Deborah Starr, Ph.D.

Deborah Starr, Ph.D. Psychology, M.S. Neuroscience, M.S. Narrative Medicine, is a lecturer in the Narrative Medicine program at Columbia University and a licensed therapist in private practice. Her dissertation and early work was with eating disorders and before pursuing Narrative Medicine, she spent ten years in litigation consulting, researching the importance and power of language. Her recent studies have led her to focus on how healthcare is delivered in contemporary culture, including wellness trends and end-of-life issues. She created an animated film called “Plain Talk” to encourage people to talk about death/end-of-life concerns and to change the cultural norm on this topic. She is also a leader and researcher in the use of meditation and psychedelic medicines for mental health. She is interested in using the arena of Narrative Medicine as a vehicle for education and transformation of healthcare and well-being, having led programs in the U.S., Europe, South America, Asia, and Africa.