The Center for Health and Wellbeing offers psychiatric evaluation and care as part of the services available at the medical clinic. The psychiatric offices are located on the second floor of the University Health Center building on the Fletcher Allen Health Care (FAHC) campus located on the corner of Pearl and South Prospect Streets just across from the UVM green. The office is staffed by 3 board certified psychiatrists. There is a full time administrative staff person who assists students in scheduling evaluations and follow up appointments.
Most students seeking psychiatric services at CHWB are experiencing depression or anxiety and undergo an initial evaluation to better understand the nature of their difficulty, establish a diagnosis and treatment plan, or to continue care they were receiving prior to coming to UVM. Students with major mood disorders, psychotic disorders, and with difficulties related to trauma are also seen and treated by the psychiatrists at CHWB. The evaluation of substance use disorders and the complications of substance abuse are also available. Most students who continue care with the psychiatric staff are prescribed medications to treat their conditions and manage their symptoms.
The psychiatric staff work closely with the staff at the Counseling Center to coordinate the care of students who are also seen by the counselors in those offices.
Students who have been hospitalized or utilized the local emergency room for mental health crises are encouraged to make use of the psychiatric services at UVM. The psychiatric staff works closely with treatment providers at FAHC and other mental health treatment facilities in Vermont. Referrals are made to facilities for types and levels of care not provided by CHWB.
Psychiatric services are not covered by the student health fee. The center bills the UVM student health insurance directly. Students with other insurance coverage will have the charges associated with their visit applied directly to their UVM account. Statements are available at the time of each visit for students and their families to submit to their individual insurance companies if they have coverage for such services.
The psychiatric providers are faculty members in the Department of Psychiatry at UVM. They have extensive experience treating students and working in the local community. They are:
The administrative assistant is Teresa Primo who can be reached at 802-656-3840. Students wishing to schedule an appointment or find out more about the services should contact her directly. Prior to their initial appointment students are asked to complete a Health Questionnaire and Database. This can be obtained at the office, via email or by downloading a copy at this link *DATABASE*. The psychiatric staff reviews this information carefully prior to the initial evaluation allowing the most efficient use of the face-to-face time with the student.
The psychiatric staff at CHWB are pleased to be available to help students with mental health needs manage their symptoms and conditions in order to make their years at UVM happy, healthy. We look forward to meeting you and assisting you in whatever way we can.
