Robert Ostroff

Robert Ostroff, MD, is a Clinical Professor of Psychiatry at Yale School of Medicine and serves as Medical Director of the Mood Disorders Unit and Co-Medical Director of the Interventional Psychiatry Service at Yale Psychiatric Hospital. He specializes in mood disorders, particularly severe depression and bipolar disorder, with a focus on interventional treatments like electroconvulsive therapy (ECT) and ketamine. Dr. Ostroff received his medical degree from George Washington University in 1976 and completed his psychiatry residency at Yale University School of Medicine.

His research emphasizes optimizing ECT safety and efficacy, exploring ketamine’s role in treatment-resistant depression, and advancing interventional psychiatry competencies for trainees. Notable contributions include studies on ECT protocols, ketamine infusion effects, and managing high-risk psychiatric cases. He has published extensively since 1985, addressing topics from neuroendocrine aspects of suicidal behavior to modern ECT advancements.

Dr. Ostroff’s clinical work integrates psychotherapy with biological treatments, and he advocates for improved ECT safety through technological advancements. He is board-certified in Psychiatry since 1982 and has been recognized for his contributions, including a mention in the Class of 2023 Faculty Awards.

His research teams collaborate with experts in neurology, anesthesiology, and psychology, reflecting interdisciplinary approaches to psychiatric care. Current efforts aim to reduce cognitive side effects of ECT and expand evidence-based interventional therapies.