Why should I see a psychiatrist instead of handling this on my own?

Because you deserve the same quality of care you provide your patients. Most physicians who come to see me have already done their own differential. They've read the literature, adjusted their sleep hygiene, maybe tried a medication. What they haven't had is what they'd never let their own patients go without: a thorough evaluation by someone who can see the full picture, track it over time, and be honest with them about what's working and what isn't. I trained in psychiatry at Harvard, hold a faculty appointment at Harvard Medical School, and provide both medication management and psychotherapy. You won't need to educate me on your world or why you haven't done this sooner.

Will this show up on my licensing or credentialing applications?

As of 2025, 40 state medical boards have confirmed that their licensing applications no longer include intrusive mental health history questions, and over 1,800 hospitals have done the same for credentialing. The AMA, the FSMB, and the APA all recommend that inquiries be limited to current impairment only. The momentum is toward protecting physicians who seek care, not penalizing them. Your treatment with me is confidential. I do not report to your hospital, your residency program, or your licensing board (unless mandated by law). I also offer enhanced confidentiality services for an extra fee.

Is this realistic with my schedule?

Yes. I designed my practice with this in mind. I offer telehealth throughout Massachusetts, which means you can have a session from your office, your home, or wherever you have 25-60 minutes of privacy between obligations. Whether you're a resident fitting sessions around rotations or an attending navigating a full panel and administrative load, we'll find a cadence that works. I also see patients in person in Boston, Brookline, Cambridge, and Newton.

I think I'm burned out, but I'm not sure if this is actually clinical.

Burnout and depression overlap in ways that make self-diagnosis unreliable (especially when you're chronically sleep-deprived and running on caffeine and obligation). The answer changes the treatment. Burnout that's actually depression doesn't respond to a wellness seminar and a yoga class. Depression that's dismissed as "just the cost of doing medicine" can get significantly worse. A proper evaluation takes time, and I give it the time it needs.

What does treatment actually look like?

I provide both medication management and psychotherapy in an integrated practice. That means one clinician who understands you as a whole person (your training, your neurochemistry, your relationships, the particular pressures of your specialty) rather than a fifteen-minute med check with a prescriber who has never heard the rest of the story. Sessions are 25 to 60 minutes depending on your needs. We go deeper than symptom checklists: the patterns underneath, what the professional identity is costing you personally, what you actually want from your career and your life. Treatment is collaborative, goal-oriented, and honest.

I'm not in Boston. Can I still see you?

Yes. I see patients in person in Boston, Brookline, Cambridge, and Newton, and I offer virtual appointments throughout all of Massachusetts. Many of the physicians I work with prefer telehealth for its discretion and convenience. In my clinical experience, virtual sessions are every bit as effective as in-person work for the conditions I treat most often (depression, anxiety, burnout, and the constellation of issues that travel with high-pressure medical careers). But if you prefer to be in the room, I have in-person availability as well.

How do I take the first step?

You reach out. That's it. I offer consultations for physicians and residents who want to talk through what's going on before committing to anything. No referral needed, no paperwork marathon, no judgment.

close up face shot of doctor wearing mask and glasses

Mental Health for Physicians in Massachusetts

You spend your career taking care of other people. That doesn't make you immune to the things you treat.

The research confirms what most of you already feel (29% of residents meet criteria for depression, burnout affects roughly half of all practicing physicians, and nearly 40% of doctors are reluctant to seek mental health care because of concerns about licensing and credentialing).

I trained in psychiatry at Harvard alongside residents and fellows from every specialty, and I teach at Harvard Medical School now. I know the culture you're working inside. If you've been thinking about reaching out, the questions below are a good place to start.

Because you deserve the same quality of care you provide your patients.
Most physicians who come to see me have already done their own differential. They've read the literature, adjusted their sleep hygiene, maybe tried a medication. What they haven't had is what they'd never let their own patients go without: a thorough evaluation by someone who can see the full picture, track it over time, and be honest with them about what's working and what isn't.
I trained in psychiatry at Harvard, hold a faculty appointment at Harvard Medical School, and provide both medication management and psychotherapy. You won't need to educate me on your world or why you haven't done this sooner.
As of 2025, 40 state medical boards have confirmed that their licensing applications no longer include intrusive mental health history questions, and over 1,800 hospitals have done the same for credentialing. The AMA, the FSMB, and the APA all recommend that inquiries be limited to current impairment only. The momentum is toward protecting physicians who seek care, not penalizing them.
Your treatment with me is confidential. I do not report to your hospital, your residency program, or your licensing board (unless mandated by law). I also offer enhanced confidentiality services for an extra fee.
Yes. I designed my practice with this in mind.
I offer telehealth throughout Massachusetts, which means you can have a session from your office, your home, or wherever you have 25-60 minutes of privacy between obligations. Whether you're a resident fitting sessions around rotations or an attending navigating a full panel and administrative load, we'll find a cadence that works. I also see patients in person in Boston, Brookline, Cambridge, and Newton.
Burnout and depression overlap in ways that make self-diagnosis unreliable (especially when you're chronically sleep-deprived and running on caffeine and obligation). The answer changes the treatment. Burnout that's actually depression doesn't respond to a wellness seminar and a yoga class. Depression that's dismissed as "just the cost of doing medicine" can get significantly worse. A proper evaluation takes time, and I give it the time it needs.
I provide both medication management and psychotherapy in an integrated practice. That means one clinician who understands you as a whole person (your training, your neurochemistry, your relationships, the particular pressures of your specialty) rather than a fifteen-minute med check with a prescriber who has never heard the rest of the story.
Sessions are 25 to 60 minutes depending on your needs. We go deeper than symptom checklists: the patterns underneath, what the professional identity is costing you personally, what you actually want from your career and your life. Treatment is collaborative, goal-oriented, and honest.
Yes. I see patients in person in Boston, Brookline, Cambridge, and Newton, and I offer virtual appointments throughout all of Massachusetts. Many of the physicians I work with prefer telehealth for its discretion and convenience. In my clinical experience, virtual sessions are every bit as effective as in-person work for the conditions I treat most often (depression, anxiety, burnout, and the constellation of issues that travel with high-pressure medical careers). But if you prefer to be in the room, I have in-person availability as well.
You reach out. That's it.
I offer consultations for physicians and residents who want to talk through what's going on before committing to anything. No referral needed, no paperwork marathon, no judgment. You can email me directly, here.

Resources for Medical Professionals

Whether or not you choose to work with a psychiatrist, these organizations offer confidential support, peer community, and practical resources for physicians, residents, and medical students navigating mental health and well-being.

Massachusetts

Physician Health Services (PHS)

massmed.org

A nonprofit founded by the Massachusetts Medical Society and the state's designated physician health program. PHS provides free, confidential consultation and support for physicians, residents, and medical students facing stress, burnout, substance use concerns, psychiatric difficulties, work-life balance challenges, or the strain of medicolegal situations. PHS does not treat directly but offers assessments, referrals, peer support groups, and ongoing monitoring when needed. Services are available to all Massachusetts physicians regardless of MMS membership and are independent of the Board of Registration in Medicine.

781-434-7404

Massachusetts Medical Society — Physician Wellness

massmed.org/physicianwellness

The MMS maintains a comprehensive physician wellness hub with published research, advocacy updates, and free CME on burnout and resilience (including MedPEP, a podcast series on physician empowerment). The Society has also convened Chief Wellness Officers statewide and published landmark reports on physician burnout alongside Harvard and the Massachusetts Health and Hospital Association.

National

Physician Support Line

physiciansupportline.com

A national, free, and confidential peer support line staffed by over 800 volunteer psychiatrists. Physicians and medical students can call to discuss any immediate life stressor with a colleague who shares the lived experience of medical training and practice. No appointment needed, no ongoing patient relationship established, and nothing to report on credentialing applications. Available seven days a week, 8 AM to midnight ET.

1-888-409-0141

Dr. Lorna Breen Heroes' Foundation

drlornabreen.org

Founded in memory of emergency physician Dr. Lorna Breen, who died by suicide in April 2020, this foundation works to reduce burnout and dismantle the structural barriers that prevent physicians from seeking mental health care. Their ALL IN: Wellbeing First for Healthcare coalition has helped hospitals and insurers remove invasive mental health questions from credentialing and licensing applications. The foundation also supported passage of the Dr. Lorna Breen Health Care Provider Protection Act (2022), which funds burnout prevention and mental health training programs nationwide.

Federation of State Physician Health Programs (FSPHP)

fsphp.org

The national organization that unifies and supports Physician Health Programs (PHPs) across the United States. FSPHP maintains a state-by-state directory of confidential programs that offer assessment, referral, and ongoing support for physicians facing mental health, substance use, or other health concerns. PHPs serve as a therapeutic alternative to disciplinary action, helping physicians access care while protecting their ability to practice.

AMA STEPS Forward — Physician Well-Being

ama-assn.org

The American Medical Association's open-access library of evidence-based toolkits and playbooks for preventing physician burnout and improving well-being. Modules cover burnout assessment, workflow redesign, building a wellness committee, and creating "real PTO" policies. Includes free CME and a burnout cost calculator for organizations. The AMA also co-sponsors the biennial American Conference on Physician Health with Mayo Clinic and Stanford Medicine.

NAM Action Collaborative on Clinician Well-Being

nam.edu

A network of major health professional organizations and health systems convened by the National Academy of Medicine since 2017 to advance clinician well-being. Publishes a Clinician Well-Being Knowledge Hub with case studies, research, and a resource compendium organized around six essential elements for reducing burnout. The Collaborative's work has shaped the national conversation on physician mental health, from raising visibility of clinician suicide to promoting organizational (rather than solely individual) solutions.

988 Suicide & Crisis Lifeline

988lifeline.org

A national crisis line available to anyone (including physicians) experiencing suicidal thoughts, emotional distress, or a substance use crisis. Trained counselors provide free, confidential support around the clock. Call or text 988, or use the online chat at 988lifeline.org. The Veterans Crisis Line is available by pressing 1 after dialing.

Call or text 988