At New York State Psychiatric Institute, the Social Work Department is dedicated to supporting individuals living with severe mental illness and the families who care for them. We know that mental health challenges affect not just the person experiencing them, but also their loved ones, bringing a multitude of psychosocial stressors. Our mission is to provide compassionate, personalized care that promotes recovery, strengthens family connections, and helps everyone navigate these challenges.
What Do Social Workers Do?
Social workers are an important part of the treatment team. They help patients and their loved ones understand what is happening, make plans for care, talk through difficult feelings, and connect them to services that support recovery. Social workers provide patients with counseling, help with safety planning, support communication between them and the treatment team, and ensure that patients have a safe plan in place after treatment ends.
Our social workers are assigned to a variety of settings . . .
Inpatient Services:
Washington Heights (5 South)
A 22-bed unit offering a safe, supportive space for stabilization, therapy, and medication management for adults ages 18 and older experiencing acute signs and symptoms associated with severe mental illness such as psychotic disorders. Social workers help families, provide crisis support, and connect them to outpatient services.
General Clinical Research Unit (GCRU)
A 22-bed research-focused unit for adults ages 18 and older experiencing affective disorders such as depression and suicidal behaviors. Social workers provide counseling, family support, and guidance from admission to discharge, ensuring care that is thoughtful and personalized.
Eating Disorder Unit (EDU)
A 12-bed research unit specializing in anorexia, bulimia, and related conditions for ages 12 and older. Families receive guidance, meal support, and help planning for the next steps in recovery.
Outpatient Programs:
Children’s Day Unit (CDU)
Structured day-hospital services for adolescents ages 13-18 who require intensive outpatient care. Social workers provide therapy, school coordination, and family support to help young patients thrive.
Gambling Disorder Unit (GDU)
Offers free, virtual outpatient treatment for gambling addiction to problem gamblers residing in New York, who are 18 years and older, and their concerned significant others (CSOs).
OnTrack NY
Early psychosis care for adolescent and young adults ages 16-30 that provides psychiatric treatment, employment, educational support, substance use treatment and family education for up to 2 years. Social workers offer therapy, family education, crisis support, and guidance for school, work, and daily life.
Audubon Clinic and Inwood Outpatient Mental Health Clinics
The Audubon and Inwood Clinics serve adults 18 + who have been diagnosed with several mental illness and are living within the Washington Heights community as well as Inwood community. The clinics provide an array of services that is focused on helping individuals recover their responsibilities, goals, relationships, mental and emotional well-being that has been disrupted by their illness.
For further questions or concerns contact:
Sabina Kurian, LCSW, CASAC
Director of Social Work
Sabina.Kurian@nyspi.columbia.edu
646-774-8555
Administrative Assistant:
Liliana Saverio
Liliana.Saverio@nyspi.columbia.edu<
646-774-8554