Dr. Sara VanBronkhorst

Psychiatrist for Children, Adolescents and Adults

Sara VanBronkhorst, MD, MPH

My commitment is to provide a space where you feel heard, understood, safe, and respected. From there, I work with you to treat symptoms, work on relationships, identify values, and build on your strengths.

Telepsychiatry

I see patients in New York and Michigan. Most sessions are conducted virtually.

Specialties

I am a board-certified psychiatrist and I treat psychiatric conditions including ADHD, depression, anxiety, bipolar disorder, obsessive compulsive disorder (OCD) and trauma-related disorders.

I welcome diversity including all races, ages, body sizes, abilities, sexualities, genders, religions and political values.

Comprehensive Treatment

The initial evaluation spans 2 sessions. I will speak with other providers, schools, and social supports as needed. Then, we talk about my assessment and recommendations and form a plan together. I provide psychotherapy (talk therapy), psychiatric medications, or a combination of both. Therapy sessions are generally on a weekly basis and medication management sessions are monthly.

I tailor my therapeutic approach to your individual needs. I use techniques from different therapy modalities including psychodynamic therapy, acceptance commitment therapy, cognitive behavioral therapy, interpersonal therapy, parent management training (parent guidance) and family therapy.

My Background

Training

Child And Adolescent Psychiatry Fellowship

Chief Resident

Columbia University College of Physicians and Surgeons and Weill Cornell Medical College at NewYork-Presbyterian Hospital

General Psychiatry Residency

Michigan State University and Pine Rest Christian Mental Health Services

Education

Doctor of Medicine

Michigan State University College of Human Medicine

Masters of Public Health

Michigan State University College of Human Medicine

Book a Consultation

Research

My current research is supported by the American Academy of Child and Adolescent Psychiatry Junior Investigator Award with Columbia University and the New York State Psychiatric Institute. I am studying the role of oxytocin and parent-child relationships in resilience to the intergenerational transmission of the effects of trauma.

VanBronkhorst SB, Abraham E, Dambreville R, Ramos-Olazagasti MA, Wall M, Saunders DC, Monk C, Alegría M, Canino GJ, Bird H, Duarte CS. Sociocultural Risk and Resilience in the Context of Adverse Childhood Experiences. JAMA Psychiatry. 2023 Dec 27:e234900. doi: 10.1001/jamapsychiatry.2023.4900. Epub ahead of print. PMID: 38150238; PMCID: PMC10753442.

VanBronkhorst SB, McCormack CA, Scorza P, Lee S, Feng T, Hane A, Duarte CS, Monk C. Maternal childhood trauma and observed maternal care behaviors with 4-month-old infants. Psychol Trauma. 2023 Aug 3. doi: 10.1037/tra0001554. Epub ahead of print. PMID: 37535534.

VanBronkhorst, S.B., Duarte, C. Fostering Resilience to Adverse Childhood Experiences Among Adolescents: Investing in Social Brain Development in the Age of the COVID-19 Pandemic JAACAP Connect. 2022. Volm 10 Issue 1

Bekelman TA, Knapp EA, Dong Y, Dabelea D, Bastain TM, Breton CV, Carroll KN, Camargo CA, Davis AM, Dunlop AL, Elliott AJ, Ferrara A, Fry RC, Ganiban JM, Gilbert-Diamond D, Gilliland FD, Hedderson MM, Hipwell AE, Hockett CW, Huddleston KC, Karagas MR, Kelly N, Lai JS, Lester BM, Lucchini M, Melough MM, Mihalopoulos NL, O'Shea TM, Rundle AG, Stanford JB, VanBronkhorst S, Wright RJ, Zhao Q, Sauder KA; program collaborators for Environmental influences on Child Health Outcomes (ECHO). Sociodemographic Variation in Children's Health Behaviors During the COVID-19 Pandemic. Child Obes. 2023 Jun;19(4):226-238. doi: 10.1089/chi.2022.0085. Epub 2022 Jul 19. PMID: 35856858; PMCID: PMC10398734.

Zerrate MC, VanBronkhorst SB, Klotz J, Caraballo AA, Canino G, Bird HR, Duarte CS. Espiritismo and Santeria: a gateway to child mental health services among Puerto Rican families? Child Adolesc Psychiatry Ment Health. 2022 Jan 11;16(1):3. doi: 10.1186/s13034-022-00439-0. PMID: 35016702; PMCID: PMC8751471.

VanBronkhorst SB, Edwards EM, Roberts DE, Kist K, Evans DL, Mohatt J, Blankenship K. Suicidality Among Psychiatrically Hospitalized Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, Transgender, Queer, and/or Questioning Youth: Risk and Protective Factors. LGBT Health. 2021 Aug-Sep;8(6):395-403. doi: 10.1089/lgbt.2020.0278. PMID: 34424726.

Vanbronkhorst SB, Roberts DE, Edwards EM, Blankenship K. Diagnosis and Use of Psychotherapy Among Children and Adolescents Prescribed Antipsychotics. J Psychiatr Pract. 2018 Sep;24(5):323-330. doi: 10.1097/PRA.0000000000000336. PMID: 30427819.