About Chaya
​Hi! I’m Chaya—your friendly neighborhood Physician Associate (PA-C), trained in general medicine, psychiatry, and the wild world of pre-clinical and clinical obesity management.
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A note from Dr. Brownley:
Chaya and I work side by side—along with the rest of the Balance360 team—to bring our patients the very best care. She came to me after working as an EMT, crushing PA school with honors, and spending a few intense years in critical care medicine.
When she decided to train in reproductive psychiatry, it was clear right away—she’s the real deal. Smart, grounded, funny, and one of the most intuitive clinicians I’ve worked with. Her ability to take evolving literature and transform it into thoughtful, evidence-based care is beyond impressive.
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When we started Balance360, she jumped in without hesitation, and once again, totally delivered.
Working with her is a blast—The yin to my crazy... she keeps me on my toes, makes me laugh, and somehow always has the right answer. I’m lucky to have her on this ride… and so are you.
When we meet, I’ll dig into your full health and life story, order the labs that actually matter, and guide your care with a holistic, science-backed, no-BS approach.
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If medications are a good fit, I’ll walk you through how they work—side effects, benefits, and everything in between—so you feel informed and in control.​I’m all about mental health, body acceptance, and helping you feel more at home in your body—whatever that looks like for you. My job is to support your version of health with compassion, clarity, and zero judgment. Also, I’m pretty fun to talk to (or at least Dr. Brownley thinks so).
My Story
I grew up in the North Eastern region of the United States where my parents nurtured in me a love of the great outdoors, an appreciation for natural beauty, and a priority in the consumption of knowledge and the pursuit of education.
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I received my bachelor's degree in Biology and Art History from Yeshiva University Stern College for Women in Manhattan, NY in 2014. I worked as an Emergency Medical Technician in both New York and Maryland before applying to PA school. I then graduated from the Towson University/CCBC Essex Collaborative Physician Assistant Program in 2017.
Following PA school, I worked as a critical care PA in a community hospital intensive care unit and loved my job. With three years of experience in critical care medicine, I joined the field of psychiatry in 2020 with the goal of creating positive patient relationships and experiences in the process of improving women's mental health. This change was motivated by my personal experience with postpartum depression and just how under-recognized and isolating it can be.
Now, together with Dr. Julie Brownley (the world's greatest collaborating physician), I am expanding my practice area to include medical management of body goals. This too stems from my personal experience with pregnancy and postpartum related weight gain as well as witnessing many of my patients with the very same struggle to find themselves again after the grueling and selfless process of child-bearing.
I specialize in the treatment of psychiatric disorders in men and women through pregnancy and beyond. My areas of expertise include anxiety disorders, obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD), depression, bipolar disorder, attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD), and post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD). I am licensed to treat patients in Maryland, DC, and New York.
When I am not working, I enjoy spending time with my husband, kiddos, and new puppy, reading romantic novels, and soaking up nature.
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**Chaya is not in network with insurances. If you have out-of-network benefits with your insurance, you can send a claim to them to get reimbursed directly. Please check with your insurance to see if you have this option.
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It's time to start grabbing life by the tail.
Let's go!