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Clinical Services

Our faculty psychiatrists and clinical therapists provide outpatient behavioral health services for children, adolescents and adults, including the diagnosis and treatment of psychiatric disorders and referrals to community resources. Services are available at the FIU Health Group Practice on our main campus, where patients benefit from timely appointments, on-site labs and treatments such as long-acting injectable antipsychotics, Repetitive Transcranial Magnetic Stimulation (rTMS) and SPRAVATO® (Esketamine) for treatment-resistant depression.

We also deliver care through the Pediatric Behavioral Health Integration Program, the FIU Student Health Clinics, the Green Family Foundation NeighborhoodHELP program and in partnership with the Center for Children and Families (CCF).

Call to Make an Appointment

  • Treatments Offered
    • Psychiatric evaluation
    • Medication management
    • Individual, group and family psychotherapy
    • Treatment with clozapine
    • Administration of long acting injectableantipsychotics
    • Pharmacogenetic testing
    • Repetitive Transcranial Magnetic Stimulation (rTMS)
  • Conditions
    • Anxiety
    • Attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD)
    • Autism spectrum disorders
    • Bipolar disorders
    • Depression, including treatment-resistant depression
    • Dual diagnosis
    • Obsessive compulsive disorders
    • Post-traumatic stress disorder
    • Psychotic disorders, including schizophrenia and schizoaffective disorders
  • Affiliated hospitals & organizations
    • AGAPE Network
    • Baptist Health
    • Camillus House & Health
    • Citrus Health Network
    • Fort Lauderdale Hospital
    • Memorial Regional Hospital and Medical Center
    • Miami VA Healthcare System
    • Nicklaus Children’s Hospital
    • Smith Community Mental Health
    • Southern Winds Hospital

Treatment-Resistant Depression Program

The following treatments for treatment-resistant depression are offered at our FIU Health facility on FIU's main campus. Choosing the right treatment approach under a doctor's care should be based on the medical indication and a person's individual needs. To schedule an appointment or request a consultation for more information on available treatments, please contact us at 305-348-3627 (305-FIU-DOCS).

Repetitive Transcranial Magnetic Stimulation (rTMS)

Brain stimulation therapies play a role in treating certain mental disorders. And Repetitive Transcranial Magnetic Stimulation (rTMS) is one of the best-studied brain stimulation treatments.

The MagVita TMS Therapy, which is FDA-cleared for depression. The treatments can be administered alone or in addition to medication and psychotherapy. You can learn more about how rTMS works in this article by Dr. Patricia Junquera.

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  • How does rTMS work?

    A typical rTMS session lasts 20 to 40 minutes. Since this is a non-invasive procedure (no surgery is needed) and does not require anesthesia or sedation, the patient remains awake and alert during the procedure.

    • An electromagnetic coil is positioned over the scalp, near an area of the brain that is thought to be involved in mood regulation.
    • Then, short electromagnetic pulses are administered through the coil. The magnetic pulses easily pass through the skull, and cause small electrical currents that stimulate nerve cells in the targeted brain region.
    • The magnetic field is about the same strength as that of a magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) scan. Generally, the person feels a slight knocking or tapping on the head as the pulses are administered.
  • What are the possible side effects?

    Sometimes a person may have discomfort at the site on the head where the magnet is placed. The muscles of the scalp, jaw or face may contract or tingle during the procedure. Mild headaches or brief lightheadedness may result. It is also possible that the procedure could cause a seizure, although this is very uncommon. Two large-scale studies on the safety of rTMS found that most side effects, such as headaches or scalp discomfort, were mild or moderate. However, because the treatment is relatively new, there is no knowledge about any long-term side effects.

  • rTMS Referral Form

    If you are interested in rTMS, download the rTMS Referral form and take it with you to your next appointment.

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SPRAVATO® (esketamine)

SPRAVATO® is an FDA-approved nasal spray for treatment-resistant depression. This treatment method can be administered alone or in addition to medication and psychotherapy.

Consultation

Before choosing a treatment, remember that every patient is unique and experiences different symptoms of depression. It is important to schedule a consultation with one of our board-certified psychiatrists to establish a treatment plan that is right for you. For a clinical evaluation, please call FIU Health at 305-348-3627 (305-FIU-DOCS)