Vandana Kethini, MD

Dr. Cheng is a board-certified psychiatrist who provides medication management alongside supportive therapy. She takes an individualized, patient-centered approach, creating comprehensive treatment plans tailored to each person's needs. With an approachable and caring demeanor, she helps patients address both immediate concerns and underlying stressors. Dr. Cheng believes in evidence-based practices while maintaining sensitivity to each patient's unique mental health journey.

Dr. Natarajan is a Psychiatrist at Talkiatry providing psychiatric services to adults ages 18 and older. In her practice, Dr. Natarajan focuses on medication management and psychoeducation, often along with supportive therapy. She is committed to providing evidence-based and patient-centered quality care for her patients. She is dedicated to working collaboratively with patients as a team in order to help patients to the best of her ability. Dr. Natarajan received her medical degree from Rutgers Robert Wood Johnson in NJ. She then completed her psychiatry residency at Rutgers Robert Wood Johnson as well, where she served as Chief Resident. Dr. Natarajan has a vast array of clinical interests in psychiatry and behavioral health, including anxiety and mood disorders as well as wellness. In her free time, she enjoys traveling to new places, and spending time with her family and friends.

Dr. Antonio Ramirez earned his medical degree from Ponce Health Sciences University, where he also served as Chief Resident in Psychiatry. He completed residency training at Ponce Health Sciences University and the U.S. Veterans Health Administration, Caribbean Healthcare System, followed by a Fellowship in Consultation–Liaison Psychiatry at Montefiore Medical Center, Albert Einstein College of Medicine. Board-certified in both Psychiatry and Consultation–Liaison Psychiatry, he has served as Director of Psychiatry at the Roberto Clemente Center and Clinical Assistant Professor at NYU Grossman School of Medicine. Dr. Ramirez is bilingual in Spanish and bicultural, with published research in cultural psychiatry and stress biology, and has been recognized for teaching and leadership.

Dr. Ramirez focuses on compassionate, evidence-based care that integrates psychotherapy and psychotropic medications to promote recovery and growth. His collaborative and respectful style ensures patients feel heard while working toward meaningful goals. He emphasizes setting clear expectations from the start to foster confidence and engagement. With his background in consultation–liaison psychiatry, Dr. Ramirez brings expertise in caring for individuals managing psychiatric conditions alongside significant medical illness.

The first appointment is a comprehensive evaluation, during which Dr. Ramirez carefully explores a patient’s history, conditions, and symptoms. Based on this, he develops a personalized treatment plan and reviews it collaboratively, so expectations are clear. Future visits focus on monitoring progress, adjusting the plan as needed, and integrating both psychotherapy and medication management to best support the patient’s needs and long-term growth.

Dr. Bardugon is a board-eligible psychiatrist who specializes in the treatment of adults. He has experience in treating patients with various forms of depression and anxiety, bipolar disorder, OCD, ADHD, PTSD, and substance use disorders. He seeks to provide a safe, non-judgmental, gender affirming space for patients as they strive to lead a happier, more contented life. After a pediatrics residency, Dr Bardugon worked for 13 years as a pediatric ER physician. His interest in psychiatry was piqued during this time as he witnessed the emergence of a child and adolescent mental health crisis. While ultimately deciding to focus his efforts on the treatment of adults, Dr Bardugon is keenly aware of the influence of child development and family systems on the behavioral health of adults. Dr Bardugon employs a holistic, multimodal treatment approach. Aiming to treat the whole person, he stresses the importance of nutrition, exercise, and sleep. Dr Bardugon believes an informed patient actively engaged in decision making surrounding treatment has the best chance of effecting lasting change. Believing in the synergistic effect of talk therapy and medication, he incorporates one or more talk therapy techniques including motivational interviewing, cognitive behavioral therapy, and supportive and psychodynamic psychotherapies into most sessions. He often recommends formal participation in some form of talk therapy and is happy to collaborate with other providers.

Background and credentials

Dr. Schaefer is a board-certified adult psychiatrist with over 16 years of experience. She earned her medical degree from the University of Nebraska Medical Center in Omaha, NE, and completed her adult psychiatry residency at Oregon Health and Science University in Portland, OR. She then specialized further by completing a forensic psychiatry fellowship at Yale University. She has worked as a staff psychiatrist at Atrium Health System for over 16 years.

‍

Treatment approach

Dr. Schaefer’s practice primarily focuses on medication management, which she offers in conjunction with supportive therapy and elements of cognitive-behavioral therapy (CBT). She takes a patient-centered and collaborative approach, ensuring that treatment is tailored to each individual’s needs. If additional therapy is required, she may recommend working with a therapist as part of a comprehensive care plan. Her primary focus areas include depression, anxiety disorders, and obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD).

‍

What you can expect in a first visit

During the first visit, patients can expect a thorough psychiatric evaluation, where Dr. Schaefer carefully assesses their symptoms, treatment history, and mental health goals. She works collaboratively with patients to develop a personalized treatment plan, which may include medication management and therapy recommendations. Follow-up visits are typically 30 minutes and focus on monitoring progress, adjusting treatment as needed, and ensuring the best possible patient outcomes.

‍

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.

‍

Dr. Rodriguez is a board-certified adult psychiatrist, who is also fluent in Spanish. He completed residency at North Florida Regional in Gainesville via the University of Central Florida, where he also served as chief resident for education. He received his medical degree from Lincoln Memorial University – DeBusk College of Osteopathic Medicine in Tennessee. He also holds a master’s and bachelor’s degree in engineering from the University of South Florida, in Tampa.

Dr. Rodriguez has worked with a wide array of patients across various medical settings and has experience treating patients with psychiatric illness who may also be suffering from medical comorbidities, such as obesity, hypertension, pain, and diabetes. He has been deeply involved with teaching and emphasizes psychoeducation while working in collaboration with his patients to help tailor their personalized treatment plan. His primary focus has been on treating adults with depression, bipolar disorder, anxiety, ADHD, OCD and PTSD.

Dr. Rodriguez has an approachable, patient-centered style, combined with a passion for optimizing sleep as it pertains to management of a psychiatric illness and overall well-being. He offers supportive therapy as part of his medication management visits, and at times may also offer cognitive behavioral therapy to address underlying stressors which may be contributing to one’s presenting ailments. He may also recommend including a therapist in your care team to optimize outcomes.