Psychiatry at Sibley Memorial Hospital
Psychiatric services at Sibley are provided by the hospital’s Behavioral Health Unit. In surveys conducted by the Washingtonian magazine, Sibley’s inpatient unit has consistently been among the top choices for psychiatric treatment in the Washington, D.C. region.
Transcranial Magnetic Stimulation (TMS and dTMS) Services
Electroconvulsive Therapy (ECT) Services
Inpatient Services
Sibley Memorial Hospital’s inpatient Behavioral Health Program provides acute, short-term treatment for patients ages 18 and older in need of a safe, secure and therapeutic environment. The clinical treatment program is designed to return patients to their optimal levels of functioning as quickly as possible.
The inpatient program includes:
- 24-hour nursing support
- Psychiatric assessment by experienced psychiatrists
- Medication stabilization and management
- Multidisciplinary treatment planning
- Social work/expressive therapy groups
- Physical and occupational therapy consults
- Nutrition consults
Outpatient Services
Sibley is one of very few providers in the area who offers the next generation of transcranial magnetic stimulation (TMS) therapy, known as deep TMS or dTMS. This therapy, given on an outpatient basis, is a powerful depression treatment for patients for whom medications are inappropriate or ineffective.
Sibley also offers electroconvulsive therapy (ECT) for outpatients when clinically indicated.
Sibley does not provide health consultations, therapy or medication management. To locate an outpatient behavioral health specialist, please check the following resources:
- Outpatient psychiatry clinics in Baltimore at The Johns Hopkins Hospital and Johns Hopkins Bayview
- Outpatient psychiatry care in Columbia at the Howard County Medical Center
- Search for a specialist in our clinician directory.
Contact Us
- To be evaluated for outpatient dTMS treatment or to learn more, please contact Agnes Bradley-Wright, TMS coordinator, at [email protected] or 202-660-6702.
- If you have questions about outpatient ECT services, please contact Chrissy Fennell, ECT coordinator, at [email protected] or 202-660-5179.
- If you are trying to reach a family member in our behavioral health inpatient unit, the phone number is 202-537-4770 - please note that this phone number is not for admissions.
- If you or a loved one are experiencing a mental health crisis, please seek immediate assistance by presenting to the nearest emergency room. Admission to inpatient care begins through the emergency room, ensuring prompt evaluation and appropriate support for those in need.
Frequently Asked Questions
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Patients are evaluated at the Sibley Memorial Hospital Emergency Department for medical clearance before being admitted into the unit. Admissions for inpatient services are accepted 24 hours a day.
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Physicians, psychologists, social workers and other mental health professionals may refer a patient. The final decision regarding admission is made by an attending Sibley Hospital psychiatrist. To make a referral, medical professionals may call 202-537-4770, or a patient can present themselves to the Emergency Department for an evaluation.
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Commonly seen symptoms for which a person may seek treatment include:
- Suicidal behavior and/or thoughts of harming self
- Self-mutilative or assaultive behavior
- Sleep or eating disturbances
- Severe agitation
- Medication noncompliance
- Severe mood swings
- Excessive and uncontrolled anger
- Thought disturbance or distorted perception of reality
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The program offers a variety of treatment groups, including:
- Group psychotherapy
- Coping skills group
- Goals group
- Wellness education group
- Medication education group
- Art therapy
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Generally, most patients are treated for a period of seven to 10 days. The length of stay is highly individualized and dependent on a number of factors, including medical needs, placement issues and follow-up care. The goal of the Behavioral Health Unit is to provide all patients with an individualized treatment plan that best suits their particular needs and diagnosis.
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Please contact your individual insurance provider to inquire if treatment is covered. Many insurance plans are accepted by the hospital. Private insurance companies often cover part or most of the cost of care, as do Medicare and Medicaid.
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Visitation occurs in one-hour time slots and must be scheduled in advance with front desk staff.
Monday-Friday daily visitation can be scheduled from 5:00 p.m. to 6:00 p.m. or 8:00 p.m. to 9:00 p.m.
Saturday and Sunday visitation can be scheduled from 2:00 p.m. to 3:00 p.m. or 3:00 p.m. to 4:00 p.m. each day.
Exceptions to this schedule may be granted through the patient’s psychiatric provider.