Dr. Marcus is a Clinical Professor at the University of Michigan, currently Section Chief for Child and Adolescent Psychiatry and Co-Director of the Women’s Perinatal Psychiatry Program.
She joined the faculty of the University of Michigan’s Department of Psychiatry in 1991 and became the Division Director in the Adult Ambulatory Psychiatry in 1996. In 2001, Dr. Marcus began her work with the Women’s and Perinatal Depression Program along with her role as Clinical Director of the Depression Center. Dr. Marcus was appointed Section Director of the Child and Adolescent Section in 2005.
Her areas of interest include intergenerational transmission of illness, depression in pregnancy and postpartum, gender issues in psychiatric illness, maternal child attachment and early risk factors for childhood psychiatric illness as well as the development of interventions to promote wellness in mothers and their children. She also treats women with mood disorders throughout the life spectrum from childhood through adulthood. Dr. Marcus has been active in screening programs which identify women with mood disorders in medical settings, and provide treatment linkages to care. Additionally, she has examined neurochemical systems in women and their infants examining the impact of various treatments (psychotherapy, medication, and attachment-based interventions) on neuroendrocrine, psychiatric and behavioral outcomes in these dyads.
Dr. Marcus has mentored medical students and residents in obstetrics and gynecology, psychiatry, pediatrics and family medicine. With other colleagues, she has worked on several research projects: National Institute of Health, “Intervention for Irritable Babies with Depressed Mothers;” and “Infant Outcomes and Depression Treatment in Pregnancy;” University of Michigan Medical School Clinical Research Initiatives Program, “Eicosapentaenoic acid (EPA) for Prevention of Postpartum Depression” and State of Michigan Community Mental health HHS “Medical Home for Children with Mental health Disorders;” and “Parenting and Attachment Skills Curriculum for Medicaid Mothers with Trauma, Depression, and Post-traumatic Stress.”
Dr. Marcus has been interviewed by numerous local and national journalists on the topic of Depression in Pregnancy and Children & Adolescents Depression. Publications include Newsweek, USA Today, Parenting Magazine, Detroit Free Press, as well as numerous peer-reviewed publications on topics related to perinatal psychiatry, gender issues and mental health.
Most recently, Dr. Marcus has been involved in care and supportive interventions for children and spouses of soldiers deployed in Iraq and Afghanistan with the Depression Center’s Welcome Back Veterans Initiative. She has also recently chaired a workshop and a symposium at the American Academy of Child and Adolescent Psychiatry’s 56th Annual Conference, “The Circle of Security Intervention: An evidence Based Technique of at-Risk Dyads” and “ Evidence-Based Interventions for Young Children and Their Parents.”
Awards and Credentials
- M.D. University of Michigan, 1983
- Board Certified in Adult Psychiatry, 1992
- Board Certified in Child and Adolescent Psychiatry, 1992
- Spirit of Women Award for Outstanding Clinical Service, 1999
- Honoree for Outstanding Clinicians and a nominee for the University of Michigan Physician for Community Service.
Related Links
Recommended Reading List
- “Depressive Symptoms among Pregnant Women Screened in Obstetrics Settings.” Marcus, S.M., et al. Journal of Women’s Health,12(4).
- Rates and Correlates of Alcohol Use Among Pregnant Women in Obstetrics Clinics.” Flynn, H.A., et al. Epidemiology and Prevention Alcoholism. 27(1), (January 2003).
- “Gender Differences in Depression: Findings from the STAR*D study.” Journal of Affective Disorders, vol. 87.
