Sue Varma, MD, is one of the nation's leading authorities on mental health. As a board-certified psychiatrist, couples therapist, and psychopharmacologist with a thriving practice in New York City, she has become an internationally recognized voice on managing mental health and wellness during trying times.
Both educational and inspirational in her approach, Dr. Varma is a true multidimensional expert, nationally sought for her medical commentary, media advising, and consulting for major news shows. Her eloquence transcends audiences, from C-suite executives to students, parents, and healthcare professionals, offering much-needed discourse concerning trauma, resilience, optimism, and mental wellness.
Dr. Varma was the inaugural medical director and attending psychiatrist at the World Trade Center Mental Health Program at NYU Langone Health, treating civilians and first responders in the aftermath of 9/11. During the pandemic, she provided key tips for staying healthy and sustaining hope and optimism amid a time of loneliness, anxiety, loss, and grief.
Whether navigating post-tragedy landscapes or elucidating complex research, Dr. Varma's regular appearances on major media outlets, including the Today Show, Nightly News, CBS Mornings, Good Morning America, NPR, PBS, and CNN, actively shape and contextualize conversations around mental health. Her expertise can be read in influential publications like Time and The Washington Post, and covers everything from mass shootings, poverty, suicide, and homelessness to the underlying forces affecting marriage and relationships.
Her first book, Practical Optimism: The Art, Science, and Practice of Exceptional Well-Being, published in 2024, is a comprehensive guide and philosophy to navigating life's ups and downs.
Dr. Varma underscores her deep commitment to mental health as a Clinical Assistant Professor of Psychiatry at New York University (NYU) Langone Health, where she imparts her expertise to clinicians and trainees on courses including psychopharmacology, psychopathology, and psychiatric interviewing.
Dr. Varma is a Distinguished Fellow of the American Psychiatric Association, the highest distinction bestowed upon its members, and the recipient of numerous awards, including the Mayoral Proclamation for her 9/11 work and a Public Sector Award from the Indo American Psychiatric Association, to name a few. Named one of the world's top five leading health experts by Global Citizen, Dr. Varma is a 2019 Sharecare Emmy winner based on her series on depression.
The Science of Self: Latest Research & Insights in Mental Health. As a frequent science and media consultant, Dr.&bsp;Sue Varma guides both medical practitioners and media outlets toward sensitive and credible mental health coverage. Likewise, Dr. Varma contributes her expertise to the APA's national communications council and collaborates with investigative journalists, advises morning news teams, and imparts insights to numerous Fortune 500 companies, underscoring her status as a thought leader.
In this topical discussion, Dr. Varma sheds light on the latest research and findings from her own work on the shifts and trends reshaping medicine, psychiatry, and broader mental health. She covers an array of topics, including workplace wellness, building resilience, self-compassion, psychological safety, women's health, prevention, and workplace diversity. With her clinical toolkit and extensive experience, Dr. Varma reveals an impressive range of knowledge with relatable scientific, tangible takeaways, and research-based insights delivered with candor, compassion, and inspiration.
Practical Optimism: A Doctor’s Prescription for Greatness. From helping survivors at the World Trade Center Mental Health Program to the extensive work with patients from her own private practice, Dr. Varma has seen the full spectrum of the tremendous stress and trauma individuals can endure. But how do some people not just survive but thrive in the face of immense challenges? And what tools can be learned to help others better navigate immense stress?
Through her extensive clinical work with patients and integrating philosophy, personal experiences, and the latest research in psychology, psychiatry, and neuroscience, Dr. Varma developed ‘Practical Optimism,’ a mindset for improving one's outlook, focus, and decision-making. In this talk, Dr. Varma covers best practices for stress management and for fostering resilience, positive thinking, dealing with challenges, and achieving personal and professional success. This broad discussion applies to nearly every group, from corporate executives and healthcare professionals to schools, parents, and faculty, as it empowers everyone to lead lives filled with joy, purpose, and resilience.
The 4 Ms of Mental Health: Habit Hacking Your Way to a Better Life. Physician and Psychiatrist Dr. Sue Varma has come to realize that there is no health without mental health. Yet mental health frequently takes a back seat to physical health. As Dr. Varma explains, our emotions, attitudes, and behaviors predict our habits and our habits predict our mental health. In other words, good mental health is built upon a foundation of healthy, productive habits.
With over twenty years of experience as a psychiatrist, couples counselor, and cognitive-behavioral therapist, Dr. Varma's mission remains the same: to help people achieve optimal mental wellness by developing simple, effective habits. In this practical and accessible discussion, Sue boils down her extensive expertise into four science-backed habits, the 4 Ms of Mental Health, that work to improve mental health and encourage the development of good habits. Her framework is a starting point to build on as part of a comprehensive, holistic approach.
Keywords: Covid-19, depression, isolation, trauma, health and wellness, mental health, loneliness, anxiety, PTSD