Hi, I’m Alexandra Shaker. I’m a licensed clinical psychologist, formerly based in Brooklyn, New York and now in London. I received my PhD in clinical psychology from The New School for Social Research and completed my clinical training at Columbia University Medical Center. I then completed a postdoctoral fellowship in perinatal mental health at The Motherhood Center of New York, where I’m now a clinical consultant.
I’m also a writer. My first book, The Narrowing: A Journey Through Anxiety and the Body, was published by Viking (US) and Headline Home (UK) in March 2025. My writing is an interdisciplinary exploration of the human condition: I integrate psychology, literature, history, and contemporary culture to explore the psychological questions of our time, and the questions that I struggle with myself. Questions like: Why are so many of us so anxious? What does love mean today? How can we build rich inner lives? And always, How can we get out of our own way?
Here, you’ll find me contending with my questions, hesitations, and preoccupations through the lenses of psychological research and contemporary culture together. You’ll also find book recommendations. There are few things I love more than reading and book matchmaking. I’ll be here every week. Thank you for joining me.
Bookshop.org
You can find my book and an ever-evolving list of some of my favorite books, at bookshop.org. If you choose to buy through my shop, I’ll receive a small affiliate commission.
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