Rachel Goldman, Ph.D., FTOS (aka Dr. Rachel) is a licensed psychologist, speaker, and consultant. She specializes in health and wellness, including health behavior change, stress management, eating behaviors, the treatment of obesity (including pre- and post bariatric surgery), and weight management. She received her doctoral degree in Clinical Psychology from Fairleigh Dickinson University in NJ. She completed her Pre-Doctoral Clinical Internship with a specialization in Behavioral Medicine and her Post-Doctoral Fellowship with a specialization in Obesity and Bariatric Surgery at the Medical University of South Carolina.
Dr. Rachel previously (2011-2016) served as Senior Psychologist at Bellevue Center for Obesity & Weight Management at Bellevue Hospital. She has conducted over 5,000 pre-surgical psychosocial evaluations and has provided follow-up care for patients ranging from days to 10+ years after surgery. She has facilitated treatment groups focused on binge eating, emotional eating, stress reduction, general behavior change, relationship changes, and psychological adjustment.
Dr. Rachel is Clinical Assistant Professor in the Department of Psychiatry at NYU Grossman School of Medicine. She supervises psychiatry residents in cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT) and provides didactic trainings related to the treatment of obesity. She currently sees individual clients in her private practice in NYC where she takes a holistic approach to health and utilizes CBT to assist clients in behavioral changes that will promote healthier and happier lives. She also conducts pre-surgical psychosocial evaluations for individuals undergoing bariatric surgery and provides pre- and post-op psychotherapy. Dr. Rachel is a Verywell Review Board member and also provides consulting services to other professionals and corporations, including corporate wellness programming and workshops . She also speaks internationally on topics such as stress management, self-care, health behavior change, and eating behaviors.
Dr. Rachel is a sought after speaker and expert who has been featured in media. She was an expert panelist with Oprah discussing weight loss and obesity. She was also a consultant on the Darren Aronofsky film, The Whale. She is also an expert guest on Sirius XM Doctor Radio where she discusses the struggles with weight loss, stress, and disordered eating, as well as health behavior change and CBT. Dr. Rachel has been quoted in many articles including The New York Times, TIME, NBC News, CNN, USA Today, SHAPE, Women's Health, and MORE. She has been a guest on several wellness podcasts, and her work as a psychologist in the field of obesity was highlighted in the June 2016 APA Monitor on Psychology.
Dr. Rachel serves on many professional committees. She was the Chair of The Obesity Society Early-Career Member Committee for three years served on the Program Committee. She was on the Integrated Health Executive Council of the American Society of Metabolic and Bariatric Surgery, and was also the recipient of the Distinguished Behavioral Health Provider award in 2023.
Dr. Rachel also has training in sport psychology and has done volunteer work with non-for-profit organizations working with athletes and children encouraging healthy behaviors and a healthy lifestyle. She was the Event Co-Leader of the 2014, 2015 and 2019 NYC ASMBS Walk from Obesity. She ran in the 2007 and 2013 NYC marathons, several half marathons, and participated in a sprint distance triathlon. She continues to live an active lifestyle with her husband and two children in NYC, and enjoys helping others live healthier and happier lives by promoting positive behavioral changes.
photo: Robert Adam Mayer