The Neuropsychiatric Institute provides outpatient Behavioral Health Services to Florida residents. Our clinical staff includes a group of twenty, including Psychiatrists, Psychologists, Psychiatric Nurse Practitioners, Clinical Social Workers, Mental Health Counselors, and Marriage and Family Therapists. We use a multidisciplinary team approach to treatment. We accept most insurance plans. We offer our clients appointments in-person or by telehealth.
History
In 1970, Dr. Walter Afield founded The Neuropsychiatric Institute (NPI) as the private practice entity of The University of South Florida College of Medicine's Psychiatry Department. This College of Medicine was one of seven new medical schools simultaneously being built in the United States. Psychiatry was the first clinical Department in the School. In 1974, when the School graduated its first class, The Neuropsychiatric Institute became Florida's first private interdisciplinary mental health practice consisting of neuropsychiatrists, psychologists, social workers, nurses and mental health counselors.
With Board Certified Adult and Child Neuropsychiatrists running the programs, the Institute made major contributions, both inpatient and outpatient, in the areas of mental health care. The first Chronic Pain Clinic in the Southeast was created in 1974 by a neurosurgeon/psychiatrist. The Neuropsychiatric Institute has been at the forefront of mental health care innovation and has created inpatient and outpatient addiction programs for Alcohol and Drug Abuse, Eating Disorders, Gambling Addiction, Sexual Dysfunction, and a comprehensive Children's Program. In 1982, NPI introduced the first Hyperbaric Oxygen Chamber to the Tampa Bay Area. Testimony before the U.S. Congress by NPI's Director was part of the beginning of many beneficial changes in American health care delivery systems. In 1984, The Neuropsychiatric Institute created a Managed Behavioral Health Services Program in conjunction with Cigna Health Care, with offices in Miami, Fort Lauderdale, Orlando, Jacksonville, Tampa, St. Petersburg and Brandon. The Program grew to a national company and was the first mental health managed care company in the United States.
Founder and Medical Director 1970-2019