jeong
/jʌŋ/ n.
A deep affection that grows slowly between two people through shared presence and time.
WHO I WORK WITH
You’ve handled a lot on your own.
I work with adults who are ready to understand what's getting in their way. Whether you're a professional navigating high-stakes pressure, someone working through a life transition, or a person whose cultural background adds layers that most providers don't see, there's room for you here.
I offer services (in-person & telehealth) related to:
ABOUT
You set the pace. I hold the space.
Good psychiatry is built on trust, authenticity, and compassionate tenacity. My style is active and direct. Warm and accepting, but not passive. My patients tell me they can feel that I'm fully present with them, working to understand how to help.
I trained with some of the most respected clinicians at Harvard (after a career at the top of the legal profession). I've moved between worlds most people never see together (blue-collar and elite, American and Korean, rural and urban), and my patients reflect that range: executives and mechanics, teachers and attorneys, second-generation Americans and recent transplants.
The common thread is the desire to understand something about themselves that's been hard to get at alone.
To see where I've published, worked, and taught (and a few more personal details), see the background link below.
Selected Credentials
- Instructor — Harvard Psychiatry, Beth Israel Deaconess Medical Center
- Chief Resident — Harvard Psychiatry Training Program, Beth Israel Deaconess Medical Center
- Clinical Fellow — Harvard Medical School
- Former Attorney — Jones Day, Vinson & Elkins LLP
- MD — University of Arkansas for Medical Sciences
- JD — University of Michigan Law School (2012)
- Modalities — Psychodynamic psychotherapy, ISTDP, ERP, CBT, ACT, medication management
- Languages — English
"There are two people in this room. Me and you. That's where meaningful treatment begins."
MY APPROACH
Tailored, More Responsive Psychiatry
- Direct Communication When you reach out, I respond personally. No front desk, no phone tree, and no nurse relaying messages secondhand.
- Faster Response Times Messages receive a personal reply within hours (at most, 24). Not the days-to-weeks turnaround that has become standard elsewhere.
- Appointments When You Need Them I can typically see you the same week. Same-day and weekend appointments are available for an additional fee.
- Time That Matches the Work Appointments are built for depth, not billing codes. Sessions run as long as they need to (within reason), not the 15-minute med check that has become the norm.
- No Nickel-and-Diming Reasonable phone calls, messages, and coordination with your other providers are part of your care, not separate charges.
- Concierge and Coaching For those who want an even more flexible level of service, I offer a limited number of concierge and coaching spots. See the FAQ below or contact me for details.
This is psychiatry the way it should work: responsive, personal, and built around your life.
Individual Care
I keep a small patient panel intentionally. Fewer patients means more time with each one and a treatment approach built around you specifically.
A Full Toolbox
I use whatever the evidence supports: medications, supplements, skills work, complementary and holistic approaches, psychotherapy. The treatment follows the problem.
Psychodynamic at the Core
Psychodynamic therapy is my home base. The focus is on underlying patterns and causes, with other methods woven in when the situation calls for them.
The Medical Lens
Psychiatric symptoms sometimes have medical causes. A physician's training means I'm looking for them.
SERVICES & FEES
Clear, upfront, respectful of your time.
Psychiatric Evaluation
A comprehensive initial assessment. Not a 15-minute intake. I take the time to understand your history, your current situation, and what you're actually looking for in treatment before making any recommendations.
75–90 minutesMedication Management
Evidence-based prescribing informed by the full picture of who you are, not just a symptom checklist. Includes ongoing monitoring, adjustments, and coordination with other providers when needed.
25–30 minutesPsychotherapy
Individual psychotherapy grounded primarily in psychodynamic methods, with additional approaches (ERP, CBT, ACT) integrated as the work requires. This is where the deeper understanding happens.
50-60 minutesIntegrated Treatment
Combined medication management and psychotherapy with the same provider. This is what I believe produces the best outcomes, and it's what most patients here choose.
50-60 minutesConcierge Psychiatry
For a limited number of patients: expanded access, longer sessions, priority scheduling, and direct communication with your doctor. This translates to more time, more responsiveness, and a closer working relationship.
Limited availability — inquire for detailsOne-Time Consultations
For second opinions, forensic or legal, academic, or business-related issues. Fee negotiable.
Available on ad hoc basisInsurance
I am an out-of-network physician, but most patients with PPO, POS, or out-of-network benefits can still use their insurance here, often covering some or even all of the fee after their deductible.
I recommend using services like Thrizer to make filing claims quick and easy, or I can provide documentation to submit directly to your insurer (this is easier than it sounds). Thrizer also has an option to only pay your co-insurance upfront.
Most Boston-area and Cambridge major employers and universities' health plans provide excellent out-of-network benefits and can be used here, including Blue Cross Blue Shield, Harvard Pilgrim, Optum, and others.
Estimate Your Benefits →Want to verify the specifics of your own plan? Here's a step-by-step guide to checking out-of-network benefits with your insurer directly. When you call, ask about coverage for these service codes:
- 90792 Initial psychiatric evaluation (your first appointment)
- 90837 60-minute therapy session
- 99213 / 99214 Medication management visit (shorter and standard lengths)
- 90836 Combined therapy and medication visit (an add-on code, always listed alongside 99213 or 99214)
Self-Pay Rates
ACCEPTING NEW PATIENTS FOR JULY 2026
COMMON QUESTIONS
What to expect.
-
Email info@thejeongcenter.com to set up a 15-minute consultation, free of charge.
-
A psychiatrist is a medical doctor (MD) who specializes in mental health. Unlike most therapists, psychiatrists can prescribe medication and are trained to evaluate both the psychological and medical factors contributing to your symptoms. I do both — medication management and psychotherapy — which means you get integrated care from one provider who knows the full picture.
-
The first session is a comprehensive evaluation — typically 75 to 90 minutes. We'll talk about what brought you in, your history, and what you're hoping for from treatment. I'm trying to understand who you are, not just run through a checklist. By the end, we'll have a shared sense of what's going on and a plan for how to move forward. No one is prescribing anything on day one unless there's a clear, urgent reason to.
-
Yes, when it's appropriate. I believe in evidence-based prescribing, but I don't believe in overmedicating. Medication can be essential for certain conditions, and it can be a useful complement to therapy. But it's one tool among several, and I'll always discuss the reasoning, alternatives, and what to expect before starting anything.
-
I offer both in-person and telehealth. I do believe that in-person therapy is more powerful than virtual, but many patients find telehealth perfectly adequate to their needs (and more convenient). For certain kinds of therapy, I recommend in-person visits specifically, such as exposure-based therapy which depend on a more sensory approach for effectiveness.
In-person visits are in Brookline and Downtown Boston.
-
I am an out-of-network physician, but most patients with PPO, POS, or out-of-network benefits can still use their insurance here, often covering some or even all of the fee after their deductible.
See the Insurance & Fees section above for more details. I can also assist you in understanding how to check your benefits to see if your out-of-network benefits would apply.
Alternatively, check out this detailed step-by-step guide on how to check your own benefits.
-
Yes. I offer executive and professional coaching for individuals who aren't looking for therapy but want focused work on how they lead, make decisions, or navigate professional challenges. Coaching is goal-oriented and forward-looking. It draws on my background in both psychiatry and law, but it's not a clinical service. No diagnosis, no treatment plan. Just targeted work on the things that are getting in your way professionally.
-
Concierge psychiatry is a model that provides expanded access and time — longer sessions, priority scheduling, and direct communication with me between appointments. It's the model of care that most psychiatrists wish they could provide to everyone. I offer it to a limited number of patients. Contact me if you'd like to learn more about availability, structure, and pricing.
-
Yes. Please reach out to me at info@thejeongcenter.com to inquire.
-
I take confidentiality seriously and strictly enforce industry standards for encryption, HIPAA compliance, and good security practices for every client’s protection.
For clients with prominent public lives, I offer an enhanced confidentiality service that goes further and takes your information entirely offline and/or uses channels under your direct control. Inquire to learn more. -
No. Not to a meaningful degree. However, if you are looking for a psychiatrist who is fluent in Korean, feel free to reach out to ask about referrals.
-
No. Whether I recommend a medication depends on your individual needs, and I prioritize behavioral, lifestyle, and therapy-focused interventions whenever it seems right for the patient.
-
Monday 8am - 5pm (in-person & telehealth)
Tuesday 8am - 5pm (telehealth only)
Wednesday 8am - 5pm (telehealth only)
Thursday 8am - 5pm (in-person & telehealth)
Friday 8am - 5pm (in-person & telehealth)
Saturday 8am - 11am (in-person & telehealth)
Two days of the month I offer extended evening hours after 5 pm. Contact me for more details.
-
No, this is a one-psychiatrist practice. I practice the way that makes the most sense for me and my patients.
-
If you think you are experiencing an emergency (medical or psychiatric), please go to the nearest emergency room or call 911 immediately. Do not rely on electronic communications or communication through this website or the patient portal. If you’re concerned about yourself or someone else, the 988 Lifeline is available to call or text at 988 or chat online at 988lifeline.org/chat. They are available 24/7, are free, and are confidential.
GET STARTED
Reach out.
If you're considering treatment, or if you're a practitioner looking for a referral resource, I'd welcome hearing from you.
The first step is a brief consultation to see whether we're a good fit. No commitment, no pressure, and no cost. Just a conversation.
PRACTITIONER
J. Nicholas Jung Shumate, MD, JD
info@thejeongcenter.com or use this contact form
PHONE
(508) 318-8102
ADDRESSES & DIRECTIONS
Brookline Office
1842 Beacon Street, Suite 402
Brookline, MA 02445
Nearest MBTA Stop
- Green Line: Englewood Avenue (C)
Downtown Office
185 Devonshire Street, Suite 502
Boston, MA 02110
Nearest MBTA Stop(s)
- Blue Line: State Street
- Orange Line: State Street, Downtown Crossing
- Green Line: Government Center, Park Street
- Red Line: Park Street