The Austen Riggs Center is known for its internationally-recognized tradition of providing intensive psychodynamic psychotherapy in a voluntary, open, and non-coercive community. Patients not helped in other settings can often benefit from deeper, more thorough psychodynamic evaluation and treatment. 

For over 100 years, the Riggs has offered long-term residential and hospital-level psychiatric treatment based on intensive, four-times-weekly individual psychotherapy, provided by psychiatrists.  From hospital to residential to supervised and unsupervised apartment living, Riggs provides continuity of care with the same interdisciplinary team throughout a patient's stay.  Treating an average of 60 patients, Riggs remains one of the few psychiatric treatment centers in the United States committed to the intensive work necessary to help patients take charge of their lives.

Erikson Institute for Education and Research

Erik H. Erikson, renowned humanist psychoanalyst and former Riggs staff member, recognized that individuals could not be understood apart from their psychosocial and historical contexts. Riggs'​ Erikson Institute develops this connection by promoting education and research in psychodynamic thought and treatment and by applying the clinical learning to the problems of the larger society. 

The Erikson Institute aims to bring the work of Riggs into dialogue with other mental health professionals, human service institutions, and scholars from a range of disciplines.  The Erikson Institute includes: 

A Research Department and internships

A Fellowship program in psychiatry and clinical psychology

The Erikson Scholar program

Lectures and workshops for mental health professionals

An organizational consultation service, especially for human service institutions

Education

Psychology

Austen Riggs Center

Eric M. Plakun

Jennifer Stevens

Jen Costa

Dan Knauss Psy.d., Abpp

Sharon Krikorian

Louise Posnick

Janet Cremins Rn

Kristin L. McLaughlin

Brooke Sides (Storti)

Msn Barbara Shea Tracy Chpn, Fnp

Andre Zandona

A. Jill Clemence

Samar Habl

Courtney Maslak

Steven Ackerman

Jessica Arrowsmith

Donna Elmendorf

David Mintz

Chauncey Collins

Alexcia Adams

John Zollinger

The Clinical Support Staff at Austen Riggs Center plays a vital role in delivering comprehensive patient care through a multidisciplinary approach. This team, composed of clinicians, psychologists, nurses, and counselors, collaborates to assess and support patients' mental health needs, provide therapeutic interventions, and facilitate the integration of care throughout the treatment process. By fostering a supportive environment, they ensure that patients receive personalized care that aligns with the center’s commitment to psychodynamic psychotherapy and uninterrupted treatment continuity.

Clinical Support Staff

Information Technology Team

Clinical Support Staff

About

Team members

Other teams at Austen Riggs Center

Information Technology Team