Irene S. Levine Ph.D.

Irene S. Levine, Ph.D. is a clinical psychologist and award-winning freelance journalist and author who spent the major part of her career in senior management and policy roles at the National Institute of Mental Health in Rockville, Maryland. Dr. Levine is a former Professor of Psychiatry at the New York University School of Medicine. An award-winning journalist, she has written hundreds of freelance articles---focused on health, mental health, lifestyles, travel and relationships--- that have appeared in scores of newspapers (including the Chicago Tribune, Dallas Morning News, New York Times, Newsday, and USA Today) and national magazines (such as AARP, Better Homes and Gardens, Bottom Line Health, Health, Ladies Home Journal, Prevention, Reader's Digest and Self). Irene blogs at www.The Friendship Blog.com, the only destination in the blogosphere where women can obtain free, individualized advice and authoritative information to master the often-tricky etiquette of female friendships. In response to reader questions and relationship dilemmas, Irene offers her blend of insight, experience, and wisdom as The Friendship Doctor---in simple straightforward language---and distills new research findings, tracks trends, and gleans insights from popular culture. Irene also is a travel writer with a keen interest in food, wine and culture. She is a regular contributor to Forbes.com and produces www.moretimetotravel.com, an online magazine for luxury travelers over the age of 50. Irene is also a member of the Authors Guild, the American Psychological Association, the Society of American Travel Writers, the International Food Wine Travel Writers Association, and the North American Travel Journalists Association. .