Precision Treatment for Anxiety and Depression Medication in NYC
Under the guidance of Dr. Nigel Kennedy, MBBS, PhD, a Mount Sinai faculty member and board-certified anxiety psychiatrist in NYC, access a sophisticated, evidence-based approach to medication for anxiety and depression. Part of Kennedy Psychiatric's psychiatric treatment practice in Midtown Manhattan.
Medically reviewed by Dr. Nigel Kennedy, MBBS, PhD - Board-Certified Psychiatrist | 15+ Years Experience | Last Updated: April 2026
Your Prescribing Physician: Dr. Nigel Kennedy, MBBS, PhD
- Board-Certified Psychiatrist: American Board of Psychiatry and Neurology (ABPN)
- Assistant Professor of Psychiatry: Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai
- PhD, Neurogenetics: Imperial College London (2005)
- MBBS (Medical Degree): St George's, University of London (2009)
- Psychiatry Residency: Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai (Physician-Scientist Track)
- Chief Resident for Research: Mount Sinai Hospital (2017-2018)
- Board-Certified Specialist: Integrated Psychiatric Treatment and Psychotherapy
- Global Clinical Expertise: Training across the UK's NHS and US academic medicine
- Licensed in New York and California
Dr. Kennedy combines a rigorous research background in molecular biology and neurogenetics with extensive clinical training to every medical decision. This scientific foundation provides a profound understanding of how psychiatric medications interact with neural circuitry at a cellular level, allowing for a highly tailored selection of treatment based on a patient's unique biological profile.
"My background in molecular biology provides an understanding of the brain's architecture that extends far beyond standard clinical training. Having a deeper command of the systems modulated by these medications allows me to move past generalized protocols and effectively tailor treatment to each patient's specific needs."
Why Consult a Physician-Scientist for Medication?
While many patients initiate psychiatric treatment through primary care, complex neurological and psychological conditions often require the precision of a specialist. Dr. Nigel Kennedy, MBBS, PhD, provides a level of diagnostic and prescribing depth that extends beyond general medicine.
Clinical Precision and Depth: A psychiatrist specializes exclusively in the neurochemistry of mental health. Dr. Kennedy's daily experience with FDA-approved protocols allows for a nuanced understanding of medication interactions.
Differential Diagnosis: Many psychiatric conditions can mimic one other so having an accurate diagnosis is essential. Dr. Kennedy's rigorous evaluation process ensures that the medication selected addresses the primary biological driver of the condition, not just the surface symptoms.
Systematic Optimization: Rather than simply increasing a dose or adding multiple prescriptions (polypharmacy), Dr. Kennedy identifies subtle markers of partial effectiveness. He makes systematic adjustments based on clinical insights to achieve maximum efficacy with the lowest necessary dosage.
Advanced Monitoring and Safety: Managing controlled substances, such as stimulants for ADHD, requires sophisticated knowledge of cardiovascular monitoring, metabolic impacts, and long-term physiological safety.
Real-Time Clinical Integration: By providing both medication and psychotherapy, Dr. Kennedy can adjust both modalities in real-time, ensuring your biological and psychological treatments are always in alignment.
Dr. Kennedy frequently consults with patients who feel their current regimen, prescribed elsewhere, is "plateauing," or those who are managing multiple medications and require a specialist's review to optimize their care.
Medication for Anxiety
Generalized Anxiety Disorder is highly responsive to treatment, and medication is often a central part of treatment. Dr. Kennedy evaluates each patient thoroughly before prescribing, because the right medication depends on the type of anxiety, its severity, co-existing conditions, and the patient's individual response.
"Many medications are FDA approved for the treatment of anxiety. However, it is essential to do a detailed and thorough evaluation of each patient to make sure that the medication we prescribe has the highest chance of success, and this will be different for every patient."
The Role of Pharmacogenomics (GeneSight)
Genetic testing is a cornerstone of the precision psychiatry model at Kennedy Psychiatric. By utilizing GeneSight testing, Dr. Kennedy can analyze how your unique genomic markers influence your body's ability to metabolize and respond to various psychiatric medications.
While many providers offer genetic testing, the value lies in the clinical interpretation. Dr. Kennedy's background as a researcher in neurogenetics allows him to look past the "Red/Yellow/Green" categories of a standard report to understand the underlying enzymatic pathways (such as the CYP450 system) affecting your treatment.
- Minimize Side Effects: Identifying if you are a "poor metabolizer" of a specific class, which often leads to toxicity or adverse reactions.
- Overcome Treatment Resistance: Explaining why previous medications "didn't work" because your body processed them too quickly to reach therapeutic levels.
- Precision Selection: Moving closer to the "Right Medication at the Right Dose" from the very first prescription.
"Genetic testing is a limited but valuable compass. By combining GeneSight data with a rigorous clinical evaluation, we can move closer to 'The Right Medication at The Right Dose' from the very first prescription."
Medication for Depression
Depression treatment with medication follows a systematic, evidence-based approach. Dr. Kennedy refers to clinical trial data to guide his decisions and escalates treatment based on each patient's response.
Medication and Therapy Together
The evidence for anxiety and depression consistently shows that combined treatment, medication plus therapy, produces better outcomes than either alone.
Dr. Kennedy is board-certified and can provide CBT or psychodynamic therapy alongside psychiatric treatment. This means adjustments to both happen in real time, in the same appointment, based on how the patient is responding.
By providing both medication and psychotherapy, Dr. Kennedy can adjust both modalities in real-time, ensuring your biological and psychological treatments are always in alignment. This is the core advantage of the integrated care model at Kennedy Psychiatric.
For patients who already have a therapist, Dr. Kennedy provides psychiatric treatment only and coordinates with the therapist so treatment remains aligned.
Cost and Insurance
To maintain a high-continuity, physician-led practice, Kennedy Psychiatric operates on a transparent fee-for-service basis. Patients are billed at the time of each appointment and receive detailed Superbills containing all necessary CPT codes and diagnostic information for out-of-network insurance reimbursement.
Many professional insurance plans provide significant coverage for out-of-network psychiatric care. Many patients recover a meaningful portion of treatment costs through their insurance.
- Priority Onboarding: Most new patients seen within 1-2 business days
- Evening appointments until 9 PM
- Telehealth available for medication follow-ups
- Midtown Manhattan, near Rockefeller Center
Frequently Asked Questions About Anxiety and Depression Medication
Who is qualified to prescribe psychiatric medication?
In New York, psychiatric medications can be prescribed by Psychiatrists (Medical Doctors), Psychiatric Nurse Practitioners, and Primary Care Physicians. However, a board-certified psychiatrist is a medical doctor who specializes exclusively in the brain and mental health. With rigorous training in complex diagnostics and neuropharmacology, a psychiatrist is often the recommended clinical choice for treatment-resistant cases or when previous medication trials have not yielded the desired results.
Can my therapist prescribe medication for depression or anxiety?
No. In New York, therapists, psychologists, and counselors do not have prescribing authority. In New York, psychiatric medications can be prescribed by Psychiatrists (Medical Doctors), Psychiatric Nurse Practitioners, and Primary Care Physicians. Dr. Kennedy offers a unique advantage by providing both sophisticated psychotherapy and expert psychiatric treatment under one roof, ensuring your entire clinical plan is perfectly synchronized.
Who is qualified to prescribe psychiatric medication?
In New York, psychiatric medications can be prescribed by Psychiatrists (Medical Doctors), Psychiatric Nurse Practitioners, and Primary Care Physicians. However, a board-certified psychiatrist is a medical doctor who specializes exclusively in the brain and mental health. With rigorous training in complex diagnostics and neuropharmacology, a psychiatrist is often the recommended clinical choice for treatment-resistant cases or when previous medication trials have not yielded the desired results.
What happens if the initial medication is not effective?
Partial response or initial non-response is a known factor in clinical psychiatry. Dr. Kennedy employs a systematic, data-driven protocol: he evaluates the biological reasons for the plateau, then adjusts the dosage, transitions to a more compatible agent, or introduces a synergistic second medication. Every adjustment is grounded in peer-reviewed clinical trial data rather than intuition.
Request a Priority Medication Evaluation
Speak directly with Dr. Kennedy at (929) 505-0504 to discuss your treatment goals. By managing all initial inquiries personally, Dr. Kennedy provides the highest standard of continuity from your very first contact.
Kennedy Psychiatric
1350 Avenue of the Americas, Suite 252
New York, NY 10019
Monday through Friday, 8 AM to 9 PM
Contact us to request an appointment
Priority Onboarding: 1-2 business days
Evening Hours until 9 PM
This page is for informational purposes only and does not constitute medical advice. Psychiatric medication requires individualized evaluation and prescribing by a qualified healthcare provider. Never start, stop, or change medication without consulting your doctor. If you are experiencing a mental health crisis, call 988 or go to your nearest emergency room.