About Our Program
Esketamine for acute and treatment-resistant depression, electroconvulsive therapy (ECT) and transcranial magnetic stimulation (TMS) for depression and obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD) are available at the Montefiore Behavioral Health Center (MBHC) and Montefiore Einstein Advanced Care Westchester (MEAC).
Esketamine is a new, rapidly acting form of treatment for depression administered intranasally (via the nose) to target treatment-resistant depression. It is best suited for patients who have experienced persistent depressive symptoms despite treatment with two or more antidepressants during the current depressive episode and those who have a major depressive disorder with suicidal ideations. Reported benefits of esketamine include:
- Rapid relief from depression
- Reduction of depression-related risk factors for dementia
- Reduction in suicidal thoughts
For patients who are experiencing severe episodes of depression, catatonia and mania, as well as bipolar disorder and other conditions, electroconvulsive therapy is a safe and effective treatment provided by psychiatrists and anesthesiologists while a patient is under anesthesia. ECT is commonly recommended when other treatments, including medications and psychotherapy, are not working independently. This treatment has been found very effective for episodes of severe mental illness. However, it does not prevent future incidents of the disease. Therefore, ECT is typically administered in tandem with medication and psychotherapy.
Transcranial magnetic stimulation is an advanced, non-invasive procedure that uses electromagnetic fields to stimulate specific brain areas. TMS is prescribed for depression or OCD in patients who have not responded to first-line medication and psychotherapy treatments. In addition to depression and OCD, TMS is shown to improve the following conditions:
- Anxiety disorders
- Chronic schizophrenia
- Migraines
- Post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD)
- Substance use disorders
The Montefiore Behavioral Health Center is a community-focused facility that provides Bronx residents access to a wide range of mental health and wellness services. The MBHC team provides specialized, patient-centered, psychiatric clinical care to adults aged 18 and older. Staff includes psychiatrists, psychologists, licensed clinical social workers, licensed mental health counselors and licensed creative arts therapists.
Our Services
Esketamine treatment at MBHC is used in tandem with a conventional antidepressant and provides rapid relief from depression symptoms until the other medication takes effect. Treatment is typically administered bi-weekly for the first month, then decreases over time depending on the success of the treatment response. Patients are monitored for two hours after medication administration to ensure safety.
ECT is available at Montefiore Einstein’s Moses Campus for appropriate hospitalized patients in our inpatient psychiatry or medical units. In select circumstances, ambulatory patients may also receive ECT. TMS is exclusively provided at MBHC’s Westchester Square campus in the Bronx.
For more information on Electroconvulsive Therapy treatments, please call Montefiore Einstein’s Moses Campus at 718-920-4295.
Additional substance use disorder treatments include Narcan distribution, buprenorphine (Suboxone®) management and an intensive outpatient program. Our programs are equipped to provide behavioral health services in person or via our HIPAA-compliant telehealth platform. Most insurance providers offer coverage for our services—please call to inquire. Additionally, multilingual or interpreter services may be available.
Find Psychiatry & Behavioral Sciences Locations
The Montefiore Behavioral Health Center has two convenient locations serving the South and Southeast Bronx.
Our programs are equipped to provide behavioral health services in person or via our Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act (HIPAA)-compliant telehealth platform. Most insurance providers offer coverage for our services—please call to inquire. Additionally, multilingual or interpreter services may be available.