Jency Sachadanandam, MD

Background and credentials

Dr. Shama Milon is a triple-board eligible physician in Pediatrics, Psychiatry, and Child and Adolescent Psychiatry. She earned her undergraduate degree from Duke University and her medical degree from the University of Cincinnati College of Medicine. She completed her combined training in Pediatrics, Psychiatry, and Child and Adolescent Psychiatry at the Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai in New York, where she served as chief resident during her final year of training.

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Treatment approach

Dr. Milon specializes in treating mood disorders, anxiety, PTSD, ADHD, OCD, and patients with co-occurring psychiatric and medical conditions. She is dedicated to outpatient care, focusing on long-term relationships with her patients. Her treatment approach is comprehensive, integrating medication management with psychotherapy, including psychodynamic psychotherapy, cognitive-behavioral therapy (CBT), dialectical behavior therapy (DBT), play therapy, dyadic therapy, and family therapy. She emphasizes creating an empathetic, judgment-free space where patients and families feel supported and understood. If she believes additional therapy is necessary, she may recommend adding a therapist to the care team.

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What you can expect in a first visit

During the first visit, patients can expect a comprehensive psychiatric evaluation, where Dr. Milon carefully assesses physical, emotional, and psychological needs. She takes a holistic and patient-centered approach, ensuring that treatment plans are tailored to each individual’s unique circumstances. She prioritizes open communication and collaboration with both patients and families to create a structured, effective treatment plan that may include medication management and therapy interventions.

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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.

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Candice Charles is a Licensed Clinical Social Worker (LCSW), and Credentialed Alcoholism and Substance Abuse Counselor-Advanced (CASAC-A). She has worked with clients from diverse backgrounds, addressing a variety of mental health issues with co-occurring medical and substance use conditions. Candice earned a Bachelor's degree in her home country of Trinidad and Tobago, and her Master's in Social Work from Adelphi University in Garden City, New York, and has been practicing since 2016. Candice offers supportive, strengths-based, and solution-focused therapy to help clients evoke a sense of hope, strength, and determination during challenging times. Her approach is eclectic, incorporating Cognitive Behavioral Therapy, Motivational Interviewing, Harm Reduction, and mindfulness techniques, influenced by her personal practices. In addition to her clinical work, Candice teaches the Identity and Social Justice course at a University in New York, which keeps her attuned to how her clients, of various demographics, experience their environment, and its unique stressors.

Dr. Bellavia is an experienced board-certified psychiatrist who specializes in adult psychiatry. He was a faculty member of the University of Washington School of Medicine in Seattle for 8 years and has been a medical director and attending psychiatrist in several clinical settings including academic medical centers, outpatient private practice and consultation. Dr Bellavia works collaboratively with each patient to identify presenting problems and stressors and utilizes evidence-based medication treatments along with individualized supportive and short-term psychotherapy strategies to reduce symptoms and improve function. If clinically indicated, he may recommend adding a psychotherapist to your care team. Dr. Bellavia has a particular interest in treating psychiatric conditions including, but not limited to, depression and bipolar disorders, ADHD, anxiety disorders, and adjustment problems. He has extensive experience working with individuals from diverse backgrounds, such as university students, creative and tech professionals, and expat communities. He uses a relaxed, nonjudgmental, empathic approach that is holistic and considers the biological, psychological, social, and cultural factors that impact mental well-being.

Dr. Maria Teresa Carvajal is an adult, child, and adolescent psychiatrist. She is originally from Guayaquil, Ecuador, and is bilingual in Spanish and English. Dr. Carvajal earned her medical degree from Universidad de Guayaquil in Ecuador. She then participated in a medical program at The William J. Harrington Training Program for Latin America and the Caribbean, at Jackson Memorial Hospital, an affiliate of the University of Miami in Florida. Afterwards, she completed her adult psychiatry residency at Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai, Bronx Care Health System, and her fellowship in child and adolescent psychiatry at Northwell Health in New York. She has experience working in various settings, including inpatient, outpatient, and emergency departments. Dr. Carvajal has submitted and presented work to the American Psychiatric Association and has also collaborated on a book publication. Dr. Carvajal has experience treating children and adults with anxiety, depression, OCD, PTSD, ADHD, dementia, etc. She utilizes medication management in conjunction with emotional and supportive therapy in 30-minute follow-up visits. She is passionate about her work and understands the impact of mental illnesses in daily life activities and in the family system. She will work with each patient in an individualized manner and will tailor personalized treatment plans that may include pharmacological treatment. In addition, Dr. Carvajal may recommend including a therapist in your care team to provide the best outcome.‍

Dr. Mouneimne is a Board-Certified bilingual psychiatrist specializing in general adult psychiatry, bringing extensive experience from her residency training in the underserved area of East Texas. She earned her medical degree from the Texas College of Osteopathic Medicine in Fort Worth and has received broad exposure to child/adolescent, geriatric, and adult inpatient and outpatient psychiatry. With a background in Engineering from Texas A&M University, Dr. Mouneimne employs an analytical approach to diagnose and treat mental health issues through personalized and collaborative care. Her training has included both in-person and virtual encounters to extend care across larger geographic areas. She has experience managing psychiatric care in acute behavioral health units as well as long-term facilities and has focused training in applied Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT). Dr. Mouneimne prioritizes maintaining strong patient-provider relationships, ensuring that patients feel heard and seen to optimize treatment outcomes. She is committed to de-stigmatizing mental health services and providing culturally competent care. Her practice incorporates medication management as part of a comprehensive treatment strategy, emphasizing a deep understanding of the underlying etiology rather than merely addressing symptoms. Known for her compassionate and open bedside manner, she values each patient's unique story as essential to their care. ‍In addition to medication management, her practice includes Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT) and supportive psychotherapy to effectively address complex mental health needs. Dr. Mouneimne strives to promote overall well-being and encourage active patient engagement in their care, ensuring that treatment plans support patient goals, comfort, and meaningful outcomes.

Joseph Smith, LMHC, earned his Master's Degree in Clinical Mental Health Counseling from Eastern Kentucky University in 2015 and has worked with patients in a clinical capacity for the past six years. While in graduate school, he was exposed to various clinical and research experiences, where he found his passion in examining the motivational factors of human behavior. Joseph's academic work strengthened his interest to work with individuals in a therapeutic capacity, which ultimately led to advanced experiential training in crisis interventions and the treatment of individuals with severe and persistent mental illness. Before relocating to New York City, he worked with individuals in under-served communities in the Appalachian region. Joseph subscribes to a humanistic, motivational enhancement, and cognitive behavioral framework. Understanding the benefit of therapeutic rapport, Joseph fosters an environment of self-acceptance and self-awareness while promoting intrinsic motivation for patients to act as their own catalyst of change. In addition, Joseph has a passion for working with individuals from diverse backgrounds, the LGBTQIA+ community, women with reproductive challenges, and victims of domestic violence.