Clinical Services at the Women’s Mental Health Center
The Women's Mental Health Center at Mount Sinai is a group of expert physicians, researchers, psychologists, and social workers who care for women with mental health needs related to the reproductive cycle, sometimes known as reproductive psychiatry.
The arrival of a new baby is joyous, but this can also be a difficult time. Many women struggle with their mental health in pregnancy or the postpartum period. Women with histories of depression, bipolar, anxiety, obsessive-compulsive disorder, or psychosis are at risk for reactivation of these conditions during pregnancy or postpartum. In addition, women without such histories may find themselves experiencing difficulty with their mental health for the first time in their lives.
We diagnose and treat women’s psychiatric issues using medication management and psychotherapy. Our experts have extensive experience in this mental health, focusing specifically on how it affects women and their children. Our specialty is preventing relapse of severe mental illness.
We treat pregnant people, new parents, mood symptoms due to infertility or loss of a pregnancy, and psychiatry disorders related to menstrual cycles or menopause.
Why Choose Mount Sinai?
Our clinical group takes a careful and holistic approach to the needs of the mother and child immediately following birth. Our specialists emphasize the importance of psychosocial and behavioral supports for maintaining the physical and mental health of both mother and infant. We are experienced in the optimal management of psychotropic medication for this vulnerable population, and in the use of advanced non-pharmacological treatments such as neurostimulative therapies. Women who conceive while under the care of a general psychiatrist are welcome to seek out one-time consultations for the advice of a specialist to help guide their community psychiatrist towards the best possible care.
Our doctors and staff work with you to develop a treatment plan tailored to fit your individual needs. We are dedicated to caring for women with mental health conditions. To make an appointment, call Kizzyan Dey at 212-659-1326,
Email: Kizzyann.Dey@mssm.edu.
If you’re interested in participating in research studies, please visit our Research webpage.
Meet Our Team
At Mount Sinai, our mental health specialists have the reproductive psychiatry expertise to provide our patients with the highest quality care. We provide personalized, compassionate care to help you reach your recovery goals.
- Veerle Bergink, MD, PhD, Director
- Thalia K. Robakis, MD, PhD, Co-Director
- Laudy Burgos, LCSW
- Kimberly Mangla, MD
- Michelle Bienstock, LCSW
Research We Perform
To improve the care we provide, we also work to advance our knowledge through research and education. Our research is translational, which means that whatever we learn helps us improve patient care. For instance, our findings have helped patients and doctors decide when to start, continue, or stop psychiatric medication. In addition, our research has improved treatment of women with bipolar disorder before, during, and after pregnancy. We have also enhanced prevention and treatment of postpartum psychosis. Our research in women’s mental health focuses on four major areas:
- Severe mental illness
- Psychotropic medication
- Psychoneuroimmunology
- Transgenerational psychiatry
We are committed to training the next generation of researchers and clinicians and to reducing the stigma of mental illness. Our research will continue to inform guidelines and policy in women’s mental health. Learn more about research and participating in a study at the Women’s Mental Health Center.