Our Providers
Our compassionate, qualified providers work hard to understand, treat and support our patients using therapeutic techniques specialized for individual needs. Click the images below for specific provider information, or learn more about our psychiatrists, advanced practice nurse and therapists now.
Psychiatrists
Neha Chatrath, MD, is a board-certified psychiatrist who completed her general psychiatry residency and women’s mental health fellowship at the University of Illinois Chicago. Dr. Chatrath’s clinical interests include depressive disorders, anxiety disorders, eating disorders and student mental health. Additionally, she is able to manage psychiatric disorders during the peripartum. She is available for initial evaluations and ongoing medication management. Dr. Chatrath sees patients at the downtown Chicago location only.
Aparna Chatterjee, MD, is a board-certified psychiatrist and medical director of Meridian's Reproductive Psychiatry Division. She completed her general psychiatry residency and women's mental health fellowship at Northwestern University. Her primary clinical interests include managing depression, anxiety and OCD in women during preconception, pregnancy and postpartum. She particularly enjoys supporting women dealing with loss or difficulty conceiving during their fertility journey. She also loves exploring the inherent stigmas associated with mental health in helping her patients determine if medications are right for them. Dr. Chatterjee is available for initial evaluations, perinatal consultations and psychopharmacology management. She sees patients at the downtown Chicago location only.
Valentina Dehghan-Bernabe, MD, is board-certified in general adult psychiatry. She received her medical degree from the University of Illinois at Chicago College of Medicine and completed her general psychiatry residency at Rush University Medical Center. Her clinical interests include depressive disorders and anxiety disorders. She is available for initial evaluations, second opinion consultations and medication management for adults. Dr. Dehghan-Bernabe sees patients at the Evanston location only.
Jennifer Duan, MD, is a board-certified psychiatrist who completed her general psychiatry residency and women's mental health fellowship at the University of Illinois Chicago. Dr. Duan's clinical interests include post-traumatic stress disorder, eating disorders and immigrant mental health. She is also able to manage mood, anxiety and psychotic disorders during the peripartum. She is available for initial evaluations and ongoing medication management. Dr. Duan, who is fluent in Mandarin Chinese, sees patients at the downtown Chicago location only.
Nick Hatzis, MD, a board-certified general and child and adolescent psychiatrist, is medical director of Meridian’s Child & Adolescent Division. He holds a bachelor’s degree from Harvard University, earned his medical degree from Rush Medical College and completed his psychiatry residency and child and adolescent psychiatry fellowship at Northwestern University Feinberg School of Medicine. Prior to becoming a physician, he served in the U.S. Army as an armor officer during the Persian Gulf War. Dr. Hatzis’ clinical interests include the treatment of ADHD, mood disorders, anxiety disorders and trauma-related disorders with psychotherapy and psychopharmacological interventions, as well as nutritional and behavioral approaches. He sees patients at the Chicago and Oak Park locations.
Sara Kashani, MD, PMH-C, is a board-certified psychiatrist who received her medical degree from Northwestern University. She completed her general adult psychiatry residency at the University of Illinois Chicago, where she also currently serves as a clinical assistant professor. Additionally, she completed her women's mental health fellowship at Brigham and Women’s Hospital at Harvard Medical School, and received her perinatal mental health certification (PMH-C) through Postpartum Support International's esteemed training. Her clinical interests include reproductive psychiatry, mood and anxiety disorders, ADHD and OCD. She is available to meet for initial evaluations, ongoing medication management and psychotherapy. Dr. Kashani is able to see patients at the Evanston location and speaks both English and Persian.
Alexandra Merg, MD, is a board-certified general adult psychiatrist who completed her general psychiatry residency and women’s mental health fellowship at the University of Illinois Chicago. Dr. Merg's areas of interest include depressive disorders, bipolar disorders and anxiety disorders. She is also able to manage mood and anxiety disorders during the peripartum. Dr. Merg is available for initial evaluations and ongoing medication management. She sees patients via telehealth appointments only.
Molly Mulligan, MD, is a board-certified general psychiatrist and sports psychiatrist. She earned her medical degree from Loyola University Stritch, School of Medicine. She completed her psychiatry residency at Northwestern University, Feinberg School of Medicine. Dr. Mulligan specializes in the diagnosis and treatment of mood disorders and anxiety disorders using a combination of psychotherapy, mindfulness, nutrition and psychopharmacology. As a sports psychiatrist, Dr. Mulligan specializes in athletes who are facing emotional disorders or emotional blocks affecting performance. Dr. Mulligan sees patients at the Chicago and Oakbrook Terrace locations.
Priya Patel, MD, is a board-certified general adult psychiatrist. She completed her general adult psychiatry residency at the University of Illinois Chicago, where she had training in general psychiatric conditions and women’s mental health. Her primary clinical interests include mood and anxiety disorders. She is available for initial evaluations and ongoing medication management. Dr. Patel sees patients at the downtown Chicago location only.
Christine Pulido, MD, is a board-certified psychiatrist who completed her general psychiatry residency at University of California San Diego and a women’s mental health fellowship at Northwestern University. Dr. Pulido possesses a wealth of expertise in treating obsessive-compulsive disorder and post-traumatic stress disorder. She is also able to manage mood and anxiety disorders during the peripartum. She is available for initial evaluations and ongoing medication management. Dr. Pulido sees patients at the downtown Chicago and Oak Park locations.
Bavani Rajah, MD, is a board-certified adult and child and adolescent psychiatrist. Dr. Rajah completed her undergraduate education at the University of Akron and attended medical school as part of an accelerated Bachelor of Science/Doctor of Medicine program at Northeast Ohio Medical University. She completed clinical training in adult psychiatry at Loyola University Medical Center in Maywood, Illinois and pursued child and adolescent psychiatry training at Northwestern University and Lurie Children's Hospital of Chicago. Dr. Rajah’s clinical interests include anxiety disorders, neurodevelopmental disorders and student mental health. She is available for initial psychiatric evaluations and ongoing medication management of children, adolescents and adults at the Evanston and Oak Park locations.
Gabriella Waserstein, MD, is a board-certified psychiatrist who received her medical degree from Emory University School of Medicine. She completed her general psychiatry residency and women’s mental health fellowship at the University of Illinois Chicago. Dr. Waserstein's primary clinical interests include mood and anxiety disorders, obsessive-compulsive disorder, post-traumatic stress disorder and student mental health. She is also able to manage mood and anxiety disorders during the peripartum. Dr. Waserstein is available for initial evaluations and ongoing medication management. She sees patients via telehealth appointments only.
Philip Williams, MD, is a board-certified psychiatrist who received his medical degree and completed his residency at the University of Pennsylvania. His clinical interests include depressive disorders, bipolar disorders, anxiety disorders, LGBTQI+ mental health and student mental health. He is available for initial evaluations, consultations and ongoing medication management. Dr. Williams sees patients at the Evanston location only.
Advanced Practice Nurse
Therapists
Lara Baez, PhD, is a clinical psychology postdoctoral fellow. She received her doctorate in clinical psychology from the University of Miami and completed her predoctoral internship at NewYork-Presbyterian/Weill Cornell Medical Center, where she specialized in women’s mental health. Dr. Baez utilizes an evidence-based and flexible approach in her work with patients, drawing from cognitive behavioral, acceptance-based, interpersonal and mindfulness-based approaches. She works primarily with individuals during pregnancy and postpartum who are struggling with anxiety, OCD, depression and general stress. She sees patients at the downtown Chicago location in-person and via telehealth.
Isabella Villa Bahamón, AM, LCSW, (she/her/ella) is a licensed clinical social worker. She earned her master’s degree in clinical social work from the University of Chicago. She completed a two-year postgraduate fellowship in client-centered therapy and has completed Level I of the Gottman Method of Couples Therapy. Isabella has experience utilizing a wide range of therapeutic modalities to work with individuals, couples and adolescents on challenges related to traumatic experiences, relationship struggles, life and career transitions and identity exploration. She utilizes various therapeutic approaches, including client-centered, cognitive behavioral interventions, acceptance and commitment therapy and mindfulness techniques. Isabella, who works from an anti-oppressive/anti-racist lens and is LGBTQI+ affirming, speaks both English and Spanish fluently. She sees patients at the Oakbrook Terrace location.
Sarah Biehl, LCPC, is a licensed clinical professional counselor, registered play therapist, foundational Theraplay® practitioner, and Circle of Security facilitator. She received her master’s degree in clinical counseling psychology from Illinois State University. Sarah has over 10 years of experience providing therapy to children ages three and up, adolescents and young adults. She is passionate about providing services to children and their caregivers that are compassionate, inclusive and effective. Sarah draws from attachment theory, Adlerian Play Therapy and mindfulness to support emotional expression and integration of strategies to cope with life’s challenges. She has experience with a wide variety of presenting problems. Her clinical expertise includes anxiety, depression, anger, behavioral problems, divorce, trauma, ADHD, autism and caregiver support. Sarah offers services at the Oak Park and Oakbrook Terrace Locations.
Suzie Condon-Paskiewicz, LCSW, CCM, PMH-C, who received her master's degree from the University of Illinois Chicago, is clinical director of Meridian's Reproductive Psychiatry Division and the director of community partnerships. She is a licensed clinical social worker, certified case manager and has her certification in perinatal mental health. Suzie has expertise in the area of women's mental health, including issues related to fertility, pregnancy and postpartum mood and anxiety syndromes. Through her 20 years of clinical experience in community mental health and hospital settings, she also developed her skills and an interest in working with patients dealing with chronic illness, grief and loss. Suzie uses various therapeutic techniques, including: cognitive behavioral interventions; interpersonal psychotherapy; motivational interviewing; and supportive counseling. She sees individuals and couples at the downtown Chicago and Lake Forest locations.
Bruce Czuchna, PsyD, is a licensed clinical psychologist with over 30 years of experience providing psychotherapy, consultation and supervision within outpatient health care, university counseling centers and a regional employee assistance program. He has extensive experience working with clients who are coping with anxiety, depression, overall mood and outlook, relationship issues at home and in the workplace, personal and professional identity development, issues related to sexual orientation, life adjustments, health concerns and grief/loss. Dr. Czuchna practices from an integrated cognitive, interpersonal and psychodynamic perspective in his work with adults across the lifespan in the downtown Chicago office.
Betsey Finnan, LCSW, PMH-C, is a licensed clinical social worker and perinatal mental health certified. She has received advanced training in eye movement desensitization and reprocessing (EMDR) through the Center for Creative Mindfulness and exposure and response prevention (EXRP) through the Center for the Treatment and Study of Anxiety at the University of Pennsylvania. She received her undergraduate degree in social work and master’s degree in clinical social work from Aurora University. Betsey has practiced extensively in a variety of settings with adults, parents and birthing persons impacted by trauma, reproductive concerns ranging from preconception to postpartum, attachment disruptions and obsessive compulsive disorders. Her work with individuals and parents is informed by attachment, object relations and adaptive information processing (AIP) theory and incorporates strengths-based, shame resilience, acceptance and commitment and cognitive behavioral therapy approaches. Betsey works out of the Oakbrook Terrace location.
Daniel Fleischman, LPC, is a licensed professional counselor and received his master’s degree in counseling and psychotherapy at the Institute for Clinical Social Work. Daniel is interested in helping clients explore their early experiences to gain a better understanding of how their unconscious thoughts and behaviors may be influencing their current struggles or feelings of being “stuck” in their lives. Having worked in various mental health settings, he has extensive experience supporting patients and is especially passionate about helping adults and older adults find meaning in their journeys by reducing symptoms of conditions such as anxiety, depression, complex trauma, grief/loss and men's issues. Daniel sees patients at the downtown Chicago office only.
Sue Kehias, MA, LCPC, who received her master’s degree from Northwestern University, supports adult patients with individual and couples therapy using cognitive behavioral therapy and psychodynamic methods. Her clinical interests include anxiety and mood disorders and family transition issues, especially those associated with pregnancy and parenthood. Sue also has a longtime interest in working with sexual assault survivors. She sees patients at the downtown Chicago and Oak Park locations.
Elliot Phillips, MA, earned his master’s degree in clinical counseling and psychotherapy at the Institute for Clinical Social Work in Chicago. He also holds graduate degrees in psychology from the New School in New York City and psychoanalytic theory studies from University College London in England. His approach is grounded in a psychodynamic orientation, with influences from humanistic and existential perspectives. Elliot’s focus is on exploring how patients’ past experiences shape their current reality, as well as helping them to face and accept the parts of themselves they feel ambivalent toward — or even frightened by — so as to lead happier, richer lives less burdened by past traumas and present anxieties. His clinical interests include anxiety, depression, life transitions and personality disorders. Elliot sees adults, adolescents and children both remotely and at the Evanston and downtown Chicago locations.
Blanca Saldivar, PsyD, NCSP, is a postdoctoral fellow in clinical psychology. She earned her doctorate degree in school psychology from The Chicago School and completed her predoctoral clinical internship at Southwest Behavioral & Health Services in Arizona. Dr. Saldivar has experience working with children, adolescents and their families addressing a wide range of concerns, including depression, anxiety, identity development, peer and family conflict, social skills development, autism spectrum disorders and attention-deficit/
Abby Toms, LCSW, CCTP, PMH-C, is a licensed clinical social worker and certified clinical trauma professional, and has her certification in perinatal mental health. She earned her master's degree from the University of Illinois Chicago, and has also completed her 200-hour yoga teacher training. Abby is an expert in women's mental health topics, including pregnancy-related issues, transition to motherhood and postpartum mood and anxiety disorders. Additionally, she has 10 years of clinical experience in community mental health and hospital settings supporting patients impacted by chronic illness, trauma and gender-based violence. Abby uses various therapeutic approaches, including cognitive behavioral interventions, acceptance and commitment therapy and mindfulness techniques. Abby sees individuals at the downtown Chicago location.
Jason Tuite, LCSW, CADC, is a licensed clinical social worker and certified alcohol and drug counselor. He received his master’s degree from Loyola University Chicago. He has experience working with young adults and adults with substance use disorders, chronic medical illnesses and LGBTQI+ concerns. Jason utilizes motivational interviewing, supportive and psychodynamic therapeutic practices in his work. His clinical interests include addictions, anxiety, depression, life adjustments and chronic health conditions including cancer. Jason is available for individual psychotherapy with young adults and adults remotely.
Jill Valbuena, LCSW, is a licensed clinical social worker. She received her master’s degree in social work from the University of Illinois. She has a significant background in treating individuals with mood disorders, anxiety, psychosis and co-occurring substance use. Jill utilizes a person-centered, trauma-informed and strengths-based approach. She incorporates cognitive behavioral, motivational and supportive therapy into her practice. Jill’s clinical interests include anxiety and mood disorders, stage of life transitions, chronic health conditions, relationship issues and workplace stress. Jill sees patients at the Evanston location.
