Stony Brook Women's Mental Health Program

About Us

The Stony Brook Women’s Mental Health Program is an Integrated Health Care program. That means we work closely with our patient’s healthcare teams to create a comprehensive plan to address their biological, psychological and social needs. Specifically, we work with Stony Brook Physicians including healthcare teams in the departments of Gynecology and Obstetrics, Gastroenterology, Family Medicine, and Internal Medicine to diagnose and treat people who are coping with co-occurring mental and physical health conditions related to reproductive health or sex-linked health conditions.

Care with us is generally time-limited and our goal is to help you to recover as quickly as possible and return to regular care with your primary care doctor.

Speak to your Stony Brook healthcare provider about a referral to our program.

 
 

 


Services

Reproductive & Perinatal Mental Health
Perinatal mental health problems, including depression and anxiety (PMADs), are extremely common during pregnancy and the postpartum (i.e., the first year following childbirth). Yet, many healthcare providers don't have experience in the treatment of perinatal mental health problems. This can result in harmful and misleading advice. Receiving effective treatment and accurate mental health advice during this time is critical and can help you to enjoy the transition to parenthood.

Our team of experts, many of whom are board certified in perinatal mental health, are committed to providing comprehensive, integrated mental healthcare for pregnant and postpartum people and families as well as those struggling with reproductive issues including infertility and loss. Our team of perinatal experts will assess your personal history and provide individualized treatment options for you including individual or group psychotherapy and/or medications which are safe for pregnancy and breastfeeding.

We encourage you to prioritize your mental health during this critical time and look forward to supporting you wherever you are in your journey.

Our team has experience treating:

·       Perinatal Depression

·       Perinatal Anxiety

·       Perinatal Obsessive-Compulsive Disorder

·       Grief

·       Post-traumatic Stress Disorder

·       Reproductive/Fertility-Related Stress & Anxiety

 

Other Health Conditions affecting Mental Health & Wellbeing
Women may also be more likely to experience health problems such as autoimmune disorders, gynecological problems, hormonal disorders, gastrointestinal disorders, and certain types of cancers, all of which can be stressful to manage and may contribute to health-related anxiety and depression. Our team of experts will work with you to identify your personal goals related to your mental and physical health and to develop skills for: managing conditions like chronic pain, reducing stress and anxiety, improving self-care, and working more effectively with your healthcare team. We recognize that physical and mental health are closely linked and take a whole person approach to helping you heal.
 
Our team has experience treating mental health problems linked to:
 
·       Polycystic Ovarian Syndrome (PCOS)
·       Endometriosis
·       Vulvodynia
·       Pelvic floor pain
·       Irritable Bowel Disorder (IBD)
·       Irritable Bowel Syndrome (IBS)/functional bowel disorders
·       Brest Cancer
·       Ovarian Cancer


Our Team

 

Women’s Mental Health Program Lead
Brittain Mahaffey, PhD, Psychologist/Researcher

 

Women’s Mental Health Faculty:

Veronique (Vee) Deutsch-Anzalone, PsyD, Psychologist

Amanda Levinson, PhD, Psychologist/Researcher

Courtney O'Brien, PhD, Psychologist

Melissa S. Rossi, MD, Psychiatrist 

Michelle Salz, PMHNP-BC, Midwife & Psychiatric Mental Health Nurse Practitioner

 

 

Women’s Mental Health Care Management:

Virginia Gunther, LCSW, Social Worker

 

Last Updated
02/13/2023