Recommendations for a psychiatrist in Manhattan?

September 23, 2015 6:52 AM

I have wasted years, literally, recovering from recent breakups and life is slipping away. Is there a psychiatrist in Manhattan or Brooklyn who could help?

A year ago, this was me. I don't feel I'm one step closer to processing and recovering from that relationship and I feel ashamed for that. I think about my ex multiple times throughout the day and analyze what I must have done to screw things up. 2 years before that, a painful divorce, same thing. I don't seem to be able to stop cyclical thoughts.

At this point, I am untethered and isolated with no confidence for dating and no optimism. I am 40, smart, decent looking, funny. Yet none of it shines through right now, at all. I go to work, then I go home and fret. I need help.

I did get Wellbutrin 2 weeks ago from a GP, but I would like to transition to an open-minded psychiatrist who can monitor meds going forward and suggest mental/lifestyle changes to feel better about my life and myself. I have also tried EMDR and it felt good, but that was when I was living elsewhere.

I work in Flatiron if that makes any difference. It would be nice to find a psych nearby, but if the person is warm, open-minded and patient, I would go anywhere. Bonus points for a woman psych who specializes in this sort of thing. Thank you.

posted by anonymous to Human Relations (5 answers total)

What's your health insurance like? Can you do out-of-network?
posted by joeyjoejoejr at 7:43 AM on September 23, 2015

I'm so sorry you're going through this.

I like Daniella Lukashok a lot, [phone]. She's on the Upper East Side (I also work in the Flatiron, for what that's worth), but does not take insurance. I will tell you that in my experience, though, it's hard to get a call back from a psychiatrist if you don't say who referred you. I'm happy to give you my name but would prefer to do that via MeMail. I'll of course respect your privacy. Alternatively, if you want to have mod post a throwaway email address here I'll send it along.
posted by holborne at 11:05 AM on September 23, 2015

Irene Gurvits, [phone], upper west side. She is Russian/Israeli and has the directness that the cultural stereotype would suggest (I say it with affection), but she's a serious professional who will get you back to baseline function and more. She does not do talk therapy as such but will talk during medication appointments. She has no problem giving concrete suggestions for mental and lifestyle changes. But, I repeat, you have to be down with her personality. Give her a try. I hope things improve really soon for you! Hang in there.
posted by 8603 at 11:41 AM on September 23, 2015

If it works with your insurance and financials, even though they aren't women I would recommend Fred Busch (there are two! this is the correct one!) and Larry Sandberg as excellent all-around clinicians. They are part of the (sadly) dying breed of psychiatrists who combine medication management with psychotherapy, so they're folks to consider if that is of interest to you. Even if they aren't taking patients at this moment, I would personally trust their referrals, and they may know a female clinician they respect.
posted by Keter at 12:31 PM on September 23, 2015

I have had good luck finding therapists for my young adult kids through Kenwood Psychological Services. They do "therapy matchmaking," which again, worked well for our family.
posted by merejane at 12:57 PM on September 23, 2015