Dr. Robert I Lustig, DO, DO

• Psychiatrist
• In-Person and Online (NYS) 
• Ages 18+
• Medication Management, Individual and Group Psychotherapy
• CBT, People Living with HIV
• BIPOC & LGBTQ+ Affirming, Gay Male Identified

I have been a psychiatrist for over twenty-five years, primarily in New York City, which has given me the opportunity to have treated adult patients from across the globe as well across the spectrums of race, class, gender and sexuality that make up the rich tapestry of this global magnet city. I have worked in a wide variety of clinical settings and I have extensive experience in outpatient, inpatient, and recovery focused psychiatry. I have addressed the mental/emotional health needs of persons living with HIV in two specialty care programs and I was a volunteer co-leader of an AIDS therapy support group at GMHC prior to the development of effective treatments for HIV infection.

I am judicious in my recommendations for medication when evaluating new patients and if I think …that nonpharmacologic approaches are likely to be no less effective or perhaps more effective than prescription drugs, I describe what alternatives to medication might be helpful and why. Your questions and your thoughts about therapeutic options are welcomed as are those of your psychotherapist.

If you are not yet working with a therapist, I hope that you’ve had a chance to read (on this website) the personal introductions of the Director of Bryant West and those of all of my other colleagues. I was so impressed with these biographies when I first read them that I knew that I would love to join this practice for the opportunity to work with such a diverse group of clinicians who are proud of their professional expertise and so dedicated to developing empathic and compassionate therapeutic relationships with their clients. Here at Bryant West, we are all on the same team, your team, dedicated to your care.

I completed my residency in psychiatry at Long Island Jewish Medical Center/Albert Einstein College of Medicine and was appointed a chief resident in my senior year of training. I had also taken an elective at the National Institutes of Mental Health in Bethesda, MD to learn about innovations in psychopharmacology while I was a medical student. As much as I enjoy my work with patients, over the course of my lengthy career, I have equally enjoyed teaching psychiatry to medical students and residents of the Albert Einstein College of Medicine of Yeshiva University.

I know that every person I evaluate or treat is unique and I enjoy discovering that uniqueness over time. If you decide that you would like to work with me, do know that I want to get to know you as you wish to be known and we will work collaboratively to help you achieve the therapeutic goals you are seeking.

Bryant West Psychology — A Healing Oasis in Midtown Manhattan (in-person) and throughout New York State (online)

Bryant West Psychology is a full-service, outpatient mental health practice in the heart of New York City.  We provide psychotherapy, medication management and assessment services for adults, children, couples and families. Whether you are struggling with anxiety, depression, relationship conflicts, parenting issues, or complex trauma, among other concerns, we are here to help you break old patterns, learn new skills, gain valuable insight, attend to long ignored feelings and behaviors so as to allow for the emergence of your best self, along with healthier, supportive and nurturing relationships.  Our treatment is personalized and based on humanism and compassion. We integrate contemporary psychoanalytic approaches to treatment with evidence-based best practices. Our clinicians meet regularly in consultation to ensure that you are receiving optimal care,

Our culturally competent staff welcomes members of all communities to our practice.  We strive to create an open, supportive and safe space no matter your race, religion, abilities, background, immigration status, gender expression, or sexuality.

We accept all insurances (except Medicare and Medicaid).  Our Therapy and Psychiatric Services are in network for most Aetna plans, as well as Columbia, NYU, Fordham, and New School Student Health Plans.  Most of our Assessment Services are billed out-of-network.

Our Services

Psychotherapy

We provide individual, couples, family and group psychotherapy depending on your needs.  We can combine psychotherapies to address the complexities of the issues you bring to treatment.  Like all mental health services, Psychotherapy is best done through a warm, trusting and empathic relationship with a professional who is well trained to address your needs.. Psychotherapy can offer insight, new skills and perspectives, validation and support, as well as challenges to entrenched patterns of behavior and internalized messages that may have once been adaptive but may now have become self-defeating and limiting - most importantly psychotherapy primarily relies on a healing relationship to a clinician who hears you, supports you, and encourages you to  take risks and grow into  your best self - one that is more authentic, more fully alive to yourself and others.

Psychiatry

Our psychiatrists are available for medication management as a stand alone service, and they also work collaboratively with our psychotherapists as part of the same team, sharing information and communicating easily to provide the best possible care. This coordinated approach combines psychotherapy and medication to effectively address emotional regulation, symptom relief and neuroplasticity, all contributing to positive change and overall well-being.

Psychological and Neuropsychological Assessment

Testing and Assessment Services are available for infants (2.5 yrs and above), children, adults, and seniors.  By working with you to develop individualized and tailored assessment plans, our experts in assessment services, mostly psychologists, can help you understand both your unique strengths and challenges to better focus care, and help you obtain appropriate services and accommodations on your road to success. Some of the most common assessments we offer include those for ADHD, Autism Spectrum Disorder, academic and learning disabilities, memory, personality assessment and IQ testing.

Money Matters

At Bryant West Psychology, we recognize that money is often deeply entwined with emotional issues around power, control, value and worth, among others. Given that fact, we encourage you to discuss issues of fee, missed appointment charges and the like directly with your therapist. We  are transparent about our fees and we accept all insurances (except Medicare and Medicaid).  Our Psychotherapy and Psychiatric services are in network for most Aetna plans, as well as Columbia, NYU, Fordham, and New School Student Health Plans.  Most of our Assessment Services are billed out-of-network. Whether you have insurance or not, we will work with you to set a fee that meets your financial needs as well as our own. If we are not able to do that we will suggest alternative treatment in the community.