Victoria Mustovic, MD

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. Santos is a highly experienced, Board-Certified Adult Psychiatrist with over 10 years of clinical experience in English and Spanish. He graduated from the Universidad Autónoma de Guadalajara School of Medicine and completed a rigorous 4-year psychiatric residency training in NYC at Lincoln Medical and Mental Health Center.

In his residency and post-residency practice, Dr. Santos has provided high-quality care to culturally diverse communities, and has extensive experience helping patients with Depression, Anxiety, ADHD, and other mental health conditions. He understands that choosing and seeing a psychiatrist can be stressful and is committed to providing a welcoming and non-judgmental environment where patients can feel free to discuss their concerns.

Dr. Santos takes a personalized approach to treatment, considering the unique psychology, biology, and lifestyle of each individual patient when determining the best course of action. His practice focuses on medication management in conjunction with supportive therapy, and he conducts follow-up visits in 30-minute increments. He believes that the most successful treatments integrate physical health, therapy, mindfulness, and medication, when necessary, to provide the most effective solutions for his patients.

If you are looking for a compassionate and experienced psychiatrist who is fluent in both English and Spanish, schedule an appointment with Dr. Santos today. His dedication to his patients and his extensive experience makes him an excellent choice for those seeking to improve their mental health.

Dr. Sarah Benito Figueroa is a board-certified Adult Psychiatrist and a board-certified Child and Adolescent Psychiatrist. She earned her medical degree from the University of Puerto Rico Medical Sciences Campus.  She completed her Adult Psychiatry residency at the University of Connecticut. Following this, she sub-specialized in Child and Adolescent Psychiatry at New York University. Prior to joining Talkiatry, Dr. Benito Figueroa served as a Child and Adolescent Psychiatrist at a busy academic outpatient clinic and on an inpatient basis, providing care to children with complex medical needs.

Dr. Benito Figueroa strives to provide a patient-centered and collaborative approach when developing treatment plans. She specializes in medication management and supportive psychotherapy. When appropriate, she may make a referral for more specialized therapeutic interventions. For child and adolescent patients, Dr. Benito Figueroa encourages parental involvement at each visit to ensure a family centered approach is being followed to best support the child's needs.

During the first visit, Dr. Benito Figueroa will conduct a comprehensive psychiatric evaluation with a goal of understanding a patient's treatment history, current symptomatology and personal goals. She will work together with her patients to foster a collaborative environment, personalize treatment plans and support patients in achieving an improved quality of life.

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What has motivated Dr. Wheatley over the course of her career as a caregiver? Dr. Wheatley is a native Houstonian who grew up in a working-class community. Through curiosity and hard work, she was able to attend a university that included people of vastly different life experiences. She was molded by both communities to appreciate the commonalities of humanity. That broad exposure extended her empathetic spectrum to grasp the needs of the American diaspora.

Dr. Wheatley uses a biopsychosocial approach to evaluate the patient. She gathers patient history with a mindset that considers the neuroscience that chemically shapes mood, thoughts, and behavior. She is able to uncover factors that can inhibit psychological growth and development. She has experience in seeing how the social conditions of the “then” can influence the resiliency of the “now”. Dr. Wheatley appreciates, and is proficient in, advances in technology, but prioritizes the analog relationship between doctor and patient.

Meeting people where they are. It is an old trope, but describes how one allows a patient to set the path forward. An open-ended interview is conducted with an open mind towards resolution. When being evaluated and treated by Dr. Wheatley, a patient can expect to be met in a cordial but professional manner. Treatments are discussed and considered based on the mental state of the patient and the clinical efficacy and scientific evidence of benefit. The patient is invited to ask questions and consider whether they wish to pursue the suggested treatment plan.

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Dr. Zaidi graduated residency from University Hospitals/Case Western Reserve University in 2015. After residency he worked at the Michael E. DeBakey VA Medical Center as a staff psychiatrist. He eventually took on the role of Mental Health Lead Psychiatrist and Interim Clinic Director at the Tomball VA Outpatient Clinic. Dr. Zaidi then transferred to a telepsychiatry role at VISN 15 providing mental health coverage for rural areas in Kansas, Missouri, and Illinois. Dr. Zaidi resides in Houston, Texas and enjoys spending time with his family, being outdoors, and watching/playing sports such as Football, Basketball, and Soccer.

Dr. Zaidi has over 15 years of experience in treating different mental health conditions and is currently board certified by the American Board of Psychiatry and Neurology. He enjoys getting to learn about patients and working collaboratively to provide the best treatment possible, be it medications or talk therapy. Dr. Zaidi has vast experience treating Major Depressive Disorder, Bipolar Disorder, PTSD, among many others.

Dr. Zaidi's goal when working with patients is to not come to a generic diagnosis; rather, it is to get to know about the client and try and manage their symptoms in the best way possible. Overall, the process is collaborative, and both parties need to be comfortable with the decisions moving forward.

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Dr. Dalhy is a psychiatrist with a practical, patient-centered approach to care. She earned her Associate of Arts Degree in General Studies from Valencia College, followed by a Bachelor of Science in Biomedical Sciences from the University of Central Florida. She completed a post-baccalaureate program in Health Sciences before earning her Doctor of Osteopathic Medicine from Lake Erie College of Osteopathic Medicine (LECOM). She went on to complete four years of psychiatry residency training at Centerstone Behavioral Health Hospital and Addiction Center in Bradenton, Florida.

Dr. Dalhy has inpatient and outpatient practice experience. She is experienced in treating a wide range of conditions, including complex mood disorders, anxiety disorders, addiction medicine, primary psychotic disorders, and patients in acute crisis.

Her treatment style is straightforward and conservative. She focuses on making accurate diagnoses and creating treatment plans that are as simple and effective as possible—prioritizing the lowest effective dose and minimizing unnecessary medications. She works collaboratively with each patient to develop a treatment plan that is realistic, personalized, and sustainable. She incorporates education into her practice and believes that patients make more informed decisions when they understand their options. You can expect a straightforward and honest approach with no judgment or pressure. She always welcomes questions.

Outside of her clinical work, she values spending time with loved ones, including pets. Dr. Dalhy enjoys spending time outdoors and experiencing new adventures. She values honesty, kindness, and compassion, and she integrates those qualities into her personal life and her work with patients.