About the Consortium

The Women's Mental Health Consortium (WMHC) is an association of mental health professionals in the greater New York City area who treat, study and teach about the emotional and psychological issues affecting women throughout their lives. The first resource of its kind nationwide, the WMHC brings together different specialists to help women access the best mental health care available.

The WMHC was founded by Catherine Birndorf, MD. Dr. Birndorf is a reproductive psychiatrist who trained at Weill Cornell Medical College, and who was invited to return to Weill Cornell to start a women's mental health program.

She began the task by reaching out to doctors and practitioners in the region who specialize in women's issues. But she quickly found that many of these experts practiced in isolation, unaware of colleagues nearby who treat patients with similar concerns. So in November of 2002, over fifty mental health professionals decided to join forces in order learn from each other, educate other doctors about women's mental health needs, and better serve their patients.

Today, the WMHC is over 200 members strong – and growing. WMHC practitioners help patients address general goals of emotional wellness, and also provide care for specific concerns including infant psychiatry, pregnancy and psychiatric medication, sexual dysfunction, eating disorders, gender-related conflicts, and many other issues.

The WMHC also connects women to the many clinical research studies going on at hospitals and treatment centers in the New York City area. Participating in clinical research can allow women to take advantage of in-depth evaluation and experimental treatments, while helping researchers to deepen their knowledge about specific areas in women's mental health.

For information about joining Women's Mental Health Consortium, please contact our membership chair, Roxanne Wolanczyk, LCSW