Top Depression Clinic in Boston
Break the cycle of depression with Spravato, Transcranial Magnetic Stimulation (TMS, Ketamine Infusion Therapy and more cutting-edge depression treatments.
Treat depression with a new approach
Why Stella Mental Health
Biological Treatments
We focus on effective alternative treatments to conventional solutions like therapy and medication to bring the most transformative relief
Multi-modality Care
We address persisting symptoms of depression across Spravato, TMS, ketamine therapy, DSR SGB and/or integration therapy. Your treatment plan will be designed just for you.
Advanced Protocols
We pair our biological treatments with integration therapies during the short window of healing following treatment to maximize outcome and facilitate transformation and growth.
Covered by Insurance
Our intake assessments, TMS therapy, Spravato treatments and telehealth sessions are covered by most insurances.
Stella accepts insurance
Depending on your location and plan, selected services may be covered by insurance.
Spravato for Depression
Unstuck Negative Thought Patterns with Spravato®
How does Spravato work? Why is it shown more effective when conventional treatment modalities like SSRI or talk therapy won't work? Unlike its traditional alternatives, Spravato treats the root cause of depression symptoms, which happens on the brain's neuron level. Patients of depression often get stuck on negative thought patterns, which represent as certain neuron firing pathways in the brain.
Spravato (Esketamine) is a nasal spray form of ketamine, a chemical that functions as an NMDA receptor neurons antagonist that interacts with brain neurotransmitters. When ketamine is introduced into a patients' body, it works as a catalyst to increase the amount of glutamate between neurons, which excites the underutilized nerve cells and enhances the communication between neurons. As a result, new firing patterns are created and strengthened, making the transformation of thought patterns possible.
TMS for Treatment Resistant Depression
Reawaken Brain Function with TMS Therapy
TMS is an FDA-approved treatment for treatment resistant depression and anxious depression. It uses non-invasive magnetic fields to stimulate nerve cells in the areas of the brain that control and regulate mood. In the brain scan of patients who suffer from major depression disorder, underactivity can often be observed in those areas. By introducing small magnetic pulses to those targeted areas of the brain, TMS can stimulate and "wake up" the dormant synapses, therefore revitalize and strengthen the brain's ability to regulate mood and break away from depressive thought patterns.
Researches on TMS therapy's efficacy for depression can be dated as early as the 1980s. Neurostar's TMS protocol has proven to have an 83% response rate and 62% remission rate after completing the full course.
IV Ketamine for Depression
Create Healthy Thought Patterns with Ketamine Infusion Therapy
Ketamine therapy can provide rapid and transformative relief from depression symptoms when other conventional treatments don't work. Unlike traditional antidepressants (e.g., SSRIs, SNRIs) that primarily affect serotonin, norepinephrine, and dopamine levels, ketamine works by blocking the NMDA receptor in the brain and interacting with brain neurotransmitters. By increasing the levels of glutamate in the brain, ketamine can strengthen neural communication as well as repair the damage caused by cortisol and other stress hormones. As a result, new insights and thought patterns can emerge and replace the negative thought patterns that kept individuals stuck in the cycle of depression.
In an intravenous (IV) infusion, ketamine is delivered directly into the bloodstream through a small needle placed in a vein in your arm. It is considered as the "gold standard" of delivering ketamine due to the easiness to control and adjust the dose based on the patients' history and on-site reactions. Compared to other delivery methods, IV ketamine administers medication in a safer and more precise manner, and can take effect at a predictable time.
Integration Therapy by Stella
Maximize the Treatment Outcome with Integration Therapy
To maximize the therapeutic value of our ketamine and DSR SGB protocols, patients have the option to pair each treatment session with an Integration therapy session as part of our advanced treatment protocols. Integration therapy may be eligible for insurance coverage, depending on your insurance plan.
Patients are scheduled to meet with a Stella mental health provider virtually the day after their Spravato or DSR SGB treatment. The purpose is to give our patients the best opportunity to integrate the effects and insights from the treatment through talk therapy.
About Stella Boston
Located in Brookline, Stella Boston is designed to bring dramatic healing through safe and effective alternative treatments like Spravato (Esketamine) and DSR SGB. Our goal is to create a safe and empowering environment for those looking for relief from symptoms of emotional trauma and mental health challenges like depression, anxiety, PTSI/PTSD, and stress. Throughout your healing journey, our team of medical experts and mental health professionals will provide you with tools and support for your transformation towards a new life.
Address:
Brookline, MA 02446
Hours:
Mon-Fri 8Am - 5PM
Meet Our Team
-
Dr. Brian Boyle, Brookline
Chief Psychiatric Officer of Stella
Brian is the Chief Psychiatrist at Stella, the clinical lead at our Boston location and an attending psychiatrist in the Neurotherapeutics Department at McLean Hospital, where he treated patients with severe mental…
Brian is the Chief Psychiatrist at Stella, the clinical lead at our Boston location and an attending psychiatrist in the Neurotherapeutics Department at McLean Hospital, where he treated patients with severe mental illness using modalities such as ketamine. He completed his adult psychiatry residency training at MGH and McLean Hospitals, serving as Chief Resident of Psychotherapy and the Program in Psychodynamics.
Brian completed a fellowship at the Boston Psychoanalytic Society and Institute (BPSI) and trained in the Mentalization Based Treatment (MBT) clinic at McLean Hospital. Brian is currently the Affiliate Psychiatrist at Two Brattle Center, a multidisciplinary consultation team that treats patients with personality disorders using evidence-based approaches such as dialectical behavioral therapy (DBT). Additionally, he practices family therapy in consultation to the Gunderson program at McLean Hospital.A former finalist in the Harvard Innovation Lab's Dean's Health and Life Sciences Challenge, Brian has a strong interest in working with entrepreneurs and has served as Executive Coach in Residence at Techstars Boston, a premier startup incubator. Having studied systems psychodynamics at BPSI and led interpersonal groups for years, he employs a team-based approach to help founders succeed through insight into group process.
Brian graduated from Yale College with an honors degree in philosophy and earned his MD from Harvard Medical School. -
Dr. Anthony LoMonaco, Beverly
Double Board Certified Medical Doctor
Dr. LoMonaco is double board certified in Anesthesiology and Pain Management. He trained at UNC Chapel Hill Medical Center for Pain Management and has extensive experience treating pain and trauma symptoms with SGB. He…
Dr. LoMonaco is double board certified in Anesthesiology and Pain Management. He trained at UNC Chapel Hill Medical Center for Pain Management and has extensive experience treating pain and trauma symptoms with SGB. He excels in tailoring each treatment to his patients based on their individual needs. Dr. LoMonaco has been successfully treating patients in the greater Boston area for many years and has been providing dual sympathetic reset treatment for Stella patients for the past 2 years. When he isn't helping those with pain or PTSD he enjoys being with his family, boating and playing hockey.
-
Bree-Anna Nicoletti, Brookline
APRN, PMHNP-BC
Bree is a board-certified Nurse Practitioner in psychiatry and mental health (PMHNP-BC). She has clinical experience working with individuals across the lifespan, in both a psychiatric and dual-diagnosis setting. Bree's…
Bree is a board-certified Nurse Practitioner in psychiatry and mental health (PMHNP-BC). She has clinical experience working with individuals across the lifespan, in both a psychiatric and dual-diagnosis setting. Bree's psychiatric experience is centered around providing treatment for a wide range of mental health conditions including but limited to PTSD, depression, anxiety, bipolar disorder, ADHD, and psychotic disorders. Her approach to treatment is patient-centered, providing a collaborative, inclusive, and therapeutic environment.
Bree has completed her Master's in Clinical Psychology at the University of Massachusetts, Bachelor's of Science in Nursing and Master's of Science in Nursing at the Massachusetts General Hospital Institute of Health Professions. Prior to working as a Nurse Practitioner, Bree worked as a psychiatric registered nurse at McLean Hospital within the psychotic disorder division and crisis stabilization team.
Bree is recognized as the 2024 George and Regina Herzlinger Prize in Memory of Rebecca Colvin reward recipient for extensive work on her graduate scholarly research project - Initial Evidence of Feasibility and Impact of a New Mindfulness-Based Intervention for Individuals Recovering from Mild Traumatic Brain Injury: Results from a Mixed Methods Formative Evaluation.
-
Joan Chan, Brookline
Medical Office Administrator
Joan is the Medical Office Administrator at Stella Mental Health Boston clinic. She has been working in the healthcare field since 2018. She has extensive experience working in the clinical setting, including…
Joan is the Medical Office Administrator at Stella Mental Health Boston clinic. She has been working in the healthcare field since 2018. She has extensive experience working in the clinical setting, including pharmacology and handling medical equipment. She holds two degrees, an associate degree in Biology as well as a Bachelor of art in Radiance Science. As she enters a new area in the medical field, she will continue to pursue her education in the mental health care.
She loves connecting with the patients at Stella clinic and making them feel safe and welcoming when receiving treatments. Hearing from the patients that the treatments help them is the most rewarding experience to her and put a smile on her face all the time.
-
Jen Gregory, Telehealth
PMH-NP
Jen is a board-certified psychiatric mental health nurse practitioner with experience in acute inpatient, IOP/PHP, chemical dependency/recovery, and private practice/med management with a special interest in…
Jen is a board-certified psychiatric mental health nurse practitioner with experience in acute inpatient, IOP/PHP, chemical dependency/recovery, and private practice/med management with a special interest in dual-diagnosis and trauma. Jen is passionate about ensuring that mental health be integrated into each person's individualized, holistic care.
Get Started Today
This could be the first step of a life-changing transformation. Stella is here to guide your healing journey. Call Us today to learn about Stella's cutting-edge treatments, or book an intake assessment directly to get started.