Ruben Mendez, MD

Dr. Blackwood was born and raised in Charleston, SC. She completed medical school as well as General Psychiatry Residency and Addiction Psychiatry Fellowship at the Medical University of South Carolina. She went to the College of Charleston for undergraduate studies and double majored in Psychology and Spanish. Dr. Blackwood is the first member of her family to become a physician. Her passion for mental health and her desire to help others are what paved the way for her to become a well-trained and highly motivated psychiatrist.

While working together, Dr. Blackwood will get to know you and will be open to you sharing as much or as little about yourself as you would like. Her goal is to create a safe, judgement-free space where you will feel comfortable and heard. When it comes to mental health, Dr. Blackwood understands that having a strong therapeutic alliance is equally as important as accurate diagnosing and medication management.

Dr. Blackwood strongly believes in a patient-centered model, in which medical decision-making is driven by patient preferences. Her job is to empower patients to make informed decisions regarding their mental health. Dr. Blackwood provides a platform with a no-judgement zone for you to feel safe during your appointments.

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Dr. Lorangelly Rivera is board-certified in Adult psychiatry and has been practicing for over 5 years. Dr. Rivera focuses on medication management and brief psychotherapy utilizing techniques from cognitive behavioral therapy, psychodynamic therapy, and supportive therapy in 30-minute appointments. When appropriate, Dr. Rivera may recommend additional psychotherapy with a psychologist as part of the treatment plan. She is fluent in both Spanish and English and is passionate about working with the Latinx population. She completed her bachelor's degree in Cellular Molecular Biology from Metropolitan University, San Juan, Puerto Rico, and her postgraduate work at the National Cancer Institute in Bethesda, Maryland. Dr. Rivera received her medical degree from Ponce Health Sciences University School of Medicine, Ponce, Puerto Rico. She completed her residency training in psychiatry at the University of Rochester Medical Center. After completing her training, she began working for Lifespan Physician Group where she became program director for Lifespan Latinx Mental Health Services and served as Staff Psychiatrist at Rhode Island Hospital and The Miriam Hospital. She holds a faculty position in The Warren Alpert Medical School of Brown University, Department of Psychiatry and Human Behavior as a Clinical Instructor. ‍

Dr. Dopkin is a board-certified adult and child psychiatrist dedicated to helping patients feel well and stay well. A Long Island native, he earned his bachelor’s degree from Cornell University before attending St. George’s University School of Medicine. He completed his adult and child psychiatry training at Brown University. For over two decades, Dr. Dopkin has served New York City communities across Queens, Manhattan, and the Bronx, primarily within the public hospital system. He has held clinical, academic, and administrative leadership roles and has been recognized for his excellence in teaching and mentoring psychiatry residents. He also serves as Assistant Dean of Students for the U.S. clinical program at St. George’s University

Dr. Dopkin provides patient-centered care grounded in a biopsychosocial approach. He collaborates with each patient to tailor treatment plans that integrate evidence-based medication options with interpersonal and supportive therapy. He has worked with patients of all ages and backgrounds, including individuals from marginalized communities and those coping with trauma, depression, anxiety, and comorbid medical conditions.

With warmth and respect, Dr. Dopkin meets each patient where they are, helping them find the path that works best for their unique needs and goals.

Dr. Emily Sykes is a board-certified adult psychiatrist. She received her Bachelor of Arts degree with Magna Cum Laude distinction from Carleton College, where she majored in biology. Dr. Sykes completed her Doctor of Medicine degree from the University of Toledo. She completed her psychiatry residency at the University of Cincinnati and was the outpatient chief resident physician. Dr. Sykes' specialty interests include mood disorders, anxiety disorders, post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD), obsessive-compulsive and related disorders, Cognitive-Behavioral Therapy (CBT) and holistic wellness. She is a certified Cognitive Processing Therapy (CPT) provider for PTSD. Dr. Sykes provides compassionate, evidence-based, individualized, holistic care for patients suffering from a variety of mental health diagnoses and concerns. She incorporates supportive therapy, cognitive-behavioral therapy and solutions-focused therapy into her sessions.

Glenn is a Board-Certified Psychiatric Mental Health Nurse Practitioner with nearly 30 years of experience in health care, dedicated to addressing the mental health needs of his community. With a background in both inpatient and outpatient settings, he is committed to helping individuals become the best versions of themselves—no matter where they are in their journey at the time of their first appointment.

Outside of work, Glenn enjoys spending time with his family, biking, and being outdoors.

He takes a patient-centered approach and emphasizes that he, too, is human. Everyone faces challenges at different times and in different ways. Glenn adopts a holistic perspective, recognizing that effective treatment involves understanding how life challenges impact a person as a whole. He is dedicated to providing compassionate, empathetic, and practical care to all his patients.

Glenn engages with patients in a way that makes it easy and natural for them to share their stories. From there, he promotes a shared decision-making approach to develop the most effective treatment plan. His areas of expertise include psychopharmacology, as well as Cognitive Behavioral, Supportive, and Psychodynamic therapies.

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Background  and credentials    

Dr. Andrew Lelin is a board-certified Psychiatrist in Adult Psychiatry. He  received his bachelor's degree from Johns Hopkins University and a master's  in Medical Humanities, Compassionate Care, and Bioethics from Stony Brook  University. Dr. Lelin earned his medical degree from Hofstra-Northwell School  of Medicine and completed his residency at Rutgers-Robert Wood Johnson School  of Medicine, where he specialized in advanced psychopharmacology with diverse  patient populations. He also has extensive training and experience in  psychotherapeutic modalities, including psychodynamic therapy,  cognitive-behavioral therapy, habit-reversal therapy, and cognitive  processing therapy. Following his training, Dr. Lelin provided inpatient  consultation and crisis intervention services in New York City.    

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Treatment approach    

Dr. Lelin employs a compassionate, humanistic approach designed to align  closely with his patients' personal goals and values. His method integrates  advanced psychopharmacology with psychotherapeutic techniques such as  psychodynamic, cognitive-behavioral, habit-reversal, and cognitive processing  therapies. He aims to carefully balance diagnosis, avoiding both  overdiagnosis and underdiagnosis, to ensure precise and tailored care. Dr.  Lelin’s approach is particularly effective in addressing conditions like  anxiety, depression, bipolar disorder, OCD, trauma-related issues, and other  psychiatric conditions.    

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What you can expect in a first visit    

During the initial visit, patients can expect a comprehensive, detailed  evaluation designed to thoroughly understand their individual experiences and  needs. Dr. Lelin prioritizes establishing a compassionate and comfortable  environment where patients can openly discuss their concerns and goals. This  initial assessment is followed by meticulous and thoughtful follow-ups,  providing clarity and direction in the treatment process.    

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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 speciualize in  medication management and collaborate with you on a treatment plan that fits  your needs and comfort level.