Exceptional education, innovative research.
Watch a message from our chairGuided by our patients-first credo, the Department of Psychiatry & Behavioral Sciences at the Northwestern University Feinberg School of Medicine is committed to compassionate patient care, exceptional education and advancements in mental health research.
What We Do
Education
Our faculty are training the future leaders of behavioral sciences through residency, fellowship and degree programs.
Research
Featuring nationally recognized initiatives, our research investigates underlying mechanisms of psychiatric disorders, innovations in treatment and barriers to services.
Clinical Trials
Making breakthroughs possible, one participant at a time.
A clinical trial is a research study that examines the effectiveness of new medical approaches in diagnosing, preventing, and treating diseases. Participants in our clinical trials contribute to vital medical research while receiving close monitoring and care from our experienced team of psychiatrists and research coordinators.
At Northwestern Psychiatry, we are dedicated to advancing medical care through innovative clinical trials. We offer a variety of research studies designed to test new treatments, medications, and devices for a range of conditions.
Current Studies:
- Depression (treatment-resistant, unspecified)
- Psychotic disorders
- Schizophrenia (childhood, paranoid)
- Bipolar disorder
- Tardive Dyskinesia (Involuntary movements)
Why Participate in a Clinical Trial:
- Help Shape the Future of Medicine: Your participation directly contributes to groundbreaking discoveries that improve lives.
- Access Potential New Treatments: Be among the first to receive promising therapies not yet widely available.
- Receive Expert Care: Our dedicated research team will closely monitor your health throughout the trial.
- No Cost to You: All participants are compensated for their time and participation.
Visit Our Clinical Trials Page
Our Divisions
Our divisions and associated faculty provide specialized training, research and patient care across the many areas within our comprehensive field. Our faculty members are committed to helping students and trainees develop specialized professional skills, while serving diverse patient populations at our affiliated care sites and hospitals.
Faculty Spotlight
Dorothy Sit, MD
Dorothy Sit, MD was recently interviewed by ABC7 News to discuss "Summertime SAD," a lesser-known form of Seasonal Affective Disorder that occurs during the summer months. She provided valuable insights into the symptoms, causes, and treatments for this condition.
Watch the full interview here.
Sandra Weintraub, PhD, APBB
Sandra Weintraub, PhD, APBB was recently interviewed by Emma Heming Willis, advocate and wife of Bruce Willis, in honor of World FTD Awareness Week (Sept 22-29, 2024). Additionally, Chicago Mayor Brandon Johnson officially proclaimed FTD Awareness Week in Chicago, thanks to advocacy by Amy Bouschart, whose husband participates in Northwestern Mesulam Center research.
The Mesulam Center remains a leader in FTD research, diagnosis, and care. Learn more here.
Michael Brook, PhD, ABPP
On December 12, 2023 Northwestern Medicine’s Isaac Ray Research Program in Behavioral Sciences and the Law and the Illinois Academy of Criminology co-sponsored a half-day symposium titled “Mass Attacks in the United States: What Do We Know and Where Do We Go From Here?”
Led by Dr. Brook who directs the Isaac Ray Research Program in Behavioral Sciences and the Law at Northwestern Medicine, and co-directs the Forensic Psychology and Neuropsychology Laboratory within the clinical psychology graduate program, the event featured expert talks on the state of behavioral science regarding the known risk factors for mass attacks in public spaces, followed by a panel discussion of implications for research, intervention, policy, and the criminal justice system.
Visit the Isaac Ray Research Program's webpage to learn more about this event.
Ashley A. Knapp, MA, PhD
Social media has infiltrated our society more quickly than any other technological advancement. Kids today have access to endless content and social connections by way of the internet than the generations before them. In this 360 Perspective episode of Science Rehashed, Dr. Ashley Knapp explores the issues surrounding social media and mental health, telling us about the digital tools her team is developing for youth to combat anxiety and how we can make these tools accessible and effective for all.
Check out this podcast on Spotify - Social media: the good, the bad, and the hopeful
Veronika Hanko, MD
Dr. Hanko is an Instructor in the Department of Psychiatry and Behavioral Sciences. She recently completed her fellowship in Consultation-Liason Psychiatry here at Northwestern and is clinically active on the C/L service. Her current research projects include seeking ways to improve access to medical care and substance use treatment for medical inpatients with hepatitis C and HIV. Other clinical interests include management of depression in the medically ill, substance use disorders, functional neurological disorders, and somatoform disorders. Dr. Hanko is actively involved in medical education and looks forward to her new role as Associate Psychiatry Clerkship Director.
Inger E. Burnett-Zeigler, PhD
Dr. Burnett-Zeigler’s research focuses on examining the factors associated with mental health service utilization. She is specifically interested in attitudes and beliefs about mental health, access to mental health treatment, engagement in mental health treatment, and barriers to mental health treatment among disadvantaged populations including racial/ethnic minorities and those with low income, limited education, and limited access to resources. She is currently the Principal Investigator for the "Mindfulness Based Stress Reduction for Depressed Women in a Federally Qualified Health Center" study which examines the acceptability and preliminary efficacy of a mindfulness based treatment for depression delivered to women in a community primary care setting.
Evan Goulding, MD, PhD
Dr. Goulding’s clinical research uses smartphones to increase access to strategies that enhance bipolar disorder self-management and provider intervention. At the same time, smartphones allow collection of self-report and behavioral data to create a database for use in improving understanding and treatment of bipolar disorder. His basic research utilizes automated mouse home cage monitoring to elucidate how atypical antipsychotics, that are increasingly used to treat bipolar disorder, alter daily behavioral patterns (e.g. activity, sleep, location). By quantitatively assessing similar behavioral patterns in both humans and mice, Dr. Goulding’s work aims to more effectively translate findings between animal and human research in bipolar disorder.