10 Best Mood Disorders Doctors in Cambridge, MA to Help You Overcome Mental Health Challenges

Mood disorders can significantly impact an individual’s quality of life, making access to skilled care essential. In Cambridge, MA, several highly qualified doctors specialize in diagnosing and treating mood disorders, offering personalized care tailored to each patient’s unique needs.

These professionals provide a wide range of psychiatric services, from therapy and medication management to evidence-based treatments like Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT).

Some of the leading experts in the area include Dr. Shirin Golkar, MD, who incorporates a collaborative approach to care, and Dr. Stephen Pinals, MD, known for his comprehensive treatment plans.

Additionally, Dr. Mireya Nadal-Vicens, MD, and Dr. Olivia Zurek, MD, both emphasize patient-centered care, ensuring a thorough and compassionate approach to mental health.

These doctors are committed to improving patients’ mental well-being, leveraging their diverse expertise and affiliations with top institutions like Massachusetts General Hospital and Cambridge Health Alliance to provide high-quality mental health support.

1. Dr. Shirin Golkar, MD

• Location: 160 Alewife Brook Pkwy #1133, Cambridge, MA 02138
• Contact: Phone: (617) 229-6017
• Telehealth Services: Available
• Specialties: Psychiatry
• Education:
  • Residency: Cambridge Health Alliance / Harvard Medical School, 2019
  • Medical School: University of California, San Francisco School of Medicine, 2015
  • Master’s in Public Health (MPH): Harvard School of Public Health, 2010
  • Undergraduate: Stanford University, Palo Alto, CA, 2006
• Board Certifications: American Board of Psychiatry & Neurology® in Psychiatry
• Affiliations:
  • Harvard Medical School / Cambridge Health Alliance
  • Former psychiatrist for Teladoc Health and Harvard University
• Care Approach: Dr. Golkar employs a collaborative, patient-centered approach to care, aiming to ensure patients feel seen and heard. She emphasizes transparency, informed decision-making, and creativity in problem-solving during treatment.
• Community Impact: Dr. Golkar has a special interest in race, immigration, and acculturative stress. She has worked in healthcare settings across multiple countries in Asia, Africa, and South America, enhancing her ability to provide culturally competent care. Her personal background as part of an immigrant family further informs her approach to understanding and supporting minority populations.

2. Dr. Fa Iz Bayo-Awoyemi, MD

• Location: 119 Windsor St, Cambridge, MA 02139
• Contact: (617) 665-3600
• Telehealth Services: Available
• Specialties:
  • Family Medicine
  • Nursing (Nurse Practitioner)
  • Obstetrics
• Education: Albert Einstein College of Medicine, 2015
• Board Certifications: American Board of Family Medicine
• Affiliations: CHA Cambridge Hospital
• Care Approach: Dr. Bayo-Awoyemi adopts a holistic approach, diagnosing and recommending treatment plans based on individual patient needs, rather than only referring to specialists.
• Community Impact: Dr. Bayo-Awoyemi contributes to the Cambridge community by providing compassionate care in family medicine and obstetrics, enhancing healthcare access, supporting women’s health, and promoting wellness for diverse patient populations.

3. Dr. Elizabeth Rocco, MD

• Location: 100 Binney St, Cambridge, MA 02142
• Contact: (781) 217-6752
• Specialties: Family Medicine
• Education: Ohio State University (Medical School)
• Board Certifications: American Board of Family Medicine®
• Affiliations: Lahey Hospital and Medical Center, Burlington Lawrence General Hospital
• Languages: English, Spanish
• Care Approach: Dr. Rocco provides comprehensive family care, focusing on preventive medicine, routine wellness exams, and the treatment of common health issues. She aims to provide personalized and compassionate care to patients of all ages.
• Community Impact: Dr. Rocco actively contributes to community health by providing accessible, compassionate family care, promoting preventive medicine, and supporting wellness initiatives that improve the overall health and well-being of local residents.

4. Dr. Stephen Pinals, MD

• Location: 1493 Cambridge St, Cambridge, MA 02139
• Contact: (617) 665-1000
• Telehealth Services: Available
• Specialties: Psychiatry
• Education: Rutgers New Jersey Medical School, 1989
• Board Certifications:
  • American Board of Psychiatry & Neurology® (Psychiatry)
  • American Board of Psychiatry & Neurology® (Consultation-Liaison Psychiatry)
  • American Board of Psychiatry & Neurology® (Geriatric Psychiatry)
• Affiliations:
  • Trinity Health Ann Arbor Hospital
  • Trinity Health Livingston Hospital
  • Cha Cambridge Hospital
• Care Approach: Offers psychotherapy (including cognitive behavioral therapy), psychophysiological therapy (including biofeedback), and various treatments for mental health conditions, focusing on comprehensive care tailored to individual patient needs.
• Community Impact: Dr. Pinals has had a long career treating a wide range of mental health conditions, positively impacting the community by addressing common mental health challenges such as PTSD, anxiety, depression, and addiction.

5. Dr. Mireya Nadal-Vicens, MD

• Location: 75 Mount Auburn St Fl 6, Cambridge, MA 02138
• Contact: (617) 495-2323
• Specialties: Psychiatry
• Education:
  • Medical School: Harvard Medical School, 2003
  • Internship: Massachusetts General Hospital, 2004
  • Residency: Massachusetts General Hospital, 2006
  • Fellowship: Massachusetts General Hospital, 2008
• Board Certifications: American Board of Psychiatry & Neurology® – Psychiatry
• Affiliations: Massachusetts General Hospital
• Care Approach: Dr. Nadal-Vicens emphasizes evidence-based psychiatric care, including treatments such as Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT) and specialized evaluations for a wide range of psychiatric conditions.
• Community Impact: Dr. Stephen Pinals has significantly impacted the community by providing expert psychiatric care for mental health conditions, including PTSD, anxiety, and addiction, fostering well-being through therapy and comprehensive treatment options.

6. Dr. Olivia Zurek, MD

• Location: 1575 Cambridge St, Cambridge, MA 02138
• Contact: (617) 876-4344
• Specialties: Psychiatry
• Education: University of Massachusetts / Worcester Campus, Medical School, 2011
• Board Certifications: American Board of Psychiatry & Neurology (Geriatric Psychiatry, Psychiatry)
• Affiliations: Massachusetts General Hospital
• Care Approach: Dr. Zurek utilizes therapies such as Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT), group psychotherapy, and other evidence-based psychiatric treatments. She emphasizes patient-centered care, tailoring treatments to individual needs.
• Community Impact: Dr. Zurek is affiliated with Massachusetts General Hospital, which is known for its community health outreach and commitment to providing high-quality care. While specific community involvement isn’t listed, her role at a leading hospital reflects a commitment to improving mental health services in the Boston area.

7. Dr. Stephen Sternbach, MD

• Location: 1105 Massachusetts Ave, Apt 1C, Cambridge, MA 02138
• Contact: (617) 876-9416
• Telehealth Services: Available
• Specialties: Psychiatry
• Education: University of Pennsylvania Perelman School of Medicine, Medical School, 1979
• Board Certifications: American Board of Psychiatry & Neurology – Psychiatry
• Affiliations:
  • Down East Community Hospital
  • Emerson Hospital
• Care Approach: Dr. Sternbach’s care approach includes comprehensive psychiatric evaluations, individual and family psychotherapy, cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT), and psychophysiological therapy, with a focus on mood disorders, substance misuse, and mental health treatment.
• Community Impact: Dr. Stephen Sternbach has positively impacted the community through over 40 years of psychiatric expertise, offering compassionate care for mental health, and providing accessible services through telehealth and local hospital affiliations.

8. Dr. Jonathan Florman, MD

• Location: 1734 Massachusetts Ave, Cambridge, MA 02138
• Contact: (617) 632-8469
• Specialties: Psychiatry
• Education: State University of New York / Health Science Center at Syracuse, Medical School, 1985
• Board Certifications: American Board of Psychiatry and Neurology – Psychiatry
• Affiliations: Beth Israel Deaconess Medical Center
• Care Approach: Dr. Jonathan Florman provides personalized, compassionate care specializing in psychiatric evaluations and treatments for mood disorders, depression, ADHD, addiction, personality disorders, and psychotic conditions, focusing on comprehensive mental health management.
• Community Impact: Dr. Jonathan Florman’s extensive experience and affiliation with Beth Israel Deaconess Medical Center have positively impacted the Boston community by providing compassionate, expert care for a wide range of psychiatric conditions.

9. Dr. Samuel Kothalanka, MD

• Location: 736 Cambridge St, Brighton, MA 02135
• Contact: (617) 789-3000
• Telehealth Services: Available
• Specialties: Psychiatry
• Education: Kasturba Medical College of Mangalore (KMC)
• Board Certifications: American Board of Psychiatry & Neurology – Psychiatry
• Affiliations:
  • Martha’s Vineyard Hospital
  • Mount Auburn Hospital
• Care Approach: Dr. Kothalanka is known for explaining conditions thoroughly, addressing concerns with patience, and offering detailed information about treatments and medications. He emphasizes building a trusting relationship with his patients, ensuring they never feel rushed.
• Community Impact: Dr. Kothalanka has positively impacted his patients’ mental health, offering expert care in areas like anxiety, PTSD, and ADHD. His approach focuses on building trust, providing clarity in treatments, and being a reliable resource for individuals and families needing mental health support.

10. Dr. John Levine, MD

• Location: 1105 Massachusetts Ave, Apt 3D, Cambridge, MA 02138
• Contact: (617) 491-8022
• Specialties: Psychiatry
• Education: Harvard Medical School, 1979
• Board Certifications: American Board of Psychiatry and Neurology, Psychiatry
• Care Approach: Dr. Levine’s care approach focuses on personalized psychiatric treatment, including mood disorders, chronic depression, anxiety, and bipolar disorder. He utilizes cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT), psychotherapy, and psychophysiological therapies like biofeedback.

Community Impact: Dr. John Levine has contributed to the mental health community through his extensive experience in treating mood disorders, offering therapy, and providing psychiatric care, positively impacting individuals’ well-being in Cambridge, MA.