Skip to main content

Vanessa Valdes, MD

Staff Psychiatrist
Languages
English
Spanish
Portuguese
SPECIALTIES
ADHD
Anxiety
Bipolar Disorder
Depression
Obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD)
PTSD/Trauma
Medication Management

Education and training

  • University of Miami Miller School of Medicine Doctor of Medicine (MD)
  • University of Miami/Jackson Health System Psychiatric Residency Training Program (Residency)

Get to know

Vanessa Valdes, MD

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.

Get matched with a clinician like this one

Ready to book your first appointment? Take our 10-minute assessment. We’ll match you with a clinician who meets your needs, has availability, and takes your insurance.

Get started
More Clinicians

Lois Macdonnell, MD

Staff Psychiatrist

Dr. Macdonnell is a double-boarded psychiatrist with over 25 years of experience in adult psychiatry and geriatric psychiatry. Dr. Macdonnell focuses on treating individuals with medication management. Supportive and interpersonal therapy is incorporated as needed. When additional therapy or longer sessions are necessary to enhance the individual's treatment, she invites a therapist to become a member of your care team. Dr. Macdonnell attended undergraduate school at Manhattan School of Music earning a bachelor's and master's degree in violin performance and musicology. She then attended the City University of New York � Hunter College campus majoring in premedical sciences. Dr. Macdonnell attended Albert Einstein College of Medicine in the Bronx, New York, earning a degree in MD. She completed an internship in internal medicine before entering psychiatry residency at New York-Presbyterian Hospital � Westchester Division. After completing her residency, she stayed for an additional year, completing a fellowship in geriatric psychiatry. She was promoted to Attending Psychiatrist and Unit Chief of the Geriatric Partial Hospital Program. After two years in academic psychiatry, she entered private practice in New York and Connecticut for 8 years. She then served 2 years in the National Health Service providing outpatient care to an underserved area in central Florida. Moving to Georgia, she has worked in private practice and academic psychiatry at Mercer University College of Medicine before moving on to Veterans' care at Atlanta VA and Carl Vinson VA Medical Center. While Dr. Macdonnell has a wide range of experience, she focuses on general adult psychiatry.

Jeffrey Niles, DO

Staff Psychiatrist

Dr. Niles (he/him) holds the position of Staff Psychiatrist at Talkiatry. He has four years of experience in outpatient psychiatry and is board-certified for adult psychiatry. He has received training in the use of cognitive behavioral therapy, supportive therapy, motivational interviewing, psychodynamic therapy, and dialectical behavioral therapy skills. He uses his training in therapy in tandem with medicine management to provide holistic, person-centered care. During his undergraduate studies at the University of Pittsburgh, while completing his pre-medical classes, he also pursued certification in the history and philosophy of medicine. Additionally, he studied the effect of culture and ethics on healthcare. He earned a Bachelor of Science in Psychology with a minor in Chemistry. He attended medical school at the West Virginia School of Osteopathic Medicine. His psychiatry residency training was completed at Charleston Area Medical Center. While in residency, he worked to improve cultural awareness in the outpatient setting. Dr. Niles is interested in treating patients with a wide variety of diagnoses. He treats mood disorders, anxiety disorders, trauma-related disorders, personality disorders, OCD, comorbid addiction, mild eating disorders, neurodevelopmental disorders such as autism spectrum disorder, and more. He also strives to provide care that affirms LGBTQIA+ identities and underwent additional training in transgender mental healthcare.

Laura Long, MD

Staff Psychiatrist

Dr. Long is a board-certified psychiatrist with over 14 years of experience treating adult and older adult patients from a wide variety of cultural and socioeconomic backgrounds. Dr. Long's practice focuses primarily on medication management, in addition to supportive and cognitive and behavioral therapy in 30-minute follow-up visits. Sometimes, Dr. Long will suggest that additional therapy be included in your treatment plan in order to provide the best outcome. Dr. Long received her medical degree from the University of Illinois and completed her residency at Northwestern Memorial Hospital in Chicago. She has worked in emergency psychiatry, community psychiatry and private practice and operated her own independent practice in downtown Chicago. Most recently she has spent over 9 years working with veterans with PTSD and other mental health issues. Dr. Long received her B.A. from Yale University, graduating cum laude with a double major in Biology and Literature. She enjoys working with a wide variety of patients of different ages and from different cultural backgrounds and has extensive experience treating mood disorders, anxiety disorders, and PTSD along with comorbid substance use disorders. Dr. Long views patients as partners working toward a common goal of improving patients' quality of life. She also appreciates the strong connection between physical and mental health and provides encouragement and support to patients to make behavioral changes that will benefit both.

Shelby Goicochea, MD

Staff Psychiatrist

Dr. Goicochea is Peruvian and speaks Spanish fluently. She is a "triple Gator” having completed her undergraduate and medical degree at the University of Florida (UF) and psychiatric training at UF Jacksonville. She was recognized by the Gold Humanism Honor Society for exemplary service, integrity, clinical excellence, and compassion and awarded Resident of the Year for exceptional clinical skills and commitment to patients. Dr. Goicochea is a board-certified adult psychiatrist who specializes in providing person-centered mental health care. She believes in a comprehensive, holistic approach to best improve the overall well-being of her patients; she explores psychosocial and physical health contributions to psychiatric symptoms and incorporates therapy into visits to develop a deeper understanding of the particular psychiatric concerns and their impact on patients' lives. Dr. Goicochea actively listens and creates an empathetic, non-judgmental space to work collaboratively with patients in achieving treatment goals. Dr. Goicochea's expertise is in the combination of evidence-based medication management with psychotherapy, which includes supportive, person-centered, cognitive behavioral, acceptance and commitment, interpersonal, and solution-focused therapy. While she enjoys working with young adults, her skills and experience allow her to effectively assist patients of all ages. Her clinical areas of interest include the treatment of depression, bipolar disorder, anxiety, and ADHD.

Jennifer Hewitt, PMHNP

Staff Nurse Practitioner

Jennifer Hewitt is a board-certified psychiatric nurse practitioner, credentialed through the American Nurses Credentialing Center (ANCC). She earned her master’s degree in nursing from Gonzaga University and has extensive experience treating a wide range of mental health conditions, including anxiety, depression, obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD), bipolar disorder, schizophrenia, and post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD).

Her passion for psychiatry and dedication to patient care are rooted in her background as an emergency room nurse and her experience in emergency medical services (EMS). This foundation has given her a unique perspective on the critical role mental health plays in overall well-being.

Jennifer provides compassionate care to adults, children, and adolescents, recognizing that each individual’s path to mental wellness is unique. She believes that while medication can be an important part of treatment, self-care and therapy are equally essential components of a holistic approach.

She is known for her empathetic listening and genuine connection with patients. Through collaboration, she helps individuals set realistic goals and empowers them to take an active role in their recovery. Her kindness and commitment create a supportive environment where patients can thrive on their journey toward mental wellness

Jennifer Cenker, MD

Staff Psychiatrist

Dr. Jennifer Cenker is a board-certified psychiatrist with a strong foundation in science and mental health care. She earned her bachelor’s degree in Biology from John Carroll University, completed a PhD in Molecular Virology at Case Western Reserve University, and received her medical degree from The Ohio State University College of Medicine, where she also completed her Psychiatry Residency. She treats a range of conditions including ADHD, depression, anxiety, OCD, bipolar disorder, and PTSD/trauma.

Dr. Cenker values open communication and a strong therapeutic alliance, creating a supportive and collaborative environment where patients feel heard and respected. She develops individualized treatment plans that typically include both medication management and therapy, guided by evidence-based practices. She also promotes weight-neutral care and emphasizes health-supporting habits.

Dr. Cenker begins with a comprehensive initial appointment focused on understanding each patient’s history and treatment goals. She uses this information to build personalized treatment plans. Follow-up appointments include ongoing medication management and the integration of therapeutic techniques, ensuring care evolves with the patient's needs.

Ready to get matched?

Start our short assessment
Specialties
ADHD
Anxiety
Bipolar Disorder
Depression
Obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD)
PTSD/Trauma
Medication Management
States
Florida
Virginia
Kentucky
Languages
English
Spanish
Portuguese
Takes insurance
Virtual visits
years experience