We are pleased to announce the launch of a new academic division within the Department of Psychiatry at Queen’s University:
The Mood Disorders Division.
Mood disorders are among the most common and disabling mental illnesses, affecting individuals across all age groups. They are frequently comorbid with chronic medical conditions and other psychiatric disorders, requiring flexible, evidence-based, and person-centered care.
The Department of Psychiatry is the region’s primary provider of psychiatric services, with core responsibilities in clinical care, education, research, and interdisciplinary collaboration across academic, hospitals, community, and institutional settings.
The creation of the Mood Disorders Division reflects our commitment to:
- Enhancing existing services
- Building inclusive, multi-divisional collaborations
- Responding to community and patient needs
- Providing excellence in specialized mood disorder care
Welcoming Dr. Yuliya Knyahnytska, Inaugural Division Chair & Clinical Director
Dr. Yuliya Knyahnytska, MD, PhD, is a clinician-scientist and national leader in interventional psychiatry, with over 20 years of experience treating complex and hard-to-treat mood disorders.
She currently serves as:
- Medical Head of Interventional Psychiatry at Providence Care Hospital (Kingston)
- Assistant Professor in the Department of Psychiatry at Queen’s University
- Collaborator Scientist at CAMH (Toronto)
Dr. Knyahnytska is widely recognized for her expertise in:
- Brain neuromodulation techniques (TMS, ECT, MST)
- Novel pharmacological treatments (ketamine, esketamine)
- Emerging modalities like photobiomodulation (PBM)
Her leadership has transformed brain stimulation services across Southeastern Ontario, quadrupling service capacity and improving outcomes for vulnerable psychiatric populations. She is also a dedicated educator and mentor, and currently completing a Certificate of Specialization in Executive Leadership at the Harvard T.H. Chan School of Public Health.
Vision for the Division
Dr. Knyahnytska’s vision is to redefine clinical standards and expand access to life-saving interventions—pushing the boundaries of psychiatric care through rigorous science, innovative leadership, and an unwavering focus on the patient experience.
Stay Connected
We look forward to sharing updates as the Mood Disorders Division begins its journey to transform care, education, and research in mood disorders across our region and beyond.