Marina Nikhinson

Executive Vice President and COO

Please allow me to introduce myself. I am a board-certified psychiatrist with advanced training, experience and interest in the treatment of mood and personality disorders. To develop this interest, I’ve pursued advanced training and certifications in psychodynamic therapy, mentalization based therapy, and dialectical behavioral therapy. I serve as Executive Vice President and Chief Operating Officer of MindWork Group, an outpatient practice Dr. Tom Franklin and I co-founded in 2020.

I completed my medical training at the University of Maryland School of Medicine and continued my psychiatric training at the University of Maryland/Sheppard Pratt Residency Program. I served as attending psychiatrist at the Retreat at Sheppard Pratt, the premiere program of the prestigious Sheppard Pratt Hospital. There I became a national leader in the treatment of people with complex psychiatric, psychological, and substance use disorders. Throughout my decade-long tenure at the Retreat I took care of an international cadre of patients, including business owners, political leaders, and executives from Fortune 100 companies.

I am a graduate of the Psychoanalytic Studies Program at the Washington-Baltimore Center for Psychoanalysis and a faculty member in the University of Maryland School of Medicine. I am a Fellow of the American Psychiatric Association and a member of the Southern Psychiatric Association.

I combine my medical expertise as a physician with a strong interest and extensive training in psychotherapy to offer a collaborative, thoughtful approach to understanding one’s mind. I strongly believe that one’s capacity to heal and grow is fostered by taking ownership of their thoughts, feelings, and inner life in the context of a trusted relationship with a therapist. Many of my patients have tried treatment in the past and have found that medication management alone or inconsistent psychotherapy have not been effective or sufficient to create a foundation for real change in their lives. As may be true in your case as well, they are often looking for a more substantive and comprehensive treatment approach in order to decrease their psychological pain and begin to find joy and contentment in their lives.

You may hope to gain more insight into your thoughts and emotions, and to improve your relationships with others. You may want to gain a deeper understanding of yourself and your past experiences, and learn how to use that knowledge to make positive changes in your life moving forward. Most of us want to live a more fulfilling life that is characterized by resilience, growth, and connection with others.

Building a life worth living is a difficult task for many people. If you have found yourself asking how to do so, and how psychological and psychiatric treatment can be part of your journey to achieve a more satisfying life with less suffering, please reach out to me. We can think together about how intensive treatment and expert care can help you heal and grow.