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Mental Health

Location
E23-3rd Floor

Schedule Appointments
Hours: M–Th, 8:30 a.m. to 7 p.m.
F, 8:30 a.m. to 5 p.m.
Phone: 617-253-2916

Referral Requirement
None.

Emergencies:
24-hour emergencies: 617-253-2916
Walk-in Urgent Hours: M–F, 2 to 4 p.m.

Overview

MIT Medical's Mental Health Service can offer assistance to individuals dealing with personal concerns. We can also provide consultation and guidance to friends, roommates, faculty members, family members, and others who are concerned about the wellbeing of an MIT student or any other member of the Institute community.

The Mental Health Service provides:

Evaluations and consultations
Brief treatment (both psychotherapy and psychopharmacology)
Referrals
Urgent care
Group counseling

Most members of the MIT community can see one of our clinicians for an initial consultation free of charge, regardless of insurance coverage. All services at the Mental Health Service are available free of charge to MIT students.

We can help with concerns such as:

Stress and general anxiety
Depression
Exam anxiety and problems with concentration
Relationship problems
Feelings of loneliness or isolation
Suicidal thoughts and behavior
Eating problems
Cross-cultural issues
Identity issues
Insomnia and fatigue
Infertility or pregnancy loss
Alcohol or substance use

Services available

Consultations

Most members of the MIT community can see one of our clinicians for an initial consultation free of charge. Based on that consultation, we may make additional treatment recommendations or referrals.

Individual psychotherapy/medication

In some cases, the Mental Health Service offers short-term individual psychotherapy, which may also include the prescription of psychiatric medication.

Groups

We offer many different therapy, support, and discussion groups for members of the MIT community. Some groups are time-limited and focus on a particular theme; others are ongoing. Common issues addressed in groups include relationships, substance abuse, life transitions, academic problems, and family issues.

Complete listing of groups

Walk-in hours

For urgent concerns, walk-in hours are available on weekday afternoons. Just come by the Mental Health Service on the third floor of MIT Medical (E23) Monday through Friday from 2 to 4 p.m.

Personal Assistance Program

MIT’s Personal Assistance Program provides specialized counseling and referral services to employees dealing with concerns that may affect their lives at work or at home. Services are provided through MIT Medical’s Mental Health Service. All MIT staff, faculty, and employees, including employees at Lincoln and Draper Laboratories and the Whitehead Institute, are eligible for this free and confidential Institute benefit. For more information, call 617-253-4911 or see the Personal Assistance Program page.

Neuropsychology consults

MIT Mental Health offers neuropsychology consults to assess cognitive difficulties such as memory or attention problems, disorganization, motivation problems, or personality change.

Urgent care

A mental health clinician is on call 24 hours a day—even overnight and on weekends when the Mental Health Service is not open. Call 617-253-2916.

Helping others

Parents of MIT students

Read more about how to help your son or daughter adjust to life at MIT.

Helping a friend in need

In our experience, people in distress may find it difficult to ask for help, even though they may want to. Family and friends can play an important role by expressing concern and encouraging professional support. To help you identify and respond to psychological stress, we recommend our pamphlet, How to Help Someone in Distress (PDF).

Faculty: Helping a student in distress

Faculty can play an important role by identifying students who may be in distress and encouraging professional support. We recommend our pamphlet, How to Help Students in Distress (PDF).

Making an appointment

Any member of the MIT community can use MIT Medical’s Mental Health Service. No referral is necessary.

To make an initial appointment, call us at 617-253-2916. The first thing we’ll do is schedule a brief phone conversation with a member of our clinical staff. During this consultation, the clinician will ask you about your concerns and gather other information that will help match you with the most appropriate clinician.

If you have a concern that can’t wait, we have walk-in hours Monday through Friday from 2 to 4 p.m. In addition, a mental health clinician is on call 24 hours a day, every day of the year.

Confidentiality

All visits to the Mental Health Service and conversations with our front-desk staff or clinicians are confidential. This means that we won’t share information with your family members, professors, co-workers, supervisors, or anyone else without your permission.

Care Providers

Jessica Barton, L.I.C.S.W.
Audra L. Bartz, L.I.C.S.W.
Sherry Bauman, M.D.
Erin Belfort
Lisa Bosley, PMHNP-BC
James D. Chansky, L.I.C.S.W.
David Debowy, M.D., Ph.D.
Rheinila Fernandes, M.D.
Rita V. Fischer, L.I.C.S.W.
Betsy C. Fisher, Psy.D.
Marsha L. Gilmore, PMHNP-BC
Kristine Girard, M.D.
Lili Gottfried, M.D.
Maya Hanelin, L.I.C.S.W.
Xiaolu Hsi, Ph.D.
Araceli M. Isenia, L.I.C.S.W.
Simon M.W. Lejeune, M.D.
John H. Lloyd, M.D.
Bina P. Patel, M.D.
Mia Pfleging, M.D.
Haleh Rokni, M.D.
Alan E. Siegel, Ed.D.
Adam J. Silk, M.D.
Anthony Van Niel, M.D.
Lisa Varchol, L.I.C.S.W.
Marcia Yousik, PMHNP-BC
Laurie Zelas, PMHNP-BC