Dr. Timothy Wilens stands as a preeminent leader in child and adolescent psychiatry with profound expertise in addiction medicine. He currently serves as Chief of the Division of Child and Adolescent Psychiatry and Co-Director of the Center for Addiction Medicine at Massachusetts General Hospital, where he has held influential leadership positions for over two decades. As a Professor of Psychiatry at Harvard Medical School, Dr. Wilens has established himself as a cornerstone of psychiatric education and clinical care in the Boston medical community. His academic journey began with undergraduate studies at the University of Michigan Honors College, followed by his medical degree from the University of Michigan Medical School in 1985, and culminated in comprehensive psychiatric training at Massachusetts General Hospital where he completed residencies in child, adolescent, and adult psychiatry. Dr. Wilens' triple board certification in child/adolescent, adult, and addiction psychiatry represents a rare and valuable expertise that has positioned him at the forefront of integrated psychiatric care.
Dr. Wilens' groundbreaking research has significantly advanced our understanding of the complex relationships among attention deficit/hyperactivity disorder (ADHD), bipolar disorder, and substance use disorders, fundamentally reshaping clinical approaches to these interconnected conditions. His seminal work on the pharmacotherapy of ADHD across the lifespan has provided critical evidence for early and sustained treatment as a protective factor against later substance use disorders, with profound implications for clinical practice and public health policy. With an impressive publication record exceeding 300 peer-reviewed articles in prestigious journals including JAMA and the American Journal of Psychiatry, his research has established new paradigms for understanding neurodevelopmental disorders and their comorbidities. Dr. Wilens' demonstration that early and longer-lasting treatment of pediatric psychiatric disorders significantly reduces the risk of subsequent substance use problems has been particularly influential, guiding clinical interventions for vulnerable youth populations worldwide. His scholarly contributions have earned him recognition as one of The Best Doctors in America and consistently among The Best of Boston in Child and and Adult Psychiatry.
Beyond his research achievements, Dr. Wilens has profoundly shaped the field through his leadership roles, including serving as chair of the new research committee for the American Academy of Child and Adolescent Psychiatry and contributing to editorial boards of more than 25 professional journals. His dedication to mentoring the next generation of psychiatric researchers and clinicians has established a legacy of excellence that extends far beyond his own publications and clinical practice. Dr. Wilens actively contributes to national discourse on psychiatric care through his consulting roles with organizations including Bay Cove Human Services, the Gavin Foundation, and major professional sports leagues. Currently focused on advancing precision treatment approaches for youth with complex psychiatric and substance use comorbidities, his ongoing research continues to bridge the gap between scientific discovery and tangible clinical benefits for patients across the developmental spectrum.
