Caitlin Gardiner, MD

Raquel Weinum is a licensed clinical social worker. Her career in the field has spanned over 20 years and includes work with adults, adolescents, and children from diverse populations and experiences. She has treated a wide range of symptoms and challenges, including but not limited to, depression and other mood disorders, anxiety, chronic stress, trauma, difficulty with relationships, family conflicts, and loss. ‍Her style is warm and engaging. She considers the role of the therapist to be collaborative. As a therapist she aims to create a safe non-judgmental space for self-exploration, discovery, and healing. The goals in the therapeutic process may involve developing new skills to cope with emotional pain, learning to set new boundaries in relationships, or finding more meaning in life. She utilizes a wide range of approaches, including cognitive behavioral therapy, motivational interviewing, narrative therapy, relational and psychodynamic approaches, and mindfulness and embodiment work. Regardless of the modality, her work is always trauma informed and strength-based. ‍Ms. Weinum received her Master's degree in Social Work from Fordham University and her BS in psychology from Brooklyn College. She has worked in varied settings including hospitals, community mental health/substance abuse clinics, and home-based crisis intervention services. She has provided individual and group psychotherapy, and has served in supervisory/administrative roles throughout her career.‍

Dr. Vitaly Chernish is a board-certified psychiatrist. He earned his medical degree from the University of Tennessee Health Science Center, where he also completed his psychiatry residency training. Following residency, he relocated to New York City and worked at NewYork-Presbyterian Brooklyn Methodist Hospital. He also held an academic appointment as Assistant Professor of Clinical Psychiatry at Weill Cornell Medical College. Dr. Chernish specializes in the treatment of anxiety disorders, depression, bipolar disorder, post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD), and obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD).

Dr. Chernish strives to create a therapeutic environment that balances empathy and compassion with structure and clinical clarity. Patients can expect a thoughtful, respectful approach that prioritizes understanding their concerns while providing clear guidance and evidence-based recommendations.

Initial visits involve a comprehensive evaluation of psychiatric, medical, and psychosocial history, current symptoms, and medication use to ensure care is individualized and appropriate. Dr. Chernish emphasizes collaborative, multidisciplinary treatment and regularly coordinates care with primary care physicians, specialists, and therapists when clinically indicated.

Dr. Colleen Ryan is a psychiatrist who grew up in Kentucky and has trained and practiced in a wide range of clinical settings. Her experience spans inpatient and outpatient care, community mental health, state hospitals, addiction clinics, VA hospitals, and academic medicine. She became board certified in addiction medicine in 2019, deepening her understanding of how addiction affects individuals and families. She has also worked extensively with patients experiencing Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder, including both military- and civilian-related trauma. Her diverse background allows her to appreciate the complex personal, social, and medical factors that influence mental health.

Dr. Ryan believes effective treatment begins with understanding a patient’s life experiences and perspective. She takes time to explore how patients see their challenges and what is or is not working for them. While medication can be an important tool, she does not focus on medication alone and values open discussion about its benefits and concerns. She prioritizes understanding how patients are functioning across all areas of life and strongly values a collaborative approach, viewing treatment as a partnership built on shared decision-making.

Dr. Ryan begins with a thorough evaluation that includes medical and family history, ensuring that underlying medical issues are not overlooked. The first visit is also an opportunity to build rapport and help patients feel comfortable. Together, she and her patients develop a treatment plan aligned with the patient’s goals. She recognizes that goals evolve over time and works collaboratively to adjust treatment as part of the ongoing growth process.

Mary Birse is a board-certified Psychiatric Mental Health Nurse Practitioner (ANCC) with over 20 years of nursing experience. She graduated magna cum laude with a BSN from Florida Atlantic University and earned her MSN from the University of Florida. She completed a Psychiatric NP Residency at the VA in Charleston, SC. Mary has worked in a variety of settings including the West Palm Beach VA Medical Center, the Palm Beach County Firefighter’s Clinic, various outpatient telehealth platforms, and a child and adolescent inpatient facility. She was also an adjunct professor at Palm Beach State College.

Mary believes in empowering patients through education and collaboration so they can play an active role in their mental health journey. She works to create a warm and welcoming space where patients feel safe, heard, and understood. Whether the treatment path includes therapy, medication, integrative approaches, or a combination, she ensures that the plan reflects the patient's needs and goals.

Mary takes a thorough and holistic approach to care. She spends time understanding each patient’s history and past treatments—what has or hasn’t worked—and listens carefully to their current concerns and future goals. By factoring in lifestyle and preferences, she works with patients to build thoughtful, individualized treatment plans.

Dr. Ani Maria Tejada is a double board-certified child, adolescent, and adult psychiatrist who provides holistic, comprehensive outpatient psychiatric care at Talkiatry via telehealth. She is fully bilingual in English and Spanish and works with patients of all ages. Dr. Tejada has a special interest in caring for individuals with developmental disabilities, including Autism and Asperger’s, and treats a wide range of conditions such as ADHD, anxiety disorders, OCD, trauma-related disorders, mood disorders, postpartum depression, personality disorders, and other mental health conditions that affect daily functioning.

Dr. Tejada takes a warm, compassionate, and collaborative approach to care. She deeply respects each patient’s dignity, autonomy, and personal values, and believes informed patients are empowered patients. She provides clear education on treatment options, benefits, and risks based on current national guidelines, creating a judgment-free space where patients feel heard, understood, and supported as active partners in their care.

During the initial visit, Dr. Tejada takes time to understand the patient’s full personal history and current circumstances to better see the world through their perspective. Ongoing visits use measurement-based tools to guide treatment decisions, including medication adjustments when appropriate. She supports patients in building coping skills, reducing negative thought patterns, and developing healthy habits that promote long-term emotional well-being and improved quality of life.

Ashley Sharp is a Licensed Professional Counselor with Mental Health Service Provider
designation, who has experience working in multiple settings within the mental health
field including private practice counseling, school-based counseling, and in a behavioral
health hospital. This has allowed Ashley to work closely with individuals of various
demographics and a wide spectrum of mental health conditions. Ashley obtained her
undergraduate degree in psychology from Bryan College in Dayton, TN, and graduate
degree in clinical mental health counseling from Richmont Graduate University in
Chattanooga, TN.

Ashley has been working in the mental health field for 4 years and
focuses on mood and anxiety disorders, as well as personality disorders,
challenges in relationship dynamics, and difficult life transitions such as grief and
divorce. Ashley tailors her treatment modalities for the greatest benefit of the individual,
being considerate of the background and needs of each client.
Ashley uses an eclectic approach to therapy founded in Cognitive Behavioral Therapy
and incorporates elements of Dialectical Behavior Therapy such as mindfulness,
distress tolerance, and emotional regulation.