About the Program
The BMED Program
The Behavioral Medicine Program at Massachusetts General Hospital provides specialized care at the intersection of psychology and health for patients impacted by both medical and psychiatric conditions through clinical work, professional training, and research.
Since the program's founding by Steven A. Safren, PhD in 2004, the treatment programs and research conducted by the Behavioral Medicine Program have emphasized the use of validated, state-of-the art treatment interventions based on the latest research to help patients reach their best levels of mental and physical health.
The BMED Program specializes in providing cognitive behavioral therapy-based interventions that are typically short-term, skills-based and tailored to the patient's individual needs.
Who We Serve
Referrals to the BMED Program are typically received for the following types of patients:
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Patients with chronic illness and a mental health condition (e.g., depression) who would benefit from cognitive behavioral therapy interventions.
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Patients experiencing distress that may be affecting their health (e.g., a patient with a cardiac condition who may benefit from stress management).
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Patients who may need help coping with an acute or chronic medical condition (whether or not they have a psychiatric diagnosis). For example, treatment may target adjusting to a new diagnosis, improving self-care or increasing adherence to medical treatment.
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Patients who would like support in changing behavior to prevent an illness or disease.
Prospective Patients
Clinical services are available for established patients at MGH. Your MGH provider may place a referral to the BMED program through your electronic medical record, and a patient care coordinator will contact you.
Become a BMED Patient
Referring Providers
If you have questions about services or the referral process for the BMED program, please contact Andres Bedoya, PhD.
Health Insurance
The Department of Psychiatry accepts most health insurance common to eastern Massachusetts. Please contact your health insurance provider with any questions related to coverage. For more info, visit Frequently Asked Questions.
Behavioral Medicine Mission
The mission of the Behavioral Medicine Program is to enhance the lives of our patients, staff, fellows, faculty, and colleagues through the practice of the highest quality clinical research, informing the delivery of state-of-the-art clinical services, within a nurturing, collegial and mentored training and work environment.
Behavioral Medicine Values
Our mission acknowledges that our patients, who experience the dual challenges of physical and mental health difficulties, can be among the most vulnerable and that these vulnerabilities often result from health disparities originating from differences in lived experiences by virtue of gender, race, ethnicity, sexual orientation, gender identity, religion, or country of origin.
Our mission recognizes that embracing and extending this diversity of lived experiences in our work lives is central to ensure the cultural awareness of our clinical work, to maintain the relevance of our research agendas, and to maximize the breadth and impact of our education and mentorship.