“Dr. Mark Lerner is an extraordinary teacher and healer, caring deeply about the pain of others. His works are a road map
toward recovery and a path away from unjust suffering.”
Media Expert & Best-Selling Author
DR. MARK LERNER
Dr. Mark Lerner is the Chairman of the National Center for Emotional Wellness, Principal Consultant and Creator of AI-Integrated Emotional Wellness™, a clinical and forensic psychologist, and an author, speaker, and international consultant.
Dr. Lerner has been called upon by the United Nations Department of Safety & Security to train mental health professionals worldwide in Paris and in New York City; has presented for the U.S. Department of Homeland Security at the Federal Law Enforcement Training Center; and consulted with the Federal Bureau of Investigation in the wake of September 11th. He launched an emotional wellness initiative at Walgreens and has presented at numerous hospitals, pharmaceutical companies, airlines, small businesses and large corporations, universities and schools, and police and fire departments, both domestically and internationally.
As a clinical and forensic psychologist, Dr. Lerner has helped people navigate diverse challenges and change and has conducted forensic psychological evaluations for individuals experiencing emotional distress, as well as fitness-for-duty and fitness-to-practice evaluations with healthcare providers.
Dr. Lerner has consulted with numerous journalists, including Diane Sawyer of Primetime Live, Dennis Murphy of Dateline NBC, and, more recently, Ali Bauman of CBS Evening News and Kaitlan Collins of CNN.
Over a decade ago, Dr. Lerner mounted the Reality Theatre Production™, SESSIONS with Dr. Mark Lerner, which featured real people sharing real, unscripted stories of overcoming and becoming who they are today.
Dr. Lerner is the founding president of the American Academy of Experts in Traumatic Stress and former chairman of the National Center for Crisis Management. He is the creator of the Acute Traumatic Stress Management™ (ATSM) intervention model, utilized worldwide. He has authored several books based on this model, including Acute Traumatic Stress Management, Comprehensive Acute Traumatic Stress Management, A Practical Guide for School Crisis Response, and A Practical Guide for University Crisis Response. He has additionally authored It's OK Not To Be OK ... During a Crisis, Surviving & Thriving ... Living Through a Traumatic Experience, and CrisisNotes.
Most recently, Dr. Lerner decided to inspire a new generation of mental health professionals with his dynamic interactive autobiographical presentation, The Greatest Career.
Featured Article
How to OVERCOME & BECOME
An AI-Integrated Emotional Wellness Approach to Overcoming Adversity
Chairman, National Center for Emotional Wellness
Principal Consultant and Creator, AI-Integrated Emotional Wellness™
When we think about “celebrities”—people whose lives we honor—there’s often a common denominator. In nearly every case, they’ve overcome something.
During my four decades of counseling with individuals who've faced illness, trauma, betrayal, injustice, and profound loss, I’ve often encouraged people to look at the Wikipedia page of someone they admire. Beneath the accomplishments and applause, one frequently finds a chapter marked by adversity. I sometimes wonder whether hardship is a prerequisite for greatness. Perhaps not. But one thing is certain:
Challenges don’t define us. How we respond to them often does.
Consider Stefani Germanotta—Lady Gaga, who endured bullying and trauma long before the world knew her name. Anderson Cooper has spoken openly about devastating personal losses that shaped his empathy, compassion, and depth as a journalist. John Walsh and Revé Walsh transformed the horrific abduction and murder of their six-year-old son, Adam, into the creation of the National Center for Missing and Exploited Children. Tony Robbins grew up amid instability and emotional distress before becoming a global voice for personal empowerment.
In each of these lives, pain was not the final chapter. Emotional suffering was not denied; it was harnessed. It became their fuel for growth and purpose.
In my clinical work as a psychologist, I’ve repeatedly observed a progression: victim, survivor, thriver. Victims suffer harm. Survivors continue functioning despite hardship. Thrivers grow because of their adversity.
The movement from victim to survivor requires practical information, grounding, and support. Today, Artificial Intelligence (AI) is providing accessible, evidence-based information—including practical strategies and tools that can empower us. As I've written previously, some people are turning to AI as their “New Best Friend.”
But technology alone is insufficient. To move from survivor to thriver requires something deeper. This is where AI-Integrated Emotional Wellness™ (AIEW) becomes particularly relevant. AIEW rests on a simple yet profound principle: when accessible, AI-driven strategies and tools are ethically and responsibly integrated with authentic human connection, a pathway for overcoming emerges.
No one will overcome adversity through technology alone. While AI can provide information, it will never replace authentic human presence.
As I’ve emphasized in other articles in the National Center’s library, AI can’t:
• Look at you with eyes filled with compassion.
• Hold your hand as your eyes pool with tears.
• Embrace you while you are crying.
• Convey warmth through silent presence.
• Sit beside you and softly say, “I’m here for you.”
Technology can support us. Humanity will sustain us.
When we thoughtfully integrate these two forces, a powerful transformation takes place. Individuals can move beyond survival. They begin to reconstruct their narrative. The emotional energy that once fueled emotional distress can be redirected toward creativity, leadership, advocacy, and purpose. The experiences that once threatened to define them begin instead to refine them.
Adversity is not a prerequisite for greatness. However, the choice to sublimate—harnessing emotional pain from adversity and channeling it into a sense of purpose—often is.
AI-Integrated Emotional Wellness—the intersection of technology and humanity—offers a path to overcome and become.
You can make this choice.
AI-Integrated Emotional Wellness Consulting
DR. MARK LERNER'S BLOG
Testimonials
“Dr. Mark Lerner is an extraordinary teacher and healer, caring deeply about
the pain of others. His works are a road map toward recovery
and a path away from unjust suffering.”
Best-Selling Author and Media Expert
“Dr. Lerner can facilitate learning not only through his contagious
passion and presence, but also through his groundbreaking
approach to addressing traumatic stress.”
—CHIP MORRIS
Chairman of the Board,
Georgia Alliance to End Homelessness
“Thank you so very much for introducing Walgreens employees to the tools and knowledge necessary to cope with and ultimately overcome challenging life events. Your program was outstanding and is highly recommended to others. Your contribution to employees and ultimately the organization was so greatly appreciated.”
—ERIN DOYLE
Senior Manager, Training & Development
Walgreen Co.
“Dr. Lerner is on the cutting edge of trauma studies and public education...
What has always been refreshing and essential about Dr. Lerner’s approach
is his inclusive philosophy and style. He has brought it to all people. He includes
all walks of life and professions in his very important work and message.”
—BEVERLY J. ANDERSON, Ph.D.
Clinical Director/Administrator
The Metropolitan Police Employee Assistance Program
The following is a partial list of organizations with which
Dr. Lerner has interviewed, consulted, or trained:
CNN Headline News
Los Angeles Times
USA Today
New York Post
Computer World Magazine
Newsweek
Self Magazine
Stars & Stripes
Reuters
Associated Press
U.S. News & World Report
New York Times
Chicago Sun Times
The International Herald Tribune
The Dr. Laura Berman Show
Sacramento Bee
Palm Beach Post
Today Show
CNN
Comcast CN8
Dateline NBC
CBS News Network News, Inc.
ABC World News Tonight
Primetime Live
Newsday
The Oregonian Newspaper
Military Spouse Magazine
CJOB Radio Winnipeg
National Burn Victim Foundation
American Academy of Experts in Traumatic Stress
National Center for Crisis Management
Hofstra University
American Academy of Police Psychology
Editorial Board of Brief Treatment & Crisis Intervention
(Oxford University Press)
Columbine High School
Oceanside School District
East Hampton School District
Medical Wellness Archives
Greeley Tribune
Law Offices of Robert B. Kronenberg, Esq.
Project TAHS: Technical Assistance in Homeland Security
Men's Health Magazine
Cobb County Public Schools
Sewanhaka Public Schools
Otsuka America Pharmaceutical
The Charlotte Observer
Comprehensive Health Services, Inc.
South Carolina Department of Education
4ThoseWhoServe
New Millennium Employee Assistance Services
Comprehensive Health Services
La Sorbonne, France
United Nations
Federal Bureau of Investigation
United States Secret Service
Nassau County Police Department
Adelphi University
Western New England College
Nassau Community College
University of Missouri
Half Hollow Hills Schools
Seaford School District
Baldwin Union Free School District
Nassau County Health Department, EMS
Nassau County Fire Service Academy
OK Magazine
CBS4Boston
Schneider Children's Hospital
Nassau County Department of Health
N.Y. State Fire Service Academy
Southwest Airlines
Prevention First, Inc.
Hole in the Wall Camps
Advantage Media, Inc.
Long Island Parents of Russian Adopted Children
The Adoption Annex
AdoptionDoctors.com
Adoption.com
Addiction Technology Transfer Center National Office
CISM Perspectives, Inc.
Nassau County Fire Communications Bureau
Iona College
Adoptive Parents Committee, Inc.
Hispanic Counseling Center
The Kathleen Show
Out of the Blue Radio Program
Life After Loss Radio Program
Association of Fire Districts of the State of New York
American Board of Mental Health Specialties
The Northeastern Educational Intermediate Unit
CODE 3 Magazine
District Administration Magazine
BenefitNews.com
CBS News, Boston
George Washington University
Friends Academy
Pentagon Force Protection Agency
Access Hollywood
NBC Universal
Murrieta Valley Unified School District, CA
Connetquot Schools
Islip Schools
Wantagh Schools
Nassau County Attorney’s Office, NY
NYSUT, New York Teacher
Breaking the Silence Radio Program
University of Paris
Montreal Children's Hospital
Delaware Department of Education
Idaho Examiner
Imperial County Office of Education, CA
Public Schools of Plainfield, NJ
U.S. Department of Homeland Security
U.S. Department of Defense
Tempur-Pedic
Defense Criminal Investigative Service, Federal Law Enforcement Training Center
Roosevelt Schools, NY
Life & Style Magazine
New-Fields Exhibitions, Inc.
The Audrey Chapman Show
Rowan University
WHUR FM Radio: 96.3
Long Island University, C.W. Post Campus
Ellenville Central School District
School for Language and Communication Development
Appoquinimink School District, DE
Georgia Coalition to End Homelessness
North Carolina School Social Workers’ Association
Stars & Stripes
Catholic Health Services of Long Island
Good Samaritan Hospital Medical Center
Walgreens Corporate
Adoptive Parents Committee, Inc
The Early Childhood Education Center
Holbrook Street Press
Labor and Industry for Education (LIFE)
4Real Entertainment
RBK Pediatrics
Celebrity Lecture Agency
New York Student Safety & Security Conference
Du Plain Enterprises, Inc.
Doctor Radio on Sirius
NYU Child Study Center
Woman’s Health Magazine
Esparza Speakers
Northeast Assisted Fertility Group
Miss Long Islang Pageant
Infragard Members Alliance, New York
Extreme Terrorism Consulting, LLC
Good Housekeeping Magazine
1-800Baskets
Judge, Miss Long Island Pageant
KeyVive
Healthful Diabetes
American Society for Reproductive Medicine
Qatar Science & Technology Park
Gift of Hope
Citizens Commission on Human Rights International
Walgreens Specialty Pharmacy
Central Islip Public Schools
Closer Weekly Magazine
SunnySpot Entertainment
White Plains Performing Arts Center
Hogan & Cassell, LLP, Attorneys at Law
9/11 Tribute Center
Nassau County Civil Service Commission
Intrepid Fallen Heroes Fund
National Military Family Association
New York City Police Department
Fire Department City of New York
Davenport Theatre
In Touch Weekly
Life & Style Weekly
Closer Weekly
White Plains CitezNetReporter
Walgreens Security Operations Center
Horizon Pharma, USA
Hicksville Public Schools
Nevada Narcotic Officers Association
Las Vegas Metropolitan Police Department
Riverhead Fire Department
U.S. Coast Guard
Fertility Nurse Newsletter
The Institute for Natural Medicine
The Source with Kaitlan Collins
Access to Care
The New York Times
St. Anthony's High School
Hero Link™
CBS Evening News with Ali Bauman
The Source with Kaitlan Collins