Dung Truong, MD

Cassandra Thomas-Jingles is a dedicated, board-certified Psychiatric Nurse Practitioner with dual certification as a Family Nurse Practitioner. She is deeply passionate about helping others and takes a holistic, evidence-based approach to mental healthcare, empowering patients to live life to their fullest potential.

Her practice focuses on medication management and supportive therapy, offering 30-minute follow-up sessions. When additional therapy is needed, she recommends including a therapist in the care team to ensure the best possible outcomes. With extensive experience in both outpatient and inpatient settings, Cassandra has worked with adults and children facing a wide range of mental health conditions, including ADHD, anxiety, depression, and psychotic disorders. She strongly believes in prioritizing client involvement and fostering interprofessional collaboration.

Your mental health journey is unique, and Cassandra is here to listen with compassion and without judgment. All conversations are confidential, and her goal is to create a safe, welcoming space where you feel comfortable sharing your thoughts and concerns.

During your initial appointment, Cassandra will review your mental health history, current symptoms, lifestyle factors, and any previous treatments to gain a comprehensive understanding of your needs. Together, you will develop a personalized treatment plan that may include therapy, medication, or other supportive strategies. She values shared decision-making, ensuring your input is considered at every step of the process.

If medication is part of your treatment, Cassandra will clearly explain its benefits, potential side effects, and how your progress will be monitored. Adjustments can be made as needed to achieve the best possible outcome.

Healing takes time, and Cassandra is committed to supporting you throughout the process. Follow-up appointments are essential for tracking progress, making necessary adjustments, and ensuring you receive the care you need.

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Dr. Bryant graduated from Mount Sinai School of Medicine to complete her adult training and the Yale Child Study Center/Riverview Hospital for Children Program to complete her fellowship in Child and Adolescent Psychiatry. A native Texan, she returned to Tyler, TX in 2020 to accept the position of Chair of the Department of Psychiatry and Behavioral Medicine at the University of Texas Health Science Center at Tyler. She also established an accredited child and adolescent psychiatry fellowship in Tyler. Prior to that, she served as the Director of the Child and Adolescent Psychiatry Division at the University of Mississippi Medical Center where she was also the Program Director of the Child and Adolescent Psychiatry Fellowship. She received her medical degree from the University of Texas Southwestern Medical School. Working with survivors of trauma has always been an important part of Dr. Bryant's practice. She currently serves as the co-chair of the American Academy of Child and Adolescent Psychiatry's Committee on Child Maltreatment and Violence and she is a representative for the National Health Collaborative on Violence and Abuse. Dr. Bryant also served as the program director of the Eating Disorders and Trauma Recovery program at Menninger Clinic in Topeka. She is board certified in adult, child and adolescent psychiatry and she has over 32 years of experience as a practicing psychiatrist. Dr. Bryant specializes in the treatment of anxiety disorders, obsessive-compulsive disorder, mood disorders, developmental disorders, Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder, Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder, and family relational problems for both children and adults. She believes that "knowledge is power" and that the more a person can understand about how the brain is affected by various mental health conditions, the more treatment makes sense.

Wendy Barajas is a Licensed Marriage and Family Therapist (LMFT) with over 15 years of experience working in community mental health outpatient settings. She earned her bachelor’s degree in Sociology from Mount St. Mary’s University in Los Angeles and her master’s degree in Marriage, Family, and Child Therapy from the University of Phoenix. Wendy works primarily with adults and couples and also enjoys supporting children and teens. As a first-generation Latina, she understands the challenges of navigating bicultural identity and generational trauma.

Wendy supports clients experiencing anxiety, depression, eating disorders, workplace or school concerns, peer challenges, and sexuality-related issues. She believes clients are the experts in their own lives and partners with them to find balance and clarity. Wendy integrates humor into sessions when appropriate and brings a firm yet friendly, honest, and down-to-earth approach. She adapts her communication style to meet each client’s needs and enjoys celebrating progress and accomplishments.

Clients can expect to feel heard and seen from the first session. Wendy focuses on building connection, understanding what led clients to prioritize their mental health, and establishing trust. Together, they identify meaningful, attainable goals. Wendy provides respectful and honest feedback while supporting steady progress, viewing therapy as a collaborative journey rather than a race.

With over two decades in the counseling field, Greta Hicks-Brooks, LPC, is a seasoned and devoted professional at Talkiatry. Earned her most recent licensure credential, and the one recognized in California is Licensed Professional Clinical Counselor (LPCC). Her background includes roles as a Special Education Teacher, Psychology Instructor, Executive Director, Lead Therapist at an outpatient drug treatment facility, Vocational Rehabilitation Counselor, and Disability Services Counselor.

Greta holds a BA in Psychology from Tuskegee University, an MS in Counseling & Human Development from Troy University, and an MEd in Rehabilitation Counseling from Auburn University. She is licensed in Texas, Colorado, California, and Arizona, and is also a Certified Rehabilitation Counselor (CRC).

Highly structured yet comical, Greta creates a nonjudgmental environment where patients feel comfortable being themselves. Each month, she helps patients set three short-term goals, reflect on accomplishments, and note things they are grateful for—supporting growth, self-awareness, and emotional balance.

During the first session, Greta discusses the reasons for seeking therapy, preferred treatment approaches, and session frequency. She provides homework and clear follow-up focus points, drawing from Client-Centered, Cognitive Behavioral, Dialectical Behavior, Motivational Interviewing, Solution-Focused, and Trauma-Focused therapies. Greta meets clients where they are, fully committed to guiding those ready to make meaningful, lasting change.

Dr. Michael Watkins is a board-certified adult psychiatrist. He completed his residency at The University of Texas Health Science Center at Tyler. In addition to being thoroughly trained in psychopharmacology, Dr. Watkins has also received extensive training in psychotherapy. From traditional psychodynamic therapy to the more modern mindfulness-based dialectical behavior therapy, Dr. Watkins takes the approach that best serves his patients. In addition to being trained in a variety of therapies, Dr. Watkins also employs a positive psychiatry approach which, as well as addressing a patient's symptoms, also focuses on their strengths and how they can be used to overcome adversity. Prior to pursuing a career in psychiatry, Dr. Watkins was a high school math teacher, and prior to that, he was an NCAA Division I college athlete. His teaching and athletic careers have given him a well-rounded perspective on the human experience. Drawing on his academic training and life experiences, Dr. Watkins meets patients where they are at, helps them overcome their obstacles, and serves as a guide and a resource for them on their journey to their desired destination.

Dr. Velda Pugh-Kinsey is a Board-Certified Psychiatrist with over three decades of experience in both outpatient and inpatient settings. She earned her medical degree from the University of Alabama School of Medicine and completed her psychiatry residency at University Hospital. She has previously served as Chief of Mental Health at a VA Hospital and has maintained a successful private practice focused on medication management and supportive therapy.

Dr. Pugh-Kinsey values open communication and believes in building a warm, respectful environment where patients feel heard. She works collaboratively with patients to set clear treatment goals and tailors her approach to meet each person’s unique needs. Her practice emphasizes both medication management and supportive therapy to promote long-term well-being.

During initial sessions, Dr. Pugh-Kinsey takes time to understand each patient’s history, concerns, and goals. She uses a team-based approach, partnering with patients in treatment planning and decision-making to ensure care is both effective and aligned with their values.