The Women’s Program in the Department of Psychiatry at Columbia University is devoted to addressing the mental health needs of women related to the female reproductive life cycle. We offer state-of-the-art consultation and ongoing treatment conducted by psychiatrists and psychologists with particular expertise in reproductive and perinatal psychiatry.

Our Mission

We at The Women’s Program are committed to providing the highest quality behavioral health services to women.  In addition, we aspire to educate health care providers and the lay community about reproductive mental health issues.

Facts About Women's Mental Health

Mood disorders are twice as prevalent in women compared with men, particularly during the childbearing years. Unfortunately, women are less likely to report and seek help for these problems than they are for general medical problems, though they may be just as disabled by them. Both stigma and lack of knowledge regarding mental health problems are barriers to receiving care.  Furthermore, studies have shown that untreated maternal depression has adverse effects not only for women, but for their children and their families as well.

Services

At The Women’s Program, we assess mental health needs related to different phases of the female reproductive life cycle.  In addition to providing expert psychopharmacologic and psychological consultation for pregnant and postpartum women, we evaluate and treat mood and anxiety disorders associated with infertility and assisted reproductive technology, miscarriage, fetal reduction, postpartum psychiatric illness, menstrual cycle related disorders, and perimenopausal and postmenopausal mood and anxiety disorders.  Cases are discussed by a panel of clinicians during weekly Women’s Rounds, and consensus recommendations are provided to both patients and providers.

We offer the following related services:

• Comprehensive evaluation
• Psychopharmacologic consultation and management
• Psychotherapy: cognitive-behavioral, interpersonal, psychodynamic, supportive
• Crisis intervention
• Family education and support
• Access to group therapy
• Access to state-of-the-art research trials
• Referrals to appropriate programs and providers

Staff

Mary Sciutto, MD, Administrative Director

Elizabeth Fitelson, MD, Assistant Director

Eileen Kavanagh, MD, MPA, Attending Psychiatrist

Kristin Leight, MD, Fellow in Women's Mental Health

Consultants:

Evelyn Attia, MD

Jennifer Downey, MD

Jean Endicott, PhD

Lucy Epstein, MD

Sylvia Fogel, MD

Michelle Merrill, MD

Catherine Monk, PhD

Linda Mullen, MD

Blair Simpson, MD

Margaret Spinelli, MD

Links

National Alliance on Mental Illness
National Institute of Mental Health
Postpartum Support International
Postpartum Resource Center of New York
Motherisk
National Women’s Health Information Center
Postpartum Depression Foundation
Medical Education Postpartum Depression from NIH

Contact Us

To schedule an appointment or make a referral, please call our general referral line at

212-305-6001.  For further information about the program, please contact Dr. Elizabeth Fitelson at 212-305-6464, or Dr. Kristin Leight at 212-305-3709. 

Location

NewYork-Presbyterian Hospital/
Columbia University Medical Center
Neurological Institute
Psychiatry Specialty Clinics
710 West 168th Street, 12th Floor
New York, NY 10032