Stephen Geisler, MD

Dr. Carolyn Benson has 21 years of experience in treating adults, adolescents, and children. After graduating medical school at Brody School of Medicine in Greenville, North Carolina, she moved to Rochester, NY to complete her residency and fellowship at University of Rochester School of Medicine. Her focus over the last ten years has been on working with young adults, children/adolescents, and their families. Her expertise covers a wide array of therapeutic modalities and mental health diagnoses. The primary focus of her sessions is to provide medication management with education on treatment options. She will provide therapy models that are appropriate within that 20�30 minute medication session. If longer therapy time frames are indicated, she will discuss the need to add a therapist to your treatment team to achieve optimal care. Her successful treatment outcomes are based on experience, staying current on psychiatric treatments, and having open communication with patients and families of children/adolescents so they can choose the most effective treatments. Prior to medical school, she worked in both marine and biochemical research venues and was coauthor in several research papers. She has an avid interest in the emerging field of neuroscience and frequently gives talks to colleagues and students on current research topics. Her primary objectives in her work are to help patients achieve success in both treatment and life goals and to always take time to truly listen to her patients.

Dr. Garrick Gaffney is board certified in psychiatry by the American Board of Psychiatry and Neurology (ABPN). He earned his medical degree from Kansas City University and completed his psychiatry residency at John Peter Smith Hospital in Fort Worth, Texas. A combat veteran, he served in the U.S. Marine Corps, including a tour in Iraq, and was honored with the Navy and Marine Corps Achievement Medal and a Certificate of Commendation for exemplary leadership.

During medical school, Dr. Gaffney pursued advanced training as an Osteopathic Manipulative Medicine fellow. As a resident, he served as Chief Academic Resident and earned accolades such as Intern of the Year and Outstanding Educator of the Year twice consecutively.

Dr. Gaffney specializes in treating complex psychiatric conditions, including depression, anxiety, PTSD, OCD, bipolar disorder, and insomnia. He has presented case studies and quality improvement projects at national conferences, including the American Psychiatric Association (APA), Academy of Consultation-Liaison Psychiatry, and Association for Academic Psychiatry.

A proponent of holistic care, Dr. Gaffney integrates psychotherapy into medication management and emphasizes lifestyle modifications and evidence‑based integrative medicine.

New patients receive comprehensive evaluations to rule out medical causes of symptoms, followed by tailored treatment plans combining therapy, medication, and lifestyle adjustments. Follow‑up visits focus on symptom management through supportive, brief dynamic, or cognitive behavioral therapy, with frequent appointments until stabilization is achieved.

Dr. Gaffney is committed to collaborative, patient‑centered care that addresses both mental and physical well‑being.

Dr. Catherine Bledowski is board-certified in General Psychiatry and Consultation-Liaison Psychiatry (Psychosomatic Medicine) by the ABPN.  She received her medical degree from the University of South Carolina School of Medicine and completed her residency in General Psychiatry as well as her fellowship in Consultation-Liaison Psychiatry (Psychosomatic Medicine) at Virginia Commonwealth University.  Dr. Bledowski spent most of her career in large, urban academic medical centers, primarily taking care of patients with severe mental illness, as well as those with mental illness comorbid with other complex medical conditions.  

Dr. Bledowski has a passion for medical education and has held faculty appointments at Virginia Commonwealth University, University of Utah, Georgetown University, George Washington University, and Walter Reed National Military Medical Center.  Dr. Bledowski has authored numerous peer-reviewed journal articles and provided academic presentations to both national and international audiences.  Her interests include emergency psychiatry, brain stimulation therapies, complex psychopharmacology, and psychopharmacology in the medically ill.  Prior to joining Talkiatry, Dr. Bledowski held various leadership positions in academic medicine, emergency psychiatry, consultation-liaison psychiatry, and brain stimulation at multiple academic medical centers.  

Dr. Bledowski's approach to patient care is centered upon collaboration and utilizing the most up-to-date evidence-based practices.

Dr. Varsha Narasimhan is a physician with experience working in outpatient integrated medical settings, where she has collaborated closely with primary care and obstetric providers to support patients’ mental health within the context of their overall health. She earned her medical degree from SUNY Downstate Medical Center and completed her psychiatry residency and integrated care fellowship at Montefiore Medical Center. Dr. Narasimhan also holds additional training in bioethics and medical humanities, which informs her thoughtful and reflective approach to care.

Dr. Narasimhan’s style is practical, respectful, and grounded in shared decision-making. She works collaboratively with patients to ensure they feel informed and empowered in their care. She treats depression, anxiety, PTSD, ADHD, bipolar disorder, and cognitive concerns, with a focus on patient-centered care and careful, individualized medication management.

Dr. Narasimhan tailors treatment to each patient’s unique concerns, values, and goals. She prioritizes compassion and a whole-person perspective during the initial assessment and throughout treatment, working with patients to develop plans that support both mental health and overall well-being.

Dr. Anil Joseph (AJ) Kulangara completed additional training in Psychiatry at the University of Washington after working primarily in women’s health, primary care, and military medicine as a Battalion Surgeon in the United States Army.  Following his military service, he trained in Psychiatry and served the mental health needs of our Veteran population. He is excited to now bring his unique expertise and experiences to Talkiatry, as well as his additional training in Women’s Mental Health, Reproductive and Perinatal Psychiatry, PTSD, and trauma-informed ADHD evaluation and treatment.

Dr. AJ’s approach focuses on behavioral change, with medication management and supportive therapies serving as important (and often essential) adjuvants to optimizing mental health.

During your first meetings with Dr. AJ, you should expect a thorough evaluation of your clinical and social histories, as well as some introductory psychoeducation.  Following that screening, anticipate a discussion about his approach to your condition and an initial treatment plan.  Please feel free to bring up any questions or concerns at any time during this process, and note-taking is highly encouraged!

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Rebecca Kostopoulos, PMHNP, is a board-certified psychiatric nurse practitioner committed to helping individuals facing mental health challenges lead full and balanced lives.

Her practice primarily focuses on medication management, often combined with supportive or emotionally focused therapy during 30-minute follow-up visits. When appropriate, Rebecca may recommend involving an additional therapist to ensure the most effective and comprehensive care.

She earned her Master of Science in Nursing with a specialization in psychiatry from Columbia University and her Bachelor of Science in Nursing from Boston College. Her training includes psychiatric diagnosis, medication management, and both psychodynamic and cognitive-behavioral therapies.

With over a decade of experience, Rebecca has evaluated and treated adults in a variety of clinical settings. Her previous roles include working at Elmhurst Hospital’s Comprehensive Psychiatric Emergency Program, Gracie Square Hospital’s inpatient unit, as well as in community health centers and skilled nursing facilities.

As a nurse practitioner, Rebecca believes that mental health is just as vital as physical health. She values the therapeutic relationship and approaches treatment with empathy and collaboration, ensuring that each patient receives personalized and compassionate care.

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