Clinical Program at the MGH Center for Women’s Mental Health

Clinical Consultation Service

The Center for Women’s Mental Health at Massachusetts General Hospital provides state-of-the-art evaluation of psychiatric disorders associated with female reproductive function, including premenstrual dysphoric disorder (PMDD), psychiatric illness during pregnancy and the postpartum period, and perimenopausal mood and anxiety disorders. Clinical care is complemented by research in each of these areas.

At the present time, our program is not able to offer ongoing care to new patients, but provides an outpatient consultation service for non-urgent consultations to patients and their providers. We do not provide urgent care. Consultations include detailed recommendations regarding treatment and appropriate resources. As needed, we support and work collaboratively with patients’ providers in the community.

Meet Our Clinicians

Our Clinical Program provides consultations for the following conditions:

Our consultation service offers comprehensive evaluation of women with psychiatric disorders who are pregnant and for those who wish to conceive. Women frequently wrestle with decisions regarding the use of psychiatric medications during pregnancy, given the concerns about known and unknown risks of fetal drug exposure versus fears of becoming ill if they discontinue medications which have been helpful. Information is provided regarding risks of psychotropic drug use during pregnancy versus risks of untreated psychiatric disorder during pregnancy.

Patients with postpartum psychiatric disorders, including postpartum depression and anxiety, as well as postpartum psychosis, receive evaluation by clinicians with particular expertise in this area. Recommendations regarding the pharmacologic and non-pharmacologic treatment of postpartum psychiatric illness are offered, as well as referrals to support services in the community specifically designed for postpartum women.

Postpartum mood and anxiety disorders are frequently seen in women after childbirth. However, the illness is frequently untreated because of the desire to breastfeed and concerns about exposing the infant to psychiatric medications. Clinical consultation is offered to women who may benefit from the use of medication and who wish to breastfeed, taking into account all available information regarding the safety of medications in nursing infants.

The HOPE Clinic at Massachusetts General Hospital offers coordinated obstetric and psychiatric care for pregnant women with substance use disorder and their infants from conception through early childhood. To contact the HOPE Clinic, CLICK HERE.

Clinical consultations with our faculty offer recommendations regarding pharmacologic and non-pharmacologic therapies to women with premenstrual depression and/or anxiety.

Women transitioning into the menopause frequently suffer from depressive symptoms, anxiety, and/or sleep disturbance. The extent to which these symptoms  are a direct effect of hormonal changes associated with the menopause, emerging depression and/or anxiety, or side effects of hormonal therapy is clarified by experienced clinicians in consultation with gynecologists.

Clinical Services

To schedule a clinical consultation, please contact Massachusetts General Hospital Outpatient Clinical Services at (617) 724-7792. Virtual appointments are available. Please note that state of residence and insurance restrictions may affect availability of clinical services. At the present time, our program is not able to offer ongoing care to new patients and can offer only consultations. We do not provide urgent care.

In-person clinical appointments are located in the Wang Building, 8th floor at 55 Fruit Street, Boston, MA 02114. For directions, click here.

For further information about our clinical program, you may also contact us at (617) 724-8020.

In addition, Postpartum Support International provides referrals to local perinatal mental health care providers.

For Urgent Care

988 is the Suicide and Crisis Lifeline. If an individual is at imminent risk — in danger of harm to self, others, or has overdosed — they should call 911. If they have a mental health crisis, they should call 988. The Lifeline provides 24/7, free and confidential support to people in distress and can provide information on resources.

In the Boston metropolitan area, the Acute Psychiatric Service at Mass General Hospital, or APS, provides emergency evaluations for patients in crisis. The APS may be contacted at 617-726-2994.

TheNational Maternal Mental Health Hotline at 1-833-TLC-MAMA (1-833-852-6262) provides non-crisis support and resources. The hotline is available 24/7, in English and Spanish, and 60 other languages by request, is staffed by professional counselors, and refers to specialist perinatal mental health providers. It is not a “crisis line” for individuals in imminent danger of harm to self or others.

The Postpartum Support International Helpline 800-944-4773 is a warmline that connects callers with support volunteers and PSI resources, including support groups. Those seeking help can leave a message by voice or text in English or Spanish and the Helpline responds within a few hours, during business hours. The PSI website, www.postpartum.net, provides information and resources, including lists of mental health providers and connections to online support groups.