Victoria Mustovic, MD

More Clinicians

Dr. Katherine Vital-Daley is an adult psychiatrist at Talkiatry. She treats all adults and her passion lies in providing accessible care for women facing challenges throughout pregnancy, childbirth, and postpartum and in reproductive psychiatry. Dr. Vital-Daley's academic background is rooted in science, with an undergraduate degree in biochemistry and molecular biology from the University of California, Merced. She then pursued her medical doctorate at the Medical University of the Americas. Following medical school, she completed her psychiatry residency training. The first two years were spent at East Carolina University, Brody School of Medicine, with a culmination of her last two years of residency at Allegheny Health Network in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, to further specialize in women's mental health, which solidified her expertise in this vital area.‍At Allegheny Health Network's Women's Behavioral Health clinic, Dr. Vital-Daley honed her skills in treating a range of conditions, including depression, anxiety, PTSD, OCD, bipolar disorder, and related issues, and served as a medical provider for their intensive perinatal/postpartum outpatient clinic. She also developed a deep understanding of perinatal mental health, supporting patients coping with perinatal loss and traumatic birthing experiences. In her practice, she employs supportive psychotherapy and mindfulness along with evidence-based medication management, utilizing the most current clinical guidelines and treatment modalities. ‍Dr. Vital-Daley's approach is rooted in a collaborative treatment approach. She works closely with patients, exploring past and current stressors and any relevant medical conditions to develop a comprehensive understanding of their individual needs. Recognizing the importance of cultural competency, she incorporates patients' unique backgrounds, beliefs, and core values into her care plans.

Robert Pasley, LPC

Staff Therapist

Robert Pasley, LPC, NCC, is a licensed professional counselor with over 20 years of experience supporting individuals through life’s challenges. He is licensed in Alabama, Georgia, South Carolina, and Florida (as a telehealth provider). Robert earned his master’s degree in professional counseling from Amridge University and a bachelor’s degree in business administration from Faulkner University. His clinical background includes work in community agencies, hospitals, mental health clinics, and correctional facilities.

Robert specializes in treating depression, anxiety, trauma, grief and loss, interpersonal conflict, chronic illness, and issues related to self-esteem and identity. His areas of focus also include anger management, crisis intervention, substance abuse, and life transitions. His approach integrates evidence-based techniques such as Cognitive Behavioral Therapy, motivational interviewing, and trauma-informed care, tailored to each client’s needs.

Robert believes in creating a safe, supportive, and collaborative therapeutic environment. He welcomes clients from all walks of life and encourages open dialogue without judgment. He is committed to helping individuals discover hope, resilience, and personal growth as they navigate toward healing and empowerment.

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Carolyn Benson, MD

Staff Psychiatrist

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.

Syed Abbasi, MD

Staff Psychiatrist

Dr. Syed Abbasi is an adult psychiatrist who completed his undergraduate education at Rutgers University and earned his medical degree at Ross University. He completed his psychiatry residency training at Creedmoor Psychiatric Center with training at New York-Presbyterian/Columbia University Medical Center, additionally as Chief Resident at Columbia University's Outpatient Adult Psychiatry Eye-6 clinic. Dr. Abbasi is passionate about and experienced in providing holistic, thoughtful, evidence-based care for patients with depression, anxiety, obsessive compulsive disorder, trauma-related disorders, relationship issues and struggles with self-image. He believes empathy and understanding are the most fundamental components of the doctor-patient relationship. He provides psychiatric medication management and integrates supportive psychotherapy, elements of dialectical behavioral therapy (DBT), stress management techniques and lifestyle interventions to meet patients where they are and collaborate toward improvement and optimization of their wellness. Occasionally, when appropriate, he may recommend adding a therapist to your care team for further benefit.

Mu Xu, MD

Staff Psychiatrist

Mu Xu, MD is a Psychiatrist at Talkiatry. He obtained his medical doctorate degree from the University of Chicago Pritzker School of Medicine and PhD from New York University. He completed his psychiatry residency at New York University. Dr Xu is licensed to practice in California, New York, New Jersey, Connecticut, Pennsylvania, and Maryland. Dr. Xu provides both medication management for a variety of psychiatric conditions. Dr. Xu is fluent in English and Mandarin. Dr. Xu is a general adult psychiatrist specializing in medication management. He values building strong connections with patients from all walks of life and tailoring treatments to their unique needs. His working style is characterized by attentive listening, detailed follow-up questions, and straightforward communication, fostering a collaborative and empathetic environment.

Rebecca Farias, MD

Staff Psychiatrist

Dr. Farias is a board-certified physician in both adult and child & adolescent psychiatry, with a focus on the diagnosis and treatment of depressive disorders, anxiety disorders, trauma- and stressor-related disorders, and ADHD. Dr. Farias graduated magna cum laude with a Bachelor of Science degree from the University of Houston, majoring in Biology with a minor in Chemistry. She then pursued her medical education at Texas Tech University Health Sciences Center, earning her Doctor of Medicine degree. Dr. Farias completed a three-year psychiatric residency at TTUHSC, followed by fellowship training in child and adolescent psychiatry. She completed her first year of fellowship at the University of Texas Medical Branch in Galveston and her second year at TTUHSC. With a diverse clinical background, Dr. Farias has gained experience in a variety of settings, including academic psychiatry, consult liaison psychiatry, intensive outpatient programs (IOP), partial hospitalization programs (PHP), emergency psychiatry, and outpatient psychiatry. This broad range of experience allows her to provide comprehensive, individualized care to patients at all stages of life. Dr. Farias takes a holistic approach to treatment, incorporating both medication management and psychotherapy. She utilizes principles from Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT), Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT), and supportive psychotherapy, recognizing that a combined approach leads to better outcomes for patients.

NeKeisha Hutchinson, LPC

Staff Therapist

Nekeisha Hutchinson, LPC, earned her Master's Degree in Clinical Mental Health Counseling at Post University in 2017 and has worked with a diverse demographic in a clinical capacity including outpatient and in-home settings conducting both individual and family therapy, within the Department of Corrections with clients struggling with substance use challenges and crisis services over the past seven years. Prior to becoming a therapist, Nekeisha spent 10 years working in early childhood education and seven years working as a Family Support Specialist in homes with both prenatal and postnatal mothers providing support in attachment building and assisting them in securing community resources. Nekeisha has experience working with adolescents, adults, senior citizens and families. Nekeisha uses a variety of evidence-based interventions including Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT), Motivational Interviewing (MI) and Solution Focused Therapy (SFT) to help clients develop appropriate tools to address their challenges and live more fulfilling lives.

Nekeisha Hutchinson has experience working with youth, adolescents, adults, the elderly and families. She specializes in treating anxiety, depression, substance use disorders, parenting challenges, stress management and conflict resolution. Nekeisha utilizes evidence-based practices such as cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT), Motivational Interviewing (MI) and solution focused therapy (SFT) to enable clients to develop effective coping skills to overcome their challenges. She provides a safe and judgement free environment that supports exploration and healing. Please allow me to assist you in your journey of self-discovery and wellness.

I believe that establishing a healthy therapeutic alliance begins with communication and establishing trust. My communication style is direct and assertive, and I use open-ended questions and active listening so that clients can express themselves freely. I enjoy providing a safe environment for clients so that they can share their narratives while receiving empathy and positive regards. I place great effort in fostering collaboration in an effort to gain understanding of the situation and the symptoms in order to form an appropriate diagnosis, identifying goals, working together in treatment planning and monitor progress. I encourage clients to participate in their care through commitment, shared decision-making and reflective listening.

Lauren Broderick, MD

Staff Psychiatrist

Dr. Lauren Broderick is a Harvard trained, board certified psychiatrist. She completed her medical degree at Weill Cornell Medical College of Cornell University. She then completed her adult psychiatry residency training at Massachusetts General Hospital and McLean Hospital, both teaching hospitals at Harvard Medical School. Dr. Broderick has held clinical appointments at Harvard Medical School and Duke University Medical School. At both institutions, she has been recognized for clinical excellence, receiving awards for outstanding patient care and clinical teaching. Dr. Broderick's practice uses a collaborative, evidence-based approach to understand and treat a person's psychiatric symptoms. Her sessions are usually 30 minutes. In addition to focusing on medication management, Dr. Broderick's practice also prioritizes a whole person approach, incorporating aspects of nutrition, lifestyle, mindfulness, and supportive or brief cognitive behavioral therapy into the treatment plan. Occasionally, Dr. Broderick may believe that additional therapy is also needed and ask that you see a separate therapist to provide the best outcome. She has clinical expertise in the treatment of anxiety disorders and mood disorders, specifically focusing on the clinical treatment of young adults going through early life transitions. Dr. Broderick strongly believes in providing high quality, equitable care and empowers her patients to be active players in their treatment plans to facilitate the best care possible.

Maria Lourdes Castineira Garcia, MD

Staff Psychiatrist

Dr. Castineira Garcia is a highly experienced, board-certified psychiatrist specializing in adult and addiction psychiatry, with nearly 20 years of clinical experience in both English and Spanish. Originally from Galicia, Spain, she earned her medical degree from the Facultad de Medicina y Odontología in Santiago de Compostela. After several years as a primary care physician in her home region, she moved to the United States, where she was able to pursue her true passion: psychiatry. Dr. Castineira Garcia has provided high-quality care to culturally diverse communities, working in public sector, non-profit, and for-profit organizations. She has extensive experience helping patients with depression, anxiety, PTSD, and various other mental health conditions.‍Taking a personalized approach to treatment, Dr. Castineira Garcia considers the unique psychology, biology, and lifestyle of each individual when determining the best course of action. Her practice focuses on medication management in conjunction with supportive therapy, conducting follow-up visits in 30-minute increments. She believes that the most successful treatments integrate physical health, therapy, mindfulness, and medication�when necessary�to provide the most effective solutions for her If you are looking for a compassionate and experienced psychiatrist who is fluent in both English and Spanish, Dr. Castineira Garcia is an excellent choice for those seeking to improve their mental health patients.

Irene Pastis, MD

Staff Psychiatrist

Dr. Irene Pastis is a board-certified psychiatrist who specializes in adult psychiatry.  She completed residency training at East Carolina University in both internal medicine and psychiatry.  After residency, she pursued her passion in psychiatry and stayed on as a clinical assistant professor in the department of psychiatry at East Carolina University.  In this role she specialized in treating adults with mental illness in both the inpatient and outpatient settings.  She has spent a considerable amount of time teaching residents and medical students and has published several papers focusing on the neuroscience pathways of mental health conditions.  In her daily practice, Dr. Pastis focuses on evidence-based treatments utilizing the latest clinical guidelines and current approved treatments.  In addition to medication management, she also incorporates psychotherapy in the treatment of mental health conditions.  Dr. Pastis is passionate about taking a collaborative approach with her patients to help them reach their potential.

Paul Pennington, LPC

Staff Therapist

Paul Pennington is a Licensed Professional Counselor with over 15 years of mental health experience in a variety of settings ranging from schools, private practice, residential facilities, and crime scene crisis counseling. Paul has had the privilege of helping people with various situations including depression, anxiety, stress, anger, trauma, abuse, life transitions, relationships, integration, existential issues, and other obstacles that have caused an imbalance in their lives. Paul specializes in working with teachers, first responders, young parents, and individuals that just want to be seen as who they truly are.‍Paul earned a Bachelor of Science in Psychology with a minor in Sociology from Texas State University and a Master of Education in Guidance and Counseling from Angelo State University. A few of the certifications Paul has earned over the years are: Residential Staff from the Texas Department of Criminal Justice, Certified Anger Resolution Therapist (C.A.R.T.), AgriSafe Farm Response, Trust Based Relational Intervention (TBRI) Practitioner Trainer, Texas Education Agency: EC-12 SpEd, 4-8 Generalist, EC-12 School Counselor, SAFE EMDR, Mental Health First Aid, and Ketamine Assisted Psychotherapy.‍Paul believes everyone is different and takes an individualized approach with each client. He operates from a foundation in Cognitive Behavioral Therapy, Trust-Based Relational Intervention, Solution Focused Therapy, and Mindfulness.

Amy Gonzalez, PMHNP

Staff Nurse Practitioner

Amy Gonzalez is a board certified Psychiatric Mental Health Nurse Practitioner as well as a Family Nurse Practitioner. She has been practicing in the field of nursing since 1996. Amy has been a practicing Family Nurse Practitioner since 2007, and she started to focus on substance abuse treatment in 2010. She found that many people with substance use disorder also struggle with their mental health and went on to get her Psychiatric Mental Health Nurse Practitioner degree completing it in 2017. Her past experience includes working in both outpatient and inpatient psychiatry, 24-hour crisis care, substance use treatment, mental health court, and both adult and geriatric psychiatry. Amy has expertise in treating depression, bipolar spectrum disorder, anxiety, insomnia, PTSD, substance use disorders and thought disorders.

Amy believes in providing a safe and supportive environment where she really gets to know her patients as individuals and works collaboratively with them to develop a treatment plan. She is concerned with a patient's overall wellness, emphasizing nutrition, movement, hobbies, social connection, and mindfulness. She takes a holistic approach to treatment which focuses on evidence-based treatments including conventional medications, supplements, and alternative and complementary treatments.

Amy focuses on medication management as well as providing supportive therapy, psychoeducation, and motivational interviewing to her patients in 30-minute follow up appointments. Sometimes Amy may recommend more intense therapy and ask that you bring a therapist into your care team to provide the best outcome.

Victoria Mustovic, MD

Education and training

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