NYU Langone Insights on Psychiatry

What if mental health care worked more like cancer treatment—tailored to the individual, informed by biology, and driven by data? Charles Marmar, MD, Chair of Psychiatry at NYU Grossman School of Medicine, takes us through the latest advances in precision psychiatry. From brain imaging to digital phenotyping, Dr. Marmar outlines the tools shaping a future where treatment is fully customized. He also shares stories from the front lines: a patient whose depression was treated with the help of a brain biopsy, why PTSD and depression aren’t one-size-fits-all, and how quantum computing could radically accelerate psychiatric research. 🔍 Topics Covered 00:00 Introduction 02:24 Personalized Treatment Approaches 05:13 Challenges in Precision Psychiatry 11:12 The Role of Genomics and Brain Imaging 23:35 Digital Psychiatry and AI 25:57 Quantum Computing in Psychiatry 33:04 Future of Precision Psychiatry 37:22 Conclusion 📚 Related Resources Charles Marmar, MD – NYU Faculty Profile NYU Langone Psychiatry Adriana Heguy, PhD – NYU Faculty Profile Javad Shabani, PhD – NYU Faculty Profile 🙌 Support & Subscribe If this episode challenged your thinking, like, share, and subscribe to help bring smart, science-forward conversations to a wider audience. Visit our website for more Insights on Psychiatry. Watch this episode on YouTube Executive Producer: Jon Earle

There’s a care model for schizophrenia that actually works—why isn’t it everywhere? On this episode, W. Gordon Frankle, MD, MBA, Vice Chair of Psychiatry at NYU Langone Health, shares how his team in Brooklyn is building a new model for treating serious mental illness—one rooted in long-term, relationship-driven, team-based care. From wraparound services to precision psychiatry, this conversation explores what happens when you bring humanity, structure, and innovation to a population too often left behind. Also discussed: 🔍 Topics Covered 00:00 Introduction 00:30 Dr. Frankle's Current Work 01:08 Advancements in Schizophrenia Research 02:29 Challenges and New Treatments in Schizophrenia 05:02 Precision Medicine in Psychiatry 05:59 PET Scans and Brain Energetics 09:46 Barriers to Effective Treatment 11:51 Clozapine and Treatment Access 13:38 Wraparound Services and Community Care 14:46 Early Screening and Public Health Interventions 18:32 Mandated Treatment and Patient Engagement 30:08 Homelessness and Mental Health 34:54 Future Directions in Schizophrenia Treatment 38:09 Conclusion 📚 Related Resources W. Gordon Frankle, MD, MBA Schizophrenia care at NYU Langone NYU Langone Hospital—Brooklyn 3 Things to Know About Cobenfy (Yale Medicine) 🙌 Support & Engage If you enjoyed this episode, please like, share, and subscribe to support real conversations about transforming mental health care. Visit our website for more Insights on Psychiatry. Watch this episode on YouTube Executive Producer: Jon Earle

How could a single psychedelic treatment cause lasting change? Joshua Siegel, MD, PhD, is on a mission to find out. A leading expert on neuroimaging and neuropsychopharmacology at NYU Langone’s Center for Psychedelic Medicine, Dr. Siegel unpacks how psilocybin may spark neuroplasticity and reshape the depressed brain. He also gives us an inside look at the race to develop non-hallucinogenic psychedelic analogs. Dr. Siegel is an assistant professor at NYU Grossman School of Medicine. 🔍 Topics Covered: 00:00 Introduction 00:15 Dr. Siegel's Current Work 01:01 Past Research and Human Psilocybin Imaging Study 02:39 Understanding Brain Changes and Biomarkers 06:13 Mechanisms of Action and Plasticity 12:51 Surprising Findings and Context Dependence 16:34 Challenges and Future Directions in Psychedelic Research 20:46 Advanced Imaging and Personalized Treatment Plans 24:15 Setbacks and Lessons in Psychedelic Medicine 28:40 Emerging Areas in Neuropsychopharmacology 31:46 Conclusion 📚 Related Resources: Joshua Siegel, MD, PhD NYU Langone Health’s Center for Psychedelic Medicine The Multidisciplinary Association for Psychedelic Studies (MAPS) “Psychedelic and Dissociative Drugs as Medicines” (NIH) 🙌 Support & Engage: Enjoyed this episode? Like, comment, and share to support science-based conversations about mental health. 🔔 Don’t forget to subscribe for more interviews with top psychiatric researchers. Visit our website for more Insights on Psychiatry. Watch this episode on YouTube Executive Producer: Jon Earle

What if a simple conversation in the emergency room could reveal who’s most at risk for PTSD before symptoms even begin? Katharina Schultebraucks, PhD, shares her innovative work on using machine learning to forecast mental health outcomes and explains how AI could revolutionize how we detect, prevent, and treat psychiatric disorders. Dr. Schultebraucks is Co-Director of the Computational Psychiatry Program and Associate Professor in the Department of Psychiatry and Population Health at NYU Grossman School of Medicine. 🔍 Topics Covered 00:00 Introduction 00:23 Current Work and Research Focus 01:29 Objective Measures in Psychiatry 02:50 Predicting PTSD Risk 04:28 Early Preventive Interventions 05:47 Machine Learning in Mental Health 09:49 Challenges and Surprises in Research 22:46 Burnout in Emergency Department Providers 27:17 Precision Psychiatry and Future Directions 29:35 Conclusion 📚 Related Resources -Katharina Schultebraucks, PhD -Computational Psychiatry Program in NYU Langone’s Department of Psychiatry -“Dissecting racial bias in an algorithm used to manage the health of populations” by Ziad Obermeyer, et al -PTSD Treatment at NYU Langone Health 🔔 Subscribe for more conversations at the intersection of mental health and innovation. 📢 Like, comment, and share if this episode sparked your thinking. Visit our website for more Insights on Psychiatry. Watch this episode on YouTube Executive Producer: Jon Earle

How do you help a child with ADHD stay organized, on task, and confident in school? Richard Gallagher, PhD, a child and adolescent psychologist at NYU Langone Health, shares groundbreaking research on organizational skills training for children with ADHD—a behavioral treatment that’s changing lives and improving classroom performance. This episode dives into how executive functioning challenges manifest in real life, the strengths (and limits) of technology, and the power of parent training and therapeutic coaching to help children thrive. Dr. Richard Gallagher is Associate Professor in the Department of Child and Adolescent Psychiatry at NYU Grossman School of Medicine, and Director of the Organization Skills Program. 🔍 Topics Covered 00:00 Introduction 00:19 Current Research on Organizational Skills 01:06 Executive Functioning and Practical Interventions 02:37 Impact of Interventions on ADHD 04:41 Expanding Research and Brain Connectivity 05:08 Medication and Organizational Skills 08:11 Technology in ADHD Assessment 15:39 Effective Parenting Styles for ADHD 23:10 Non-Pharmacological Treatments and Future Research 25:58 Conclusion and Final Thoughts 📚 Related Resources 👨‍⚕️More about Dr. Richard Gallagher 🔬 NYU Child Study Center 📘 “Organizational Skills Training for Children with ADHD” by Richard Gallagher, Howard B. Abikoff, and Elana G. Spira 📝 CHADD Parent Training Resources 📈 CDC ADHD Parent Guide 🙌 Support & Engage If this episode was helpful, please like, share, and subscribe to support the series and spread awareness about evidence-based ADHD care. Visit our website for more Insights on Psychiatry. Watch this episode on YouTube Executive Producer: Jon Earle

ADHD isn’t just a childhood condition—many adults go undiagnosed for years. Lenard Adler, MD, Director of the Adult ADHD Program at NYU Langone Health, breaks down the nuances of ADHD in adults, the challenges of proper diagnosis, and the latest treatments available. Learn about his research, the screening tools his team has developed, and what’s on the horizon for adult ADHD care. 🔍 Topics Covered: 00:00 Introduction 00:44 Dr. Adler’s Current Research Focus 01:47 Importance of Proper Assessment 03:44 Challenges in Diagnosing Adult ADHD 06:15 Gender Differences in ADHD Diagnosis 07:51 Impact of ADHD on Lifespan 10:10 Comorbidities and Treatment Approaches 14:54 Medication and Treatment Strategies 21:15 Medication Shortages and Solutions 28:42 Recent Developments in ADHD Research 35:01 Screening and Diagnostic Tools 37:33 Conclusion 📚 Related Resources: Lenard A. Adler, MDAdult ADHD Program at NYU Langone HealthAdult Self-Report Scale (ASRS) ScreenerLife expectancy and years of life lost for adults with diagnosed ADHD in the UK: matched cohort studyAmerican Professional Society of ADHD and Related DisordersCHADD: ADHD Resources and Support🙌 Support & Engage: If you found this episode helpful, please like, comment, and share to spread awareness. 🔔 Don’t forget to subscribe to stay updated on new episodes. Visit our website for more Insights on Psychiatry. Watch this episode on YouTube Executive Producer: Jon Earle

Despite affecting more Americans than diabetes, substance use is often left out of routine medical care. In this episode, NYU Langone Health’s Jennifer McNeely, MD—a clinician investigator, primary care and addiction medicine physician—explains why that must change. From the surprising history behind addiction’s exclusion from mainstream medicine to the innovative screening tools shaping the future of care, this conversation is a must-listen for anyone interested in addiction care and healthcare policy. Jennifer McNeely, MD, is an Associate Professor of Medicine and Population Health at NYU Grossman School of Medicine and co-director of the Section on Tobacco, Alcohol, and Drug Use. 🔍 Topics Covered: 00:00 – Introduction 01:15 – Why addiction hasn’t been part of traditional medical care 05:00 – What medications can primary care providers actually prescribe? 07:00 – Why lifting legal barriers isn’t enough 08:00 – Making substance use screening part of routine care 11:50 – The power of self-report screening tools 13:30 – What primary care physicians can actually do after screening 16:10 – Real-world clinical impact of identifying substance use 18:00 – Overcoming stigma and “we don’t do that here” culture 22:17 – Can AI help with screening and care prioritization? 📚 Related Resources: Jennifer McNeely, MD Addiction Treatment at NYU Langone NIDA’s Resources for Clinicians Substance Use Screening Tools (NIDA) 🙌 Support & Engage: If you found this episode helpful, please like, comment, and share to spread awareness. 🔔 Don’t forget to subscribe to stay updated on new episodes. Visit our website for more Insights on Psychiatry. Watch this episode on YouTube Executive Producer: Jon Earle

What makes addiction treatment truly effective? Behavioral scientist Charles Neighbors, MBA, PhD, shares groundbreaking research on the importance of therapeutic relationships, harm reduction, and human connection—love!—in treating substance use disorders. Dr. Neighbors is an Associate Professor in the Departments of Population Health, and Psychiatry at NYU Grossman School of Medicine. 💡 Topics Covered 00:00 Introduction to Dr. Charles Neighbors 01:37 The biggest challenges in addiction treatment 02:24 The Importance of Therapeutic Relationships 05:59 Defining “good treatment” and why love matters 08:05 The role of therapeutic alliance in patient outcomes 14:06 Barriers to change in addiction treatment systems (incl. stigma) 22:04 Harm reduction and safe injection sites: What does the science say? 30:36 Future directions in addiction policy and treatment 📚 Related Resources Charles J. Neighbors, MBA, PhDDr. Neighbors’ LabAddiction Treatment at NYU LangoneUnderstanding Harm ReductionMotivational InterviewingCommunity Reinforcement and Family Training (CRAFT)SAMHSA’s National Helpline for Mental Health, Drug, Alcohol IssuesNew York State Office of Addiction Services and Supports🔔 Subscribe for more insights on mental health & addiction treatment! 👍 If you found this video helpful, please like, comment, and share to spread awareness! Visit our website for more Insights on Psychiatry. Watch this episode on YouTube Executive Producer: Jon Earle

For the final episode of Season 2, we're joined by Dr. Samuele Cortese, Professor of Child and Adolescent Psychiatry at the University of Southampton (UK) and Adjunct Full Professor at NYU Langone. Together we explore the intersection of pediatric ADHD and precision psychiatry, including the disorder’s genetic underpinnings and evolving treatment options. 00:00 Introduction 00:54 Dr. Cortese's Research Journey 02:11 Global Perspectives and Challenges in ADHD Treatment 03:51 Advances in ADHD Diagnosis and Treatment 06:41 Role of Genetics in ADHD 09:33 Precision Treatment and Stratification 12:17 Treatment Adherence and Shared Decision-Making 23:55 Connection Between ADHD and Obesity 28:39 Non-Stimulant Alternatives and Future Directions in ADHD Treatment 32:16 Non-Pharmacological Treatments 37:28 Advice for Clinicians and Closing Thoughts Visit our website for more insights on psychiatry. Podcast producer: Jon Earle

Dr. Timothy Wilens is a Professor of Psychiatry at Harvard Medical School and Chief of the Division of Child and Adolescent Psychiatry at Massachusetts General Hospital. His research interest include the relationship between ADHD, bipolar disorder, and substance use disorders; ADHD pharmacotherapy; and stimulant medication misuse. On this episode, Dr. Wilens discusses the importance of early diagnosis and intervention in ADHD, as well as its lifelong implications. He takes us through the evolution of ADHD treatment, from behavioral therapies to modern pharmacological interventions, including stimulant and non-stimulant medications, and the application of digital therapeutics. The conversation also touches on the stigma surrounding ADHD, the role of precision medicine, and the future of ADHD research. 00:00 Introduction 02:50 Evolution of ADHD Treatment 04:43 Stigma and Misconceptions 12:18 Importance of Early Intervention 15:02 ADHD Symptoms and Treatment Approaches 30:02 Addressing Concerns About Stimulant Medications 35:50 Navigating the Complexities of ADHD Medication 41:22 Future of ADHD Research and Treatment 43:20 Conclusion Visit our website for more insights on psychiatry. Podcast producer: Jon Earle

Dr. Ira Glick is Professor Emeritus of Psychiatry and Behavioral Sciences at Stanford University Medical Center, where he has served as director of the Schizophrenia Research Clinic. On this episode, he discusses his research journey, which began in the 1960s and followed a shift from psychoanalysis to biological psychiatry. He addresses the broken social safety net for schizophrenia patients, including the controversial topic of treating some patients against their will, as well as the challenges of medication adherence, and the stigma surrounding severe mental illness. 00:00 Introduction 00:49 Evolution of Schizophrenia Treatment 04:34 Science Behind Schizophrenia Medications 07:39 Addressing the Public Health Challenges of Schizophrenia 11:15 Stigma and Misunderstanding of Severe Mental Illness 21:44 Innovative Treatment Approaches and the Future of Schizophrenia Care 31:36 Importance of Public Health Interventions and Political Will 35:45 Closing Remarks and Future Directions Visit our website for more insights on psychiatry. Podcast producer: Jon Earle

Dr. Christin Drake is Clinical Associate Professor and Vice Chair of Diversity and Equity in the Department of Psychiatry at NYU Grossman School of Medicine. On this episode, Dr. Drake discusses ongoing efforts to improve mental health equity, including by improving psychiatric services for underserved groups, gathering better data, and boosting diversity among health care providers. She also discusses the importance of integrating mental health care into perinatal services and challenges the conventional wisdom about stigma toward mental health care in the Black community. 00:00 Introduction 00:55 Dr. Drake's Vision for Equity in Mental Health Care 03:46 Addressing Racial Inequities in Psychiatry: A Critical Conversation 04:45 The Importance of Representation and Mentorship in Psychiatry 10:32 Building Foundations for Health Equity: Data and Systemic Change 22:16 Integrating Psychiatric Care into Perinatal Health 33:31 Rethinking Mental Health Stigma in the Black Community 38:08 Future Projects and Closing Thoughts Visit our website for more insights on psychiatry. Podcast producer: Jon Earle

Dr. John Krystal is Chair of Psychiatry at the Yale School of Medicine. He is best known for leading the discovery of the rapid antidepressant effects of ketamine, which paved the way for the first major new antidepressant drug in decades. Here, Dr. Krystal talks about what we’ve learned in the five years since esketamine nasal spray was approved by the FDA, including efforts to predict treatment response, dosage and frequency, safety, and long-term impact. He also discusses advances in our understanding of alcohol use disorder and weighs in on the search for psychiatric biomarkers. 00:00 Introduction 01:01 Dr. Krystal's Research Journey 03:32 What We’ve Learned Since Esketamine’s FDA Approval 05:59 Avoiding Misuse 08:11 Optimizing Dosage 16:25 Predicting Treatment Outcomes 24:17 Ketamine vs. Psychedelics 25:48 Advances in the Treatment of Alcohol Use Disorder 32:33 Precision Psychiatry and Personalized Treatment Approaches 39:49 Psychiatric Biomarkers 41:03 The Future of Psychiatric Research and Treatment Visit our website for more insights on psychiatry. Podcast producer: Jon Earle

Dr. Robert Findling is Chair of the Department of Psychiatry at the Virginia Commonwealth University School of Medicine. Here he discusses recent advances in pediatric mental health, including his own research on aggression and schizophrenia in young people. Dr. Findling also shares his thoughts on the crisis of teen suicide, the lingering impact of COVID-19 on children’s mental health, and the need for early and collaborative interventions. 00:00 Introduction 00:46 Clinical and Research Journey 02:56 Aggression with impulsivity and reactivity (AIR) 06:48 Precision Pediatric Psychiatry 15:34 Schizophrenia 20:31 What Kids Need to Thrive 23:10 Teen Suicide 25:09 Role of Schools and Primary Care 30:58 Loneliness Epidemic Among Children 32:32 Improving Access to Pediatric Mental Health Care 40:00 Bipolar Disorder 43:24 Future Research and Hope for Young Patients 45:11 Conclusion: Importance of Early Intervention Visit our website for more insights on psychiatry. Podcast producer: Jon Earle

Dr. Charles Nemeroff is Chair of the Department of Psychiatry and Behavioral Sciences at the University of Texas-Austin's Dell Medical School. He is also co-director of the Center for Psychedelic Research and Therapy, and director of the Institute for Early Life Adversity Research. His research is focused on the pathophysiology of mood and anxiety disorders with a focus on the role of child abuse and neglect as a major risk factor. 00:00 Introduction 00:52 Dr. Nemeroff's Research Journey 01:55 Childhood Maltreatment as Risk Factor 04:53 Advances and Challenges in Precision Psychiatry 07:33 Psychedelic Medicine (incl. blinding issues and potential adverse events) 20:50 How Psychedelics Disrupt the "Circle of Hell" 30:00 Psilocybin as Potential Treatment for Anorexia Nervosa 38:32 Screening for Childhood Maltreatment 41:30 Transcranial Magnetic Stimulation (TMS) 44:14 Focused Ultrasound 46:32 Prescribing MAOIs 49:34 Conclusion Visit our website for more insights on psychiatry. Podcast producer: Jon Earle

Dr. Helen Riess is Associate Clinical Professor of Psychiatry at Harvard Medical School and Director of Empathy Research and Training in the Psychotherapy Research Group at Massachusetts General Hospital. She is also Founder and Chief Executive Officer at Empathetics, a company that provides science-based empathy and interpersonal skills training for healthcare professionals. Her research focuses on improving empathy and relational skills in physicians. 00:00 Introduction 01:14 Defining Empathy 03:38 Empathy and Burnout 05:00 Care for the Caregiver 07:52 Exquisite Empathy and Burnout 09:18 Building Empathy and Avoiding Overburden 10:45 Developing Boundaries in Clinical Practice 11:45 Training and Teaching Empathy 13:42 Model for Recognizing Emotion in Others 15:11 Becoming Emotion Detectives 19:31 Leadership's Role in Creating Supportive Workplaces 23:22 Benefits of Empathy Training 29:07 Technology and Empathy Training 34:18 Research on MDMA-Assisted Psychotherapy 37:43 Building Empathy and Compassion 40:07 Taking Small Steps Towards Empathy 42:32 Resources for Building Empathy 43:28 Future of Empathy Training The Empathy Effect (Dr. Riess's book) The Power of Empathy (TEDx Talk) Visit our website for more insights on psychiatry. Podcast producer: Jon Earle

Dr. Christopher Pittenger is a Professor of Psychiatry at the Yale School of Medicine and Director of the Yale OCD Research Clinic. In this episode, he discusses the neurobiology, symptomology, and treatment of Obsessive-Compulsive Disorder (OCD), including potential new treatments such as psychedelics, neurofeedback, glutamate modulators, and transcranial magnetic stimulation (TMS). 00:00 Introduction 00:41 Why is OCD Underdiagnosed? 02:19 Impact of OCD on Individuals 03:40 Taboo Nature of OCD Thoughts 06:10 Biomarkers 08:06 Neurobiology 14:20 Serotonin 16:48 Heterogeneity of OCD 24:00 Glutamate Modulators 29:33 Ketamine 33:13 Psilocybin 38:23 Neurofeedback 44:01 Transcranial Magnetic Stimulation (TMS) 47:22 Relationship Between Depression and OCD 50:24 Future of OCD Treatment Visit our website for more insights on psychiatry. Podcast producer: Jon Earle

Dr. Richard Davidson is the William James and Vilas Professor of Psychology and Psychiatry at the University of Wisconsin–Madison and Founder & Director of the Center for Healthy Minds. In this episode, he discusses the current state of research on mindfulness and meditation as mental health interventions. 00:00 Introduction 02:15 Focus areas in current research 04:37 Well-being as a universal intervention 06:21 Beyond mindfulness: other forms of meditation 07:24 Four pillars of well-being: awareness, connection, insight, and purpose 13:04 Healthy Minds Program and the impact of short daily meditation practices 17:05 Comparison of Mindfulness-Based Stress Reduction (MBSR) and the Healthy Minds Program, focusing on accessibility and time commitment 20:55 The potential for structural changes in the brain with meditation 26:24 Integrating mindfulness and meditation into clinical practice 28:06 Micro-supports for everyday well-being 33:27 Mindfulness and social connection 35:06 Future research directions, including the concept of a flourishing city Visit our website for more insights on psychiatry. Podcast producer: Jon Earle

Dr. Ronald Kessler is the McNeil Family Professor of Health Care Policy at Harvard Medical School. His groundbreaking work on the social determinants of mental health, studied from an epidemiological perspective, has made him the most widely cited psychiatric researcher in the world. In this wide-ranging conversation, he talks about precision psychiatry's enormous potential and incremental development, delving into his own efforts to better identify at-risk patients and predict treatment efficacy. Dr. Kessler stresses the need for better data and bigger studies, and envisions a future of AI-supported clinicians. 00:00 Introduction 00:53 Dr. Kessler's Journey to Precision Psychiatry 02:45 The Importance of Data 04:14 Risk Factors and Treatment Optimization 10:42 Successes and Challenges 13:23 The Importance of Baseline Information 23:46 Machine Learning in Veterans Health 24:27 Determining Suicide Risk 25:35 Interventions and Cost-Effectiveness 26:16 Esketamine Trials and Response Prediction 27:07 Risk Models and Comparative Risk Models 27:15 Insomnia Treatment in Military Personnel 29:36 Cost-Benefit Analyses 35:45 AI in Medicine and Patient Response 42:21 Future of Precision Psychiatry 45:51 Closing Remarks Visit our website for more insights on psychiatry. Podcast producer: Jon Earle

Dr. Petros Levounis is President of the American Psychiatric Association and a leader in addiction research. He joins host Thea Gallagher, PsyD, to talk about the latest in addiction medicine, the state of the opioid crisis, the growing problem of technology addiction, and the promise and risks of psychedelic medicine. He also shares his hopes for the future of psychiatry, including better integration of diagnoses, treatments, and outcomes for people with mental health disorders. 00:00 Introduction to NYU Langone Insights on Psychiatry 00:16 Dr. Levounis's role and priorities as APA president 00:46 The State of Addiction Medicine 02:12 Neurobiology of Addiction 03:37 Interplay Between Mental Health and Addiction 06:03 Potential and Challenges of Psychedelic Medicine 08:37 Cannabis and Tech Addictions 10:11 Addressing the Opioid Crisis: Strategies and Solutions 15:28 Addressing Technological Addictions 28:55 The Future of Psychiatry: Goals and Aspirations 35:47 Conclusion and Final Thoughts Visit our website for more insights on psychiatry. Podcast producer: Jon Earle