Iris Guerrero Urena, MD

Keesha Barthelemy is a Licensed Mental Health Counselor, and a Credentialed Alcoholism and Substance Abuse Counselor Level-2. She has extensive experience working in the mental health and addictions field with adolescents, emerging adults, adults, and families. Keesha has worked directly with clients of various demographics, living with a variety of mental health conditions. She obtained her Undergraduate degree in Psychology from Hofstra University on Long Island, NY, and her graduate degree from Mercy University in Westchester, NY. Keesha has been practicing for 3 years as a Licensed Mental Health Counselor, focusing on anxiety, mood disorders, addictions, and families. Treatment is tailored to the individual, with a foundation in cognitive-behavioral therapy, rational-emotive behavior Therapy, and mindfulness. Furthermore, Keesha has experience working with individuals seeking Faith-based Therapy, with a focus on Christianity and Catholicism. Keesha's vast clinical background has assisted in her development as a well-rounded counselor. She prides herself on possessing great interpersonal skills, and building therapeutic relationships in an effort to assist with growth, healing, and flourishment.

Dr. Michael Manasterski is a board certified general psychiatrist. Before joining Talkiatry, he had the honor of working for the Department of Veterans Affairs in both outpatient and residential settings, and gained experience in improving quality of life for veterans with a wide range of troublesome to downright disabling psychiatric conditions, including severe anxiety and mood disorders, psychosis, obsessive-compulsive disorder, developmental disorders including autism spectrum and attention-deficit disorders, and post-traumatic stress disorder. These disorders have almost certainly been with us for all of recorded human history, but within the last few generations, our understanding of and ability to treat these conditions has grown by leaps and bounds.

Dr. Manasterski trained at the University of South Florida, earning his Bachelor of Science in Biology, and completing medical school and residency at the Morsani College of Medicine in Tampa, Florida. During his time in training and at the VA, his passion for teaching, both medical trainees and patients, found a productive outlet. He looks forward to bringing that experience forward to serve the broader population in these unprecedented times.

Dr. Manasterski’s practice is centered on evidence-based medication management, expertly tailored to each unique individual, informed by the best available research, using a multidisciplinary approach where appropriate to achieve the best possible outcome. He offers motivational interviewing and supportive psychotherapy, and can collaborate with a therapist on your care team when more specialized treatment is needed on your journey to wellness.

Damaris Chukwura, DNP, PMHNP-BC, is a Board-Certified Family Psychiatric Mental Health Nurse Practitioner with over a decade of experience in mental health care. She began her nursing career in 2007 and has been practicing as a psychiatric nurse practitioner since 2014. Damaris has worked in a wide range of settings including inpatient hospitals, residential treatment centers, partial and intensive outpatient programs, correctional psychiatry, and substance abuse treatment. Her clinical experience spans various conditions such as ADHD, eating disorders, mood disorders, psychotic disorders, PTSD, and treatment-resistant depression. She earned her BSN from Texas Christian University, MSN from The University of Texas at Arlington, and her DNP from The University of Alabama in Huntsville.

Damaris values open communication and collaboration with her patients. She creates a warm, caring environment where individuals feel heard and respected. Her approach is both evidence-based and supportive, blending professionalism with a welcoming demeanor. She is passionate about mental health advocacy and reducing stigma. Outside of work, Damaris enjoys spending time with her husband and three children, traveling, decorating, and watching reality TV.

During initial psychiatric evaluations, Damaris takes time to fully understand each patient’s history, concerns, and goals. She develops individualized treatment plans that align with these goals and may include supportive therapy or referrals for more intensive therapy if needed. Follow-up appointments typically last 30 minutes, allowing time to track progress and make adjustments as necessary.

Brenda Keirns, LPC, NCC, is a Licensed Professional Counselor recognized by the National Board for Certified Counselors. She earned her Master’s degree in Clinical Counseling from Bellevue University and has extensive experience across inpatient, outpatient, and telehealth settings. Brenda is trained in EMDR through an EMDRIA-approved program and brings over six years of licensure experience. With a multicultural upbringing and more than 18 years as a military spouse, including Command Team involvement, she has a deep understanding of the unique challenges faced by diverse individuals and families. Brenda also serves as a Committee Member for Integratus, the academic journal of the Catholic Psychotherapy Association.

Brenda values open communication and creates a warm, non-judgmental environment where patients feel respected and supported. She tailors treatment to each patient’s unique needs and utilizes an eclectic, evidence-based approach drawing on CBT, EMDR, SFBT, REBT, DBT, attachment-based theory, trauma-informed care, and faith-based therapy rooted in Thomistic Psychology. Brenda helps patients address depression, anxiety, trauma, substance use, relational challenges, personality disorders, and life transitions.

Brenda partners with patients to develop practical coping tools while building on strengths and resilience. She emphasizes collaboration to ensure that patients actively shape their therapeutic goals. With a balance of compassion and clinical expertise, Brenda integrates evidence-based practices with individualized strategies to promote emotional well-being, personal growth, and improved daily functioning.

Dr. Sarah Ramos, MD, has experience practicing in a variety of outpatient settings, including community mental health and military care, serving active-duty service members, their families, and veterans. She earned her medical degree from Vanderbilt School of Medicine and completed psychiatry residency training at the University of California San Diego and Thomas Jefferson University in Philadelphia.

Dr. Ramos values open communication, privacy, and a collaborative approach with her patients. She creates a warm, supportive environment where individuals feel heard, respected, and empowered to participate in their care.

In initial sessions, Dr. Ramos thoroughly assesses patients’ history, concerns, and goals to ensure care is personalized and effective. She develops comprehensive treatment plans that align with each patient’s objectives, providing ongoing support to help them achieve meaningful outcomes.

Dr. Cheryl Dasler is a double board certified psychiatrist in General Psychiatry and Child and Adolescent Psychiatry. Following completion of her training, she spent the next 10 years fulfilling her passion for indigent care of children, working in a community mental health center. She went on to complete additional training in Functional Medicine, with the goal of offering patients greater insight into the physical factors contributing to their symptoms. She has also trained in Mindfulness Based Stress Reduction, and encourages mindfulness as a healing technique along with medication management. Over the following 10 years, Dr. Dasler treated a broad range of patients in a private practice setting, including children and adults. She is passionate about treating ADHD, and utilizes medications plus skill building in her sessions to help her patients maximize their potential. Her extensive experience also includes treating mood disorders, anxiety disorders, PTSD, and OCD. She believes in a mind-body interconnection, and strives to address both aspects to provide truly holistic care. Patients looking for a psychiatrist will find Dr. Dasler is a warm, compassionate provider who genuinely listens. She works in partnership with patients to find a treatment plan that will be effective, while also being sensitive to financial or insurance coverage factors that may impact care.