What patients are saying
Overall rating
4.91
Average wait time
4.86
Bedside manner
4.86
“Dr. Brent is a very compassionate psychiatrist who truly cares for his patients. I was a patient of his for about 3 years before moving out of state. He is professional, thoughtful, and unbiased. I always felt respected and that he valued my input during therapy sessions. I cannot recommend him enough. ”
KLMore than 1 year ago
“I could not feel luckier to have had Dr. Brent as a psychiatrist.
When I first met with Dr. Brent, I was feeling very unsettled; my inner thoughts and feelings felt shaky at the time, and I was generally feeling very low. Dr. Brent's manner was calming, inviting, and sensitive, and he helped me understand my own feelings and thoughts at a time when I was having trouble making sense of them. Thanks to his work with me, my mental health improved both in an immediate way and also in a slow-build. After a year or so of regular meetings, I felt much more in control of my thoughts and feelings, and decided to move on from having appointments -- though, now I miss just going there for casual conversation and comfort, which Dr. Brent always provided!
I am confident Dr. Brent would be able to meet the needs of any patient; his presence alone really put me at ease, and I felt that I could trust him and trust the process of discussing things with him.”
JSMore than 1 year ago
About Dr. Benjamin Brent
Focus areas
Analytical Therapy / Psychoanalysis
Depression
Psychodynamic Therapy
Anxiety
Mood Disorders
Psychosis
Borderline Personality Disorder (BPD)
Psychiatry Consultation
Clientele seen
Young adults (18-24)
Individuals
Adults (25-64)
Seniors (65+)
Treatment approaches
Attachment-based
Psychoanalytic
Eclectic
Psychodynamic
Emotionally Focused
Identity
Gender
MaleLanguages spoken
English
Getting to know Dr. Benjamin Brent
As a clinician trained at New York Medical College (Doctor of Medicine) and Harvard Longwood Psychiatry (Residency in Psychiatry), I bring a psychoanalytically-informed approach to helping people with symptom relief, emotional pain, and interpersonal growth. This involves focusing on the role of emotions in a person's mental life, considering how psychological defenses may complicate achieving greater personal fulfillment, and exploring how the relationship that unfolds between me and the patient may shed light on problematic interpersonal patterns.
For most people, I find that initially, at a minimum, weekly treatment is necessary for a meaningful therapeutic process to develop and resonate in a person's life. In some cases, based on an individual's level of need, complexity of care, life circumstances, and interest, I may recommend more frequent treatment (i.e., two or three sessions weekly). Finally, for some people who have been struggling with chronic interpersonal problems and unresolved emotional distress starting early in life, psychoanalytic treatment may be most effective. Psychoanalysis is an intensive (i.e., 3-4 times per week) form of therapy. A central feature of psychoanalysis is the attempt to bring into a person's consciousness unreflected upon ("unconscious") wishes, feelings, thoughts, and fantasies that may be undermining the achievement of what Freud proposed to be the ultimate goal of therapy—the ability to work and love.
I integrate psychiatric medications in the therapeutic work whenever appropriate to reduce emotional suffering, enhance the capacity for reflection on painful experiences, and facilitate relational understanding.
Importantly, because my work is focused on helping people enhance and develop self-reflection in the service of greater personal fulfillment and functioning, I do not prescribe psychiatric medications for people unless they are also engaged in a psychotherapeutic process with me.
What should a new client know about working with you?
I am a board certified psychiatrist and psychoanalyst. I received my clinical training in psychiatry at the Harvard Longwood Psychiatry Residency Program and I am a graduate of the Boston Psychoanalytic Society and Institute. I am also an accredited practitioner of MBT (mentalization-based treatment) -- an evidence-based psychotherapy approach to help people suffering from borderline personality disorder.
Before turning to full-time private practice, I was a staff psychiatrist at Massachusetts General Hospital and Beth Israel Deaconess Medical Center (Boston, MA), and Assistant Professor in Psychiatry, part-time at Harvard Medical School. I am currently on the faculty of the Advanced Psychotherapy Program at the Boston Psychoanalytic Society and Institute.
My academic background includes training in attachment theory and child psychological development at University College of London (M.S., 1997).
In the early part of my medical career, I focused on studying the brain basis of deficits of self-reflection in people with schizophrenia. I developed a psychotherapy model for addressing self-reflection problems in schizophrenia that adapted the principles and techniques of mentalization-based treatment to help people with psychosis. Overall, I authored, or co-authored 16 papers/book chapters in this area.
What is your typical process for working with clients?
My work involves an integration of psychoanalytically-informed psychotherapy (psychodynamic psychotherapy) and psychiatric medication when needed. Initial sessions offer an opportunity for me and the person seeking care to develop a collaborative approach to the problem that has brought that person to treatment. Working in a psychodynamic framework, I provide space for people to say all that is on their mind in an effort to ultimately make use of insight and self-reflection in order to manage difficult emotional states and to enhance interpersonal functioning.
Dr. Benjamin Brent is not in-network with any insurances
It’s common for mental health providers to be out-of-network. Many insurance plans offer out-of-network coverage, so you may get partially reimbursed. Learn more
Out-of-pocket fees and assistance
Initial session: $350 for 50 minutes
Ongoing session: $350 for 50 minutes
More information on payments and coverage
I am not in network for any insurance plans and so payments are made to me directly. However, although I do not take insurance in my practice, if you have a PPO insurance plan (i.e., out of network benefits), I will provide you with a superbill that you can submit to your insurance company. This will allow you to receive some degree of reimbursement (usually in the range of 50%-80%) from your insurance provider once your have cleared your deductible.
Office location
Dr. Benjamin Brent, MD also offers online video visits for patients
Education and background
Practice names
Board certifications
- American Board of Psychiatry and Neurology
Education and training
- Medical School - New York Medical College, Doctor of Medicine
- Harvard Longwood Psychiatry, Residency in Psychiatry
Professional memberships
- American Psychiatric Association
Awards and publications
- Brent BK, Fonagy P. A Mentalization-Based Treatment Approach to Disturbances of Social Understanding in Schizophrenia. In: Lysaker PH, Dimaggio G (Eds.) Social Cognition and Metacognition in Schizophrenia: Psychopathology and Treatment Approaches. Oxford, United Kingdom: Elsevier Press; 2014; pp: 245-260.
- Brent BK, Debbané M, Fonagy P. Neurobiology of Attachment and Schizophrenia Risk – A Theoretical Integration. In Berry K, Danquah A (Eds.) Attachment and Psychosis – Current Perspectives and Future Directions. Oxon, United Kingdom: Taylor & Francis; 2019 pp: 106-116.
- Debbané M, Salaminios G, Badoud D, Luyten P, Badoud D, Marmando M, Solida Tozzi A, Fonagy P, Brent B. Attachment, neurobiology, and mentalization along the psychosis continuum. Frontiers in Human Neuroscience 2016 Aug 22; 10: 406-428.
NPI number
1336212281
Patient reviews
All reviews have been submitted by patients after interacting with the practice.
Overall rating
4.91
Wait time
4.86
Bedside manner
4.86
Your trust is our top concern, so providers can't pay to alter or remove reviews. We also don't publish reviews that contain any private patient health information. Learn more here
11 reviews
Most relevant
Dr. Brent is an amazing doctor and person. I would highly recommend.
Less than 1 year agoJS
It was amazing session ! I will be back !
October 3, 2024Tetiana B.Verified patient
Dr. Brent is a very compassionate psychiatrist who truly cares for his patients. I was a patient of his for about 3 years before moving out of state. He is professional, thoughtful, and unbiased. I always felt respected and that he valued my input during therapy sessions. I cannot recommend him enough.
More than 1 year agoKL
I could not feel luckier to have had Dr. Brent as a psychiatrist.
When I first met with Dr. Brent, I was feeling very unsettled; my inner thoughts and feelings felt shaky at the time, and I was generally feeling very low. Dr. Brent's manner was calming, inviting, and sensitive, and he helped me understand my own feelings and thoughts at a time when I was having trouble making sense of them. Thanks to his work with me, my mental health improved both in an immediate way and also in a slow-build. After a year or so of regular meetings, I felt much more in control of my thoughts and feelings, and decided to move on from having appointments -- though, now I miss just going there for casual conversation and comfort, which Dr. Brent always provided!
I am confident Dr. Brent would be able to meet the needs of any patient; his presence alone really put me at ease, and I felt that I could trust him and trust the process of discussing things with him.
More than 1 year agoJS
I saw Dr. Brent once a month for an hour for 5+ years. I cannot express enough gratitude for the exceptional care and support I received from him. He provided me with the tools and insights I needed to navigate my mental health challenges, and I have seen a significant improvement in my well-being because of our work together.
I am forever grateful for the positive changes I’ve experienced working with Dr. Brent.
More than 1 year agoBB
May 2, 2025Thomas C.Verified patient
November 19, 2024Dustin W.Verified patientVideo visit
October 4, 2024Hannah S.Verified patient
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How soon can I make an appointment with Dr. Benjamin Brent?
Generally, Dr. Benjamin Brent has appointments available on Zocdoc within 1 week. You can see Dr. Brent's earliest availability on Zocdoc and make an appointment online.
Is Dr. Benjamin Brent accepting new patients?
Dr. Benjamin Brent generally accepts new patients on Zocdoc. You can see Dr. Brent's earliest availability on Zocdoc and schedule an appointment online.
Does Dr. Benjamin Brent accept my insurance?
Choose your insurance plan to verify if Dr. Brent is in-network.
Can I make an appointment with Dr. Benjamin Brent online?
Yes, you can make an appointment online with Dr. Brent using Zocdoc. It’s simple, secure, and free.
What practice does Dr. Benjamin Brent work with?
Dr. Benjamin Brent works with Benjamin Brent, MD.
Where is Dr. Benjamin Brent's office located?
Dr. Benjamin Brent has 7 office locations, including in Lincoln, Spillertown, Basto, Markleeville, Hartstown, and Mt Chase, view full addresses on Dr. Brent's profile.
Which board certifications does Dr. Benjamin Brent have?
Dr. Benjamin Brent is certified by American Board of Psychiatry and Neurology.
What are common reasons for patients to see Dr. Benjamin Brent?
Dr. Benjamin Brent frequently sees patients for Depression, New Patient Visit, Psychiatry Consultation, Psychotherapy, and Psychotherapy Intake / Initial Visit. You can see other visit reasons for Dr. Benjamin Brent on their profile.
What languages does Dr. Benjamin Brent speak?
Dr. Benjamin Brent speaks English.
How do patients rate Dr. Benjamin Brent in reviews?
11 patients have reviewed Dr. Benjamin Brent. The overall rating for this doctor is 4.91/5. They have a 4.86/5 rating for bedside manner and a 4.86/5 rating for wait time. You can read individual reviews and ratings on their profile.