Dr. Nigel Kennedy, MBBS, PhD
ABPN Board-Certified Psychiatrist | Assistant Professor in Psychiatry | Midtown Manhattan
A Physician-Scientist's Perspective: From Neurosurgery to Precision Psychiatry
Dr. Nigel Kennedy, MBBS, PhD, is among the best psychiatrists in NYC, bringing a career defined by understanding the brain's complex architecture to his private practice in Midtown Manhattan. His clinical approach draws on extensive training across neuroscience, surgery, and psychiatry, with licensure in both New York and California.
Dr. Kennedy's career began in the laboratory, where he earned a PhD in Neurogenetics from Imperial College London in 2005. Funded by the UK Medical Research Council, his doctoral research investigated genetic variants underpinning schizophrenia, developing a foundational expertise in evidence-based medicine.
Transitioning from molecular research to the front lines of medicine, Dr. Kennedy earned his medical degree, a joint honors Bachelor of Medicine and Bachelor of Surgery (MBBS) from St George's, University of London. He subsequently completed Foundation Training and specialized in Neurosurgery within the UK's National Health Service (NHS), diagnosing and treating high-acuity conditions of the brain and spine.
This trajectory, from genetic mapping to surgical intervention, eventually led him to New York to focus on the psychological and biological intersections of mental health. He completed his psychiatry residency on the Physician-Scientist track at the Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai, where he served as Chief Resident for Research. During his tenure at Mount Sinai, he led investigations into advanced brain stimulation techniques while refining his role as a clinician and educator. Post-residency, Dr. Kennedy completed a psychoanalytic fellowship at the New York Psychoanalytic Society and Institute (NYPSI).
"My career has been a systematic path to understand the brain across three distinct dimensions: as a scientist decoding DNA, as a surgeon treating life-threatening pathology, and now as a psychiatrist optimizing mental health and executive resilience."
Today, Dr. Kennedy leads Kennedy Psychiatric in Midtown Manhattan. Here, he synthesizes his scientific rigor and surgical precision to provide a superior standard of care for professionals navigating ADHD, executive burnout, insomnia, depression, anxiety, and PTSD.
Academic Leadership and Faculty Appointments
Dr. Kennedy's clinical work is deeply informed by his active role in academic medicine and the training of the next generation of mental health specialists. He currently holds an active faculty appointment as Assistant Professor of Psychiatry at the Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai.
His commitment to education spans both the Columbia University Vagelos College of Physicians and Surgeons, where he taught medical students and supervised clinical clerkships, and Mount Sinai, where he has been deeply involved in the rigorous training of psychiatry residents and medical students.
Dr. Kennedy has practiced as an Attending Psychiatrist at Rockland Psychiatric Center (New York State Office of Mental Health) and served as an Instructor in the Department of Psychiatry at Columbia University. He also served as Unit Chief at The Mount Sinai Hospital in New York City. He continues to serve as an Editor for the British Journal of Psychiatry International.
"Academia is at the core of my practice. My goal is to translate complex science into clear, actionable clinical insight. It is a privilege to help my patients understand the 'why' behind their treatment."
Education and Board Certification
PhD, Neurogenetics (2005)
Imperial College London
MBBS (Medical Degree) (2009)
St George's, University of London
Foundation Training
National Health Service, UK
Neurosurgery Specialist Training
NHS, UK
Psychiatry Residency (Physician-Scientist Track) (2014-2018)
Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai
Chief Resident for Research (2017-2018)
Mount Sinai Hospital
Psychoanalytic Fellowship
New York Psychoanalytic Society and Institute (NYPSI)
Board Certification: American Board of Psychiatry and Neurology (ABPN)
Licensed: New York, California
Dr. Kennedy's Published Research
Dr. Kennedy's research spans neurogenetics, brain stimulation, and neurosurgical approaches to psychiatric illness. His published work includes:
1. "Neurosurgical Interventions for Psychiatric Illness" (2023)
BJPsych Advances
European Psychiatry
3. "Deep Brain Stimulation for Intractable Obsessive Compulsive Disorder" (2017)
Oxford University Press (book chapter)
4. "Non-Psychopharmacological Somatic Treatments" (2016)
Mount Sinai Expert Guides: Psychiatry, Wiley and Sons
"Having a deeper understanding of the systems in the brain that are modulated by medications allows me to more effectively match treatment to my patients' needs. As a scientist, I was trained to think in a critical and analytical way, to question the evidence, and to justify my theories using the highest quality scientific evidence."
Dr. Kennedy's Teaching and Faculty Appointments
Dr. Kennedy holds an active faculty appointment as Assistant Professor of Psychiatry at the Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai. He previously served as Instructor in Psychiatry at Columbia University's Vagelos College of Medicine and conducted research at the Nathan Kline Institute.
Teaching remains central to his practice. During residency, he organized training sessions for fellow residents and developed his ability to explain complex psychiatric topics in clear, accessible language. That skill translates directly into his clinical work: "Many of my patients have a natural curiosity for understanding their conditions and diagnoses. It is a privilege to be able to draw on that skill and explain how certain diagnoses differ from others, or how medications may benefit them based on the evidence and the research on the mechanisms that we believe underpin some of the conditions we treat."
He works closely with psychotherapists in private practice and provides mentorship to early-career clinicians, working alongside other physicians and psychologists to develop his practice across multiple modalities.
Dr. Kennedy's Treatment Philosophy
In the traditional mental health model, treatment is often fragmented between a prescribing physician and a separate therapist. Dr. Nigel Kennedy, MBBS, PhD, offers a more cohesive and efficient alternative: Integrated Care, where psychiatric treatment and psychotherapy are coordinated by a single physician-scientist.
Following a thorough initial evaluation, typically 60 to 90 minutes, Dr. Kennedy collaborates with each patient to determine if medication, psychotherapy, or a dual-modality approach is the most effective path forward.
"I practice evidence-based medicine. If an evaluation indicates a condition is best treated with medication, I recommend the single most effective option matched to the patient's biological profile. However, the evidence is clear: for conditions like generalized anxiety or major depression, the strongest outcomes are achieved when medication is integrated with high-quality individual therapy."
A Multimodal Therapeutic Approach
Dr. Kennedy is trained across a diverse range of therapeutic modalities, including cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT), psychodynamic therapy, gestalt therapy, and psychoanalytic approaches. For patients requiring more intensive therapy, Dr. Kennedy can connect you with a trusted specialist while continuing to manage your overall care.
A Results-Oriented Philosophy
The goal of the practice is clinical resolution, not indefinite treatment.
"I am a firm believer in the 'treatment to discharge' model. From day one, our objective is to implement a plan that is so effective it allows the patient to complete their course of care and move on with their life. While I remain a long-term resource for my patients, the measure of our success is your return to high-level functioning without the need for ongoing intervention."
Priority Onboarding: Scheduling Your Consultation
At Kennedy Psychiatric, the patient relationship begins with a direct clinical partnership. Dr. Kennedy personally communicates with every prospective patient before an initial appointment is scheduled. This complimentary screening call allows him to understand your specific clinical needs, explain the practice's integrated model, and determine if Kennedy Psychiatric is the right fit for your goals.
A Commitment to Proper Placement
If a higher level of acuity or more intensive treatment is required, Dr. Kennedy provides expert recommendations and referrals. For those who would benefit from specialized therapy as a primary intervention, he facilitates connections with trusted colleagues. For patients requiring in-network insurance providers, he maintains active referral relationships with established insurance-based practices.
Built for the Executive Schedule
We recognize that timing is critical. Most new patients are onboarded and scheduled within 1-2 business days of their initial inquiry.
Executive Hours: Evening sessions available until 9:00 PM.
Hybrid Care: A seamless model of in-person sessions in Midtown Manhattan and secure telehealth across New York and California.
Investment and Insurance Reimbursement: A Transparent Model
To maintain the highest standards of privacy, unhurried clinical time, and a direct physician-patient partnership, Kennedy Psychiatric operates on a fee-for-service basis. This model allows for absolute transparency. Patients are billed at the time of their appointment, eliminating the surprise of delayed co-insurance fees or third-party administrative interference.
Maximizing Your Out-of-Network Benefits
Many professional insurance plans provide significant coverage for out-of-network psychiatric care. To assist with this, the practice provides detailed Superbills containing all necessary clinical information and CPT codes required by insurance carriers for direct reimbursement.
"Many of my patients find that a substantial portion of their treatment is covered through their out-of-network benefits. By providing comprehensive documentation, we help patients navigate their coverage so they can focus on their recovery rather than the paperwork."
Predictable Costs, Superior Care
- No Hidden Fees: You know the exact cost of every session before you arrive.
- Direct Advocacy: We coordinate with your primary care team for seamless continuity of care.
- Efficiency: For many, the out-of-pocket cost after reimbursement is comparable to in-network care.
Dr. Kennedy's Professional Memberships
- American Psychiatric Association
- New York Psychoanalytic Society and Institute (NYPSI)
- Editor, British Journal of Psychiatry International
Request a Priority Consultation
Call (929) 505-0504 to speak with Dr. Kennedy directly. He personally manages every initial inquiry, and most new patients are scheduled within 1-2 business days. Email: appointments@kennedypsychiatric.com | Kennedy Psychiatric, 1350 Avenue of the Americas, Suite 252, New York, NY 10019 | Monday through Friday, 8 AM to 9 PM | Priority Onboarding | Evening Hours Available
Complimentary consultation call. No commitment required.
If you are in crisis, please call 988 Suicide and Crisis Lifeline or go to your nearest emergency room.