Niles Drake, MD

Background and credentials

Dr. Nina Jacobs is a board-certified psychiatrist specializing in child, adolescent, and adult psychiatry with over 20 years of clinical experience. She earned her medical degree from the University of Chicago, Pritzker School of Medicine and completed her adult, child, and adolescent psychiatry training at NYU School of Medicine. Additionally, she has specialized training in psychodynamic psychotherapy from the New York Psychoanalytic Institute. Before joining Talkiatry, she served as Chief of Adult Behavioral Health at a busy urban community health clinic.

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Treatment approach

Dr. Jacobs believes that understanding and compassion are fundamental to effective psychiatric care. She provides engaged, patient-centered treatment, focusing on reducing symptoms and restoring well-being. Her approach includes comprehensive evaluations, thoughtful medication management, supportive therapy, and the development of stress management skills. She treats youth ages 13-17 and adults with anxiety, depression, bipolar disorder, ADHD, PTSD, and other mental health conditions. For adolescent patients, she includes parental involvement during a portion of appointments to discuss progress and treatment plans.

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What you can expect in a first visit

During the first visit, patients can expect a comprehensive evaluation in which Dr. Jacobs takes time to understand their symptoms, history, and goals. She fosters a collaborative and compassionate environment, ensuring that treatment plans are personalized and patient-centered. Her approach may include medication management, therapy recommendations, and stress management techniques to support patients in achieving their mental health and well-being 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.

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Dr. Kristin Ratz is a Board-Certified psychiatrist who is an expert in the diagnosis, treatment, and prevention of mental, emotional and behavioral disorders. She specializes in medication management combined with supportive therapy during 30-minute follow-up sessions. Dr. Ratz recognizes that each patient is unique and believes in an environment of collaboration, in which the patient and psychiatrist work together in order to develop the best individualized treatment plan. A California local, Dr. Ratz obtained her undergraduate education at University of California, Davis, graduating magna cum laude with a degree in Human Development. She then attended medical school at Loma Linda University School of Medicine, obtaining her Medical Doctorate. Following this, she completed her adult psychiatry residency training at the distinguished University of California, Irvine. Dr. Ratz has worked in a diverse range of healthcare settings, including county and community clinics, and is very experienced in telepsychiatry. She pays close attention to not only an individual's emotional state, but also their physical, spiritual, and social well-being, in order to provide her patients with exceptional holistic care.

Virginia Hogan, PMHNP, is a dedicated psychiatric mental health nurse practitioner with experience in both inpatient and outpatient psychiatric care. She began her career in general surgery and primary care before pursuing her passion for mental health. Virginia earned a bachelor’s degree in Biology, a BSN in Nursing, and a Master of Science in Nursing from Northern Kentucky University. She is board-certified through the ANCC as a Psychiatric Mental Health Nurse Practitioner.

Virginia is deeply committed to patient-centered care, always taking into account and respecting each individual’s unique needs and experiences. She emphasizes patient strengths when setting treatment goals and fosters a supportive, empathetic environment. Patients can expect someone who listens attentively, values collaboration, and works to build a positive and mutually respectful therapeutic relationship.

During the initial session, Virginia encourages patients to share their stories in order to gain a full understanding of their history, concerns, and goals. Together, she and her patients develop individualized treatment plans that align with those goals. Follow-up appointments are designed to track progress, celebrate growth, and make thoughtful adjustments as needed.

Dr. Alexandra ("Sasha”) Blaes is a board-certified psychiatrist. Before joining Talkiatry, she practiced consult-liaison psychiatry, seeing medically ill patients with psychiatric problems at the Department of Veterans Affairs, where she also treated veterans in nursing homes. Dr. Blaes graduated from New York University with a B.A. in philosophy and photography and worked in nonprofit marketing in New York before deciding she wanted to pursue a life in medicine. Following a post-baccalaureate, pre-medical program at Columbia University, Dr. Blaes completed medical school at The University of Maryland, followed by a psychiatry residency at The Johns Hopkins Hospital. While at Johns Hopkins, she mastered clinical assessment and treatment of general psychiatric problems. She also received specialized training in eating disorders, addiction, reproductive psychiatry, chronic pain, and geriatric psychiatry, an interest she pursued further with a fellowship at University of Pittsburgh Medical Center. In fellowship and in her subsequent experience at the VA, she developed expertise in caring for the difficulties that can accompany aging, including depression, anxiety, and memory loss, as well as the stress of medical illness. Dr. Blaes' practice focuses on medication management. She works to foster a safe and collaborative space in which patients can address psychiatric illness and other barriers holding them back from the lives they want to lead. Typically, she offers appointments for medication management coupled with supportive or emotionally focused therapy in 30-minute sessions. When Dr. Blaes feels that additional therapy is needed, she will suggest inviting a therapist to join the team for additional support and guidance. She welcomes collaborations with other clinicians, be they therapists or other physicians caring for her patients. She strives to build strong therapeutic relationships that help patients grow and meet their goals - whatever their situation, challenge, or life stage. Dr. Blaes welcomes patients from all walks of life and cultural backgrounds and is LGBTQ+ friendly. In addition to her background in geriatrics, she has experience working with peripartum women and enjoys working with patients navigating major life changes.

Dr. Pipalia is board-certified in both adult psychiatry and internal medicine. Since graduation from residency, he gained specialized experience in treating veterans with terminal illness, specifically Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis (aka Lou Gehrig's Disease), at the VA Medical Center in Portland, OR. He combines both psychotherapy and medication treatment to provide holistic care that addresses not only your mental health but also the parts of your life that surround and are deeply intertwined with your mental health. When more intensive psychotherapy is warranted, he collaborates with an experienced psychotherapist to serve you better. With his experience of internal medicine, he is also comfortable with navigating complex medical issues that may interact with your mental health. Dr. Pipalia is a graduate of St. George's University School of Medicine. He completed a combined Psychiatry & Internal Medicine residency training program at East Carolina University. He went on to complete a fellowship in Clinical Informatics at Oregon Health & Science University, learning how to use modern digital technologies and patient data to improve patient care. His academic activities include a presentation he has given multiple times on Illness Identity, teaching other clinicians how having an illness can change how we perceive our place in the world and how to help patients manage their relationship with illness.

Christopher Zeoli, DNP, PMHNP, is a nationally board-certified Psychiatric Nurse Practitioner with over 20 years of certification and more than 30 years of experience in the psychiatric and mental health field. He earned his Doctor of Nursing Practice degree from Stony Brook University and has worked with patients across the lifespan in clinics, outpatient programs, hospitals, and private practices.

Christopher’s approach combines thoughtful medication management with supportive therapy. He is not only focused on addressing immediate concerns but also on guiding patients toward long-term well-being. Patients can expect a collaborative, compassionate, and goal-oriented partnership in their care.

Christopher values patient feedback as an essential part of treatment. He conducts careful evaluations, listens to each individual’s concerns, and tailors care to align with personal goals. By working together, he helps patients develop treatment plans that support both current needs and future growth.