Women’s behavioral health
Our approach
Zucker Hillside Hospital’s behavioral health care throughout a woman’s life is exceptional—because it’s driven by extensive research and evidence-based practices. That means we combine the best research, evidence and clinical experience with your wants and needs to offer a comprehensive outpatient perinatal psychiatry and psychology program, an intensive perinatal therapy program and a beautiful women’s inpatient unit for all ages.
Our highly specialized team offers:
Individual & group psychotherapies
Our psychotherapies are backed by extensive research and evidence-based practices and are tailored to pregnancy and postpartum needs.
Medication treatment
Whether you need a one-time consultation or ongoing medication management through pregnancy or postpartum, our team is here to help.
Integrated treatment approach
Our multispecialty team works with OB/GYN services, general adult psychiatry and our women’s behavioral health research team.
Who is the Perinatal Psychiatry Center for?
- Individuals with existing psychiatric disorders who are:
- Planning pregnancy
- Seeking one-time medication consultation
- Looking for treatment to maintain stability during the perinatal period
- Looking for treatment to maintain stability during the perinatal period
- Individuals struggling with unexpected pregnancy outcomes such as pregnancy loss
- Individuals who develop perinatal depression and/or anxiety
- Individuals who develop psychiatric symptoms during pregnancy
- Pregnant or postpartum individuals with complicated medical or social issues who are experiencing emotional distress
- Individuals struggling with the social isolation, role transitions, and identity changes involved in becoming a new parent
- Individuals struggling with aspects of parenting and bonding with their newborn
Outpatient Perinatal Psychiatry Center
Our Perinatal Psychiatry Center provides outpatient mental health care for pre-conception planning, infertility, pregnancy, postpartum, or for those who have experienced pregnancy loss. We often treat those with perinatal mood and anxiety disorders (PMADs), individuals with a history of psychiatric illness who become pregnant or who are planning to become pregnant, as well as those with psychotic disorders.
Our outpatient program offers:
- Comprehensive evaluation for medication and therapy
- Group therapy
- Medication management
Inpatient women’s unit
Women experiencing severe symptoms of psychiatric illness can receive treatment in our state-of-the-art 22-bed women’s unit—the first in New York and one of only a few units in the U.S. to specialize in perinatal psychiatric illness. We prioritize care for pregnant and postpartum individuals, mothers of young children and women from ages 18-64. In this welcoming and healing environment, we foster a culture of inclusion. We’ve also been recognized as a Healthcare Equality Index Healthcare Equality Leader.
Our team
We understand that behavioral health issues around pregnancy and birth are common, and can be complex. We offer a multidisciplinary team with extensive training that works together to provide comprehensive, personalized treatment plans.
Team members complete certification training by Postpartum Support International, a nationally recognized gold standard of training for perinatal mood and anxiety disorders. Our clinicians’ expertise is constantly broadened by continued education.
This team includes:
- Licensed mental health counselors
- Nurse practitioners
- Psychiatrists
- Psychologists
- Social workers
Our team also collaborates with your obstetrician and support system—whether that’s family, other treatment providers, friends or loved ones—who are important to you and your baby’s overall well-being. And with access to the vast resources of Northwell Health, we can offer any services necessary for the overall goal—healthy people, healthy babies and healthy families.
Leadership
We conduct leading-edge research to learn more about the causes of depression linked to the menstrual cycle and perinatal period.
Northwell offers training opportunities like the Psychology Training Program and Residency in Adult Psychiatry at Zucker Hillside Hospital. We also offer a fellowship in consultation-liaison psychiatry with a women's behavioral health track.