Severine Dondina, PMHNP

Ms. Walkiewicz is a licensed professional counselor and is certified by the NBCC. She also has Certifications in Telehealth EMDR, and as a Certified Clinical Telemental Health Provider. Her position at Talkiatry is that of a psychotherapist who works along with a licensed psychiatrist in the states of Pennsylvania and New York. In her career of over 25 years, her areas of focus are: child/adolescents/adults. Pamela offers modalities in CBT, DBT, Trauma Focused CBT, EMDR, Motivational Interviewing, Problem Solving Therapy, Psychoanalytical Therapies, and Adult ADHD. Also trained in modalities for specialty groups such as LGBTQ+. Family/couples Therapy, and Personality Disorders. Also has experience with DID, and Depersonalization. Pamela received her Undergraduate and Master's degree from Gannon University in Erie, Pa. Her majors are Political Science, and Psychology, Master's in Community Counseling. She began her career as a therapist at Sarah Reed Children's Center. She did individual therapy, family, crisis, and assessments. From there, she moved to Alabama to do administrative work and private practice. Now back in Pa. Her work in Pennsylvania and New York focuses on Outpatient Therapy as a Licensed Professional Counselor. Her most recent Certifications are within the work with Telemedicine for mental health conditions. Her work in Pennsylvania and New York focuses on Outpatient Therapy as a Licensed Professional Counselor. Her most recent Certifications are within the work with Telemedicine for mental health conditions.

Dr. Bellavia is an experienced board-certified psychiatrist who specializes in adult psychiatry. He was a faculty member of the University of Washington School of Medicine in Seattle for 8 years and has been a medical director and attending psychiatrist in several clinical settings including academic medical centers, outpatient private practice and consultation. Dr Bellavia works collaboratively with each patient to identify presenting problems and stressors and utilizes evidence-based medication treatments along with individualized supportive and short-term psychotherapy strategies to reduce symptoms and improve function. If clinically indicated, he may recommend adding a psychotherapist to your care team. Dr. Bellavia has a particular interest in treating psychiatric conditions including, but not limited to, depression and bipolar disorders, ADHD, anxiety disorders, and adjustment problems. He has extensive experience working with individuals from diverse backgrounds, such as university students, creative and tech professionals, and expat communities. He uses a relaxed, nonjudgmental, empathic approach that is holistic and considers the biological, psychological, social, and cultural factors that impact mental well-being.

Shanika is a dedicated and compassionate board-certified Psychiatric Mental Health Nurse Practitioner (PMHNP-BC) with over a decade of experience in the mental health field. She holds a Bachelor of Science in Nursing, a Masters in Nursing Education, and a Post-Master’s Certificate as a Family Psychiatric Nurse Practitioner. Shanika is known for her patient-centered approach, prioritizing empathy, respect, and individualized care. She is committed to building strong therapeutic relationships grounded in trust and open communication.

New patients can expect a warm, non-judgmental environment where they feel heard and supported. Shanika collaborates closely with each patient to create personalized treatment plans, helping them feel empowered in their mental health journey.

Shanika begins with a comprehensive psychiatric evaluation to understand each patient’s history, symptoms, and goals. Her treatment may include medication management, supportive therapy, and psychoeducation. She specializes in anxiety, depression, bipolar disorder, ADHD, trauma/PTSD, mood disorders, and women’s mental health. Shanika has extensive experience providing care for both adolescents and adults in outpatient settings, with a particular focus on underserved communities.

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Zakiyyah Weatherspoon is a dual-certified Family Nurse Practitioner and Psychiatric Mental Health Nurse Practitioner with over a decade of experience. Since 2011, she has worked in family medicine, and since 2013, she has focused on mental health care across the lifespan. Her background includes treating children, teens and adults in hospitals, private practices, and community settings.

Since 2017, Weatherspoon specialized in helping individuals manage depression, anxiety, bipolar disorder, OCD, PTSD, ADHD, ODD, eating disorders, and substance use. She uses supportive therapy, solution-focused therapy, and cognitive behavioral therapy to help clients feel heard, understood, and empowered.

Weatherspoon is passionate about breaking the stigma around mental health. She encourages her clients to speak up, get help, and take control of their mental wellness. Her approach is based on the Mental Health Recovery Model, which focuses on hope, healing, and building a life beyond diagnosis.

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Dr. Georgia Gaveras holds the position of Co-Founder and Chief Medical Officer at Talkiatry. She is triple board-certified in child and adolescent psychiatry, adult psychiatry, and addiction medicine. She has been practicing for over 18 years. Dr. Gaveras's practice focuses on medication management. Typically, she offers this in conjunction with supportive or emotionally focused therapy in 30-minute follow-up visits. However, occasionally Dr. Gaveras may believe that additional therapy is also needed and ask that you bring a therapist into your care team to provide the best outcome. She received her medical degree from the University of New England College of Osteopathic Medicine in Biddeford, ME, before moving back to NY to complete her residency at the SUNY Downstate Medical Center and a fellowship in child and adolescent psychiatry at St. Luke's-Roosevelt Hospital. After completing training, she remained and worked with dually-diagnosed adolescents at the Comprehensive Rehabilitation and Education Service (CARES) before becoming the Director of Training and Education for the Mount Sinai St. Luke's and Roosevelt Hospitals. She was then the associate director of child and adolescent emergency psychiatry at Cohen Children's Medical Center before becoming the Director of the Comprehensive Psychiatric Emergency Program (CPEP) at Kings County Hospital in Brooklyn. Dr. Gaveras has held academic appointments at Columbia University College of Physicians and Surgeons, Mount Sinai Icahn School of Medicine, Touro College of Osteopathic Medicine, Zucker School of Medicine, and SUNY Downstate Medical College. In addition, she has appeared in numerous professional publications and authored several research papers. In addition to general, child, and adolescent psychiatry, Dr. Gaveras is also board-certified in addiction medicine and trained in the Eating Disorders, Compulsions and Addictions Service (EDCAS) program at the William Alanson White Institute. She completed her undergraduate studies at New York University. While having treated a wide variety of patients, her primary clinical focus has been in treating adolescents and young adults with co-occurring substance use disorders.

Michelle E. Vásquez has been a Licensed Professional Counselor for over 27 years. She has been specializing in grief work since 2012. Many of her clients are living with the loss of loved ones or experiencing other types of non-death loss, such as divorce, job loss, and other significant life changes. Her primary goal is to truly listen to your experience and help you work through it, creating a plan of action together. It is your therapy, and your active involvement is crucial. When dealing with grief, you may still be in pain and need to talk about it long after others want you to stop talking. This is when therapy can be helpful. Your grief journey is at your pace. Michelle uses Cognitive Behavioral Therapy and Solution-Focused Therapy, along with other approaches that help you address loss and trauma in unique ways to begin to write your healing story. She has also worked with domestic violence survivors and child abuse survivors. Michelle works with clients both in English and Spanish and has experience with immigrant populations from many countries. Michelle graduated from Our Lady of the Lake University in 1993. She is currently studying Internal Family Systems Therapy to help her provide you with new ways to address the challenges that bring you to therapy.