2. Center for Interventional Psychiatry

Center for Interventional Psychiatry

The UTHealth Houston Center for Interventional Psychiatry is a specialized clinical, academic, and educational hub dedicated to the evaluation and treatment of individuals with severe, complex, and treatment-resistant psychiatric illness, particularly mood disorders that have not responded adequately to standard therapies.

A New Era in Psychiatric Care

Interventional psychiatry is an emerging subspecialty within psychiatry that combines procedure-based treatments and neuromodulation techniques to target dysfunctional brain circuits and alleviate mental distress when conventional approaches have been insufficient.

The Center was established to address a critical gap in mental health care by bringing cutting-edge interventions together within a unified, evidence-based clinical model. We support the broader mission of UTHealth Houston Psychiatry in patient care, research, and education.

What We Do

The Center delivers comprehensive services across the full continuum of care:

  • Outpatient specialty clinic for diagnostic assessment and treatment planning
  • Intensive Outpatient (IOP) and Partial Hospitalization Programs (PHP)
  • Inpatient psychiatric care at the John S. Dunn Behavioral Sciences Center
  • Interventional psychiatry services and advanced treatments

Our goal is to match patients to the most appropriate level of care and therapeutic approach from the first contact onward.

Who We Serve

We serve individuals whose symptoms have not adequately improved with standard treatments and who require more precise, intensive intervention. Patients commonly include those with:

  • Treatment-resistant depression
  • Treatment-resistant bipolar disorder
  • Treatment-resistant schizophrenia and related conditions
  • Catatonia
  • Treatment-resistant obsessive-compulsive disorder
  • Severe suicidality
  • Other treatment-refractory psychiatric symptoms

These patients often present with high symptom burden, significant functional impairment, or elevated clinical risk, necessitating coordinated and advanced care planning.

Integrated, Evidence-Based Treatments

The Center’s clinical services integrate medication optimization, psychotherapy, and interventional treatments within a unified care framework. Our interventional treatment options include:

  • Intranasal Esketamine (SPRAVATO®)
  • Intravenous Ketamine Therapy
  • Transcranial Magnetic Stimulation (TMS)
  • Accelerated Transcranial Magnetic Stimulation (SAINT® TMS)
  • Electroconvulsive Therapy (ECT)
  • Magnetic Seizure Therapy (MST)
  • Vagus Nerve Stimulation (VNS)
  • Deep Brain Stimulation (DBS)

These interventions are offered within a structured clinical pathway and matched to each patient’s unique needs.

A Multidisciplinary Approach

Our team includes psychiatrists, psychologists, advanced practice providers, nurses, and support staff working collaboratively to diagnose, treat, and monitor patients with complex psychiatric conditions. Care is delivered within a multidisciplinary and patient-centered framework, ensuring safety, continuity, and coordination across programs.

Research and Education

In addition to clinical care, the Center is deeply engaged in research, training, and education. We advance interventional psychiatry through clinical studies, outcomes research, and the Interventional Psychiatry Fellowship program. The Center also supports the training of residents, medical students, and visiting scholars, fostering the next generation of leaders in psychiatric innovation.

Patient-Centered, Outcomes-Driven

At the core of the Center’s mission is a commitment to improving outcomes for people with the most challenging forms of psychiatric illness. Through individualized assessment, evidence-based intervention, and coordinated care pathways, we work to restore function, reduce suffering, and enhance quality of life for patients and their families.

Contact

Proud Members of the National Network of Depression Centers 

Texas Network of Centers for Interventional Psychiatry