Why I write for The Conversation - and donate as well

Dear Reader,

As a psychiatrist who studies anxiety, trauma and stress, I understand how we are affected by the turmoil of American politics and the ways in which we have become divided. I believe at this time we really need independent news sources that share facts without a focus on triggering negative emotions to grab viewership.

I support The Conversation because it is the rare news organization to wholeheartedly embrace keeping people informed, without catering to bias and fear.

I’ve written for The Conversation about tribalism, about PTSD and about the difficulty of humans dealing with intangible threats like a virus. These are all important topics where my research and expertise can help the public become better informed. I appreciate the time and care that my editor, Lynne Anderson, takes to help me communicate clearly, to be accurate and rigorous without overwhelming the reader or oversimplifying.

The Conversation has let me share my expertise on these issues with people across the country, in small towns and big cities. What I have written has been published in newspapers from Idaho to Texas and everywhere in between. My stories have been read online over 1.3 million times.

Will you join me in supporting The Conversation? I have given $250 to this fundraising campaign, but your gift of $100 or $50 or whatever you can afford will help in this important work.