Christina  Persaud
Zencare Vetted

Christina Persaud

Adult Psychiatrist, MD Master of Public Health, MPH Practice: Skypiatrist Specialties Insurance & Fees Locations
New York, Pennsylvania, New Jersey, Connecticut Accepting Online
Brooklyn Not Accepting In-person

I'm fully licensed to practice in NY, NJ, PA, CT, WI. Additionally, I have an out-of-state telehealth certification to see patients in FL.

Updated May 16, 2023

Specialties & Expertise

  • ADHD
  • Anxiety
  • Depression
  • Medical professionals' mental health
  • Post-traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD)
  • Adjustment difficulties & disorders

Professional statement

Dr. Christina Lakshmi Persaud is a native New Yorker, born in Manhattan + raised in Queens. She developed her fascination with the mind and brain in high school, after taking a Cognitive Science course at Cornell University Summer College. She graduated from Columbia University with a B.A. in Neuroscience and Behavior and a Masters in Public Health (MPH) degree. She also earned a Masters in Biomedical Sciences degree at Tufts Medical University. Finally, she received her Doctor of Medicine degree (MD) at SUNY Upstate Medical University and completed her psychiatry residency at Boston University Medical Center, where she served as a chief resident in her final year of training. She is the first physician in her family.

She has realized her dream of helping her fellow New Yorkers as an attending psychiatrist. Telehealth has allowed her to exceed her dreams by giving her the opportunity to connect with Americans in six states.

Dr. Persaud covers a broad spectrum of concerns, including but not limited to: anxiety, depression, mood disorders, PTSD, psychiatric effects of medical conditions (psychosomatic medicine), academic and professional stress, navigating cultural dynamics. She is a doctor of color who takes pride in providing high-quality care and a safe space for everyone. breaks down the internalized stigma often held by patients seeking mental health care for the first time. “Therapy should be part of primary care,” Dr. Persaud says. “Everybody should be seeing a therapist, whether they have a formal diagnosis or not.”

In her spare time, Dr. Persaud likes “doing all the typical New York things. I like checking out Yankees games, live music, karaoke, and going to the Comedy Cellar.” As part of her ongoing recovery from COVID in March 2020, Dr. Persaud embraced long distance powerwalking and completed the 2021 TCS New York City Marathon.


Message to clients

I’m Dr. Christina Persaud, a board certified psychiatrist working and living in New York. As a native New Yorker, I consider it a privilege, pleasure and a lifelong dream come true to connect with and serve my neighbors like yourself. (Thanks to telehealth, all of you outside of NYC, NJ, CT, PA, WI and FL are my neighbors too!)

Through therapy, medication, or the right combination of both, my goal is to help you improve your quality of life and to help you discover what fulfills you. From our very first session, and throughout treatment, I encourage you to collaborate with me in determining which treatment approaches work best for you. I invite you to consider me as a consultant making recommendations to which you can freely say ‘yes’ or ’no'.

My therapy style combines elements of psychodynamic therapy, cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT), acceptance and commitment therapy (ACT), mindfulness, and supportive therapy…along with the appropriate doses of sensitivity, empathy and humor.

I understand how busy you are, so you have the opportunity to connect with me wherever you are thanks to telepsychiatry. You can connect with me during over lunch, afternoon break, on your way home, or after work/school in the evenings.

Your journey to personal growth can start with one conversation. I look forward to meeting you soon!


Specialties

ADHD - Skill-building and support around organizational challenges, distracted attention, procrastination; building and maintaining healthy routines and structure

Anxiety - Coping with excessive worry, nervousness, or stress; intense discomfort in social settings (social anxiety); sudden and intense feelings of panic (panic disorder)

Depression - Providing support and promoting healing of hopelessness, low motivation and energy, sadness, irritability, sleep disturbance, and loss of interest and pleasure in life

Medical professionals' mental health - Support navigating work-related expectations and stress; addressing issues of burnout, hierarchical pressures, and vicarious trauma

Post-traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD) - Healing painful experiences and memories from the past

Adjustment difficulties & disorders - Support around adapting to new and/or challenging life circumstances; skill-building for improved stress management and reduction of anxiety.




Clientele

  • Adults (24+)
  • Young adults (18-24)

Insurance

  • Aetna
  • Aetna Student Health Insurance
  • Blue Cross Blue Shield
  • Cigna
  • Columbia University Student Health Insurance Plan (Aetna)
  • Empire Blue Cross Blue Shield
  • FIT Student Health Insurance (Aetna)
  • NYU Student Health Insurance (Wellfleet / Cigna PPO)
  • New School Student Insurance (United Healthcare Student Resources)
  • Optum
  • Oscar Health
  • Oxford Health Plans
  • United Healthcare
  • United Healthcare Student Health Plan

Out-of-pocket fees

  • Individual sessions: $250 (15min)
  • Initial session: $450 (60min)
  • Medication management and therapy sessions: $340 (45min)

Additional session information

Out-of-network billing options

This provider can support you in getting reimbursement from your insurance company if you are seeking out-of-network reimbursement. Here are the out-of-network billing options they provide:

  • Super billing
Payment options
  • Credit Card
  • Venmo
  • Zelle
Session frequency

Frequency of sessions this provider offers to see clients once you are an established client.

  • Weekly
  • Monthly
  • Every other week
  • Every other month
  • Multiple times a week
  • As needed

Location(s)

Online Sessions (New York)
Accepting new clients online
Currently Available Times
  • Morning (Before 10am)
  • Daytime (10am - 1pm)
  • Afternoon (1pm - 5pm)
  • Evening (After 5pm)
  • Weekends
Regular Hours
  • Mon 1:00-8:00 pm
  • Tue 12:00-9:00 pm EST
  • Wed 12:00-9:00 pm EST
  • Thu 12:00-7:00 pm EST
  • Fri Closed
  • Sat Closed
  • Sun Closed

Brooklyn practice
169 wythe ave #104, Brooklyn, New York 11249
Not accepting new clients in-person
Currently Available Times
  • Morning (Before 10am)
  • Daytime (10am - 1pm)
  • Afternoon (1pm - 5pm)
  • Evening (After 5pm)
  • Weekends
Regular Hours
  • Mon Please inquire about hours
  • Tue Please inquire about hours
  • Wed Please inquire about hours
  • Thu Please inquire about hours
  • Fri Please inquire about hours
  • Sat Please inquire about hours
  • Sun Please inquire about hours

Online Sessions (Pennsylvania)
Accepting new clients online
Currently Available Times
  • Morning (Before 10am)
  • Daytime (10am - 1pm)
  • Afternoon (1pm - 5pm)
  • Evening (After 5pm)
  • Weekends
Regular Hours
  • Mon 1-8pm EST
  • Tue 12-9pm EST
  • Wed 12-9pm EST
  • Thu 12-7pm EST
  • Fri Closed
  • Sat Closed
  • Sun Closed

Online Sessions (New Jersey)
Accepting new clients online
Currently Available Times
  • Morning (Before 10am)
  • Daytime (10am - 1pm)
  • Afternoon (1pm - 5pm)
  • Evening (After 5pm)
  • Weekends
Regular Hours
  • Mon 1pm-8pm
  • Tue 12pm-9pm
  • Wed 12pm-9pm
  • Thu 12pm-7pm
  • Fri Closed
  • Sat Closed
  • Sun Closed

Online Sessions (Connecticut)
Accepting new clients online
Currently Available Times
  • Morning (Before 10am)
  • Daytime (10am - 1pm)
  • Afternoon (1pm - 5pm)
  • Evening (After 5pm)
  • Weekends
Regular Hours
  • Mon 1pm-8pm
  • Tue 12pm-9pm
  • Wed 12pm-9pm
  • Thu 12pm-7pm
  • Fri Closed
  • Sat Closed
  • Sun Closed

Work and Education

Years of Experience: 8 years

Montefiore Medical Group, Behavioral Health Integration Program Psychiatrist, 2019 - Present
Skypiatrist, Staff Psychiatrist (telemedicine), 2021 - Present
Boston Medical Center, Resident Psychiatrist (incl. Chief Residency), 2015 - 2019

SUNY Upstate Medical University, MD, 2015
Columbia University Mailman School of Public Health, MPH, 2010
Tufts Medical Center, MBS in Biomedical Sciences, 2008
Columbia University, BA, 2006


Licensure

New York: 296840

Pennsylvania: MD478507

Connecticut: 73818

New Jersey: 25MA11863400


Languages

English


Client testimonials

"Dr Persaud is a joy to work with and I highly recommend turning to her if you need someone who is focused, thorough, and compassionate. Her interaction doesn't feel rushed and her calm demeanor affords you the ability to discuss any topic with ease."
- Zencare client • October 2023