top of page

Board Certified Private Practice Psychiatrist

Boston - New York

Adult Outpatient Psychiatry

Psychotherapy

Forensic Consultation

ABOUT

About Dr. Burton

I am a board certified, Harvard trained psychiatrist offering comprehensive mental health care to adults in Massachusetts (in person or virtual) and New York (virtual only). Your mental health journey is unique, and you deserve an approach that is personalized to you. My private practice offers psychiatric care that is attentive, practical, and considerate of your individual values and goals. Whether you are seeking treatment for a complex mental health concern, or wish to optimize your psychological health and everyday productivity, I am happy to work with you towards achieving your wellness goals.

I have a special clinical interest in delivering high quality private psychiatric care to attorneys, physicians, and other professionals working in high pressure systems. As a physician and a forensic psychiatrist, I have witnessed the specific stresses faced by such professionals and the barriers they often encounter when seeking treatment. You deserve care that is considerate of the distinctive psychological aspects of your profession, and that is unequivocally reverent of your confidentiality. Issues that I commonly address in this type of treatment include burnout, anxiety, depression, sleep and concentration problems, self-doubt, relationships, and identity.

portrait b_edited_edited_edited.jpg

Education and Training

I am a fully licensed physician in the states of Massachusetts and New York. I am a Diplomate of the American Board of Psychiatry and Neurology, with Board Certifications in Adult Psychiatry and Forensic Psychiatry.

2021 - 2022

Fellowship in Forensic Psychiatry
University of Massachusetts

2017 - 2021

Residency in Psychiatry
Harvard Medical School

Massachusetts Department of Mental Health; Massachusetts Department of Corrections; Veterans Health Administration

Beth Israel Deaconess Medical Center; Massachusetts Mental Health Center; Newton-Wellesley Hospital; Boston Children's Hospital; Veterans Health Administration

2013 - 2017

Doctor of Medicine
University of Texas Southwestern Medical School

Parkland Memorial Hospital; Dallas Children's Hospital; Clements University Hospital; Texas Presbyterian Hospital; Veterans Health Administration

2009 - 2013

Bachelor of Arts in Psychology

Texas Tech University

PSYCHIATRY

Psychiatric Services

I offer a variety of clinical services, with ample flexibility to tailor my approach to the needs of each patient. My office is convenient to downtown Boston and evening appointments are available to fit with busy schedules. To request an appointment, please fill out the contact form on this website. I will conduct a free 15-minute screening evaluation with you to determine if my services are a safe fit for your needs and, if so, will then schedule your initial consultation. I look forward to hearing from you!

Fees and FAQ

Payment and FAQs

Please see below for details regarding payment and other frequently asked questions. I am always happy to answer any additional questions you may have about my practice, and invite you to reach out via the Contact page!

Image by Aleksandr Buynitskiy

Whom do you treat?

I treat adults aged 18 - 64 who reside in Massachusetts or New York. Although I have a clinical interest in working with individuals from high stress professions, I see a wide variety of patients in my practice and I do not have a "typical" or "ideal" patient. Conditions that I often treat include anxiety, depression, burnout, ADHD, obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD), trauma-related symptoms/PTSD, and bipolar disorder.

Are you accepting new patients?

Yes, I am accepting new patients. I am typically able to schedule new consultations within 3-4 weeks of inquiry, and sometimes sooner. Please contact me for details regarding current availability and wait time to the soonest available appointment. 

Do you collaborate with other healthcare professionals?

Yes! With your permission, it is my standard practice to collaborate with other professionals who are involved with your care, including psychotherapists and primary care physicians. I am also happy to assist you with referrals to other specialized mental health resources as needed.

Can my family member or partner be involved with my care?

Absolutely. With your permission, I am happy to have your family member or other close support person be part of your care. Although I do not offer family therapy, I will gladly hold family meetings at your request for the purpose of facilitating care coordination, psychoeducation, and support for loved ones who are involved with your care.

What are your fees?

I charge fees for clinical visits that vary based on the type of service rendered. More details regarding fees and out-of-network payment can be found on my Zencare Profile.

Do you accept insurance?

I am an out of network physician and do not participate in any health insurance plans. Payment for services may be made via check or credit/debit card. I will generate an invoice at the conclusion of your visit which you may submit to your insurance carrier for potential reimbursement. Please contact your insurance plan directly to determine your reimbursement eligibility.

What are the benefits of private pay or "out of network" care?

Insurance plans sometimes limit or deny coverage for evidence-based mental health treatments, even when you and your doctor have determined that the treatment is necessary. Because insurance carriers also limit the amount of time doctors are expected to spend with patients for a given service, insurance-based payments place pressure on physicians to see more patients in smaller windows of time.

Paying privately for mental health care protects your confidentiality and prevents insurance companies from interfering with the quality and content of your treatment. Being out of network also means that I am able to maintain a smaller caseload of patients and devote the amount of time to each patient that I believe is necessary to deliver excellent care. Because of this, your appointments will never be rushed, scheduling will be flexible, and I will be directly available to you for questions or concerns that may arise during the course of your treatment.

Do you prescribe controlled substances via telehealth?

In short, no. If you reside in Massachusetts, prescription of a controlled substance requires an evaluation in person at my Boston office. I do not prescribe controlled substances via telehealth to patients who reside in New York. 

Forensics

Forensic Services

As a forensic psychiatrist, I offer consultation services to attorneys and healthcare professionals on matters relevant to mental health, risk, and the law. I am a graduate of the University of Massachusetts Forensic Psychiatry Fellowship Program and am Board Certified in Forensic Psychiatry by the American Board of Psychiatry and Neurology. I have experience with a diverse array of forensic matters in multiple hospital and community settings. To inquire about forensic services, please fill out the contact form on this website and specify "forensic services" in your message.

Criminal Matters

  • Competence To Stand Trial

  • Criminal Responsibility/Insanity Defense

  • Aid in Sentencing/Mitigation

  • Competence to Waive Miranda Rights

  • Violence Risk Assessment

Civil Matters

  • Malpractice

  • Independent Medical Evaluations

  • Psychiatric Injury

  • Fitness for Duty

  • Testamentary Capacity

Select Peer-Reviewed Publications

Burton, B. & Drogin, E. Acquisition and interpretation of digital information in forensic assessments. Harvard Review of Psychiatry. 29(3): 234-239 (2021).

Burton, B. & Saleh, F.M. Psychopathy: Insights for general practice. Psychiatric Times. 37(10): 16-17 (2020).

 

Burton, B., Fagan, P.J., & Saleh, F.M. Perspectives on Sex and Normality. in Sex Offenders: Identification, Risk Assessment, Treatment, and Legal issues (2nd Ed). Oxford University Press. In press (2021).

 

Saleh, F.M., Jackson, A., Burton, B., & Ahmed, A. Assessment and Management of Violent Behavior. in Tasman’s Psychiatry (5th Ed). Springer. In press (2021).

CONTACT

To request a consultation, please fill out the form below and I will respond to your message within 2 business days. Please do not use this form for urgent matters. If you are experiencing an emergency, call 911 or present to the nearest emergency room. Established patients, please contact me via telephone or the patient portal.
 

Thank you for your inquiry. Please allow up to 2 business days for Dr. Burton to return your message.

Contact
Dr. Burton

© 2023 by Barbara Burton MD LLC

bottom of page