The Seleni Institute Opens Women's Mental Health and Wellness Practice in New York City

NEW YORK, May 6, 2013 /PRNewswire/ -- The Seleni Institute, a nonprofit organization, today announced the opening of Seleni Psychology Counseling and Support, a mental health and wellness practice in New York City.  The Seleni Institute, founded by George and Nitzia Logothetis in 2011, focuses on the unique mental health care needs of women. By providing research funding, advocacy, and now clinical care, Seleni will improve understanding, relieve suffering and ultimately de-stigmatize women's reproductive and maternal mental health.

"Mental health issues surrounding fertility and motherhood affect millions of women each year and there is a woeful lack of resources for women in need," said Nitzia Logothetis, Founder and Executive Chairwoman of the Seleni Institute. "We hope to fill that void for women and families struggling with infertility, miscarriage, early infant loss, and anxiety and depression during or after pregnancy, and put an end to women's suffering in silence."

Seleni provides comprehensive, evidence-based reproductive and maternal mental health care to a full-spectrum of patients, all under one roof. Its experienced clinical team embraces a wide range of treatment modalities, and collaborates to provide tailored care following a careful assessment of each client. Seleni has the capacity to help hundreds of women per week through individual psychotherapy, workshops, and support groups, depending on their needs.

Seleni has brought together a leading team of advisors, clinicians, and researchers who are established leaders in these areas of research and therapy.  Among others, these include:

• Dr. Lee Cohen, MD
  Advisor

Dr. Lee Cohen is Director of the Center for Women's Mental Health at Massachusetts General Hospital (MGH) and is the first incumbent of the Edmund and Carroll Carpenter Chair in Psychiatry in Women's Mental Health at Harvard Medical School. He is a national and international leader in the field of women's mental health and was among the founders of the field of Perinatal and Reproductive Psychiatry. 

• Catherine Monk, PhD
  Advisor

Dr. Catherine Monk is Associate Professor in the Departments of Psychiatry and Obstetrics and Gynecology at Columbia University, where she is also Director of Research at the Women's Program. Dr. Monk spends the majority of her time doing research and also sees patients experiencing perinatal depression, anxiety, or other emotional challenges related to pregnancy and parenting.

• Andrew R. Stephanopoulos, MA, LMFT
  Clinical Director

Andrew R. Stephanopoulos, MA, LMFT, is a licensed marriage and family therapist. Prior to joining Seleni, Mr. Stephanopoulos had a private practice in Los Angeles specializing in life transitions, mood disorders, anxiety, addictions, interpersonal relationships, and life coaching. He was previously the director of client care for Moonview Sanctuary in Santa Monica, California.

• Christiane Manzella, PhD, FT
  Supervision Director and Senior Psychologist

Christiane Manzella, PhD, FT has extensive experience as a clinician, administrator, and professor of psychology. For more than 20 years, Dr. Manzella has had a private practice in New York City where she provides therapy and counseling to those with a range of mental conditions. In addition, she was the clinical training director for 18 years at New York University's Department of Applied Psychology.

• Patricia Harteneck, PhD
  Psychotherapist

Patricia Harteneck, PhD, is a licensed clinical psychologist who maintains a private practice in New York City. She also delivers lectures at Lenox Hill Hospital and supervises at the Center for Cognition and Communication. Dr. Harteneck has more than 18 years of experience in diagnostic evaluations and psychotherapy for individuals, groups, and couples.

The full team of Seleni advisors and clinicians can be found here.

The Seleni Institute alleviates suffering and de-stigmatizes mental health in three different ways. By funding scientific research, Seleni seeks to add to the existing body of knowledge in women's reproductive and maternal mental health. The Institute also provides easily accessible information online that helps women identify and cope with a range of mental health concerns. Additionally, a team of expert counselors and therapists develop tailored programs in a safe and supportive environment.

Seleni offers psychotherapy, grief and bereavement counseling, parent education and support, lactation support, workshops, support groups, and career counseling.  It is located at 207 East 94th Street in New York City.  To make an appointment, visit the facility, or to learn more, please call (212) 939-7200 or visit www.seleni.org. 

SOURCE The Seleni Institute