Rachel Goldman, Ph.D., FTOS, FASMBS-IH (widely known as Dr. Rachel) is a nationally recognized licensed psychologist, speaker, and media contributor specializing in the mind-body connection. With expertise in Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT) and a holistic approach to health, she focuses on stress management, eating behaviors, obesity treatment, and health behavior change.
Dr. Rachel is a Clinical Assistant Professor in the Department of Psychiatry at NYU Grossman School of Medicine and a trusted expert frequently featured in the media—including on-camera segments and appearances alongside Oprah. She has served as a consultant for the film The Whale and is regularly quoted in major publications such as The New York Times, TIME, CNN, USA Today, and Women’s Health. She is also a member of the Wellness Board for Verywell and a peer reviewer for academic journals.
As a sought-after speaker and consultant, Dr. Rachel provides expert guidance to professionals and corporations on stress management, self-care and burnout prevention, health behavior change, and eating behaviors. She leads corporate wellness programs and workshops, helping individuals and teams cultivate healthier lifestyles.
Dr. Rachel has been widely recognized for her contributions to mental health. She was named one of Women’s Health Magazine’s Most Inspiring Women to Follow and is a Mental Health Coalition Champion. She has also been selected as a Top 100 Mental Health Influencer and a Top 40 CBT Influencer of 2025. Passionate about empowering individuals to build their own mental health toolbox, Dr. Rachel’s highly anticipated book will be released in 2026.
With a strong academic and clinical background, Dr. Rachel supervises psychiatry residents and provides didactic training in CBT and obesity treatment at NYU. She earned her doctorate in Clinical Psychology from Fairleigh Dickinson University and completed specialized training in Behavioral Medicine, Obesity, and Bariatric Surgery at the Medical University of South Carolina.
From 2011 to 2016, she served as Senior Psychologist at Bellevue Hospital’s Center for Obesity & Weight Management, conducting over 5,000 pre-surgical psychosocial evaluations and providing post-surgery care. She has led treatment groups focused on binge eating, emotional eating, stress reduction, behavior change, relationship adjustments, and psychological well-being.
Dr. Rachel is frequently featured as a health expert on radio and television. She has been an expert panelist with Oprah—three times!—on obesity, body image, and CBT and has appeared on SiriusXM’s Doctor Radio, discussing weight loss struggles, stress, and disordered eating. Her work was highlighted in the June 2016 APA Monitor on Psychology.
A leader in the field, Dr. Rachel has held key roles in The Obesity Society (TOS) and the American Society of Metabolic and Bariatric Surgery (ASMBS). She chaired The Obesity Society’s Early-Career Member Committee for three years, served on its Program Committee, and is currently Co-Chair of the Communications Committee for ASMBS. In 2023, she was honored with the Distinguished Behavioral Health Provider Award.
With additional training in sport psychology, Dr. Rachel has volunteered with nonprofits promoting healthy lifestyles for athletes and children. She has also been an event leader for the NYC ASMBS Walk from Obesity and has completed marathons, half marathons, and a triathlon. She continues to lead an active lifestyle in NYC with her husband and two children, dedicated to helping others make sustainable behavior changes to live healthier, happier lives.
Photo credit: Daphne Youree