Walter Piddoubny, MD

Dr. Justin Uzl is double board-certified in adult and consultation liaison psychiatry. His fellowship training helped him gain greater insight into the interface between medicine and mental healthcare. He has been practicing for seven years and has worked closely with individuals with co-occurring chronic medical issues, specifically organ transplantation. Dr. Uzl takes a holistic approach to mental healthcare combining medication management, psychotherapy, and lifestyle modifications to help his patients achieve a quality of life that allows them to pursue their goals. He sees the position of the psychiatrist as helping to educate and guide patients, allowing them to take an active role in their own recovery. Dr. Uzl believes diversity is a strength and embraces providing high quality services that affirm the dignity, worth and value of all individuals including the LGBTQ+ community. Dr. Uzl takes an evidence-based approach in his treatment of individuals suffering with depression, anxiety, trauma, difficulty focusing and concentrating, sleep issues, and interpersonal problems. He utilizes insight-oriented care, believing that gaining understanding of a person's feelings, thoughts, and actions will provide them the knowledge needed to make the positive change they desire. Therapy may be a key part of a person's treatment, and if greater frequency is needed outside of sessions with Dr. Uzl, he will refer and collaborate with a psychotherapist to help maximize a patient's success.

Dr. Robert Smeed, DO, is a board-certified psychiatrist with a passion for healing the human mind and consciousness. He earned his Doctor of Osteopathic Medicine from Lake Erie College of Osteopathic Medicine and completed his Psychiatry Residency at Wayne State University College of Medicine. Certified by the American Board of Psychiatry and Neurology (ABPN), Dr. Smeed served as an outpatient psychiatrist at Veterans Affairs for 11 years, honing his expertise in mental health care. Driven by a deep interest in consciousness and innovative treatments, he combines talking therapies, neuromodulation, and modern psychopharmacology to help patients achieve lasting wellness.

Dr. Smeed is proficient in treating a wide range of psychiatric conditions while specializing in treatment-resistant depression, neurodevelopmental disorders, anxiety and trauma disorders. His treatment style is empathic and collaborative, emphasizing family dynamics and relationships while integrating psychodynamic principles with biopsychosocial models. He approaches each patient with creativity, using open-ended discussions and innovative therapeutic and psychopharmacologic strategies to tailor care, ensuring a personalized and effective treatment experience.

Dr. Smeed begins with open-ended dialogue, allowing patients to develop their narrative, which is often therapeutic. Treatment plans are customized to patient needs and align with diagnostic standards of care. He incorporates medication reviews, mindfulness techniques, cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT), supportive therapy, and psychodynamic approaches. Dr. Smeed also educates patients on lifestyle factors, such as diet and exercise, to support mental health, fostering a holistic and individualized path to wellness.

Darlene Browning is a Licensed Clinical Social Worker, she is licensed in New York, New Jersey, Pennsylvania, and Delaware. She has been a Social Worker since 2001 has an undergraduate degree from John Jay College of Criminal Justice where she completed in 1992 with a B.S. in Science and majored in Criminal Justice. She then started working as a Correction Counselor with the NYC Department Corrections for few years, working with female inmates who had substance abuse problem and adolescence as well. She facilitated treatment recovery groups and psycho education . In 1998, she worked as with the Administration for Children Services while she was pursuing her Master's Degree degree from Hunter College School of Social Work where she graduated in 2001 with her MSW.

For 19 years she worked as a Discharge Planner in the hospital while attending Metropolitan Institute for Mental Health to study in the Adult Psychoanalytic Division, in 2012, Darlene decided to switch gears and began working as Behavorial Health  Care Manager , while starting her own private practice in the mist of the pandemic. Her practice is called " Live the Life you Want ", because she strongly believes that all individuals should live their own lives the way they want to and desire.

In 2022, Darlene  received a two year certificate in Integrated Trauma from the Institute for Contemporary Psychotherapy where she received training in EMDR , Somatic experiencing and  i is currently working obtaining a certification on becoming an  Accelerated Experiential Psychodynamic Psychotherapist  , which is a experiential model that seeks to alleviate patients psychological suffering by helping them process the overwhelming emotions associated with trauma, depression and anxiety.

Darlene Browning has been in the in the mental health for over 30 years.  She continues provide psychotherapy with an eclectic, person-centered, and non-judgmental approach.  Darlene Browning style provides a safe, secure, and empathetic warm environment.  Darlene quotes “ The world can be scary, cold, and insensitive place to be and there is a lot of uncertainty going around, but together we can get through it “.  Although Darlene Browning is part of the of the BIPOC community, she welcomes all Races, creeds and religion. Darlene also has experience working with LGBT community, including relationships, intimacy issues, attachment issues, career difficulties, coaching, and compassion fatigue.  Her clinical approach includes CBT, Motivational Interviewing, Psychodynamic and Trauma informed.

Your first session is all about YOU as well as the second.  Darlene allows to express your reason why you are seeking therapy and more about what you been through in life. We both will get to know other, and we will focus on what areas you want to work on.

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Background and credentials

Dr. Puja Kumar is trained in adult, child, and adolescent psychiatry and is a board-certified pediatrician. She earned her Bachelor of Science from the University of Calgary and her medical degree from St. George’s University in Grenada. She completed her pediatrics residency at Maimonides Medical Center in New York and practiced pediatrics with MedStar Shah Medical Group in Maryland before transitioning to psychiatry. She later trained in child and adult psychiatry at University Hospitals Cleveland Medical Center.

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Treatment approach

Dr. Kumar provides medication management combined with supportive therapy, typically in 30-minute follow-up visits. She takes a holistic approach to treatment, considering the impact of lifestyle, parenting practices, and family dynamics on mental health. She emphasizes integrative care, ensuring that treatment plans are tailored to each patient’s unique needs and circumstances.

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What you can expect in a first visit

During the first visit, patients can expect a thorough and compassionate evaluation, where Dr. Kumar takes time to understand their symptoms, medical history, and environmental influences. She prioritizes collaborative decision-making, working closely with patients and, when applicable, their families, to develop a comprehensive and personalized treatment plan. Follow-up visits typically focus on medication adjustments, supportive therapy, and lifestyle recommendations to optimize mental health outcomes.

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Why Talkiatry?

We’re a virtual mental health practice that makes it easy to find great care. We combine quality and convenience to help you thrive—faster. Our providers, like this one, are highly trained experts who specialize in medication management and collaborate with you on a treatment plan that fits your needs and comfort level.

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Christine is a Licensed Professional Counselor specializing in substance use, disordered eating, and empowerment. She is dedicated to helping clients achieve life-changing goals and personal growth through compassionate and evidence-based mental health counseling. Christine’s therapeutic approach centers on empowering individuals to manage distress, enhance self-esteem, and develop a deeper connection with themselves and their bodies in a safe, collaborative environment.

She is particularly passionate about guiding clients to break free from self-destructive cycles and wounded coping responses. Christine believes that at the root of these challenges often lie experiences of complex trauma, along with deeply ingrained feelings of shame and self-hatred. Her holistic approach is designed to foster healing, build resilience, and support sustainable emotional well-being.

With a foundation in cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT), Christine uses a variety of evidence-based interventions tailored to each client’s unique needs, helping them build problem-solving skills and mental clarity. Her advanced training in shame-informed therapy, somatic psychotherapy, and mindfulness allows her to support mind-body integration and promote healing on multiple levels.

A key goal in Christine’s shame-informed work is to help clients reframe painful beliefs and behaviors they feel ashamed of, encouraging a more compassionate and understanding perspective. She also incorporates elements of narrative therapy and Internal Family Systems (IFS) to support clients in exploring and integrating all parts of themselves. Through this multidimensional approach, Christine helps clients create meaningful, lasting changes for both their mental and physical well-being.

As a professional mental health counselor, I believe in the importance of building a strong therapeutic alliance with clients. To achieve this, I strive to show empathy by understanding not just what clients say, but the deeper meaning behind their words. I aim to be genuine and congruent in my actions and words, and to offer unconditional positive regard. I value respect, immediacy, and cultural awareness, while maintaining strong ethics and self-awareness. I work to foster trust, warmth, and objectivity, and I continually develop my competence to better support those I serve.

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Dr. Aneela Ali is a Board-certified Adult Psychiatrist. She completed medical school at Jinnah Sindh Medical University, Karachi, and her Psychiatry Residency training at Metropolitan Hospital Center, New York. After her residency, she pursued some additional training in consult liaison psychiatry, further developing her expertise in caring for patients with complex medical and psychiatric comorbidities. ‍She was part of the esteemed faculty at Stony Brook University as an Assistant clinical Professor and staff Psychiatrist. She has also gained experience in Telehealth, providing virtual care to patients and enjoying the flexibility and convenience it offers. She treats various mental health conditions including depression, anxiety disorders, Bipolar disorder, PTSD, and OCD. Dr. Ali takes time to explain complex concepts in a clear and accessible way, equipping her patients with the knowledge they need to make informed decisions about their care. Her compassionate approach puts patients at ease, allowing them to open up and embark on a journey of healing and recovery. By actively involving patients in their treatment, Dr. Ali empowers them to take an informed and active role in their care, fostering a collaborative relationship that promotes well-being and understanding.