Here for you every step of the way

Flavio A. Arana, M.D. is a founding and managing partner of Meridian Psychiatric Partners, LLC.  He completed his General Psychiatry residency at Northwestern University Feinberg School of Medicine.  Dr. Arana is a board-certified psychiatrist who treats depressive, bipolar and anxiety disorders.  His area of specialization is perinatal psychiatry - the care of women before, during and after pregnancy.  Dr. Arana has worked extensively with women facing fertility challenges and collaborates regularly with colleagues in Reproductive Endocrinology and Infertility (REI).  Dr. Arana sees patients in the Chicago and Evanston offices.

Niyati Dhand, M.D. is board-certified in General Psychiatry and Addiction Psychiatry. Dr. Dhand attended medical school at The Ohio State University School of Medicine and completed her General Psychiatry Residency at the Cleveland Clinic. She went on to complete an Addiction Psychiatry Fellowship at Yale University. Dr. Dhand’s clinical interests include depressive and bipolar disorders, anxiety disorders, obsessive-compulsive disorder, PTSD, women’s mental health including peripartum and postpartum care, substance use disorders, and treatment of impaired professionals. Dr. Dhand is available for initial psychiatric evaluations, second opinion consultations, psychotherapy and ongoing care with medication management. She sees patients at the Evanston location.

Sara Kashani, M.D. is a board-certified general adult psychiatrist who received her medical degree from Northwestern University Feinberg School of Medicine. She completed her general psychiatry residency at the University of Illinois Chicago. Her main clinical interests include mood and anxiety disorders. She is available for initial evaluations, ongoing medication management, and psychotherapy. Dr. Kashani sees patients at the Evanston location.

Alexandra Merg, M.D. is a board-certified General Adult Psychiatrist who completed her general psychiatry residency and women’s mental health fellowship at the University of Illinois at Chicago. She specializes in the management of mood and anxiety disorders during pre-conception, pregnancy and postpartum. Her areas of interest also include depressive disorders, bipolar disorders and anxiety disorders. She is available for initial evaluations, perinatal consultations and psychopharmacology management. She sees patients at the Downtown Chicago location only.

Priya Patel, M.D. is a board-certified General Adult Psychiatrist. She completed her general adult psychiatry residency at the University of Illinois at Chicago where she had training in general psychiatric conditions as well as women’s mental health conditions. Her clinical interests include mood disorders, anxiety disorders, and women’s mental health. She is available for initial evaluations, ongoing psychopharmacology management, and perinatal consultations including medication management during pre-conception, pregnancy, and postpartum. She sees patients at the Downtown Chicago location only.

Marcia Sawa, M.D. is board-certified in General Adult Psychiatry. She completed her General Psychiatry residency at Northwestern University Feinberg School of Medicine. Her clinical interests include depressive disorders, anxiety disorders, bipolar disorders, and PTSD. She also has experience treating psychiatric illness during pregnancy and the postpartum period. Dr. Sawa is available for initial psychiatric evaluations, second opinion consultations, and ongoing medication management for adults. She sees patients at the downtown Chicago, Evanston, and Lake Forest locations.

Gabriella Waserstein, M.D. 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 at Chicago. Dr. Waserstein specializes in the management of mood and anxiety disorders during pre-conception, pregnancy and postpartum. Her clinical interests include mood and anxiety disorders, obsessive-compulsive disorder, post-traumatic stress disorder, reproductive psychiatry, and student mental health. She is available for initial evaluations, consultations, and ongoing medication management. She sees patients at the Downtown Chicago location only.

Rebecca Christophersen, A.P.N. is a board-certified Psychiatric Mental Health Nurse Practitioner. She received her Bachelor of Science in Nursing from Loyola University and her Master of Science in Nursing from Rush University. Ms. Christophersen has extensive subspecialty training and experience in perinatal psychiatry. Her perinatal psychiatry work began at the University of Illinois Women’s Mental Health Program, then continued at Brigham and Women’s Hospital at Harvard University Medical School and the Women and Infants’ Hospital Day Program at Brown University Medical School. Ms. Christophersen performs initial psychiatric evaluations, psychopharmacologic management, and individual psychotherapy. Her interests include preconception counseling; mood and anxiety disorders during pregnancy and the postpartum period; transition to motherhood, including mother-infant attachment; and psychiatric symptoms associated with the menstrual cycle, perimenopause and menopause. Ms. Christophersen volunteers as a specialist for Postpartum Support International's perinatal psychiatric consultation line for medical providers. She sees patients in our Lake Forest office.

Suzie Condon-Paskiewicz, L.C.S.W., is a Licensed Clinical Social Worker. She received her Master's Degree from the University of Illinois at Chicago. Suzie has expertise in the area of Women's Mental Health, including issues related to fertility, pregnancy, and postpartum mood and anxiety syndromes. Her 20 years of clinical experience in community mental health and hospital settings also developed her skills and 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. Suzie sees individuals and couples at the downtown Chicago and Lake Forest locations.

Gretchen L. Doninger, Ph.D. is a licensed clinical psychologist and serves as the Director of Operations at Meridian. She completed a post-doctoral fellowship in women's mental health and health psychology at Loyola University Medical Center. Dr. Doninger utilizes multiple modalities of psychotherapy in her work with patients, including, mindfulness-based approaches, cognitive behavioral, and psychodynamic. She has significant experience working with young adult patient populations and specializes in issues focusing on women’s health (e.g., pregnancy and postpartum depression), eating disorders and obesity, chronic illness (e.g., cancer, multiple sclerosis, pain, bipolar disorder), and general life adjustment. Dr. Doninger offers psychotherapy for adult individuals at both the downtown Chicago and Evanston locations.

Kristen Huber, LCSW, is a Licensed Clinical Social Worker. She received her Master’s Degree from Loyola University of Chicago. In her 20+ years of clinical healthcare experience, Kristen has worked with adults in all stages of life. Areas of experience include traumatic injury, new diagnosis and chronic illness, anxiety and depression, and grief and loss. Specific interests include psychosocial oncology, individuals in medical training programs, and women’s mental health. Kristen employs a strength-based, collaborative approach utilizing cognitive-behavioral, supportive, and psychodynamic methods. Kristen sees patients at the downtown Chicago location.

Sue Kehias, M.A., L.C.P.C. is a licensed professional counselor. She received her Master’s Degree from Northwestern University. She offers individual therapy for adult individuals and couples, using CBT and psychodynamic methods. Her clinical interests include anxiety and mood disorders, family transition issues, especially those associated with pregnancy and parenthood. She also has a long-time interest in working with sexual assault survivors. Ms. Kehias sees patients at the downtown Chicago location.

Karolina Lieponis, LCSW, is a Licensed Clinical Social Worker. She received her Master’s Degree from Loyola University of Chicago. Karolina uses a supportive and holistic approach with her clients integrating therapeutic modalities including Mindfulness-based interventions, Motivational Interviewing, and Cognitive Behavioral Therapy. She has extensive experience working with youth and adults in hospital settings facing new diagnoses, chronic illness, and caregiving stressors. Her clinical interests include: anxiety, depression, health issues, work-life balance stressors, spiritual struggles, relationship challenges and infertility. Karolina is available for psychotherapy with adolescents and adults in the downtown location.

Anjali N. Polan, Ph.D. is a licensed clinical psychologist. She received her doctorate in clinical psychology from DePaul University and completed her clinical internship and postdoctoral fellowship at Northwestern University Feinberg School of Medicine. Her interests include anxiety and mood disorders; relationship issues; mental health in young adulthood; and issues of particular concern to women such as motherhood, balancing work and family, and reproductive health. She is available for individual therapy with adults. Dr. Polan sees patients at the downtown Chicago location only.

Stephanie Zangrilli is a Licensed Clinical Social Worker and Child Development Specialist and is trained in EMDR. She received her Master's in Social Work from Loyola University and her Master's in Child Development from Erikson Institute with a specialization in Infant Development. Stephanie is passionate about women's mental health, specifically perinatal and postpartum depression, identity of the new mother, attachment, and fertility and loss. She also has several years of experience working with children and adolescents who are coping with AD/HD, trauma, life changes, etc. Stephanie uses a variety of therapeutic techniques including attachment, cognitive behavioral therapy, motivational therapy, and strengths-based. Stephanie sees clients at the downtown Chicago location only.