Vanessa Valdes, MD

Dr. Swagato Bhattacharyya has completed his residency training at Northwell and is a board certified psychiatrist. Dr. Bhattacharyya takes a holistic approach to patient care, establishing strong physician-patient relationships built on trust, respect, and communication. He primarily focuses on medication management and also provides supportive psychotherapy. Treatment sessions will be tailored to work towards a common goal to optimize one's mental well-being. Dr. Bhattacharyya graduated magna cum laude from undergraduate Binghamton University, received his medical degree from NYIT College of Osteopathic Medicine, and completed his residency in psychiatry at Northwell Mather Hospital. He has trained in various settings, including adult/adolescent psychiatric units and specialty clinics, and has experience in telepsychiatry visits. Dr. Bhattacharyya has experience in treating numerous mental conditions, including depressive disorders, bipolar disorder, anxiety disorders, ADHD and OCD. Dr. Bhattacharyya also has experience treating patients of diverse cultures, having worked in psychiatric settings in the NYC metro and Long Island area.‍

Dr. Kerstin Asquith is a board-certified psychiatrist at Talkiatry. She has extensive experience working with a wide range of diagnoses and patient populations, with particular interest in treating depression, anxiety, PTSD, and OCD. She also has additional training in college mental health. Dr. Asquith believes in the importance of getting to know each of her patients and the unique issues that bring them into treatment. Her approach involves collaborating with patients to create personalized treatment plans and considering both medication and non-medication methods.

Dr. Asquith is from California and completed her undergraduate studies at the University of California, Davis. She obtained her medical degree from Creighton University School of Medicine and then trained at Stanford University's Adult Psychiatry Residency Program. She subsequently completed a fellowship in student mental health at Stanford University. Most recently, Dr. Asquith worked as an outpatient psychiatrist at The Permanente Medical Group. In her free time, she enjoys traveling, trying new foods, and spending time with friends and family.

Dr. Thy Vo is a board-certified psychiatrist who specializes in the treatment of adults, adolescents, and children. Dr. Vo approaches patients as whole human beings with the goal of providing a safe therapeutic space that will help patients understand and address their suffering as well as fostering healthy emotional expression and self-awareness. Dr. Vo is collaborative with treatment needs, which may include medication and/or supportive or insight-oriented psychotherapy in 30 or 45 minute follow-up visits. She received a Master's in Global Health Systems and Development at Tulane University and then received her medical degree from the University of Wisconsin-Madison School of Medicine. Afterwards, she completed her adult psychiatry residency and child and adolescent psychiatry fellowship training at Western Psychiatric Hospital of University of Pittsburgh Medical Center. During her training, Dr. Vo has treated patients of all ages and diverse backgrounds with particular interest in immigrants and refugees. She works with people dealing with trauma, mood and anxiety disorders, ADHD, relationship conflicts, life transitions, and existential concerns. She has also received additional training in psychodynamic psychotherapy.

Dr. Wellin is a double board certified psychiatrist specializing in child and adolescent psychiatry and adult psychiatry. She has been in private practice and worked in community clinics for over 44 years. Dr. Wellin's practice focuses on medication management in conjunction with supportive psychotherapy in 30-minute follow-up visits. She encourages a team approach involving psychotherapists, medical doctors, and parents and family when appropriate, to provide holistic care for optimal outcomes. Dr. Wellin received her medical degree from the Albert Einstein College of Medicine, in Bronx, NY. She did her residency in adult psychiatry at the Jacobi Hospital Department of Psychiatry in Bronx, NY. Her fellowship in child and adolescent psychiatry at Columbia University St Luke's-Roosevelt Hospital NYC followed. For the last 5 years, she has been an assistant clinical professor at the Adolescent Health Center at Mt Sinai Hospital NY. During this period she was also a consulting psychiatrist at the McShane Center for Psychological Services at Pace University. Dr. Wellin trained at the Psychoanalytic Institute at NYU. She was certified in hypnosis by NYSEPH in NYC and she has also received training in EMDR. Dr. Wellin worked at a NYC rehab for substance abusers and was the medical director of a private program for children of substance abusers and their families. Her primary current focus is on adolescents and college-aged patients.

Dr. Thomas Simeone is Board Certified by the American Board of Psychiatry and Neurology in Psychiatry.  Following his completion of medical school at Universidad Autonoma de Guadalajara, he completed his Fifth Pathway Clinical Training at New York Medical College.  He then completed his Psychiatry Residency at Tuft's University in Boston, MA, and went on to complete a Child and Adolescent Fellowship Program at the University of Florida in Gainesville FL.  He has since worked in both hospital inpatient and outpatient settings, as well as in Residential Treatment for adolescents. Dr. Simeone has treated a wide spectrum of mental health conditions including Anxiety and Depression Disorders, as well as Mood Disorders and Post Traumatic Stress Disorder. He has also treated ADHD, OCD and Eating Disorders in adults and adolescents. Dr. Simeone has worked in Telehealth Practice for the past 4 years. He is a Fellow of the American Psychiatric Association (APA) and a member of the American Medical Association (AMA).

Dr. Simeone utilizes medication management and psychotherapy practices to achieve treatment goals for his patients.  During an initial assessment and evaluation, a thorough review of the patient's previous mental health treatment is considered.  Dr. Simeone assesses patients' acute symptoms including recent stressors and exacerbating factors and then establishes a comprehensive treatment plan with the patients' goals in mind.  Psychotherapy with medication is incorporated into the treatment plan of all patients.  Dr. Simeone always aims to achieve full remission of symptoms for his patients.

Dr. Simeone's practice focuses on medication management with facets of various psychotherapeutic techniques.  He conducts 30 medication management follow up sessions. Dr. Simeone is a sincere and empathic physician who advocates for patient autonomy and believes in a direct and transparent approach to patient treatment. He encourages active patient participation in their treatment plans.

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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.