Xiomara Nieves-Alvarado, MD

Dr. Michael Underriner is an adult psychiatrist. His approach to treatment is holistic, taking into account the entire person, and emphasizes the importance of the therapeutic bond to help people reduce suffering and achieve their goals. He is a member of the Gold Humanism Honor Society. Dr. Underriner's practice focuses on a mix of medication management, offered in conjunction with supportive therapy in 30-minute follow-up visits, and insight-oriented psychotherapy offered in weekly 45-minute visits. He works with people struggling with ADHD, depression, anxiety, obsessive-compulsive and related disorders, and difficulties with self-esteem and relationships. Occasionally Dr. Underriner may believe that additional therapy is warranted and recommend a separate therapist to provide the best outcome. He received his medical degree from the University of Chicago Pritzker School of Medicine and completed his residency training at New York University. During training, he gained experience treating patients with various psychiatric illnesses in several different clinics and hospital-based settings. He worked with experts in the field of depression and provided consultations for patients considering transcranial magnetic stimulation. He also published a review article on long-term injectable medications for psychosis. Dr. Underriner has maintained an interest in teaching and remains connected to the psychiatry department at NYU. He has supervised and taught junior residents and medical students. Additionally, he is interested in global health and disparities in access to care and has traveled to Ghana to teach medical students rotating through psychiatry at the university there.

Janee Stokes is a highly experienced and dual-certified nurse practitioner, specializing in adult gerontology and psychiatry. With over 20 years of experience as a registered nurse, she brings a comprehensive background in healthcare, having worked with diverse patient populations ranging from young children to older adults.

In 2015, she earned her Master of Science in Nursing (MSN) and became certified as an adult gerontology nurse practitioner. She later expanded her expertise by obtaining certification in psychiatry, enabling her to provide holistic care for individuals with mental health needs. Her leadership roles have included serving as lead nurse practitioner and associate director of psychiatry at a federally qualified health center, where she played a key role in guiding healthcare teams and delivering quality care to underserved communities.

Janee emphasizes education as a core component of her care approach. She builds strong rapport through clear communication and trust, incorporating techniques such as Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT) and motivational interviewing to support her patients’ needs. This approach empowers individuals to take an active role in their treatment journey.

Her care process is guided by each patient’s goals, integrating evidence-based practices to ensure personalized and effective support that aligns with their unique needs and aspirations.

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Dr. Emily Sykes is a board-certified adult psychiatrist. She received her Bachelor of Arts degree with Magna Cum Laude distinction from Carleton College, where she majored in biology. Dr. Sykes completed her Doctor of Medicine degree from the University of Toledo. She completed her psychiatry residency at the University of Cincinnati and was the outpatient chief resident physician. Dr. Sykes' specialty interests include mood disorders, anxiety disorders, post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD), obsessive-compulsive and related disorders, Cognitive-Behavioral Therapy (CBT) and holistic wellness. She is a certified Cognitive Processing Therapy (CPT) provider for PTSD. Dr. Sykes provides compassionate, evidence-based, individualized, holistic care for patients suffering from a variety of mental health diagnoses and concerns. She incorporates supportive therapy, cognitive-behavioral therapy and solutions-focused therapy into her sessions.

Maria-Anne Duncan, LCSW-R holds the position of psychotherapist at Talkiatry. She has over twenty years of experience working with individuals, families, and groups addressing symptoms of anxiety, depression, and trauma. Before joining Talkiarty, Ms. Duncan worked as a Director of Clinical Services for a not-for-profit in the Hudson Valley Region of New York State. Prior to that, Ms. Duncan worked for a local hospital in the psychiatric department providing treatment to the Inpatient and Outpatient units. She has held several positions as a clinician and program director. Additionally, Ms. Duncan has taught parenting classes, Mental Health First Aid and provides training on Trauma-Informed Care. Ms. Duncan started her career as a clinician in a Crime Victims' Assistance Program funded by New York State. Through this experience she began to explore the effects of trauma on individuals, their families, and the community. Ms. Duncan has been trained in both EMDR (Eye-Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing) and SE (Somatic Experiencing). She utilizes these body-focused therapies to help her clients be released from years of painful energies locked in their systems. Ms. Duncan received her Bachelor's Degree from Marist College and her Master's from Fordham University. She has been trained to supervise Social Work Students in their field placements. Ms. Duncan appeared in the Vassar College student-developed training video, "He said, She said" which is used to train peer sexual assault counselors. In April of 2022, she became a trainer for LivingWorks "SafeTALK" program. Additionally, Ms. Duncan has a trained therapy dog, Monkey, who goes with her to local hospitals and nursing homes to provide comfort and affection.

Dr. Satveet Khela is a board certified physician specializing in adult psychiatry. She has been practicing since 2021. In addition to focusing on medication management, Dr. Khela'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. Khela may believe that additional therapy is also needed and ask that you see a separate therapist to provide the best outcome. Dr. Khela received her undergraduate degree from the University of California, Berkeley and her medical degree from A.T. Still University. She completed her residency at University of California San Francisco Fresno, where she served as chief resident in her final year. After completing her training, Dr. Khela worked with medically ill patients with co-morbid psychiatric illnesses. Throughout her career, Dr. Khela has worked with a diverse set of patients in various stages of their lives. Dr. Khela focuses on treating patients with anxiety, depression, PTSD, bipolar, OCD, and other mental health issues. She believes in empowering her patients to be active players in their treatment plans to facilitate the best care possible.

Dr. Kristofer Joondeph-Breidbart is a board certified adult psychiatrist. He earned his undergraduate degree and Master's in Teaching from Boston University, followed by his medical degree from the University of Massachusetts Medical School. Dr. Joondeph-Breidbart completed his residency in general adult psychiatry at Cambridge Health Alliance, a Harvard teaching hospital. Currently, Dr. Joondeph-Breidbart serves as a staff psychiatrist at Harvard University Health Services, where he works with both undergraduate and graduate students. He has developed significant expertise in working with LGBTQ individuals through his involvement with the Gender and Sexuality Clinic at Cambridge Health Alliance and the LGBTQ Interdisciplinary Team at Harvard University Health Services. While he has extensive expertise in treating college-aged young adults, his practice also includes a broad range of patients, with a particular specialization in Obsessive-Compulsive Disorder (OCD). He is trained in Exposure and Response Prevention Therapy, a highly effective treatment for OCD. Dr. Joondeph-Breidbart takes a holistic approach to mental health care, integrating therapy into his sessions and collaborating with patients to develop individualized medication regimens that best meet their needs. His gentle and understanding approach helps create a supportive environment for his patients, fostering their mental and emotional well-being.