Suzan Song, MD, MPH, PhD is a Harvard- and Stanford-trained humanitarian psychiatrist. As both a pediatric & adult psychiatrist and humanitarian mental health adviser, she studies and builds social and emotional resilience in children and adults.
Caring for people across the world who have experienced the spectrum of distress and resilience, Dr. Song helps people build internal peace in their lives.
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Available for Pre-Order Now!
A psychiatrist who has dedicated her life to treating global survivors of unspeakable horrors shares the three keys to resilience that we can use to weather stress, loss, and trauma in our own lives.
Some survivors are unflappable, yet it’s not their optimism or grit or mindfulness that carries them forward – it’s that they acknowledge and internalize the inherent instability in their lives. They are using the three tools that allow us to weather life’s stormiest seasons: narrative, ritual, and purpose. In her debut book, Harvard- and Stanford-trained child and adult psychiatrist Suzan Song draws from her clinical practice, patient stories, research, and public health work to help readers release their unrealistic longing for stability, and open them up to a new, heathier mindset.
While most of us will not experience the horrors of torture or being held hostage, there are countless uncertainties and dangers that are common in everyday life. From the challenges of tumultuous relationships, work, parenting and personal finances, to upheavals like the pandemic and climate disasters, we find ourselves lost and confused each time our lives are upended. How we cope is shaped by an intricate daisy chain of choices and experiences.
From her clinical practice in the United States to her global work over two decades with survivors of human rights violations, Dr. Song has uncovered three keys to resilience: Narrative, Ritual, and Purpose. Whatever you’re going through, these three tools can help you weather the winters of life.
Profoundly insightful and beautifully written, Why We Suffer and How We Heal offers a groundbreaking new path to deep healing and finally feeling alive again.
Hitting the Pandemic Wall
Doctors are Demoralized
Talking to teens and college students about risk
UNICEF Community-based guidelines in humanitarian settings
Mental health crisis looms as the pandemic continues
Zoom fatigue: Why we're exhausted
services
“I saw a lot of people before seeing Dr. Song and really didn't want to go but my parents made me. I was prepared to get annoyed with yet another doctor, but I've been so surprised by Dr. Song. She really takes the time to ‘get me’ and I think she really listens to me - more than any other therapist. I just really want to thank her for helping me so much.” -11 year old patient
“Dr. Song provided excellent consultation and guidance and co-facilitated multi-day trainings to multiple divisions across the U.S. Department of State, Departments of Labor and Homeland Security. Feedback has been overwhelmingly positive, with some participants noting it was the best training they ever attended.” - U.S. Department of State, ICF
“Suzan was without a doubt the most competent consultant I have worked with. She was provided fairly broad terms of reference and was able to provide input and invaluable feedback to the project scope and objectives. She completed her objectives on time and produced work products that were not only useful within our organization, but that we could share widely with donors and humanitarian partners with confidence.” - Mary Jo Baca, International Medical Corps
“The knowledge and experience Dr. Song brings is invaluable. Dr. Song has challenged me to ask better questions, consider diverse perspectives, and inspired me think of creative ways to address intricate problems. She is uniquely gifted at making complex concepts accessible and clear. Dr. Song’s approach is only enhanced by her warm demeanor. If given the opportunity to work with her, I highly recommend it..” - JuanCarlos Lagares, Northern Virginia Family Services
clients
“We as parents have to shift our expectations and know that we can provide children with what they need to thrive during these times: an emotional scaffolding of personal agency, safety and meaning.”
—- Dr. Suzan Song, NBC Think
