Dr. Kristen Lee

Dr. Kristen Lee, Ed.D., LICSW, known professionally as Dr. Kris, is a behavioral science clinician, researcher, educator, and keynote speaker. As a teaching professor at Northeastern University, Lee serves as the lead faculty member in behavioral science within the healthcare and biotechnology domain, focusing on the integration of behavioral science applications to strengthen human resilience. Her research and teaching interests include individual and organizational well-being and resilience, with particular attention to marginalized and underserved populations. Lee earned her Ed.D. from Northeastern University and her Master of Social Work degree from Boston University. As a licensed independent clinical social worker, she advocates for increased mental health integration in social policies and institutions to improve access and health outcomes in the United States and globally.

Lee is the author of four books: "Reset: Make the Most of Your Stress," which received the Next Generation Indie Book Awards Motivational Book honor; the best-selling "Mentalligence: A New Psychology of Thinking"; "Worth the Risk: How to Microdose Bravery to Grow Resilience, and Offer Yourself to the World," a Next Big Idea Book Club nominee and Nautilus Book Award Silver Medal recipient; and "Clean Slate: How to Make Change Happen." Her work emphasizes the science of behavioral change, human potential, and building healthy mental health cultures to prevent burnout and promote organizational and human sustainability.

Lee's expertise in mental health and resilience has been featured on NPR, TED, Forbes, Fast Company, and CBS Radio. Her TEDx talk, "The Risk You Must Take," has reached a wide audience. She hosts "Crackin' Up with Dr. Kris: Where Therapy Meets Comedy," a podcast dedicated to increasing access and awareness for mental health. Lee is a regular contributor to Psychology Today and Thrive Global. Her speaking engagements include venues such as Harvard University, Harvard Medical School, Nationwide, Snapchat, the American Chemical Society, Virgin Pulse, and Johnson & Johnson.

Lee's work has been recognized with honors including an Excellence in Teaching Award from Northeastern University, the Distinguished Professional Achievement Award from Worcester State University, a First Place MVP award from EdTech for addressing mental health challenges in higher education, and a doctorate of humane letters for advancing the human condition. She also serves as a Global Resilience Institute Faculty Affiliate at Northeastern. Lee is recognized for her contributions at the intersection of behavioral science, resilience, and mental health.