EDUCATORS & ADVOCATES
You deserve the best, which is why you'll only receive
content created by our vetted mental health experts
Katherine Grill, PhD
Dr. Grill has a BS in Art Therapy, MA in Psychology and PhD in Behavioral Neuroscience specializing in Integrative and Behavioral Health. She worked clinically in psychiatric care, conducting therapeutic art and mind-body sessions and is a certified Advance Care Planning facilitator. Dr. Grill has been a part of numerous research studies, including NIH R01s. She co-founded a mindfulness group in DC for teens and young adults and taught psychology and neuroscience as a university professor. Dr. Grill is the creator of some of Neolth's relaxation practices and is featured in many of Neolth's video series. She is also the moderator of Neolth's Ask the Experts livestream.
Claire Wheeler, MD, PhD
Dr. Wheeler has an MD with training in Integrative and Emergency Medicine as well as a PhD in Clinical Psychology. She specializes in trauma treatment and stress reduction. She had her own private practice, Mind-Body Medicine of Portland. She is the author of 10 Simple Solutions to Stress and Pocket Therapy for Stress. Dr. Wheeler is also an Assistant Professor at OHSU/PSU and has been a Senior Faculty member at the Center for Mind-Body Medicine for nearly 20 years. Dr. Wheeler is the creator of some of Neolth's relaxation practices and is featured in many of Neolth's video series. She is also the featured speaker in Neolth's Ask the Experts livestream.
Albert Wong, PhD
Dr. Albert Wong is a licensed Clinical Psychologist specializing in trauma treatment and stress reduction. He is the former Director of Somatic Psychology at JFK University. He is one of the nation’s leading experts in body-mind treatment modalities and somatic approaches to healing trauma. He served as residential staff at the Esalen Institute for five years, has been featured on PBS, in Time Magazine, and in the book The American Soul Rush. He is the recipient of numerous national awards for his work. Dr. Wong is the creator of some of Neolth's relaxation practices.
Benjamin Emmert-Aronson, PhD
Dr. Benjamin Emmert-Aronson is a clinical psychologist specializing in behavioral pharmacies. He completed his MA in Psychology and MS in Statistics at Columbia University and his PhD at Boston University. He is the founder of Open Source Wellness, a non-profit in Oakland, California that helps people improve their core health behaviors through behavioral coaching and community support. He is the recipient of the 2019 Scattergood Innovation Award for his work. Dr. Emmert-Aronson is the creator of some of Neolth's relaxation practices. He is also featured in Neolth's video series about Holistic Health.
Katie Leikam, MSW, LCSW, LISW-CP
Katie Leikam is a gender therapist and private practice owner who serves the LGBTQIA, transgender, non-binary and genderqueer community with mental health wellness. She is WPATH GEI SOC v7 Certified and is one of three people in the state of Georgia that is a World Professional Transgender Health GEI SOC v7 member. She works with her clients on gender identity, anxiety, depression, relationship stress, family and religious trauma, and coming out to others. Leikam got her Bachelor of Science degree in Psychology from Georgia State University, her Master’s of Social Work from the University of Georgia and she recently got her Master’s of Business Administration from Mercer University. She has been working as a therapist since 2012 and has been working in community social work for 16 years. She is featured in Neolth's video series about LGBTQ+ Mental Health.
Robin Brody, Psy.D.
Dr. Brody is an instructor of psychology in clinical psychiatry at Weill Cornell Medicine and an assistant attending psychologist at NewYork-Presbyterian. She specializes in psychopathology and utilizing evidence-based therapies, including cognitive, behavioral, attachment-focused, and mindfulness-based interventions. Her approach is collaborative, supportive, and authentic. To promote holistic and durable well-being, she considers the interplay of individual concerns within their context and culture. She strives to create a safe and brave space for patients to explore and alter negative patterns, process painful experiences, and grow comfortable and confident enough to face future challenges with strength and resilience. She is featured in Neolth's video series about LGBTQ+ Mental Health.
Julia Alvarez
Julia Alvarez has her bachelors in Health Education from San Francisco State University with a focus on Holistic Health. She is the Clinical Program Manager for Open Source Wellness and focuses on the integration of health through community support within clinical systems. Julia is featured in Neolth's video series about Holistic Health.
Naveen Kassamali, LMFT
Naveen Kassamali is a psychotherapist who is licensed by the California Board of Behavioral Sciences. She is a marriage and family therapist who specializes in cognitive-behavioral therapy (CBT), dialectical behavior therapy (DBT), acceptance and commitment therapy (ACT), Mindfulness Based Cognitive Therapy (MBCT), motivational interviewing (MI), health psychology, exposure therapy and addiction psychotherapy. Naveen is featured in Neolth's video series Learning About Discrimination and Drugs & Alcohol.
Chad Dingman, LISW-CP, OSW-C
Chad is a licensed clinical social worker with over 20 years of behavioral health and oncology experience. He is a graduate of the University of Illinois where his training included psychopathology, psychodiagnostics and school based mental health. Following graduation, Chad relocated to South Carolina where he worked extensively with psychiatric and substance abuse patients in an inpatient hospital setting. There, he was the lead therapist providing individual, family and marital therapy for both adults and adolescents. In 2003, Chad transitioned to the field of oncology. For 12 years, he worked as the oncology certified social worker at the Gibbs Cancer Center in Spartanburg, South Carolina helping individuals and families who were struggling with a cancer diagnosis. Chad has a special interest in using mind-body techniques to assist patients undergoing chemotherapy and radiation treatments. Since 2015, Chad has served as the Director of Oncology Support and the Center for Integrative Medicine at Spartanburg Regional Gibbs Cancer Center. Chad is an avid triathlete, competing in Ironman, half Ironman and Olympic distances. He uses breathwork, imagery and meditation to improve performance and recovery. Chad is also a passionate homebrewer, golfer and enjoys traveling with his wife, Roxanne and 16 year-old daughter, Addison. Chad is featured in Neolth's video series about Men's Mental Health.
Toni Bankston, LCSW
Toni is a Licensed Clinical Social Worker (LCSW) and trauma specialist with 31 years experience as a clinician, teacher trainer and administrator. She is often called to consult with schools and youth organizations in initiating trauma-focused mental health programs for children and families.Toni's personal and professional mission is to be a catalyst for healing and empowerment for children and families exposed to trauma. In her 31 years as a clinician, trainer and administrator, she has enjoyed working in diverse settings including the mobile mental health program for the Baton Rouge Children's Health Project, Neighbors Keepers Foundation and the Capital Area Alliance for the Homeless One-Stop Service Center. She formerly assumed the position of Executive Director for the Baton Rouge Children's Advocacy Center after working for three years as its Clinical Director, overseeing the expansion and development of its trauma recovery program for youthful survivors of violent crime and their families. This project led to partnerships with the Mayor's Office and the Department of Education as they seek trauma-informed law enforcement agencies and classrooms.Toni's has been a trainer for the U.S. Faculty and with Global Trauma Relief Team of the Center for Mind-Body Medicine. She has responded in areas such as Israel, Gaza, Haiti, the V.A., Sonoma County and Parkland, Florida following the shooting at Marjory Stoneman Douglas High School. Toni is featured in Neolth's video series about Healing from Trauma and Building Resilience.
Saranne Rothberg, MS
Saranne Rothberg founded The ComedyCures Foundation in 1999 from her chemo chair and she is still cancer-free. Her comic perspective helped her beat stage IV cancer and she has made it her mission to share tumor humor and laughter to help others with their challenges. Through award-winning digital and live programs and research studies, patients, caregivers and healthcare workers around the world learn transformative daily coping strategies that have been proven to decrease stress, anxiety and depression while increasing resiliency, self-empowerment and comic perspective. The ComedyCures Foundation published therapeutic comedy videos on Neolth as part of their collaborative research study for women living with advanced cancer.
Sheridan Randolph
Sheridan Randolph is a Filmmaker who use to work in the mental health field. She was surrounded by educators and social workers growing up, so the importance of people's well-being was instilled in her at an early age. Once she got in the film industry, she desired to bring these two areas together. Her work discusses mental health & mental disorders from the black perspective. Sheridan has written and directed multiple short films, and created and show-ran her first web miniseries, "Stuck In". She has experience working on a variety of sets, including Marvel's "Black Panther: Wakanda Forever," and DC shows like "DMZ" and "Doom Patrol." Sheridan co-wrote a short film about mental health and mental disorders from the black perspective called “12 AM”. The film can be viewed on YouTube.
Robert Pardi
Robert Pardi, born in NYC, is one of those rare individuals who embraces change and lives what he calls “possibility in action” – taking his desire for transformation and putting it into action daily. He received his MBA from Columbia University and was quickly recruited by the Abu Dhabi Investment Authority, one of the largest sovereign wealth funds. Shortly after, his wife Desiree, was diagnosed with Stage 3 breast cancer. Unfortunately, she passed 11 years later. After, throwing caution to the wind, Robert leapt from his comfort zone. He changed careers and moved to the same Italian village his great grandfather immigrated from over 100 years ago. He is now a certified life coach, adjunct professor, international guest speaker, and the Author of Chasing Life - The remarkable true story of love, joy, and achievement against all odds. Robert is featured in Neolth's video series about Finding Your Purpose.
Greta Jarvis, MS
Oregon native Greta Jarvis earned her Master of Science in Nutrition from the National University of Natural Medicine, Bachelor of Arts summa cum laude in Latin American Studies and Public Health from Occidental College, and is currently pursuing her Master of Public Health in Health Promotion at the OHSU-PSU School of Public Health. She completed her certification as an integrative health coach with Duke Integrative Medicine and is a Certified Intuitive Eating Counselor. The non-diet and weight-inclusive philosophies underpin Greta's work, as she guides clients toward discovering authentic health, peace, and freedom amidst a diet-and-weight-crazed world through her private practice, Nutrition for Good. Additionally, Greta works as the social media specialist for Evelyn Tribole (co-founder and author of Intuitive Eating). Greta is featured in Neolth's video series about Nutrition & Body Image.
Bob Alston, Ed.D
Dr. Bob Alston is a higher education administrator focused on student-centered leadership and practice. Dr. Alston's research areas include critically developing university disciplinary policies and centering individualized student care for service-aligned employees at colleges and universities. Dr. Alston works to reflect-in-action while elevating human-centered service for each learner.
Derrick Evens
Long time Radio and TV Host around financial education, Derrick Evens has dedicated himself to helping First-Time and VA home buyers become educated about the process and get a low rate with no fees through his service. You can learn more about Derrick's work on his socials:
https://www.facebook.com/thederrickevens
https://www.instagram.com/derrickevens/
Khrystina Warnstadt, MSW(c)
Khrystina Warnstadt is the Outreach & Engagement Specialist at Neolth and an MSW student at the University at Buffalo, SUNY. While earning her BA and CGS from the University at Albany, SUNY, she discovered a passion for mental health, equity, and accessibility. Her passions led her to her work at Neolth, as well as with organizations such as Planned Parenthood, the NY Birth Control Access Project, and NAMI. She works with Neolth to bring mental health support to students worldwide and empower students to share their stories and eradicate the stigma around mental health.
Debbie Kaufman, MA
Debbie Kaufman is a Professor in the Community & Public Health program at OHSU-PSU. She has been teaching Drug Education and related courses for over a decade. Most recently, Debbie has been researching the critical issue of weight bias and stigma on public health. She integrates body size diversity into her work on equity, intersectionality, and inclusiveness. Prior to coming to PSU, Debbie worked for 17 years in the non-profit community in Portland. She spent 5 years in the statewide tobacco control advocacy efforts and managed a Kellogg Foundation grant for school-based health care. In 2014, Debbie was a Multnomah County Public Health hero nominee.
Marie Mimiaga
Marie Mimiaga has her Bachelors in Communications, PR and Marketing from the University of North Carolina Wilmington. She worked previously with the National Society for Collegiate Scholars and is currently with Second Muse. At Second Muse, she's been involved in multiple projects including the Headstream Youth Mental Health Accelerator, a program that seeks to understand and address the pressing challenges faced by youth with regard to their mental wellbeing. Marie is featured in Neolth's video series Learning About Race & Identity.
Hannah Quinn
Hannah Quinn has her Bachelors in Sociology and Education Studies from Middlebury College. Previously, she was a Program Manager at The Center for Mind-Body Medicine managing trauma-relief programs for communities impacted by natural disasters and gun violence. Hannah is passionate about improving healthcare access to underserved communities. She is featured in Neolth's video series about Finding Support Through Friends & Family.
Ginger Freeman
Ginger Freeman (she/her) is an Editorial intern at Neolth and recent graduate of Santa Clara University with a Bachelor's in Psychology, Public Health, and Asian Studies. She plans to pursue a Master's in Counseling to become a licensed therapist. She is passionate about making mental health care more accessible and personalized, as well as applying zen theory to traditional psychotherapy. Through starting the conversation around mental health she hopes to reduce stigma and help people feel less alone! Outside of school, she enjoys spending time outside with friends, hot yoga, meditation, and listening to live music.
Drishti Moore, MPH(c)
Drishti More (she/her/hers) is set to receive her Master's in Public Health in 2024. Her passion for health equity and accessibility has led her to work with organizations such as Neolth, the American Red Cross, and Days for Girls International. As an Outreach Intern at Neolth, Drishti is expanding knowledge of and access to stigma-free mental health care to students across the country.
