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Our Mental Health Providers

telepsychiatry · BlueSky Telepsych · Online Counseling

What is Telepsychiatry?

Telemedicine is the process of providing health care from a distance through technology, often using videoconferencing similar to Skype, Zoom, or FaceTime. Telepsychiatry, a subset of telemedicine, can involve providing a range of services including psychiatric evaluations, therapy (individual therapy, group therapy, family therapy), patient education and medication management.

Telepsychiatry can involve direct interaction between a psychiatrist and the patient. It also encompasses psychiatrists supporting primary care providers with mental health care consultation and expertise. Mental health care can be delivered in a live, interactive communication through telepsychiatry.

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Dr. Richelle Strauss (formerly Porapaiboon), or as her patients affectionately call her, Dr. Richelle, is a trained Adult and Child Adolescent Psychiatrist.

She received her undergraduate degree from Purdue University and graduated from medical school at the University of Florida. She completed her residency at Advocate Lutheran General Hospital and completed a fellowship at Rush University Medical Center in Chicago.

She specializes in psychiatric medication management of children, adolescents, and young adults, but works with patients of all ages. She strives to provide a secure environment for adults, adolescents, and children with behavioral and attention disorders. A secure environment is enhanced through Dr. Richelle’s use of Telepsychiatry: using telecommunications technology, usually videoconferencing, for her assessments and treatment. Thus, her clients are in a space they choose.

Her philosophy of practice is evidence-based at its core, and her evaluations often include laboratory or other screening procedures to rule out general medical causes. In addition, she offers consultation on evidence-based alternative therapies and nutritional guidance as appropriate, and as your individual needs and interests dictate.

Richelle Strauss, MD

Psychiatrist vs Psychologist

Psychiatrists differ from other mental health professionals in that they may prescribe medication as well as practice psychotherapy in treatment. Sometimes, Psychiatrists form part of a clinical team in which they will diagnose and prescribe, while psychologists or therapists provide the client’s psychotherapy.

Our Psychiatrists are qualified medical doctors who specialize in treating mental health issues and diagnosable psychiatric disorders.

Betsy Wojciechowski

Betsy Wojciechowski is a Licensed Clinical Professional Counselor in the state of Illinois. She graduated with a Master of Arts degree in Clinical Psychology in 2015 from Governors State University. She has over 5 years of counseling experience and believes strongly in the therapeutic relationship to help client’s work towards their goals.

Betsy has a vast experience from working with survivors of sexual assault and trauma, community mental health, working with females struggling with eating disorders, chronic suicidality, self-injurious behaviors, mood disorders, self-esteem issues, depression, and anxiety.

Betsy’s approach to counseling is holistic, individualized, non-judgmental, and empathic. She approaches each client as an individual human being with his, or her own life experiences and creates individualized goals and treatment plans focused on the client. Betsy utilizes Cognitive Behavioral Therapy, Mindfulness, Dialectical Behavior Therapy, Motivational Interviewing, and Acceptance and Commitment Therapy.

Outside of work, Betsy enjoys spending time with her two rescue pitbulls, Kevin and Rosie.

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Sarah Ritter has worked with a wide variety of patient populations and has developed a broad spectrum of clinical knowledge.

She focuses on the outpatient treatment of mood disorders in adults and older adults and most recently using the telepsychiatry platform exclusively to provide care.

Sarah incorporates supportive psychotherapy in her sessions in order to develop a warm, caring relationship with her patients.

She actively listens to her patients and develops individualized, comprehensive treatment plans with or without the use of psychotropic medications.

Sarah believes that psychotropic medications and psychotherapy are a mainstay in the treatment of mental illness, but has learned about some effective non-pharmacological methods as well.

While non-pharmacological approaches may not work for every patient, Sarah believes all effective treatments should be explored.

When Sarah is not working, she spends her free time with her elderly cat with special needs, helps to organize and sing in a local a capella group, and enjoys fantasy and sci-fi media.

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Sarah Ritter, RN, APN, PMHNP-BC

Michelle Nation

Michelle Nation is a licensed clinical therapist that has almost 10 years working experience in the mental health field.

When it comes to her therapy approach, Michelle uses an array of skills from a more laid back approached, like person centered to a more structured approach, cognitive behavior therapy or dialectical behavior therapy.

She previously worked in a community mental health center, so she is used to working with an array of different individuals, ranging from those struggling with their own emotions to those that are struggling with paranoia. The age ranges that she has experience with varies from young adults to the elderly.

Her primary focus has been more with helping people deal with their emotions. Michelle specialises in treating depression, anxiety, anger, and those that have been diagnosed with Bipolar. She has also been trained in trauma focused cognitive behavior therapy and has experience in trauma work as well.

Via BlueSky Telepsych, Michelle offers an easily accessible telehealth setting for addressing the difficult issues that may bring you to counseling, and flexible hours to meet your needs, including evening appointments.

She looks forward to meeting you and working together to help you meet your goals!

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My Philosophy is simple, start where you are at in the process. My approach is to work with you and together we would develop goals and expectations on what you want to work on. It is a collaborative effort in order to help you make progress and sustain change once progress is made. Even though I’m seen as the professional, to me you’re the professional of your life and it’s my job to help guide you into a place where you feel comfortable.

I have been humbled to work in a variety of different roles, settings, and with people of different diagnosis from addiction, suicide, depression, autism, anxiety, personality disorders, compulsion and psychotic disorders. Throughout my years I gained experience supporting people with different challenges and it has been rewarding.

In my experience in the mental health field, my unique background has helped me work with people with a variety of different challenges and I use that experience to help build rapport and professional relationships with the people and families I help.