient psychiatry, and telehealth settings. Roel is committed to delivering comprehensive and accessible care that supports patients across diverse needs and backgrounds.

As a provider, Roel values creating a compassionate and collaborative environment where patients feel comfortable sharing their experiences. He takes a patient-centered approach, meeting individuals where they are and working together to identify treatment goals. Patients can expect a nonjudgmental space where their concerns are heard, respected, and addressed with empathy and understanding.

When working with patients, Roel begins by taking time to understand their history, symptoms, and current challenges. He develops individualized treatment plans that may include a combination of medication management, lifestyle strategies, and coordination with therapy or other supports. His goal is to provide evidence-based care while empowering patients to actively participate in their mental health journey and achieve lasting well-being.

Dr. Sabrina Ghim is a board-certified physician specializing in adult psychiatry and practices adult psychiatric medication management. She focuses on building a strong therapeutic and collaborative environment with patients. She works with individuals struggling with depression, ADHD, obsessive compulsive disorder, anxiety disorders, including generalized anxiety, and social anxiety. Dr. Ghim usually meets with patients monthly for psychiatric follow up appointments. She provides psychiatric medication management in a comprehensive manner, paying careful attention to each patient's unique biological, psychological, and cultural make-up. She is diligent about keeping up-to-date on the research and expanding frontiers of psychiatry and psychopharmacology. She strongly believes in tailoring treatment in an integrative and collaborative manner to provide the best outcome for each unique patient. In some instances, Dr. Ghim may recommend the addition of a separate therapist in order to help facilitate the best care possible. Dr. Ghim experienced various cultures growing up in different countries and environments, shaping her open-minded demeanor and views, and eventually her interest in the human mind and psychiatry. She earned her bachelor's degree in Molecular Biology with honors, and a Doctor of Medicine (M.D.) degree from the University of Central Florida College of Medicine. She completed her Adult Psychiatric Internship and Residency training in New York City, at the Mount Sinai Morningside and West Hospitals, where she treated a diverse patient population with psychiatric illnesses in emergency, inpatient, and outpatient settings. Dr. Ghim is currently licensed in and seeing patients located in the states of New York, Florida, and Texas for medication management.

Dr. Atkins is a staff psychiatrist at Talkiatry. He is board-certified in adult psychiatry and has been in practice for the past 2 years. He has received several awards for teaching and the treatment of chronically ill patients, including Stony Brook University's "William Turner Award" for excellence in education and leadership. Dr. Atkins has focused his practice primarily on medication management. He combines medication management with a therapeutic style that is a blend of supportive therapy, cognitive behavioral therapy, and motivational interviewing. Follow‐up appointments with Dr. Atkins typically last 20‐30 minutes. While Dr. Atkins is trained in a variety of therapeutic techniques, he works collaboratively with therapists and may recommend their inclusion as part of your treatment team, depending on your individualized treatment plan .Dr. Atkins attended the University of Connecticut School of Medicine where he received his medical degree. He completed his psychiatry residency at Stony Brook University Hospital in New York. Post residency, he worked with general adult patients as well as older adults at Manchester Memorial Hospital where he served as both an outpatient psychiatrist and Director of the Geriatric Intensive Outpatient Program. Although Dr. Atkins does not treat child or adolescent patients, he has experience working with people of all ages, from young adults to adults. He has experience treating mood disorders, anxiety disorders, obsessive-compulsive disorder, patients in the perinatal period, and patients with co‐co-occurring substance use disorders. He has regularly managed behavioral problems in adults with autism spectrum disorders as well as dementia. He particularly enjoys working with patients dealing with life or role transitions, older adults, and patients with bipolar or other affective disorders.

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. Adele Veksman is double board-certified in adult psychiatry and psychosomatic medicine, with over 14 years of experience diagnosing and treating a wide range of psychiatric conditions. She approaches each patient as a unique individual, offering a non-judgmental space to help patients develop into their best selves. She focuses primarily on medication management to alleviate symptoms while working with patients on behavioral changes to address underlying issues. If additional therapy is needed, she may suggest adding a therapist to your care team to provide the best outcome. Dr. Veksman received her medical degree from St. George's University and then completed a residency in psychiatry and fellowship in psychosomatic medicine at Zucker Hillside Hospital at Northwell Health. Next, she was an attending and ER psychiatrist at North Shore University Hospital providing psychiatric care to medically ill patients. She then transitioned to adult outpatient care at Maimonides Medical Center, treating various psychiatric illnesses. Throughout her career, she taught and supervised residents and medical students.