Meet Dr. Tomer Levin

Depression and Anxiety Expert

Treating Depression and Anxiety is my expertise and passion. It is important work because such great suffering occurs from these conditions. To this end, I apply the latest diagnostic tests, treatments and psychotherapies. Being a researcher, I apply a critical eye to treatments and treatment processes because I believe that will drive better outcomes.

But it does not end there. I use the Collaborative Care Psychiatry model to improve both psychological AND physical wellbeing. Here are three reasons why:

• When you are feeling down, your physical health also suffers
• When you are physically sick it can be hard to cope emotionally
• Depression is as strong a risk factor as smoking for the development of heart disease

So psychological and physical health are closely intertwined. Here is another example. You will notice that I sit on a yoga ball rather than a chair. This is because

• Occupations where you sit all day are associated with chronic lower back pain
• Chronic low back pain is linked to depression, heart attacks, strokes and sick days

Depression and anxiety are intrinsically linked to the health of our relationships. A large part the therapy work involves improving relationship happiness. You will not be surprised to learn that the divorce can also ruin your physical health so I help people think about how they can find more meaning and joy in their relationships.

Finally, another unique skill that I have is helping cancer patients, survivors and their families. I worked in psycho-oncology at Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center, the top cancer center in the nation for a decade. Because one in three of us will develop cancer in our lifetimes, and most will become survivors, it is important to figure out how to navigate and beat cancer. So many people consult me in this regard.

Double board certified in Adult Psychiatry and Consultation Liaison Psychiatry

• This training background makes me an expert on overcoming medical challenges such as cancer and collaborative care.

Weill Cornell Medicine/New York Presbyterian Hospital

I am an Associate Professor of Psychiatry at Weill Cornell Medicine/NYP. Here I established Collaborative and Integrative Care Psychiatry( 2015-2017). I also directed the Weill Cornell Psychiatry Collaborative Care Center where I led a team of psychiatrists, psychologists, social workers, nurse practitioners and care managers.

Training

• Medical school: Monash University, Australia (1991)
• Internal medicine at Hadassah Medical Center, Israel (1993-6)
• Psychiatric residency training, Eitanim Mental Health Center (1994-99)
• Psychosomatic Medicine Fellowship (2001), Long Island Jewish Medical Center (Northwell Health)
• Public Psychiatry Fellowship, Columbia University, New York (2002)
• Extramural Program for Residency Directors, Beck Institute for Cognitive Therapy and Research (2002).

Leadership

• Head of Psycho-oncology at Long Island Jewish Medical Center, now NorthWell Health (2001-2005)
• Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center(2005-2015). Here I developed psychological services for  leukemia, lymphoma, stem-cell transplant and ICU patients. I also worked with Dr. Jimmie Holland who founded the field of psycho-oncology. Another mentor and colleague was Prof. David Kissane, an important psycho-oncology leader. He taught me that sickness reverberates throughout the family. Healthy families are vital to wellness and coping with illness.

Research and Teaching

Research helps clinicians think more carefully about their patients’ challenges. My research is in three areas:

• Collaborative and integrative care psychiatry
• Doctor-patient communication
• Acute Cancer Cognitive Therapy (which I developed)

I teach medical students, resident doctors and fellows. Additionally, I have written numerous chapters in important academic textbooks. I also authored over 50 research articles that were published in major medical journals. Finally, I have presented my research and workshops at national and international forums.