Daniel Rodriguez, DO

Background and credentials  

Dr. Alexandra Baluna, MD, is board-certified by the American Board of  Psychiatry and Neurology. She received her medical degree from  LSUHC-Shreveport and completed her psychiatry residency training at  Montefiore/Albert-Einstein College of Medicine, where she served as chief of  the Consultation-Liaison (C/L) service. Following residency, Dr. Baluna  served as Senior Chief, during which she was honored with the Leo M. Davidoff  Award for Outstanding Achievement in the Teaching of Medical Students. Her  professional experiences include roles at Fordham University, Albert Einstein  Student Mental Health Counseling Center, and most recently, as an outpatient  psychiatrist at Maimonides Medical Center, where she enjoyed teaching and  supervising residents.  

Treatment approach  

Dr. Baluna emphasizes creating a warm, empathic, and nonjudgmental  therapeutic environment. She collaborates closely with patients to develop  personalized treatment plans that consider cultural, biological,  psychological, and social factors. With a strong interest in psychotherapy,  she frequently employs ego-supportive and insight-oriented therapy techniques  during follow-up sessions.  

What you can expect in a first visit    

During an initial visit, patients can expect a welcoming and supportive  atmosphere where Dr. Baluna conducts a comprehensive assessment. This  involves exploring the patient's history, current challenges, and individual  circumstances. The goal of the first session is to collaboratively build an  individualized treatment plan tailored specifically to the patient's unique  needs.  

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

Dr. Julie Rodriguez is an ABPN boarded adult psychiatrist with over 15 years of clinical experience. Dr. Rodriguez's practice focuses on medication management, which is offered in conjunction with supportive therapy. Dr. Rodriguez obtained her medical degree from the Universidad Cat�lica Madre y Maestra Dominican Republic. She then completed her residency in adult psychiatry at the University of Florida, in Gainesville. After completing training, Dr. Rodriguez became a Clinical Assistant Professor for the University of Florida Department of Psychiatry. In this role she served students at UF Student Mental Health at the Counseling and Wellness Center. She also provided treatment to adults in inpatient services and other settings. While doctor Dr. Rodriguez treats a variety of age ranges and diagnoses, she is most passionate about college student mental health with a clinical expertise in the area of mood and anxiety disorders.

Background  and credentials    

Dr. Christa DeFries is a board-certified Adult Psychiatrist. She earned her  medical degree from UT Southwestern Medical School in Dallas, Texas, and  completed her residency in Adult Psychiatry at Baylor Scott & White in  Temple, Texas. Following residency, Dr. DeFries gained additional experience  treating homeless and formerly homeless populations in New York City,  particularly focusing on individuals with histories of trauma and substance  addiction, prior to joining Talkiatry.    

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Treatment approach    

Dr. DeFries practices Adult Psychiatry, employing an integrative treatment  approach combining medication management, psychotherapeutic methods, and  lifestyle modifications. She recognizes that each patient benefits from a  personalized mix of these three aspects of care. Dr. DeFries specializes in  treating diverse psychiatric conditions, including those related to trauma,  substance addictions, and various mental health disorders.    

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What you can expect in a first visit    

In a first visit with Dr. DeFries, patients can expect a comprehensive  evaluation aimed at understanding their individual mental health history,  specific concerns, and overall treatment goals. Dr. DeFries emphasizes an  individualized approach, carefully exploring the best combination of  medication, therapy, and lifestyle adjustments tailored specifically to each  patient's needs. Patients can anticipate an empathetic and collaborative  environment focused on their personal experiences and goals.    

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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.

Dr. Jiang is a board-certified adult psychiatrist. His practice focuses on medication management and supportive therapy. His major goal is for treatment to be patient centered, with a focus on high quality, evidence-based care in the safest and most meaningful way. Dr. Jiang completed an undergraduate degree at the University of California, Los Angeles. He received his medical degree from Oakland University William Beaumont, School of Medicine. He then completed his psychiatry residency at Loyola University Medical Center. Dr. Jiang's areas of interest include depression and post-traumatic stress disorder.‍

Background and credentials  

Dr. Webb is board-certified by the American Board of Psychiatry and  Neurology. She earned a Bachelor of Science in Biological Sciences from the  University of Miami in Coral Gables, Florida, and obtained her medical degree  in Osteopathic Medicine from the West Virginia School of Osteopathic  Medicine. Dr. Webb completed her psychiatry residency training at Palm Beach  Consortium for Graduate Medical Education in Tamarac, Florida. After her  training, she served as an attending psychiatrist with the Department of  Veterans Affairs in Miami, Florida, and as an attending psychiatrist and  mentor for psychiatry residents in training at the University of Miami,  Florida International University, and University Hospital and Medical Center  in Tamarac.  

Treatment approach    

Dr. Webb believes in building strong therapeutic relationships with her  patients, integrating conservative psychological treatments and lifestyle  modifications to enhance overall well-being and quality of life. She  primarily provides medication management combined with supportive or  emotionally focused therapy. Dr. Webb emphasizes creating individualized care  plans tailored to each patient’s unique needs. While medication and  supportive therapy are central to her approach, she occasionally recommends  involving an additional therapist to optimize treatment outcomes. Dr. Webb  specializes in managing a broad range of psychiatric conditions, including  depression, anxiety, bipolar disorder, postpartum depression, OCD, and  PTSD.  

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What you can expect in a first visit  

Patients meeting Dr. Webb for the first time can expect a thoughtful and  comprehensive assessment focused on building rapport and understanding their  personal and clinical needs. Dr. Webb emphasizes creating a strong  therapeutic relationship, developing an individualized care plan designed  specifically to address each patient's symptoms and lifestyle. Follow-up  appointments typically last around 30 minutes, during which medication  management and supportive therapy are provided. Depending on patient needs,  Dr. Webb might suggest incorporating additional therapeutic support to  achieve the best possible results.    

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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.

Bridgette K. Hathaway, LCSW holds the position of clinical therapist at Talkiatry. She is board-certified in clinical social work. She has been practicing for over 5 years. Ms. Hathaway's practice focuses on individual psychotherapy. Typically, she offers this in conjunction with solution-focused motivational interviewing and cognitive behavioral therapy, in 60-minute visits. She received her bachelor's degree in liberal arts with a focus in behavioral neurobiology and women's studies from Harpur College at Binghamton University, and her master's degree in social work at the College of Community and Public Affairs at Binghamton University. Additionally, Ms. Hathaway studied abroad in Blantyre, Malawi, Africa, completing an Asset-Based Community Development program promoting social-emotional wellbeing for youth. After completing training, she returned and worked in her local community, Binghamton, NY, in myriad roles. First, with adolescents at the Promise Zone Summer Zone Summer Camp as program coordinator, continuing to focus on the wellbeing of youth, before becoming the MICA enhanced residential coordinator for Fairview Recovery Services, where she spent time providing addiction services to the dually diagnosed. She was then the residential treatment center social worker at the Children's Home of Wyoming Conference focused on service provision to adolescent males, before becoming a behavioral health counselor providing integrated mental health and addiction services to individuals of all ages, at Family and Children's Counseling Services. Further, Ms. Hathaway participated in continuing education in LGBTQ, Gender Identity, Expression, and Behavioral Health; OASAS Person-Centered Care and Harm-Reduction; Integrated Mental Health Addictions Treatment; NYSED Safe Schools Against Violence in Education; Borderline Personality Disorder; Integrated Treatment-Individual Interventions; and Motivational Interviewing. Her auxiliary certifications include Child and Adolescent Needs and Strengths Needs Assessments, Therapeutic Crisis Intervention, ASIST-Applied Suicide Intervention Skills, and NYSDOH Opioid Overdose Naloxone Program.‍