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Faculty: Jeffrey S.
Akman, M.D. Amir Afkhami,
MD, PhD
Clinical Staff:
The Department offers several specialized programs:
Programs & Services The Department of Psychiatry and Behavioral Sciences at the George Washington University Medical Faculty Associates (MFA) provides advanced diagnosis and treatment of psychiatric disorders. The University's reputation for excellence in teaching and research is reflected in every consultation, diagnosis, and treatment program offered by the Department. The Department prides itself on its emphasis on doctor-patient communication. Our patients are given the time they need to ask questions and talk about their concerns. When you visit your doctor or therapist in the Department you will not feel rushed; rather, you will be encouraged to take the time you need to share your concerns about your diagnosis and treatment. We will help you to find not just an adequate solution to your problems, but the very best one for your needs and aspirations. The Department of Psychiatry and Behavioral Sciences treats the entire spectrum of psychiatric, emotional, and chemical dependency disorders, including:
Each patient receives a comprehensive evaluation, which may include a complete history, psychological or neuropsychological testing, and laboratory tests. Individualized treatment plans are then recommended. The Department of Psychiatry and Behavioral Sciences offers a continuum of inpatient and outpatient services. The Department has a formal affiliation with the Psychiatry Department of Children's National Medical Center in order to provide treatment services for infants, children, and adolescents and their families. Reflecting an awareness of the richness of the diversity in the Washington, DC area, our faculty members approach each patient's care with consideration of his or her cultural and socioeconomic background, thus ensuring a thorough and carefully considered treatment program. Treatment Programs Outpatient services include:
The Department also offers several specialized programs:
Alcohol and Substance Use Screening, Evaluation and Treatment (ASSET) Clinic Evaluation: This Clinic offers a comprehensive evaluation of the use of psychoactive substances, such as alcohol, tobacco, marijuana, methamphetamine, cocaine, heroin, prescription drugs or other substances. Heavy alcohol or substance use increases the risk of future consequences, or may already have caused harmful consequences, such as health, mental health, social or employment problems. Substance use can also complicate management of a chronic health condition, including psychiatric disorders. For patients with chronic pain, use of opioid (narcotic) pain medication may raise questions about proper use, and the difference between appropriate use and addiction. Patients in this clinic will receive a comprehensive substance use and psychiatric evaluation and recommendations for treatment. Treatment: Outpatient treatment services are available for those needing substance use and/or psychiatric treatment. Emphasis is place on offering treatment that incorporates the most recent research on treatment, developing a treatment plan that builds on individual patient preferences and needs as much as possible. Individual, couple and marital behavioral therapy may be used, along with a range of medications for treating alcohol, substance and psychiatric disorders. Medication-assisted treatment is available for alcohol dependence (disulfiram, naltrexone, acamrosate, topiramate), opioid dependence (naltrexone, Suboxone), and nicotine dependence (Chantix, bupropion, nicotine replacement), and others as appropriate. The group here specializes in developing solutions for patients with complex combinations of substance use and psychiatric disorders. Patients requiring more intensive structure or services, such as inpatient, residential or day hospital treatment are assisted with referral, and clinic staff can provide ongoing care following treatment completion. The clinic is also happy to accept referrals for ongoing care directly from more intensive treatment programs. The frequency and length of treatment vary, being individualized for each patient. When appropriate, family members or other significant persons in a patient's life may be included in treatment, with the patient's permission. Ongoing testing for alcohol and other substances is often recommended during the treatment process. Mark L. Willenbring, MD, is the Director of the ASSET Clinic in the GWU Department of Psychiatry and Behavioral Sciences and Clinical Professor of Psychiatry. He is board certified in general psychiatry with added qualifications in addiction and forensic psychiatry, is a Distinguished Fellow of the American Psychiatric Association, and is also a Founding Member of the American Academy of Addiction Psychiatry. Dr. Willenbring has been a leader in his field for over 20 years and is internationally recognized for his expertise on diagnosis and treatment of alcohol and other substance use disorders. He has been listed in Best Doctors in America for the past 9 years. Suena Massey, MD is an Assistant Professor in the Department of Psychiatry. A graduate of Yale University and the Cornell University Medical College, Dr. Massey completed her internship in Internal Medicine at Albert Einstein/Montefiore Medical Center and psychiatric residency training at GWU, where she served as Administrative Chief Resident and completed a year of training and supervision with Dr. Willenbring. Dr. Massey is board-certified in general psychiatry, as well as certified in office-based treatment of opiate dependence with buprenorphine. She has particular interest in examining the role of self-esteem and self-image in addiction and recovery. Daniel Z. Lieberman, MD completed a fellowship in addiction psychiatry at New York University and is board certified in general psychiatry with added qualifications in addiction psychiatry. Among his specific interests in addiction psychiatry include the use of motivation enhancement psychotherapy for the treatment of alcoholism. His research interests include the role of the internet to facilitate interventions in the treatment of alcoholism. Dr. Lieberman is trained and certified in the office-based use of buprenorphine. He is the recipient of the 2005 Caron Foundation Research Award in addiction psychiatry. Julia
Frank, MD is a graduate of the Yale University
School of Medicine. She completed a year of internal medicine
residency before finishing a psychiatry residency and fellowship
in the department of psychiatry at Yale. She is a member of the
International Society for Traumatic Stress Studies, The
Association of Women Psychiatrists and the Society for Women's
Health Research. She is also a fellow of the American
Psychiatric Association. Dr. Frank is trained and certified in
the office-based use of buprenorphine.
Mood disorders include depression and bipolar disorder, and can lead to very serious disruptions in people's lives. Common symptoms of depression include:
The GWU Medical Faculty Associates Department of Psychiatry and Behavioral Sciences offers a program of comprehensive evaluation and treatment that treats each patient as a unique individual and addresses all aspects of their lives including their physical health, emotional functioning, roles they play within their family, the quality of their relationships, and ability to work at their full potential. Our faculty and clinical staff are expert in the newest medications (including antidepressants and mood stabilizers) being tested, effective alternative therapies for mood disorders, and diverse therapeutic approaches including cognitive-behavioral therapy, exploratory therapy, and interpersonal therapy. Daniel Z.
Lieberman, MD, Director Each member of the GW MFA psychiatry faculty is highly trained and skilled in the evaluation and treatment of depression, mood and anxiety disorders. Of particular note, Antolin Trinidad, MD and Robert L. Jenkins, Ph.D. have additional training in, and are teachers of cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT). Please see the other faculty listings for specialized expertise in depression presenting in women, GLBT individuals, patients with general medical and neurological conditions (including HIV/AIDS and cancer), and patients with alcohol or substance use problems. Participation in clinical trials at no cost is also available for qualified patients with mood disorders. Please visit www.researchGW.org for more information.
The Gay, Lesbian, Bisexual and Transgender (GLBT) Mental Health Program provides evidence-based, culturally sensitive psychiatric and mental health treatment services to gay, lesbian, bisexual and transgender individuals and couples. The are many issues that are frequently addressed in the treatment of gay, lesbian, bisexual and transgender individuals including healthy identity development and self-esteem, coming out, internalized homophobia, and interpersonal relationships. Furthermore, with research reflecting possibly higher rates of mood and anxiety disorders, suicide, and addiction in the GLBT community, the Program's clinicians integrate a full understanding of the underlying biological, psychological and social factors that potentially influence the onset and continuation of the difficulties experienced by the individual and couple seeking treatment. All of the faculty and staff in the GWU Department of Psychiatry have extensive backgrounds in treating GLBT individuals; however, three faculty members have particular expertise in this area and in the area of HIV/AIDS. Jeffrey S. Akman, MD is nationally recognized for his expertise in the areas of GLBT mental health and HIV/AIDS psychiatry. He has published articles and lectured around the country on these issues. Dr. Akman served as President of the Whitman-Walker Clinic and of the National Lesbian & Gay Health Association and on the American Psychiatric Association's Commission on HIV/AIDS and Committee on Gay, Lesbian and Bisexual Issues. He has been multiply recognized as a "Top Physician" by Washingtonian magazine. Anton
Trinidad, MD has extensive experience in the evaluation and
treatment of issues related to sexuality and gender identity. He
received training in cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT) of mood
disorders from the world famous Beck Institute and utilizes this
expertise in CBT to treat mood disorders including as they relate to
gay relationships. In addition, Dr. Trinidad has training in
consultation-liaison psychiatry and, as such, has significant
experience treating mental disorders with co-occurring medical
illness such as HIV/AIDS. His scholarly activities have included
graduate work research and ongoing investigations on postmodern
constructs of gender as they relate to literature and psychology.
The Forensic Psychiatry Service offers a wide range of services in civil, criminal, clinical, and consultative forensic psychiatry. Richard C. Blanks, JD, MD, who has both an active law and medical license in the District of Columbia, is the Director of the Forensic Psychiatry Service. Dr. Blanks is a Harvard-trained adult psychiatrist who completed his Fellowship in Forensic Psychiatry at the University of Massachusetts. Professional services are available to attorneys, judges, government organizations, law enforcement, business organizations, disability and general liability insurers, professional licensing entities, and individuals with professional licensing issues. The Forensic Psychiatry Service offers sophisticated and unbiased professional opinions across a wide range of legal questions. Psychiatric civil evaluations could include the following:
Psychiatric criminal evaluations could include the following:
As an additional resource for Forensic Service clients, consultations will be available as necessary with neuropsychologist, Robert Jenkins, PhD, Chief Psychologist in the GWU Department of Psychiatry and Behavioral Sciences.
For life-threatening or severely and acutely disabling mental disorders, patients may be admitted to the GWU Hospital Inpatient Psychiatric Unit. Patients on the 20-bed locked inpatient psychiatric unit present with a range of behavioral problems and psychiatric illnesses including suicidality, psychosis, mania, and acute withdrawal reactions due to alcohol and certain substances and medications. Most patients are admitted after an initial evaluation in the GWU Hospital Emergency Department. Direct admissions can be arranged through the psychiatry program director, 202-715-5080. Antolin Trinidad, MD, Medical Director Additional
faculty on the inpatient unit include Richard Blanks, JD, MD
and Charles Samenow, MD.
Patients in the GWU Hospital on the medical, surgical, neurological, and obstetrics/gynecology services frequently require psychiatric consultation to evaluate the possible presence of a co-occurring psychiatric or behavioral complication of their medical condition. Typical evaluations include the assessment and treatment of delirium (i.e., acute confusional states), demoralization and depression, alcohol dependence and withdrawal, seizures and pseudoseizures, competency and the ability to consent to treatment. Lorenzo Norris, MD, Director, Psychiatric Consultation Service Additional faculty on the Psychiatry Consultation Service include Lorenzo Norris MD, Antolin Trinidad MD and Charles Samenow, MD.
The Psychological Assessment Service provides a full range of psychological and neuropsychological evaluation and consultation services. The service helps to clarify difficult diagnoses as well as treatment and rehabilitation options through the evaluation of cognitive function, emotional health, personality and the biological and behavioral aspects of brain function. We are particularly experienced in the evaluation of adult attention deficit hyperactivity disorder, memory problems, dementia, head injuries, depression, psychosis, and personality disorders. A wide array of psychological assessment procedures are used. The specific procedures employed are tailored to the particular purposes of the evaluation, and may include tests of cognitive and intellectual capacities, academic achievement, objective and projective tests of emotional status and personality, and tests of neuropsychological functioning. A clinical interview is part of most examinations. All major psychological and neuropsychological test procedures are available. Robert L.
Jenkins, Ph.D., Chief Psychologist, Director of Psychological
Assessment Service For appointments or additional information about the Psychological Assessment Service, please call (202) 741-2883.
The multidisciplinary Wellness Program treats the emotional and psychological factors that affect your physical health. Individuals who suffer from pain, heart disease, cancer, gastrointestinal disorders, diabetes, women’s reproductive health issues, HIV/AIDS, neurological illnesses, obesity and other medical problems are at high risk for developing emotional problems. Surprisingly, these mental factors usually lead to greater disability than the medical illness itself, and can seriously diminish the quality of a person’s life. Emotional problems also interfere with treatment and recovery from the medical problem, and can decrease life expectancy. The good news is that many of these illnesses respond extremely well to treatment. Approximately 80% of people who suffer from depression get better with treatment. Patients who receive treatment in the Wellness Program receive a full diagnostic evaluation by clinicians who specialize in the interaction between emotional disorders and other medical illnesses. Patients may benefit from a variety of effective treatments including medication evaluation and consultation, counseling, stress management, and biofeedback. These treatment approaches are offered in conjunction with those of other departments and specialty clinics of the GWU Medical Faculty Associates, such as the Pain Management Center, the Sleep Center and the Center for Integrative Medicine. A range of medical conditions can be treated within the program including:
Services provided include:
Biofeedback may be the treatment of choice for these problems. Our faculty psychologist personally supervises facilitates the integration of such training with other facets of the patient's treatment. In addition to the common biofeedback modalities listed below, special individualized application can be developed:
Lorenzo Norris, MD, Director,
Assistant Professor Additional faculty in the Wellness Program include James L. Griffith, MD, Director, Psychiatric Consultation Service (see above) and Antolin Trinidad, MD, Medical Director, Inpatient Psychiatric Services. Dr. Trinidad completed his fellowship in psychosomatic medicine at Georgetown University/Inova Fairfax Hospital and is board certified general psychiatry with added qualifications in psychosomatic medicine. He previously directed the fellowship program in psychosomatic medicine at the Washington Hospital Center. His interests include the use of cognitive behavioral therapy in medically ill individuals.
Women benefit from specialized mental health services, provided by clinicians versed in their unique biology, emotional lives and social circumstances. Special help plays its greatest role when women suffer the psychiatric conditions that cluster in the reproductive years: depression, eating disorders, and various types of anxiety. Substance related problems may have different roots in women than in men, and different consequences for each gender. Certain adverse experiences, including sexual and domestic violence, afflict women to a greater degree than men. As the mental health field grows, we have also learned that conditions like chronic fatigue, migraine headaches, fibromyalgia and irritable bowel syndrome cluster in women, and may benefit from the specialized understanding of clinicians who care about women's struggles, triumphs and challenges. The George Washington University Women's Mental Health program offers women treatment tailored to their unique needs. We recognize and value the centrality of relationships in women's lives. We also know that certain events unique to women, especially premenstrual syndromes, infertility treatment, pregnancy, childbirth and menopause may bring on or exacerbate psychological and psychiatric problems that require comprehensive care. Our psychiatrists, psychologists and social workers share a common commitment to understanding women's mental health problems in every aspect. We provide care meant, first, to relieve distress and, secondly, to promote well-being. By providing excellent psychopharmacologic and psychotherapeutic services in various modalities, we aim to restore or reinforce in our patients the capacity to care for and be cared for by others. To this end we provide a range of psychiatric and counseling services including evaluation, medication, couples treatment, group treatment, individual therapy and supportive care. To help you select one of our psychiatrists or clinicians, we have provided a central telephone number where you may speak to a therapist who will help you find the right person for your specific problems. You also may refer to our website for a complete description about our psychiatrists and social workers, whom you may telephone directly, depending on your preference. In collaboration with our colleagues in other specialties, we provide women's mental health services for the following problems:
In order to speak to a specialist who can answer your questions about receiving care at the George Washington University Women's Mental Health program, please call (202) 741-2888. The George Washington University Women's Mental Health Program benefits from the talents of a diverse group of clinicians. Brief biographies of the faculty and staff of the Women's Mental Health Center: Julia
Frank, MD Over the course of her career, Dr. Frank has done research in post partum psychiatric disorders, panic disorder, and post traumatic stress disorder. She has written review articles about domestic violence, women's mental health in primary care settings, and the psychiatric consequences of head injury. Her current interests include the treatment of psychiatric disorders in relation to reproductive events (pregnancy, premenstrual dysphoric disorder, perimenopausal psychiatric problems), seasonal affective disorder, depression and anxiety generally, and ADD in adults. Her approach is practical and eclectic, combining thorough medical evaluation, where indicated, with up to date psychopharmacology and diverse approaches to psychotherapy, especially interpersonal therapy. Suena Massey, MD Lisa Catapano, MD, PhD Barrie
Seidman BCD, LICSW, MSW The content on these web pages is intended for educational and informational purposes only and is not designed to replace medical advice or professional medical services. The information should not be used as a substitute for the medical care and advice of your physician. Medical decisions should be made in consultation with your qualified health care provider. There may be variations in treatment that your health provider may recommend based on individual facts and circumstances. Back to Top | Back to Home Page | Contact |
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| The content on these web pages is intended for educational and informational purposes only and is not designed to replace medical advice or professional medical services. The information should not be used as a substitute for the medical care and advice of your physician. Medical decisions should be made in consultation with your qualified health care provider. There may be variations in treatment that your health provider may recommend based on individual facts and circumstances. |