House Officer Mental Health Program

Laura Andersen, MD, MPH - Director, House Officer Mental Health Program

I arrived at medical school fresh out of undergraduate education and was immediately struck by my own naivete about the culture and intensity of medical training. Before our first anatomy exam, a new classmate anxiously confided her worry that if she couldn’t remember everything on this exam, she would never get the Step 1 score she wanted. I had never heard of Step 1 and was embarrassed to admit I had no idea what she was talking about. That naivete about the realities of medical training served me well in some ways, but the culture shock stayed with me. I had never considered psychiatry before entering medical school, but quickly fell in love with the specialty that allowed me the most time to spend with patients, consider their lives holistically and think deeply about them as people. I completed my general adult psychiatry residency and child psychiatry fellowship here at University of Michigan and initially stayed on as faculty full time on the inpatient child psychiatry unit. In 2022 I had the opportunity to move part time into the medical student and house officer mental health program, which has been deeply gratifying. Medical training is such a unique experience, with all its vulnerabilities, stresses and opportunities. It has been an enormous privilege to work with medical students and house officers as they navigate this period of their lives.

I grew up in Delaware and attended University of Maryland for medical school and my MPH. I consider Michigan home now after being here over a decade, but still miss Baltimore and the east coast at times. Outside of work, I spend my time with my family and our neurotic dog, who keep me laughing and humbled in my inability to wrangle them.

Sarah Bommarito, MD – Faculty Psychiatrist

During medical school, psychiatry called to me through its emphasis on connecting with others and creating space for true understanding, ultimately leading to meaningful change. My work in this clinic has been particularly rewarding as supporting medical trainees in their personal and professional growth can be transformative. Medical training poses significant challenges that often cause us to feel isolated and to leave behind aspects of our individual identities, contributing to symptoms of burnout, depression and anxiety. I aim to listen, understand and collaborate with you to identify your personal values and develop an individualized treatment plan that honors and works toward those values, cultivating a greater sense of fulfillment during this uniquely demanding time.

I was born and raised in Michigan. I studied English Language and Literature at the University of Michigan, then attended Wayne State University for my master’s degree in Basic Medical Sciences and medical school. I returned to the University of Michigan for residency in general psychiatry, during which I also completed a one-year psychoanalytic psychotherapy fellowship through the Michigan Psychoanalytic Institute. My main clinical interests include medical trainee and physician mental health, anxiety disorders and burnout interventions. In addition to my work in the House Officer Mental Health Program, I also direct the Anxiety Disorders Clinic and I develop and facilitate wellness interventions for our psychiatry residents. Outside of work, I enjoy baking, reading and spending time with my friends and family.

Laura Hirshbein, MD, PhD – Faculty Psychiatrist

I started medical school at the University of Michigan in 1989 and found that my naïve goal of wanting to help people slammed into the narrow and rigid socialization in medicine at the time. I fled after my second year and started a PhD program in the history of medicine at Johns Hopkins University and then returned to Michigan to complete medical school. I picked psychiatry because I found that was the specialty that gave me the most opportunity to engage with people and to focus on patients’ stories. I completed my residency at the University of Michigan and have been on the faculty since 2001.

One of the things that has long concerned me about medicine is how often we forget to treat each other – and most especially ourselves – as human beings who have human differences and needs. We drive ourselves so hard and the system drives us even harder. I learned a personally painful lesson in this during my own experience with a serious medical illness in 2021. I want for all of us to be able to be human, to take care of ourselves as well as our patients. I also think we need to work on developing a culture in which we can discuss our common humanity in a more open and compassionate way. Mental health care in this setting requires that we understand the culture we have – and the culture we deserve.

I am very fortunate to have a supportive family who remind me that it is okay to stop working. My dogs help with unconditional love and my cats keep me oriented toward what matters most – their care and feeding. I enjoy reading, writing and grappling with great questions.

Victor Hong, MD - Faculty Psychiatrist

I have been working with students and trainees ever since I finished medical school in 2005. Early on, I was drawn to working with students and trainees, both in terms of education but also treating those with mental health issues. Clinically, I have been working with undergraduate and graduate students at University of Michigan, and more recently, with the student-athletes and medical students. I also work in our psychiatric emergency department at the main hospital, where the volume and acuity keep me on my toes. I feel extremely lucky to have found psychiatry and am not quite sure what I would do if I needed to have a different job. We are placed in a very unique position with unique responsibilities in helping those with mental health problems, and I try to approach that with the utmost consideration and care.

I spent my childhood in western Michigan and have been back and forth between California and Michigan ever since. When not working, I get way too emotionally involved with following the Detroit and U-M sports teams.

I am the Administrative Specialist Associate for The Mental Health Program. I have been a dedicated member of Michigan Medicine for over 14 years, including more than 4 years of experience in the psychiatry department. I am deeply passionate about the mental health field and I take great pride in supporting the wellness of our patients and staff. In my personal time, I enjoy "filling my cup" through cooking, traveling and spending quality time with my husband, two children and our dog.

I am an Administrative Assistant for the Department of Psychiatry and have been a part of Michigan Medicine for over seven years. I began my career here as a Medical Assistant in the Ambulatory Psychiatry Clinic and transitioned into my current role in 2022. I hold a bachelor’s degree in psychology and an associate’s degree in veterinary technology. In addition to my work at Michigan Medicine, I am also a licensed veterinary technician at a small animal practice in Novi, MI. I am deeply passionate about supporting the well-being of both people and animals and I take great pride in advocating for their care. Outside of work, I enjoy traveling, crafting, baking and spending quality time with my husband, son and our two dogs, Hailey and Bruce.

Digital

A helpful resource is a directory of mobile apps as listed by the Anxiety and Depression Association of America (ADAA). The ADAA does a wonderful job rating each app based on ease of use, effectiveness, personalization, interactive/feedback and research evidence.

Books

• Feeling Good: The New Mood Therapy by David Burns – teaches essential cognitive behavioral skills for mood and anxiety management

• Wherever You Go There You Are by Jon Kabat-Zinn – teaches essentials of developing a mindfulness practice, proven to be helpful for stress reduction

• Self-Compassion: The Proven Power of Being Kind to Yourself by Kristin Neff – teaches how to limit self-criticism and offset its negative effects, enabling you to achieve your highest potential and a more contented, fulfilled life

• Taking Charge of Adult ADHD by Russell Barkley – teaches coping strategies for managing ADHD as an adult

• Kristin Neff also has an excellent website worth checking out, including guided exercises: http://self-compassion.org/

Urgent / Emergency Services

If you are experiencing active suicidal thoughts or feel unsafe in any way, immediately call 9-1-1 or proceed to the nearest emergency department.

U-M Psychiatric Emergency Services: (734) 936-5900 (available 24/7)

National Suicide Prevention Hotline: 1-800-273-8255 (available 24/7)

Other resources available free of charge to House Officers for wellness and counseling include:

• The Office of Counseling and Workplace Resilience: (734) 763-5409

  • Provides 24/7 mental health support for Michigan Medicine employees on the medical campus

• The Faculty and Staff Counseling and Consultation Office (FASCCO): (734) 936-8660

• Sexual Assault Prevention and Awareness Center (SAPAC): (734) 936-3333

  • Provides free and confidential intervention and/or support for survivors of sexual assault, relationship violence, or sexual harassment

Huron Valley Consultation Center (psychiatry and therapy) 
734-662-6300, extension 12 
huronvalleyconsult.org 
*Leave a voicemail message at extension 12, which is the director’s personal line, and be sure to identify yourself as a house officer. Alex Martinez, the director, sees many house officers and will often be able to see you quickly and with a flexible schedule. 

Heron Ridge Associates (psychiatry and therapy) 
734-913-1093 
heronridgeassocs.com 

Grove Emotional Health Collaborative (psychiatry and therapy) 
734-224-3822 
www.groveemotionalhealth.com

Lotus Consulting (therapy) 
734-478-7358 
www.lotusconsultingpllc.com

Identity Counseling (therapy) 
734-645-8944 
www.identityannarbor.com

Integrative Empowerment Group (therapy) 
734-945-6210 
www.integrativeempowerment.com

Cypress Counseling Center (therapy) 
734-369-3180 
www.cypresscounselingcenter.com

Everwell Health and Counseling Services (therapy) 
734-219-3088 
www.everwellhealthandcounseling.com

Inner Guidance Therapy and Consultation Services, PLLC (psychotherapy)
734-740-3371
www.theanswersarewithinyou.com

Northstar Psychological Services
(248) 609-6774
www.northstarpsy.com
Vartika Singh, LMSW

The Michigan Psychoanalytic Institute Mel Bornstein Clinic (psychoanalysis and psychodynamic psychotherapy) 
734-761-2727 
www.mipsychoanalysis.org/seekinghelp/mel-bornstein-clinic