Niles Drake, MD

Dr. Steve Paschos is a board-certified Psychiatrist at Talkiatry. He attended Loyola University Chicago on the Lake Shore campus, completing a bachelor's degree in science and a Degree in Classical Studies. He then attended Medical School at Rush Medical College in Chicago and completed a 5-year combined Internal Medicine & Psychiatry residency in 2011. Dr. Paschos subsequently completed a 1-year fellowship in Geriatric Medicine at Rush University Medical Center. He has spent the last 12 years fulfilling his passion for integrating Internal Medicine & Psychiatry, working with a diverse range of patients suffering from severe mental illnesses. ‍Dr. Paschos' years of experience have included working at Cook County Health Services � Cermak Health Services at Cook County Department of Corrections with an extremely diverse patient population with varying psychiatric illnesses. He has also worked as an inpatient psychiatric hospitalist and as the director of the Intensive Care Unit at Chicago Behavioral Hospital in Illinois. Dr. Paschos also acted as a medical director of an IOP and established an outpatient psychiatric practice in conjunction with the Intensive Outpatient Program. He has had the opportunity and privilege of treating individuals who suffer from various diagnoses, especially challenging patients who have suffered from integrated or Med-Psych concerns involving primary mood disorders, Bipolar Affective disorders, prior trauma, severe medical problems/diagnoses along with concurrent personality pathology. ‍Dr. Paschos utilizes supportive psychotherapy, brief cognitive behavioral therapy, and at times psychodynamic therapy to address his patients' current complaints and to identify the locus of their symptoms. He believes in utilizing an all-encompassed approach using mindfulness and various psychotherapies along with comprehensive medication management. To quote Hippocrates "Where there is love for the art of medicine there is a love of humanity.”

Dr. Wilt is board certified in adult psychiatry. She earned her medical degree from Louisiana State University in New Orleans, where she also completed her four-year residency in psychiatry. Dr. Wilt takes a biopsychosocial approach to mental health and has over 13 years of experience with an array of mental health diagnoses including Depression, anxiety, ADHD, PTSD, bipolar disorder, and sleep disorders. Dr. Wilt enjoys spending time getting to know her patients and working hand in hand with them to accurately diagnose and treat the symptoms they are experiencing. Dr. Wilt employs a holistic approach to mental health with a focus on incorporating medication management and supportive therapy to improve her patients' quality of life.‍

Dr. Alejandra Vivas is board-certified in adult psychiatry and board-eligible in child and adolescent psychiatry. She completed her general psychiatry residency at Montefiore Medical Center and a child and adolescent fellowship at Mount Sinai School of Medicine. Dr. Vivas brings extensive experience from outpatient, emergency, and telepsychiatry settings. She has advanced training in CBT, Motivational Interviewing, and Psychodynamic Therapy. Fluent in English and Spanish, she is committed to culturally sensitive, individualized care.

Dr. Vivas fosters a warm, respectful, and professional space where patients feel seen and empowered. She values open communication and builds collaborative relationships to align treatment with each person’s values, goals, and lifestyle. Her approach is integrative and flexible, grounded in evidence-based methods to support lasting, meaningful change.

Dr. Vivas begins with a thorough evaluation to understand each patient’s history and goals. She creates customized treatment plans that may include therapy, medication, or both. Drawing on CBT, Motivational Interviewing, and Psychodynamic Therapy, she adapts care to meet evolving needs, aiming to relieve symptoms, foster resilience, and support long-term well-being.

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Deborah Ford PMHNP, FNP is a dually certified board certified Psychiatric Mental Health Nurse Practitioner.  She is also qualified as a family nurse practitioner.  She completed her education at the University of Cincinnati in Ohio and the University of Kennesaw in Ga.  Ms. Ford has 10 years of treating patients with mental health issues.  Working in various settings such as outpatient, inpatient, private practice and telepsychiatry.

Whether you’re struggling with Schizophrenia, ADD, Anxiety, Depression, PTSD, Bipolar, Panic, or other mental health disorders. Together we can work to help equip you with the necessary tools to help you face and overcome challenges. Please understand you are the priority!   Deborah Ford offers encouragement, empathy, hope and understanding by providing compassion and promoting self-care.  In her free time, she enjoys exercise and travel.  Believing that self-love is an essential part of mental wellness.  She believes in continuous learning and is a patient advocate.  As a team, support is provided with the help of psychotherapy such as cognitive behavioral therapy, mindfulness, psychodynamic therapy using motivational interviewing.  Deborah Ford’s Core Values surround Integrity, accountability, diversity, collaboration, inclusion & respect.

Dr. Melody Santos is dual-trained in Internal Medicine and Psychiatry, with experience in both outpatient and inpatient settings. She served as Chief Resident and Deputy Chief Resident in East Carolina University’s combined residency program, where she led academic and clinical initiatives. Dr. Santos has published research on topics including adult ADHD and metabolic psychiatry, with presentations at national conferences. She earned her MD from the American University of the Caribbean and a BS in Biology with a minor in Jazz Piano from the University of Tampa. A native Spanish speaker, she is active in community service and church-based outreach.

Dr. Santos values open and clear communication, creating a safe, non-judgmental space where patients feel heard and respected. She blends traditional and innovative approaches, including metabolic psychiatry and dietary strategies, to support wellness. Her care is culturally sensitive and patient-centered, always tailored to each individual’s needs and values. Through empathy and education, she empowers patients and fosters resilience.

Dr. Santos begins with a thorough assessment of each patient’s medical, psychiatric, and lifestyle history. She collaborates with patients to build personalized, evidence-based treatment plans that reflect their goals and preferences. Her holistic care model considers social, cultural, and environmental influences, and she ensures consistent follow-up to adjust care as needed, promoting informed, long-term wellness.

Dr. Bailey is a board certified psychiatrist, specializing in medication management and psychotherapy. He enjoys the opportunity to help patients better understand their diagnosis and how biological, psychological and social interventions can be applied to live a more fulfilling life.  

As a recipient of the Army Health Professions Scholarship Program, Dr. Bailey earned his medical degree from the Edward Via College of Osteopathic Medicine in Blacksburg, Virginia followed by residency at Walter Reed National Military Medical Center in Bethesda, MD.  

After completing residency, Dr. Bailey served at Brooke Army Medical Center in San Antonio, TX where he held several positions including Chief of Inpatient Behavioral Health Services. He also completed operational assignments, most notably a nine-month deployment to Iraq for which he was awarded the Meritorious Service Medal. Dr. Bailey enjoys teaching and has held academic appointments at Long School of Medicine and Uniformed Services University of the Health Sciences.