Anastasia Ruiz, MD

Staff Psychiatrist
Languages
English
Mandarin
Conditions Treated
ADHD
Anxiety
Bipolar Disorder
Depression
Obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD)
PTSD/Trauma
Perinatal Psychiatry
Phobias
Postpartum Depression
Tics/Tourette Syndrome

Education and training

  • Texas Tech University, BA
  • Texas Tech University Health Sciences Center, MD and Residency

Get to know

Anastasia Ruiz, MD

Background  and credentials    

Dr. Ruiz is a board-certified psychiatrist specializing in psychiatric  diagnosis and treatment for anxiety disorders, mood disorders, trauma and  stressor-related disorders, ADHD, and pregnancy-related psychiatric conditions.  She received her bachelor's degree in chemistry, graduating Magna Cum Laude  from the Honors College. Dr. Ruiz completed medical school at Texas Tech  University Health Sciences Center, followed by four additional years of  psychiatric residency training. Her diverse professional experience includes  working in psychiatric hospitals, outpatient clinics, intensive outpatient  programs (IOP), partial hospitalization programs (PHP), emergency rooms, and  academic teaching environments. Dr. Ruiz has authored research publications  and received multiple awards, including the AWP International Fellowship  Award and the ADMSEP Innovations Award.    

Treatment approach  

Dr. Ruiz emphasizes an integrated approach, combining medication management  and therapy. This method is supported by research indicating improved patient  outcomes. She remains current with the latest literature and treatment  guidelines to ensure evidence-based care.    

What you can expect in a first visit    

Patients can anticipate a thorough initial evaluation during their first  visit with Dr. Ruiz. She conducts a comprehensive assessment to understand  the patient's symptoms, history, and personal circumstances. This session  sets the foundation for collaboratively developing an individualized  treatment plan focused on the patient’s specific needs and goals.    

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 speciualize in  medication management and collaborate with you on a treatment plan that fits  your needs and comfort level.

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Alicia Brigham, LPC

Staff Therapist

Alicia Brigham holds the position of therapist at Talkiatry. Alicia is a Licensed Professional Counselor in Texas and Oklahoma with over 10 years of experience. Alicia currently resides in Dallas, TX and graduated from Dallas Baptist University with her Masters in Counseling. Alicia has worked in an inpatient hospital, a nonprofit outpatient clinic, and in private practice settings providing therapy to a variety of populations. Alicia also has experience in advocating for clients to receive care based on medical necessity and treatment efficacy.

A new patient should know to come as they are, without fear of judgment. Their vulnerability will be safe with in the hands of Alicia. Alicia has a direct, yet calming and compassionate approach that creates comfort and ease for the client. Her goal is to create a warm, open, and interactive environment.

Alicia approaches each patient with respect, sensitivity, and eagerness to learn. The goal is to learn as much as possible about the patient and collaborate with the patient on a plan of action for the most effective care.

Patricia Battles, LCSW

Staff Therapist

Pat is a licensed therapist with over two years of experience specializing in mood disorders and trauma. Holding degrees in Clinical Social Work and Music Therapy, she utilizes various evidence-based approaches to support clients in their healing process. Pat's treatment style is client-centered and integrative, drawing from Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT), Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT), and EMDR techniques to tailor treatment to the unique needs of each individual. Previously, she worked in child welfare, private practice, forensic mental health, hospice, and palliative care.‍With a passion for supporting adult clients, Pat creates a safe, compassionate space where individuals can explore and address their challenges. She believes strongly in the importance of mental health for all, and aims to foster a collaborative environment focused on personal growth, resilience, and healing. In her off time, Pat enjoys traveling, singing, and spending time with family and loved ones.

Waded Baquerizo-Mahuad, LPC

Staff Therapist

Waded Baquerizo-Mahuad is an LPC (Licensed Professional Counselor) in the state of Pennsylvania. She received her Master's (M.A.) in Mental Health Counseling from Kutztown University in 2016. She is also a Clinical Psychologist in her home country of Ecuador. She has provided mental and behavioral services to children and their families as a therapeutic staff support and mobile therapist, providing in-home services and services in the community. She has worked in Community Mental Health and Private Practice where she has gained experience treating various Mental health diagnoses that include PTSD, Anxiety, Depression, OCD, Grief, Adjustment Disorders, etc. As an experienced bilingual counselor, she utilizes an eclectic approach in her practice, taking into consideration the stage and uniqueness of her client's psychological, emotional, and social needs. Some of her approaches in therapy are the person-centered approach, cognitive behavioral therapy, psychodynamic approach, motivational interviewing, and solution-focused approach. She integrates Sensory Motor techniques as well as Mindfulness and Grounding techniques. In her practice, she also applies a Strength-Based Modality and Trauma-informed Focus. She also implements Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing (EMDR) interventions.

Robert Werner, MD

Staff Psychiatrist

Dr. Blake Werner is an adult and addiction psychiatry board certified physician who has been in practice for the past 4 years. He received his medical degree from Texas Tech University Health Sciences Center in Lubbock, TX, before moving to charming Charleston, SC to complete his residency in adult psychiatry. Following residency, Dr. Werner navigated his way to the northeast to complete a fellowship in addiction psychiatry at Yale School of Medicine. Post-fellowship, Dr. Werner joined the Yale faculty as an assistant professor and was employed through the Veterans Affairs, treating substance use disorders in an outpatient clinical setting. Through his clinical practice, Dr. Werner has worked with a variety of patients across the northeast via telemedicine to treat their general mental health concerns, substance use disorders, as well as behavioral addictions. While Dr. Werner's clinical practice post residency has primarily focused on substance use disorders, he has spent the last couple of years on the inpatient psychiatric setting, assisting patients with a wide variety of mental health conditions as well as enjoying time working with residents and medical students. In his role as a psychiatrist, Dr. Werner enjoys working collaboratively with patients to develop a beneficial and effective treatment plan aimed at fostering emotional well-being. While primarily utilizing medications as tools to assist patients in achieving their desired level of functioning, he is well versed in motivation enhancement therapy and prefers psychodynamic and supportive therapeutic processes. He is looking forward to meeting and working with you as you progress along your path of wellness.

Kevin White, LMHC

Staff Therapist

Kevin K. White is a licensed Mental Health Therapist, who has been working in the counseling field for over 20 years. He has continually worked with individuals and couples from all demographics and ethnic backgrounds, living with a variety of mental health conditions. Kevin attended Medaille University in Buffalo, New York for his undergraduate and graduate studies. Kevin has been practicing as a Mental Health Therapist, focusing on stress and anxiety, relationship issues, family conflicts, anger management, trauma, and depression. Treatment with Kevin is tailored to building the therapeutic relationship and is customized to the individual, using person-centered treatment with the purpose of making the patient feel whole. He also focuses on issues related to abuse, intimacy, career difficulties, codependency, divorce and separation, family problems, forgiveness, infidelity, jealousy, life purpose, and men's issues, midlife crisis, and self-love. Kevin employs several therapeutic methods such as: Client-Centered Therapy, Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT), Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing (EMDR), Mindfulness Therapy, and Solution-Focused Therapy.

Jennifer Twing, MD

Staff Psychiatrist

Dr Jennifer Twing is a board-certified physician in Psychiatry. She completed her undergraduate studies in Neuroscience and Behavior at Vassar College in New York, medical education at Trinity College in Dublin, Ireland and Psychiatry Residency at the University of North Dakota in Fargo, ND. She has experience working in a variety of settings treating psychiatric conditions across the lifespan. She is also currently training to be certified in Psychedelic Assisted Psychotherapy.

Dr Twing has a warm approach to patient care, is easy to talk to and aims to cultivate a safe and comfortable atmosphere. She is empathetic and understanding, ensuring that her patients feel heard and are supported.

Her main focus is in treating anxiety, depressive disorders and trauma through medication management. She also integrates a holistic approach encompassing lifestyle, spiritual and nature-based healing practices to help reduce stress, improve mood, and enhance overall quality of life. She recommends that you work with a therapist or counselor as well to optimize treatment outcomes.

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Specialties
ADHD
Anxiety
Bipolar Disorder
Depression
Obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD)
PTSD/Trauma
Perinatal Psychiatry
Phobias
Postpartum Depression
Tics/Tourette Syndrome
States
Florida
Texas
New York
Ohio
California
Languages
English
Mandarin