Doron Amsalem, MD

Dr. Doron Amsalem is an Associate Professor of Clinical Psychiatry at Columbia University Vagelos College of Physicians & Surgeons and an attending child psychiatrist at the New York State Psychiatric Institute. His research focuses on digital mental health interventions, particularly the development and dissemination of brief, social contact-based video interventions aimed at reducing mental health stigma and increasing treatment-seeking behaviors among youth and families. His work integrates innovative digital tools with evidence-based approaches to improve mental health literacy, reduce barriers to care, and enhance engagement with psychiatric services.

As Principal Investigator of multiple research projects funded by the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration, the Columbia World Projects, the New York State Office of Mental Health, and the Klingenstein Foundation, among others, he has contributed to the development of scalable digital solutions that are being implemented across mental health platforms. His research spans stigma reduction, digital psychiatry, and early intervention strategies, with a particular focus on leveraging technology to reach underserved populations. With more than 70 academic papers published in peer-reviewed journals, his research has advanced the understanding of the mechanisms behind brief video interventions and their impact on engagement with mental health services.

Dr. Amsalem has extensive clinical experience in child and adolescent psychiatry, trauma-focused interventions, and first-episode psychosis care. His clinical focus centers on improving access to care for young people at risk for psychosis, with an emphasis on early identification, engagement, and intervention strategies. As the Program Director of the Supporting Wellness for Adolescents & Young Adults (SWAY) program, he leads the initiative and provides clinical care to individuals experiencing early symptoms of psychosis, working to improve their access to appropriate treatment. His clinical work bridges research and practice, ensuring that evidence-based interventions are effectively translated into real-world settings to improve mental health outcomes.