Top Employee Assistance Program Experts 2025

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Greg Doney is the Director of Goodsky Mental Health Retreat, a premium residential mental health programme on Australia’s Sunshine Coast. He has spent nearly 20 years designing personalised recovery programmes for people experiencing trauma, PTSD, depression, anxiety, and burnout. Greg specialises in trauma recovery, integrating somatic therapy, nervous system regulation, nutrition, and metabolic psychiatry principles to support whole-person healing. He is the author of Healing Trauma at the Cellular Level and is known for translating complex mental health concepts into clear, practical strategies. His work focuses on PTSD, complex and developmental trauma, relapse prevention, and residential mental health treatment.

I bridge research and practice, helping educators, parents, and leaders apply the science of thriving to their work and their lives. I'm an Assistant Professor at the University of Cincinnati, where I teach undergraduate and graduate courses in educational leadership, higher education, and well-being. My research focuses on social connection, the neuroscience of thriving, parent engagement, education policy K-16, international education, and leadership for social justice. Before academia, I helped lead a parent engagement program that reached over 2,500 families across 50 schools. I hold a Ph.D. from NYU and an M.Ed. from Harvard. I speak, consult, and write on thriving, social connection, parent engagement, and systemic approaches to strengthening schools. If that work is relevant to yours, I'd love to connect!

Dr. Catherine Shaffer is a scientist and researcher whose work focuses on violence risk assessment and management, dating and intimate partner violence, and adolescent offenders. With experience spanning both research and applied contexts, she brings an evidence-based perspective to understanding risk, offending behavior, and prevention. She has authored (or co-authored) over 130 articles, book chapters, reports, assessment tools, and presentations related to crime and violence. In 2021, she was awarded the Christopher Webster Early Career Award by the International Association of Forensic Mental Health Services for significant early-career contributions to the forensic mental health field.

Penelope Lovegrove is a clinical psychologist, occasional blog post writer at www.mindmymind.com.au with more than two decades of experience supporting adults through challenges including trauma recovery, family violence, grief, neurodivergence (ADHD and autism), complex mental health (dual diagnoses) and general mental health across the lifespan. Penelope runs her own psychology clinic in Melbourne providing therapy, group programs, and online resources designed to make psychological insights clear and accessible. She is especially skilled at translating the latest psychological research into practical tools and solutions that people can apply in their personal lives, workplaces, and communities. Her work bridges science and lived experience, turning complex findings into strategies that improve resilience, wellbeing, communication, and productivity in both private and professional settings. She also develops public-facing resources that aim to educate and empower individuals, families, and organisations. Penelope is available for expert commentary on topics such as: Abuse and coercive control (from the lens of both victim and perpetrator) ADHD, executive functioning, and neurodivergence in adults Grief, loss, and creative approaches to healing Practical applications of psychology in business, leadership, and everyday life Mental health in midlife and perimenopause The breaking down of stigma and debunking myths around mental health (bringing evidence to combat Tik Tok trends!) With a voice that is clear, compassionate, and grounded in evidence, Penelope brings credibility and relatability to media discussions, helping audiences make sense of complex psychological issues in ways that are engaging and actionable. She is also happy to just be a brains trust and answer questions to clarify latest research or industry thinking if needed.

Telos is a relationship-based treatment center for teens and young adults ages 13–26, specializing in depression, anxiety, social challenges, executive function needs, and learning differences. Its approach combines proven clinical therapies with a strong emphasis on healing relationships to support meaningful, lasting change. Telos offers a continuum of care through programs including Telos Academy, Telos U, Carter House, and Geneva, each designed to support students at different stages of development and independence. Known for its “arm around the shoulder” culture, Telos provides an environment where students find clarity, healing, and direction as they work toward more productive, principle-based lives. Telos’ mission is to create inspiring interpersonal relationships that invite and support all people in moving toward their ultimate potential.

I am a Clinical Psychologist, Personal Strategist, and Founder of Caelion, a private advisory practice for high-capacity individuals—CEOs, founders, federal leaders, and members of legacy wealth families—who carry quiet burdens behind positions of power, responsibility, and visibility. My work exists where traditional therapy ends and executive consulting cannot reach: the internal life of people who are expected to hold everything together. For many years, I’ve worked with individuals in high-pressure environments—federal service, entrepreneurship, intergenerational family businesses, and high-net-worth families—helping them navigate burnout, leadership anxiety, moral injury, betrayal, identity collapse, hidden trauma, and the emotional cost of success. My approach blends psychodynamic depth, trauma science, narrative identity work, and strategic decision-making frameworks. The goal is not just performance—it is internal alignment, resilience, and the ability to lead without self-erasure. I am also the Founder and Clinical Director of Elysian Psychological Services, a multi-state behavioral health practice providing therapy, assessment, and clinician supervision. My clinical foundation—rooted in trauma, personality dynamics, and complex relational systems—distinguishes my work from executive coaching. I don’t optimize spreadsheets or leadership metrics; I work with the human being behind the role—the part that struggles at 2 a.m. when strategy, legacy, and loyalty collide. My clients are often the people no one worries about—the leaders, protectors, or heirs who have resources but no safe place to unravel. They come not because they’re weak, but because they’re tired of being unbreakable. In private, we address the real battles: imposter fears, silent marital breakdowns, grief, wealth guilt, perfectionism, loss of faith or meaning, and the terror of being irrelevant once they stop achieving. Areas of commentary and expertise include: • Executive resilience & leadership under pressure • Psychology of wealth, legacy families, and public influence • Burnout, moral injury, and identity loss in high performers • Trauma, betrayal, and emotional isolation in leadership • Why success often isolates more than it rewards I provide clear, clinical, and non-performative insight for media, always protecting client confidentiality while revealing the human truth behind power and performance.

Dr. Ishdeep Narang is a dual board-certified psychiatrist and the founder of ACES Psychiatry in Orlando, Winter Garden/Windermere, Florida. Specializing in the treatment of children, adolescents, and adults, Dr. Narang is dedicated to providing expert, empathetic care. His medical training includes a degree from Government Medical College in Amritsar, India, followed by a Psychiatry Residency at Case Western Reserve University/MetroHealth in Cleveland, Ohio. He subsequently completed a Child & Adolescent Psychiatry Fellowship at the Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai in Elmhurst, New York, where he served as Chief Fellow. Dr. Narang holds active medical licenses in Florida and New York and is ECFMG certified. Beyond his clinical practice, he is a committed mental health advocate, actively producing educational resources to combat stigma.

Erena DiGonis, LCSW-R is a New York State Licensed Clinical Social Worker, Certified Health Coach, and Certified Clinical Anxiety and Trauma Treatment Professional. She is also certified in Brainspotting and trained in EMDR. Erena has twenty-one years of practical and professional experience as an active clinician, teacher, and supervisor. She has worked in a variety of community, psychiatric, in-home, and private practice settings with hundreds of complex cases. Erena is a sought-after writer, speaker, and consultant and has been featured in Cosmopolitan, Marie Claire, Psychology Today, Reader’s Digest, Women's Health, and MEL magazine. She has reviewed book proposals for the National Association of Social Workers (NASW) and is an Advisory Board Member for the CPTSD Foundation. Erena serves as the Founder and Continuing Education Director of EngagedMinds, a national Continuing Education business providing training for Counselors, Social Workers, and Therapists.

Seema Sharma, SEP, LMFT, PhD is one of the most distinctively credentialed trauma clinicians working today — a former Fortune 500 executive turned trauma therapist, researcher, and founder whose career spans the neuroscience of healing, the psychology of high achievement, and the lived complexity of BIPOC identity in America. Seema is a Licensed Marriage and Family Therapist, Somatic Experiencing Practitioner, AASECT-Certified Sex Therapist, Gottman Level 3-trained couples therapist, and holds a doctorate in Psychology. She holds an MBA, a Master's in Counseling Psychology, and has trained directly under field-defining voices including Peter Levine (Somatic Experiencing), Gabor Maté (Compassionate Inquiry), and Dan Siegel (Interpersonal Neurobiology). Before entering clinical practice, Seema spent over 25 years in senior leadership across Fortune 500 companies, global organizations, and startups — leading international teams, navigating high-stakes corporate environments, and experiencing firsthand the invisible toll that sustained performance pressure places on the nervous system. That rare dual fluency — in both boardroom dynamics and trauma neuroscience — makes her an exceptionally credible and sought-after expert for journalists, editors, and producers covering the intersection of mental health and the modern workplace. As Founder of Holistic Trauma Therapy (Pasadena, Newport Beach, and Claremont, CA), Seema specializes in complex PTSD, developmental and childhood trauma, attachment wounds, religious and organizational abuse, sexual trauma, corporate burnout, and the mental health of high-achieving professionals. Her approach goes beyond traditional talk therapy — integrating Somatic Experiencing, Holistic EMDR, depth psychology, IFS, sensorimotor therapy, energy psychology, and transpersonal healing to address trauma as it lives in the body, not just the mind. Seema is one of the few trauma experts in the country who can speak credibly to how unprocessed trauma manifests in leadership behavior, executive dysfunction, perfectionism, people-pleasing, and high-functioning anxiety. She also holds deep clinical expertise in Asian-American mental health — including intergenerational trauma, cultural shame, the immigrant experience, and the identity pressures facing first- and second-generation Asian-Americans navigating Western professional culture. She has been featured in Canvas Rebel, Voyage LA, and Good, presents at conferences, and publishes countless research studies on trauma accessible via ResearchGate. She is a professor, board member, and lifelong student of holistic healing across traditions — having traveled globally to study indigenous, Eastern, African, and Latin healing practices alongside Western clinical models. Seema is available to comment on: trauma and the nervous system, somatic therapy, EMDR, complex PTSD, executive mental health and burnout, the psychology of high achievement, perfectionism and high-functioning anxiety, workplace trauma and organizational abuse, religious trauma, sexual trauma and healing, psychedelic integration, Asian-American mental health, intergenerational trauma, consciousness and the neuroscience of healing, and loneliness as a clinical phenomenon. Media inquiries: holistictraumatherapy.com | Pasadena, CA

I am a clinical psychologist who specializes in couples therapy and relationship healing; particularly in affair recovery, betrayal trauma, and healing from other personal traumas. My work focuses on helping partners strengthen emotional connection, repair trust, feel emotionally safer with one another, and navigate relational distress related to attachment ruptures, hurt, betrayal, conflict, and life transitions. I am particularly known for my use of Emotionally Focused Therapy (EFT) and the Gottman Method; both evidence-based approaches that help couples move out of negative cycles and build secure and lasting bonds. In addition to this work, I am trained in Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing (EMDR) and other trauma-informed approaches, and frequently bring a relational lens to both individual and couples therapy. Additionally, I provide corporate and other organizational trainings that emphasize wellbeing, conflict resolution, healthy relationships, managing stress and burnout, managing conflict, and other related topics. I am also an adjunct professor at Pepperdine University, where I teach various graduate school courses, and offer clinical supervision to pre-licensed therapists working towards becoming independently licensed.

Heart It Out is a mental health and wellbeing organisation committed to making quality psychological care more accessible, personalised, and compassionate. Our team works across different areas of mental health and provides support through individual therapy, couples therapy, family therapy, child therapy, psychiatry, career counselling, psychological assessments, and other wellbeing services. We support people navigating concerns such as stress, anxiety, relationship difficulties, emotional challenges, life transitions, career uncertainty, and personal growth. We believe that seeking professional support should feel approachable and respectful. Our approach combines evidence-based psychological practices with empathy and individualised care, allowing people to work through their concerns at their own pace. Alongside mental health services, Heart It Out also focuses on psychology education and professional development. Through Heart It Out Academy, psychology students and aspiring mental health professionals can explore learning opportunities, courses, training, and psychology internships designed to complement academic knowledge with practical exposure. Our broader goal is to contribute to a more informed and supportive approach to mental health while helping individuals access professional care and helping future psychology professionals build relevant skills and experience. Whether someone is looking for therapy, relationship support, career counselling, psychiatric care, or opportunities to learn more about psychology, Heart It Out aims to provide a safe, professional, and supportive environment.

As a licensed psychotherapist with over 25 years of experience, I provide individual, couple, and family treatment at Samaritan Counseling Center of the Capital Region. I also offer telehealth services and accept most insurances. My goal is to help people change and progress in their lives by examining their assumptions and understanding their origins. I am also a clinical approved supervisor at AAMFT, where I mentor and nurture the strengths and resources of marriage and family therapists and trainees. I have a PhD certificate in psychodynamic psychotherapy from the Institute for Clinical Social Work and post-graduate training in neuroscience and clinical treatment from Harvard Medical School. I am certified in grief counseling, social work health care, gerontology, advanced bereavement, PASRR, disaster mental health critical responder, and QCSW. I am committed to refining my clinical and supervisory skills and staying involved in the professional mental wellness community. I am licensed in NY and in AZ. Please review my LinkedIn profile for additional information about me. Thank you for your interest in my passions.

Kevin Greene holds an MBA, a Master of Arts in Counselling Psychology, and is a Registered Psychotherapist. He is the Founder and Clinical Director of Health & Happiness: Counselling and Wellness, a thriving psychotherapy clinic based in Vaughan, Ontario. Before entering the mental health field, Kevin spent more than 15 years in corporate technology sales, where he received multiple top performance awards recognizing sustained success and leadership. In 2017, he made a deliberate career pivot, returning to school to retrain as a psychotherapist. The transition reflected a values-driven shift toward work grounded in human wellbeing, meaningful change, and long-term impact. Kevin’s clinical and leadership philosophy is rooted in realism. His insights emphasize what works in everyday life rather than purely academic or theoretical models. He is known for offering practical, experience-driven perspectives that connect psychology with decision-making, accountability, resilience, and sustainable personal growth. His primary areas of focus include neurodiversity, particularly in adolescents and young adults; challenges facing teens and emerging adults; parent coaching; and clinical supervision for developing therapists. He frequently comments on therapeutic effectiveness, boundaries, burnout, motivation, and the realities of modern mental health. Kevin’s professional work is complemented by longstanding community involvement. He has served on two non-profit boards, coached baseball, hockey, and soccer, acted as a baseball house league convener, and provided free educational workshops for parent groups across multiple schools. As a clinic owner, practicing therapist, and supervisor, Kevin offers a rare perspective on psychotherapy, therapist sustainability, ethical decision-making, and the practical challenges of building and leading mental health organizations. Kevin is available for expert commentary on mental health, psychotherapy, neurodiversity, parenting, therapist development, and professional wellbeing.

Matt Grammer, LPCC-S, is a licensed professional clinical counselor and mental health entrepreneur based in Louisville, Kentucky. He is the founder of ESALetterOnline.co, a platform that connects individuals with licensed mental health professionals for emotional support animal (ESA) evaluations and documentation. Through the platform, he oversees a nationwide network of licensed therapists providing clinically appropriate ESA assessments for housing-related accommodations. Matt is also the founder of Therapy Trainings®, an online continuing education platform that serves thousands of mental health professionals across the United States. In addition, he founded a multi-state outpatient counseling practice operating as Counseling Now, which provides therapy services to individuals and families. With more than a decade of experience in clinical practice, behavioral health operations, and clinician education, Matt regularly provides insight on emotional support animals, mental health policy, telehealth, therapist training, and trends in behavioral healthcare. His work focuses on improving access to mental health services while building practical systems that support both clinicians and the people they serve. As a licensed therapist and healthcare entrepreneur, Matt frequently contributes expert commentary for journalists covering mental health, emotional support animals, telehealth, and the evolving role of licensed clinicians in providing behavioral health services.

Licensed Clinical Psychologist (PsyD) with over 8 years of experience providing comprehensive psychological assessment, diagnosis, and evidence-based treatment across outpatient, hospital, VA, academic, and digital health settings. Specializes in working with adults experiencing anxiety, depression, trauma, neurocognitive disorders, chronic health conditions, and life transitions. Expertise includes Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT), Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT), Motivational Interviewing, and trauma-informed care. Committed to delivering compassionate, culturally responsive, and effective mental healthcare through integrated and telehealth models.

Dr. Erica Tatum-Sheade, DSW, LCSW, RPT-S, CDWF is a Licensed Clinical Social Worker, Registered Play Therapist-Supervisor, and Certified Daring Way™ Facilitator based in Scottsdale, Arizona. She is co-owner of Integrated Mental Health Associates and the Arizona Institute for Advanced Psychotherapy Training, where she provides therapy, supervision, and advanced training to clinicians. With nearly two decades of experience, Dr. Tatum-Sheade specializes in Adlerian Play Therapy, child and adolescent mental health, and empowerment-focused group programs, including her nationally recognized G.E.M.S.® curriculum for girls. She is also the founder of Play Well with Dr. Erica, a professional development program for therapists, and the author of the children’s book Layla Goes to Therapy, which helps reduce stigma and build understanding of the therapeutic process for kids and families. A frequent presenter and sought-after speaker, Dr. Tatum-Sheade has served in leadership roles with the Arizona Association for Play Therapy and has trained professionals across the country on multicultural orientation, resilience, and play therapy. She is passionate about equipping clinicians and communities with tools that foster courage, connection, and growth.

I am the founder of ThePsychLens, a psychology-focused educational platform dedicated to attachment theory, relationship dynamics, emotional regulation, and personal development. I research and write extensively about attachment styles, relationship patterns, childhood influences on adult behavior, and evidence-based psychological concepts. My work focuses on translating complex psychological research into practical insights that help people better understand themselves and their relationships. Through in-depth articles, educational resources, and psychology content, I explore topics including anxious attachment, avoidant attachment, secure attachment, relationship communication, emotional intelligence, and self-awareness. I regularly analyze emerging trends in relationship psychology and mental wellness, making research-backed concepts accessible to a broader audience. My expertise includes attachment theory, relationship behavior, emotional health, self-development, and psychology education.

Emily Pagone, MS, LCPC, is a trauma-expert psychotherapist, speaker, and the founder and CEO of Authentic Growth Wellness Group, a group practice dedicated to the intersection of trauma, identity, and maternal mental health. Her clinical work centers the perinatal continuum — fertility, pregnancy, postpartum, and the ongoing identity shifts of parenthood — with particular depth in complex trauma, attachment wounds, and the reorganization of self that parenthood demands. Emily's approach is Internal Family Systems (IFS)-informed and integrates attachment theory, somatic awareness, and a relational, values-aligned framework. Clients and colleagues describe her work as clinical-grade but deeply accessible — the rare space where rigor and warmth sit at the same table. She is the host of The Inner Critic Podcast, a show devoted to understanding the protective parts of us that show up most loudly during life's largest transitions. Through the podcast, her practice, and her speaking and writing, Emily is committed to expanding the public conversation about trauma, motherhood, and mental health beyond oversimplified narratives. Emily is available as an expert contributor for journalists covering maternal mental health, perinatal mood and anxiety disorders (PMADs), parental burnout, postpartum identity shifts, intergenerational trauma, the inner critic, and the psychology of high-achieving women. She can be reached at emily@authenticgrowtheducation.com.

Sujit Shetty is the founder of MentalHealthNest.com, a mental health and wellness platform focused on anxiety awareness, emotional wellbeing, burnout recovery, mindfulness, meditation, and holistic self-care. He creates educational content for global audiences through blogs, digital media, and wellness-focused storytelling. His work focuses on making mental health conversations more accessible and practical, especially for people dealing with stress, anxiety, emotional exhaustion, and modern digital overwhelm. Sujit regularly writes about meditation practices, workplace burnout, emotional resilience, sleep health, and mental wellness trends. Through MentalHealthNest.com and wellness content initiatives, he aims to spread awareness, reduce stigma around mental health, and encourage healthier daily habits for emotional wellbeing.