Saria El Haddad, MD

Lauren is a board-certified Psychiatric Mental Health Nurse Practitioner (PMHNP-BC) who earned her Master of Science in Nursing from Kent State University in 2020. She has experience treating a wide range of mental health conditions, including depression, anxiety, psychotic disorders, bipolar disorder, ADHD, OCD, PTSD, and substance use disorders.

Lauren’s approach combines medication management with psychotherapy to create a well-rounded, individualized treatment plan. She takes time to listen to her patients’ concerns, fostering a safe and open environment for dialogue. Her therapeutic methods include supportive therapy, motivational interviewing, and cognitive behavioral therapy. Recognizing that medication alone may not fully address the root causes of distress, she incorporates talk therapy, lifestyle changes, stress management, self-care strategies, supplements, and social health into her care plans.

With a laid-back, non-judgmental, and empathetic style, Lauren collaborates closely with patients to ensure their treatment aligns with their unique needs and goals. Every decision is grounded in evidence-based practices and patient-centered care.

Lauren begins with a comprehensive initial assessment, gathering detailed information about each patient’s mental and physical health history, lifestyle, symptoms, concerns, and goals. This assessment informs a potential diagnosis and serves as the foundation for a personalized treatment plan. Regular follow-up appointments are scheduled to monitor progress, make adjustments as needed, and provide ongoing support.

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Dr. Dodd, a Board-Certified psychiatrist, graduated from the University of Georgia Honors Program with a B.S. in Chemistry, and earned her M.D. from the Medical College of Georgia. During her psychiatry residency in Greenville, SC, she was chief resident and gained extensive experience through moonlighting. She joined the faculty of Gateway’s Savannah residency program in 2021, where she served as Assistant Program Director, and continues to teach residents and students as an Assistant Professor at Mercer University and the Medical College of Georgia. In her community psychiatry practice, she specialized in Assertive Community Treatment, worked with First Episode Psychosis programs, a forensic Diversion-Reentry clinic, telehealth, and outpatient psychiatry, particularly serving graduate students, professionals, and their families in the Savannah area.

Dr. Dodd fosters a comfortable environment for patients at any stage of treatment. As a passionate educator, she enjoys providing psychoeducation and supportive therapy to help patients understand themselves, their relationships, and their motivations.

Dr. Dodd tailors treatment to each individual’s goals, preferences, and strengths. She uses her expertise in diagnosis and pharmacology to optimize care, monitor treatment success, and maintain progress, with the ultimate goal of helping patients feel and function at their best.

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Geoffrey Edelstein, LCSW, is a Licensed Certified Social Worker. His practice is informed by the latest neuro-cognitive sciences, emphasizing anxiety, depression, bipolar disorder, and other mental health conditions. In addition to working with children, adolescents, and adults, he also works with couples and families. Geoffrey also has experience working with LGBTQ+ clients. Geoffrey received his Master's in Social Work from New York University Silver School of Social Work. Before that, he earned a Bachelor of Arts in English Literature at Drew University. Geoffrey's experience includes Dialectical Behavior Therapy, Cognitive Behavior Therapy, and psychodynamic psychotherapy, but his unique approach to therapy also integrates music, writing, drawing, and origami. In crafting a treatment plan, Geoffrey draws on his years of clinical experience from Four Winds Hospital. There, Geoffrey served as the Coordinator of Children's Services and facilitated care for children ages 8-13 in a Dialectical Behavior Therapy group setting. Geoffrey also worked with adults and adolescents in Four Winds' inpatient units. Prior to this, Geoffrey worked in respite services at Family Services of Westchester and the Federally Qualified Health Center of the Hudson Valley Cerebral Palsy Association. Geoffrey is committed to delivering quality mental health services to his patients and is passionate about helping them reach their goals.

Dr. Niles Drake is a board certified psychiatrist skilled in prescribing medications and working in psychotherapy. He combines a warm demeanor with excellent clinical skills, and has over 15 years' experience working with adult patients of all ages and many walks of life. He has special expertise combining medication and psychotherapy to help patients reduce symptoms and grow as individuals. Dr. Drake's additional training and experience in psychological modes of treatment enhance the quality of care he provides to all his patients, to meet them where they are and prioritize their individual needs and goals. He also provides medication management-only treatments for people who aren't looking for psychotherapy or who already have therapists. Dr. Drake completed his psychiatric residency at Columbia University Medical Center in New York. He also completed psychoanalytic training at the Columbia Center for Psychoanalytic Training and Research. He went on to teach classes at the Center, educating candidates about the nuances of combining psychotherapy with other treatment modalities. In addition to providing outpatient psychiatric treatment for over 10 years in private practice, he has worked extensively in psychiatric emergency settings, supervising residents as attending physician at Columbia-New York Presbyterian Hospital and Long Island Jewish Hospital psychiatric emergency rooms. He also has special expertise treating college-aged and young adult patients, having served as staff psychiatrist at Barnard College's Furman Counseling Center and worked with many students from Barnard and Columbia in his private practice. Dr. Drake offers treatment for many psychiatric conditions, including but not limited to depression, anxiety disorders, bipolar disorder, ADHD, and personality disorders. He identifies helping people ease and overcome their psychiatric conditions as his calling, and approaches each patient with humility, diligence, and a collaborative spirit.

Dr. Fatima Ghandour is an adult psychiatrist originally from Southeast Michigan. She earned her undergraduate degree at the University of Michigan and her medical degree at Western Michigan University Homer Stryker MD School of Medicine. She completed her psychiatry residency at Authority Health in Detroit, where she was recognized as Resident of the Year in her graduating class. Dr. Ghandour has experience practicing in both outpatient and inpatient settings and has treated a wide range of conditions including depression, anxiety, ADHD, and PTSD.

Dr. Ghandour values open communication and collaboration, working closely with patients to set clear and meaningful treatment goals. She fosters a warm, supportive environment where patients feel heard, respected, and empowered to take an active role in their care. Her empathetic and patient-centered approach helps individuals feel safe sharing their unique experiences and challenges.

Dr. Ghandour begins each relationship with a thorough evaluation, taking time to understand each patient’s history, concerns, and goals. From there, she develops an individualized treatment plan that reflects the patient’s needs and preferences. She combines evidence-based strategies with ongoing dialogue to ensure treatment remains responsive and aligned with each patient’s progress and well-being.

Dr. Thomas Spina is an adult psychiatrist who began his practice at Talkiatry after completing his psychiatry residency at the Eastern Long Island branch of Stony Brook University, where he treated a diverse patient population. Dr. Spina received his undergraduate degree from St. John's University in Queens where he studied Philosophy. Initially interested in a career in law, Dr. Spina decided to change gears and pursue a career in medicine after watching a relative struggle with her diagnosis of Diabetes Mellitus. Dr. Spina then completed medical school at Tel Aviv University in Israel, where he fell in love with psychiatry during his clerkship at Ichilov medical center. During that rotation, he came to appreciate how each patient has his or her own unique story, regardless of their diagnosis. Dr. Spina favors a holistic and integrative approach to psychiatry, combining medication management with supportive therapy, elements of cognitive behavioral therapy, while remaining open to other treatment modalities depending on the needs of his patients. When more focused therapy is indicated, Dr. Spina may recommend that his patient work with a provider specializing in a particular modality of therapy as part of their treatment. Dr. Spina treats adult patients with mood disorders including major depressive disorder and bipolar disorder, anxiety spectrum disorders, OCD, PTSD and specific phobias. In his spare time, Dr. Spina enjoys a variety of hobbies, including Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu, running, baseball, and exploring new eateries and shops.