Learn more about the experts who review our articles to make sure they are accurate and trustworthy.
The Verywell Mind Review Board is a team of board-certified physicians and established mental health experts who ensure our content is high-quality and inclusive. They join us in our mission to be a compassionate resource that helps you prioritize your mental health and well-being.
Get to know the passionate psychotherapists, psychiatrists, social workers, counselors, mindfulness coaches, and other mental health professionals and educators who make up the Review Board.
How Our Review Board Process Works
Every article created by our team of expert writers that contains verifiable facts or medical information makes its way through our comprehensive Review Board process and gets assigned to a specialist based on their area of expertise. Even our custom illustrations go through the Review Board.
:max_bytes(150000):strip_icc():format(webp)/mindreview-06829a0e50864a589f4ca95969ab1f57.png)
When you see this check mark on a Verywell Mind article, you can trust it meets the high standards of our Review Board.
The Verywell Mind Review Board members confirm each piece of content they review is up-to-date, thorough, and authoritative—containing facts and guidelines that reflect the latest in mental health research and health information, as well as compassionate advice to help you feel your best.
If the Review Board suggests improvements, those are shared directly with our editorial staff so our editors can make any changes needed. Once a piece of content is approved, it receives the Review Board stamp in the byline—and you’ll know exactly who reviewed it and when.
Review Board Members
Daniel B. Block, MD
:max_bytes(150000):strip_icc():format(webp)/block-8924ca72ff94426d940e8f7e639e3942.jpg)
Daniel B. Block, MD, is an award-winning, board-certified psychiatrist who operates a private practice in Pennsylvania. Dr. Block is a staunch patient advocate and was awarded the Medical Service Advisor Award in 2000 for his work with New Directions, a chapter of the DBSA (Depression Bipolar Support Alliance).
Sara Clark
:max_bytes(150000):strip_icc():format(webp)/Sara-Clark-1000-ec845b3e32314f9782370ec43ea68e82.jpg)
Sara Clark is an EYT 500-hour certified Vinyasa yoga and mindfulness teacher, lululemon Global Yoga Ambassador, model, and writer. Her online yoga and meditation classes are available on SHAPE, Yoga Today, Prevention, and YogaGlo, and she teaches 1000+ yoga practitioners in New York City's Bryant Park every summer.
Claire Eggleston, LMFT-Associate
:max_bytes(150000):strip_icc():format(webp)/DSC_03892-780ad18b393347f5806d4206ac4d16ec.jpg)
Claire Eggleston, LMFT-Associate is a neurodivergent therapist and specializes in and centers on the lived experiences of autistic and ADHD young adults, many of whom are also in the queer and disability communities. She prioritizes social justice and intertwines community care into her everyday work with clients.
Steven Gans, MD
:max_bytes(150000):strip_icc():format(webp)/steven-gans-1000-51582b7f23b6462f8713961deb74959f.jpg)
Steven Gans, MD, is a board-certified psychiatrist and active supervisor, teacher, and mentor at Massachusetts General Hospital. He is an assistant professor of psychiatry at Harvard Medical School, and practices at McLean Hospital in Belmont, Massachusetts. Dr. Gans leads a team-based approach to treating patients with serious mental illnesses.
Rachel Goldman, PhD, FTOS
:max_bytes(150000):strip_icc():format(webp)/Rachel-Goldman-1000-a42451caacb6423abecbe6b74e628042.jpg)
Rachel Goldman, PhD, FTOS, is a licensed psychologist and clinical assistant professor in the department of psychiatry at NYU School of Medicine. She is also a speaker and wellness expert specializing in stress management and health behavior change, as well as weight management and eating behaviors. She serves on leadership boards of The Obesity Society and the American Society of Metabolic and Bariatric Surgery.
Aron Janssen, MD
:max_bytes(150000):strip_icc():format(webp)/aron-6f9b8a651e804c07b290e57b3218a898.jpeg)
Aron Janssen, MD, is board-certified in child, adolescent, and adult psychiatry and is the vice chair of child and adolescent psychiatry at Northwestern University. He is the founder of the Gender and Sexuality Service at New York University, and author of "Affirmative Mental Health Care for Transgender and Gender Diverse Youth."
Monica Johnson, PsyD
:max_bytes(150000):strip_icc():format(webp)/Dr-Monica-Johnson-d254c48e06be4690a2423d260b1130bd.jpeg)
Dr. Monica Johnson is a clinical psychologist and owner of Kind Mind Psychology, a private practice in NYC specializing in evidence-based approaches to treating a wide range of mental health issues (e.g., depression, anxiety, trauma, and personality disorders). Additionally, she works with marginalized groups of people, including BIPOC, LGBTQ+, and alternative lifestyles, to manage minority stress.
Elena Klimenko, MD
:max_bytes(150000):strip_icc():format(webp)/Elena-Klimenko-1000-da1728dd626c4b90945406ebd9498103.jpg)
Elena Klimenko, MD, IFMCP, is a board-certified doctor in internal medicine and licensed in medical acupuncture and homeopathy. She is a part of the teaching faculty at Center for Education and Development of Homeopathy and leads her medical practice at Healthy Wealthy & Wise Medical, PC in New York City, using both conventional and alternative medicine.
Ivy Kwong, LMFT
:max_bytes(150000):strip_icc():format(webp)/Ivy_Kwong_headshot_1000x1000-8cf49972711046e88b9036a56ca494b5.jpg)
Ivy Kwong, LMFT, is a psychotherapist specializing in relationships, love and intimacy, trauma and codependency, and AAPI mental health. For over seventeen years, she has had the honor of walking alongside hundreds of individuals on their journeys of healing in relationship with themselves and with others. She has a private telehealth practice where she sees individual clients for therapy in CA and WA and coaching worldwide.
Shaheen Lakhan, MD, PhD, FAAN
:max_bytes(150000):strip_icc():format(webp)/Shaheen-Lakhan-660-594fd00c787a40e2bcf15a60eaf9b89a.jpg)
Shaheen Lakhan, MD, PhD, is an award-winning, board-certified physician-scientist and clinical development specialist. He is board-certified in neurology and pain medicine, with clinical training from the Cleveland Clinic and Massachusetts General Hospital. He has taught at Harvard Medical School and the California University of Science and Medicine.
Mei T. Liu, Pharm.D., BCPP
:max_bytes(150000):strip_icc():format(webp)/Liu_Mei2020-1-de33259dc47a4779ab9a323c2fa2ec91.jpg)
Dr. Mei Liu is the Psychiatric Clinical Pharmacist at the Penn Medicine Princeton House Behavioral Health and is a Clinical Assistant Professor at the Ernest Mario School of Pharmacy, Rutgers, The State University of New Jersey.
Ann-Louise T. Lockhart, PsyD, ABPP
:max_bytes(150000):strip_icc():format(webp)/Ann-Louise-1000-601bd9ba1f744bd0a2a4a6f722bd1553.jpg)
Ann-Louise T. Lockhart, PsyD, ABPP, is a board-certified pediatric psychologist, parent coach, author, speaker, and owner of A New Day Pediatric Psychology, PLLC. Dr. Lockhart specializes in working with clients who present with medical diagnoses and are seeking alternative solutions.
Akeem Marsh, MD
:max_bytes(150000):strip_icc():format(webp)/akeemmarsh_1000-d247c981705a46aba45acff9939ff8b0.jpg)
Akeem Marsh, MD, is a board-certified child, adolescent, and adult psychiatrist who has dedicated his career to working with children and families of medically underserved communities. He is also the co-editor of the book, “Not Just Bad Kids: The Link Between Adversity and Disruptive Behavior."
Kristin McGee, CPT
:max_bytes(150000):strip_icc():format(webp)/Kristin-McGee-1000-9949bcef7fca4bc19f7271b624c65a4f.jpg)
Kristin McGee, CPT, is a certified personal trainer, yoga instructor, and meditation teacher. She currently teaches yoga and meditation for Peloton, including prenatal and postnatal classes for new moms. Kristin is one of the most sought after and recognized fitness instructors in the country and is a pioneer in making yoga and mindful movement more accessible for all.
Megan Monahan
:max_bytes(150000):strip_icc():format(webp)/Megan-Monahan-1000-1f8e81cdbf6349228d6f8259b670730f.jpg)
Megan Monahan is a certified meditation instructor who has studied under Dr. Deepak Chopra. She is the author of the book, "Don't Hate, Meditate" and teaches meditation to corporate and private clients weekly, in addition to her work with brands like lululemon and Wanderlust. Angeleno Magazine named Megan "The Meditation Master" for its "It List 2019."
Armeen Poor, MD
:max_bytes(150000):strip_icc():format(webp)/Armeen-fb0d3f30559742abbb4c13376445b7ab.jpg)
Armeen Poor, MD, is a board-certified pulmonologist, specializing in critical care and sleep medicine. He is an assistant professor of medicine at New York Medical College, with clinical duties in the Division of Pulmonary and Critical Care at Metropolitan Hospital Center in New York City. Dr. Poor was awarded the Resident Research Award from Columbia University Medical Center.
Yolanda Renteria, LPC
:max_bytes(150000):strip_icc():format(webp)/YolandaRenteria_1000x1000_tight_crop-a646e61dbc3846718c632fa4f5f9c7e1.jpg)
Yolanda Renteria, LPC, is a licensed therapist, somatic practitioner, national certified counselor, adjunct faculty professor, speaker specializing in the treatment of trauma and intergenerational trauma.
Sabrina Romanoff, PsyD
:max_bytes(150000):strip_icc():format(webp)/VW_Sabrina_Romanoff-f11bccb77e5a48e2aceaaf86f542267b.jpg)
Dr. Sabrina Romanoff, PsyD, is a licensed clinical psychologist with a private practice in New York City, where she works with individuals and couples. She is also a professor at Yeshiva University’s clinical psychology doctoral program where she teaches advanced doctoral candidates about principles of group theory and practice.
Margaret Seide, MD
:max_bytes(150000):strip_icc():format(webp)/MegSiede_1000-05e95c743d0b460eaa6610c4839c245c.jpg)
Margaret Seide, MS, MD, is a board-certified psychiatrist who specializes in the treatment of depression, addiction, and eating disorders.
Huma Sheikh, MD
:max_bytes(150000):strip_icc():format(webp)/A1-662ca4bce3144506bdd929adc8040666.jpg)
Huma Sheikh, MD, is a board-certified neurologist, specializing in migraine and stroke. She is affiliated with Mount Sinai of New York and co-founded the Migraine and Vascular Section for the American Headache Society. Dr. Sheikh has received many honors including Teacher of the Year at Mount Sinai-Beth Israel Hospital.
Carly Snyder, MD
:max_bytes(150000):strip_icc():format(webp)/carly-935717a415724b9b9c849c26fd0450ea.jpg)
Carly Snyder, MD, is a reproductive and perinatal psychiatrist who combines traditional psychiatry with integrative medicine-based treatments. She is also the director for women's health for Family Health Associates, host of the podcast MD for Moms, and a regular contributor to many news and media outlets. Dr. Snyder was named a "Rising Star" by Super Doctors in 2019.
David Susman, PhD
:max_bytes(150000):strip_icc():format(webp)/David-Susman-1000-a51c28fe64c14de0a1c0aa3288008338.jpg)
David Susman, PhD, is a licensed clinical psychologist with 25 years of experience providing treatment to individuals with mental illness and substance use concerns. He is also an assistant professor of psychology at the University of Kentucky, award-winning blogger, and the founding director of Eastern State Hospital’s Recovery Mall.
John C. Umhau, MD, MPH, CPE
:max_bytes(150000):strip_icc():format(webp)/_0KS3053-XL-1000-a1498750f1964702a1b0f4ab14e6b01c.jpg)
John C. Umhau, MD, MPH, CPE is board-certified in addiction medicine and preventative medicine. He is the medical director at Alcohol Recovery Medicine.
Former Verywell Mind Review Board Members
- Richard N. Fogoros, MD
- Claudia Chaves, MD
- Sanja Jelic, MD
- Amy Morin, LCSW
0 Reviews