Jennifer Twing, MD

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.

Richard "Rick" States is a Licensed Professional Counselor, with broad and varied professional work experience in behavioral health (inpatient and outpatient, individuals and families, children and adults, direct service and program administration). Rick earned his B.A. in Psychology at Gannon University and his M.A. in Clinical Psychology at Edinboro University of Pennsylvania. He's earned a Post-Master's Certificate in General Psychology from Northcentral University and has completed many doctorate credits in Psychology. Since 199, Rick has taught university courses in Psychology, Sociology, and Human Services, most recently at Gannon University and Penn State University. Rick's greatest area of clinical interest and skill centers around self-regulation or "how we manage" our thoughts, feelings, emotions, behaviors, etc. Rick is writing a book on self-regulation and uses the concepts in day-to-life and behavioral health practice. Rick enjoys addressing challenges related to anxiety, stress, depression, substance use, and trauma. Rick employs eclectic but methodical tools, including cognitive behavioral therapy, psychodynamic therapy, humanism, and somatic psychology, to assist with these challenges. Rick is EMDR trained and DBT Certified. On a more personal level, Rick is a long-term martial arts instructor, T'ai Chi instructor, and meditator. Relatedly, he also offers a variety of Mindfulness-based tools to clients.

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.‍

Dr. Diane Edgar completed her psychiatry residency at Rutgers Robert Wood Johnson Medical School in Piscataway, NJ. She received her bachelor's degree in Chemistry at Florida International University in Miami, FL, and stayed to complete medical school at their Herbert Wertheim College of Medicine. As a South Florida native, she is fluent in English and Spanish and has experience in treating individuals from a variety of cultural backgrounds. Dr. Edgar provides psychiatric care to adults ages 18 and older and is trained in the treatment of several psychiatric conditions including anxiety, depression, bipolar disorder, PTSD, ADHD, OCD and substance use disorders. She believes in a patient-centered approach and working collaboratively with individuals to create a holistic treatment plan that is in alignment with their values and preferences. Treatment will include a combination of medication management, psychoeducation and therapy. She will provide supportive therapy and utilize elements of cognitive behavioral therapy and psychodynamic therapy when applicable. She may offer therapy rooted in mindfulness and the mind-body connection, stemming from her personal yoga practice. Treatment might also involve guidance in implementing life-style changes such as exercise, nutrition, and sleep hygiene. Dr. Edgar is passionate about providing a safe space where individuals can work towards healing and increasing their overall wellness while finding fulfillment in their lives.

Waded Baquerizo-Mahuad is an LPC (Licensed Professional Counselor) in the state of Pennsylvania. She received her Master's (M.A.) in Mental Health Counseling from Kutztown University in 2016. She is also a Clinical Psychologist in her home country of Ecuador. She has provided mental and behavioral services to children and their families as a therapeutic staff support and mobile therapist, providing in-home services and services in the community. She has worked in Community Mental Health and Private Practice where she has gained experience treating various Mental health diagnoses that include PTSD, Anxiety, Depression, OCD, Grief, Adjustment Disorders, etc. As an experienced bilingual counselor, she utilizes an eclectic approach in her practice, taking into consideration the stage and uniqueness of her client's psychological, emotional, and social needs. Some of her approaches in therapy are the person-centered approach, cognitive behavioral therapy, psychodynamic approach, motivational interviewing, and solution-focused approach. She integrates Sensory Motor techniques as well as Mindfulness and Grounding techniques. In her practice, she also applies a Strength-Based Modality and Trauma-informed Focus. She also implements Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing (EMDR) interventions.

Dr. Giselle Brito is board-certified in adult psychiatry and has been practicing for over 4 years. She received her medical degree from San Juan Bautista, School of Medicine in Puerto Rico and continued her medical education at Jackson Memorial Hospital & University of Miami Hospital for her 4-year psychiatry residency training program. After completing her training, Dr. Brito worked at the Miami Veterans Affairs Hospital and then the Orlando Veterans Affairs Hospital in the primary care mental health integrated model. Dr. Brito also holds certification in Perinatal Mental Health. Dr. Brito's practice focuses on medication management and supportive psychotherapy in typically 30-min follow up visits. At times, additional psychotherapy is needed and a therapist may be added to provide the best outcome.‍