The Pavilion

The Pavilion is the premier destination for adults requiring comprehensive psychiatric consultation, assessment, and treatment. Call us today to speak to our admission staff.

With the goal of clarifying diagnosis and offering effective treatment recommendations, we opened our doors in 1999 as the first residential treatment center in the country to offer an intensive two-week program designed to provide unparalleled diagnostic evaluation with an emphasis on evidence-based care, discretion, flexibility, and confidentiality.

People come to The Pavilion from across the country and all over the world for our expert diagnostic assessment and personalized treatment.

As our program is self-pay, we do not accept insurance or assist with insurance reimbursement efforts. We accept adults over the age of 18, however, we may make exceptions for some individuals who are younger.

For more information or to make a referral, please contact 617.855.3694.

The Pavilion is ideal for individuals who:

  • Have a history of persistent treatment-resistant psychiatric conditions
  • Have not been able to receive an accurate diagnosis of their illness
  • Are struggling with a broad range of disorders including difficulties with mood instability (depression, anxiety, or both), psychotic symptoms, cognitive impairment, self-destructive or self-injurious behavior, and dual diagnoses, especially substance use
  • Are seeking an individualized, in-depth, and multidisciplinary approach to finding an accurate diagnosis and treatment plan

Our extensive and wide-ranging diagnostic approach allows our clinicians to tailor the most appropriate treatment plan for the individual for continued care either at McLean or with treatment providers closer to home.

We help hundreds of people each year gain a thorough understanding of their illness and implement effective strategies for treatment.

Watch Now

The Pavilion is a leader in mental health assessment and care and specializes in hard-to-treat cases. Watch this video to learn more.

As part of McLean’s Division of Depression and Anxiety Disorders, we draw on diagnostic and treatment resources from multiple disciplines throughout our division and the hospital, as well as from our Mass General Brigham affiliates Massachusetts General Hospital and Brigham and Women’s Hospital.

This wide array of expertise allows us to identify not only psychiatric disorders but also co-occurring medical and neurological problems, which can often complicate achieving a clear diagnosis and designing effective treatment plans.

Our dedicated treatment team includes senior-level clinicians, with each patient’s administrative psychiatrist overseeing treatment and managing medications.

Other team members include attending psychiatrists (providing daily psychotherapy), psychologists with expertise in behavioral and psychologically-based therapies, and senior psychologists and clinical social workers who provide case management, family meetings, and coordination of an aftercare plan.

The Pavilion offers a private, peaceful setting in which patients can focus on their treatment and overall health and well-being.

Located on McLean’s Belmont campus in the Wyman Building, our home-like residences include spacious private bedrooms and baths, specially prepared meals, and other quality amenities to help make the stay as comfortable as possible. Individuals also benefit from 24-hour staff support and consultations from various programs and services at McLean.

Treatment Approach

The Pavilion’s comprehensive multidisciplinary approach to care is composed of expert psychiatric, medical, and neurological assessments, which allow for diagnostic clarity and treatment of complex symptoms.

Alongside evaluation, the program offers individual therapy, group therapy targeted at education and support, nutritional consultations, medication management, and other therapeutic activities such as personal training and yoga.

Upon admission, patients begin the program with a series of meetings and testing including psychiatric, neuropsychiatric, and neurologic evaluation, medical and imaging assessment, an overnight sleep study, and psychological and neuropsychological testing.

We also provide specialty consultations in a range of areas—substance misuse, impulse control disorders, trauma and post-traumatic stress, geriatrics, neurotherapeutics (ECT, TMS, and ketamine infusions), and forensic evaluation.

Our commitment to examining the biological as well as the emotional components of an illness ensures that the clinical team explores every avenue in searching for effective solutions. Both the diagnosis and treatment plan consider a person’s previous medical and neurological history.

The Pavilion utilizes consultation services throughout McLean as well as at other Mass General Brigham affiliates.

Elizabeth’s Story

Watch Now: Patients like Elizabeth benefit from The Pavilion’s comprehensive approach to diagnosis and treatment. Learn more about Elizabeth’s journey to recovery in this video.

Once all evaluations are complete, the individual’s care team puts together a clinical summary outlining diagnostic results and therapeutic recommendations. Determinations made by our clinicians during the first few days of evaluations inform the creation of the patient’s care plan and subsequent treatment program.

For example, if there’s a history of trauma or co-occurring substance use, we will involve experts from each of these areas in the overall treatment strategy.

Treatment begins upon admission, including medication management, behavior therapy, individual therapy, family meetings, 24-hour nursing care, and group therapy as prescribed. When appropriate, neurotherapeutics (ECT/TMS and ketamine infusions) are initiated as soon as possible for the management of treatment-resistant depression.

Group therapy is an important component of the program. Assignment to specific groups is managed by each patient’s behavioral therapist. Most groups are focused on building skills and utilize scientifically proven treatment models, such as dialectical behavior therapy (DBT), cognitive behavior therapy (CBT), and mentalization-based treatment (MBT).

Group therapies are effective in helping individuals acquire and develop coping skills for managing stress and anxiety.

CBT helps individuals connect thoughts with actions, while DBT emphasizes the development of four skill sets: mindfulness, interpersonal effectiveness, emotion regulation, and distress tolerance. MBT helps people to differentiate and separate their own thoughts and feelings from those around them.

“The Pavilion provided privacy, a lovely, caring environment, and top-notch clinicians. It was there that I found the help and comfort I needed. They got me back on track—and even though it’s a different track than I was on before, I am heading toward a much better place.”– Former patient

Family therapy is an integral part of assessment and treatment. Understanding family dynamics and providing support for learning more effective communication skills can be a key factor to successful treatment and sustained recovery. Family is included in treatment as appropriate and with the permission of the patient.

Special attention is given to stress management, fitness, and nutrition. This includes personal training and yoga, access to an on-campus fitness center or nearby sports club, and meetings with a nutritionist to learn how to make healthy diet modifications to improve mental and physical health.

Recommendations for aftercare treatment are highly individualized, based on clinical issues, resources, motivation for additional treatment, and geographic considerations.

Each individual’s aftercare plan is a collaborative effort between the clinical team and the patient and family. We strive to create the optimal plan for continued recovery and stabilization.

On a case by case basis and if clinically indicated, extended stay at The Pavilion is available upon completion of the diagnostic/assessment phase.

Journey to Independence and Recovery

Rocking chair on porch

Karen was treated at The Pavilion, where she learned to manage her depression and return to her life. Read about Karen’s story in her own words.

Rocking chair on porch

Admission

The Pavilion’s two week program provides comprehensive diagnosis and evaluation for adults who have a history of resistance to treatment or have not been able to receive an accurate diagnosis of their illness.

Individuals who come into our program are not limited to any one diagnostic group. They may be struggling with a broad range of disorders including difficulties with mood instability (depression, anxiety, or both), psychotic symptoms, cognitive impairment, self-destructive or self-injurious behavior, and dual diagnoses, especially substance use.

People come to The Pavilion from across the country and all over the world for an individualized, in-depth, and multidisciplinary approach to finding an accurate diagnosis and appropriate plan for treatment.

We can help arrange admission from most domestic or international locations and can coordinate airport limousine transportation and assistance with off-campus accommodations, if needed.

To make a referral or to obtain more information about our unique program, please contact Rebecca Schulman, MSW, LICSW, director of admissions:

Phone: 617.855.3694
Email: @email

We work with individuals, their families, and referring clinicians to determine if our program is an appropriate option. We do a preliminary screening over the phone and gather as much pertinent information as possible.

Cost

The current rate for The Pavilion is $62,300, all-inclusive, for a 14-day stay. As a self-pay program, The Pavilion does not accept insurance or directly assist with insurance reimbursement.

For more information on what is included in The Pavilion day rate, please see below.

International Referrals

McLean Hospital offers a customized service that guides international clientele through the hospital’s premier programs, beginning with a confidential and comprehensive evaluation at The Pavilion and continuing through specialized treatment as needed—all with careful consideration of cultural and family issues.

The Middle East Center for Culturally Informed Care, which is a component of The Pavilion, offers comprehensive assessment and treatment planning for a broad range of psychiatric disorders.

Led by Rima Saad, PhD, assessment and intervention are adapted to incorporate issues that are recurrent for Middle Eastern clientele. Family involvement is a priority in our comprehensive evaluation and treatment. We incorporate the family’s perspective into our understanding of an individual’s difficulties.

Recognizing that family name and reputation are a source of honor and pride, we also help families come together to manage the shame that comes with mental illness and problematic behaviors.

The problem of ‘not fitting in’ with the expectations of family and society is central in Middle Eastern culture. The inability to do so creates painful dilemmas for the individual and family. We work with all members of the family to address these issues.

Additionally, we address discrimination and the painful prejudices that impact our clientele’s quality of life.

Our services have been uniquely created for the most discerning Middle Eastern clientele. We have Arabic-speaking clinicians on staff.

While we recognize that many of our Middle Eastern clientele are proficient in English, we understand that some nuances of meaning and culture can only be understood in Arabic. Staff are also trained in a number of Arabic dialects (Levantine, Gulf), typically eliminating the need for a translator.

We have a proven track record and impeccable reputation for working with patients and their families from the Middle East, including those from Kuwait, Saudi Arabia, Bahrain, United Arab Emirates, Lebanon, Jordan, Egypt, and Libya.

Privacy is paramount. We use the utmost discretion to protect your family name and reputation.

Although this service is specific to Middle Eastern clientele, we work with many individuals from around the world and in fact, see referrals from six out of the seven continents. As such, we tailor our services to meet the needs of each of our international patients and families.

If you would like more information, please call 617.855.3694 or email [email protected].

Treatment Team

Program Leadership

Mark Robart, LICSW

Mark Robart, LICSW, Director

Mr. Robart began his career at McLean Hospital in 1977 and presently serves as McLean’s senior director of Residential Services. In this capacity he oversees an array of short- and long-term treatment programs that serve adults and adolescents struggling with mood and psychotic disorders, complex personality disorders, eating disorders, and substance use disorders. As a clinician, Mr. Robart is much sought after for his expertise in working with challenging couples and families.

Alexander Vuckovic, MD

Alexander Vuckovic, MD, Medical Director

Since 1999, Dr. Vuckovic has been medical director of The Pavilion, where he has overseen the care of more than 1,500 patients. He has spent his entire career immersed in the diagnosis, clinical care, and management of major psychiatric conditions and has published extensively, including on the topic of medicinal treatment of depressive illness and psychotic disorders. Dr. Vuckovic is an assistant professor of psychiatry, part-time, at Harvard Medical School.

Mariola Magovcevic, PhD

Mariola Magovcevic, PhD, Director of Behavioral Services

Dr. Magovcevic has experience working with a variety of different diagnostic issues including borderline personality disorder, mood disorders, anxiety disorders, and eating disorders. Her primary orientation to treatment is cognitive behavior therapy and she has also been trained in dialectical behavior therapy and acceptance and commitment therapy. She has authored numerous papers and presentations. Dr. Magovcevic is an instructor in psychiatry, part-time, at Harvard Medical School.

Rima Saad, PhD

Rima Saad, PhD, Director of Group Therapy Services

Dr. Saad provides expert consultation in cognitive behavior therapy and dialectical behavior therapy at The Pavilion. She has worked with patients with complex clinical presentations for over a decade and specializes in treating mood disorders, personality disorders, substance use problems, and anxiety disorders. Dr. Saad is also the director of the Middle East Center for Culturally Informed Care, a component of The Pavilion that guides international clientele through the McLean’s premier programs.

Photo of Dr. Amy Gagliardi

Amy Gagliardi, MD, Associate Medical Director

Dr. Gagliardi is an assistant professor of psychiatry at Harvard Medical School and has been immersed in clinical care of patients with major psychiatric illnesses for more than ten years. She has extensive experience in the diagnosis and treatment of trauma-related disorders, including advanced training in dialectical behavior therapy, and is devoted to the teaching and supervision of medical students and psychiatric residents.

Robert J. Fenster, MD, PhD

Robert J. Fenster, MD, PhD, Assistant Medical Director

Dr. Fenster is an instructor in psychiatry at Harvard Medical School. He is also a research fellow in McLean’s Neurobiology of Fear Laboratory under the mentorship of Dr. Kerry Ressler. His research interests involve utilizing single-cell and cell-type specific molecular profiling techniques to investigate prefrontal cortical neurocircuits involved in stress and fear extinction.

Staff and Associates

The staff at The Pavilion is dedicated to upholding McLean’s mission to improve the lives of patients and families affected by mental illness by providing high-quality, compassionate care and support.

Our expert team of psychiatrists, psychologists, clinical social workers, nurses, specialty therapists, and community residence counselors have experience working with individuals from diverse cultural and socioeconomic backgrounds from across the country and around the globe.

Accommodations

The Pavilion, located on McLean’s historic main campus, offers patients a peaceful treatment setting. Our comfortable environment, attractive decor, and range of high-quality amenities are designed to help individuals focus on treatment as well as their overall health and well-being.

Our 12-bed program provides private and comfortable bedrooms and bathrooms. Other amenities—such as a flat-screen TV and wireless internet access in bedrooms—help individuals feel at home. We offer access to a nearby state of the art sports club, an on-campus fitness center, and a Pavilion-based fitness trainer who helps patients work on overall wellness and health goals.

In Memoriam

The Pavilion is located on McLean’s historic Belmont campus

Our staff chefs prepare individual meals for each patient. While the hospital is situated on its own private grounds, we are only a few miles away from Boston-area attractions and resources.

We incorporate holistic practices to help each individual achieve a sense of better health and balance. While each day is filled with appointments and group therapy, patients have ample time to relax, work out, and reflect in the privacy of their room or other quiet areas.

Frequently Asked Questions

Where is The Pavilion located?

The program is located on the Belmont campus, in the Wyman Building. For more information on directions, parking, and local accommodations, please visit our Maps & Directions page.

Who benefits most from The Pavilion?

Our residential program focuses on treating adults, ages 18 and older, who are experiencing significant difficulties with symptoms of mood instability (unipolar depression, bipolar disorder or anxiety), psychotic symptoms, cognitive impairment, co-occurring substance use, and self-destructive or self-injurious behavior, such that their ability to function is significantly compromised; who are unsure of their diagnosis, or with symptoms that are treatment resistant; and are seeking a comprehensive psychiatric, neurological, and medical evaluation of their condition along with recommendations for treatment.

Is family involved in treatment?

Family involvement is integral to the clinical mission of The Pavilion and while exceptions are made on a case by case basis, families should expect to be actively involved.

Is smoking permitted?

Smoking is allowed in designated outdoor areas only. No smoking is allowed inside any of our buildings.

When are visiting hours?

Visitors are permitted, following program policies. Visiting hours are 2-8pm, seven days a week.

Please speak to the patient’s treatment team for more information. Additional details can be found on the Visitors page.

Are cell phones allowed?

Individuals are allowed to use their cell phones, with some guidelines to prevent disruption of the program and other patients.

Is the patient’s stay at the program kept private?

Privacy is of the utmost importance to The Pavilion and we ensure confidentiality through our highly trained, professional, and discreet staff. No third party, whether known to the individual or not, has access to medical records, health information, or any information about a patient’s stay without prior, written authorization from the patient.

Are support and educational resources available?

From helpful online resources to self-help groups and more, McLean Hospital is committed to providing support and mental health education to aid patients and families on the path to recovery.

Is aftercare planning a part of the program?

The treatment team works closely with the individual as well as with family, significant friends, and outside providers to develop a personalized aftercare plan. Recommendations by staff are made based upon clinical needs, progress made during treatment, and long-term treatment goals.

Can former patients access their medical records?

All requests for medical records should be directed to McLean’s Health Information Management Department.

Are support groups offered?

To complement our programs’ services and encourage individuals’ initiatives in their own treatment course, many self-help groups are hosted by McLean.

Does McLean gather patient feedback?

McLean is dedicated to maintaining high-quality and effective patient care. To ensure that those standards remain at the highest level, we utilize a number of feedback instruments and quality indicators.

Among these tools are the Perceptions of Care survey, which monitors patient satisfaction, and BASIS-24™, a psychiatric outcomes measurement tool created at McLean and widely used in the U.S. and around the world, which delivers feedback on the patient care experience.

What is included in The Pavilion day rate?

Clinical services such as:

  • Psychotherapy, cognitive behavior therapy, dialectical behavior therapy
  • Family therapy
  • Group therapy
  • Medication evaluation and management
  • Medications
  • Internal medicine, complete physical and history
  • Neurology evaluation, psychological and neuropsychological testing
  • Lab studies, neuroimaging
  • Sleep study
  • CPAP (continuous positive airway pressure)
  • Nutritional consultation
  • Nursing care, case management
  • Aftercare planning

Ancillary clinical services (as clinically indicated):

  • ECT (electroconvulsive therapy), TMS (transcranial magnetic stimulation), ketamine infusions
  • Specialty psychiatric consultations including trauma/PTSD, substance use, eating disorders, social pragmatics, geriatric, ADHD, personality disorders, body dysmorphic disorder, forensic, etc.
  • Additional lab studies, genetic testing, specialty imaging
  • Specialty medical consultations
  • Physical/occupational therapy
  • Vocational testing

Non-clinical services:

  • Private room
  • Meals, snacks, beverages
  • Offsite fitness center
  • Fitness/lifestyle consultation and activities
  • Limousine service to scheduled appointments
  • Yoga

What is not included in the day rate?

Clinical services including:

  • Specialty medical consultations including audiology, cardiology, dermatology, endocrinology, hematology, infectious disease, obstetrics, ophthalmology, orthopedics, physiatry, podiatry, pulmonology, ENT (ear-nose-throat), gynecology, urology, etc.
  • Dental services
  • Special duty nursing

Non-clinical services:

  • Therapeutic massage
  • Spa services (hair, nails, facial, etc.)

McLean Is Here to Help

Let us help you or a loved one. Call us today to talk about treatment at The Pavilion.

617.855.3694