About Heather Berlin

Professional Background and Affiliations

Dr. Heather Berlin is an associate clinical professor of psychiatry and neuroscience at the Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai, also serving as a visiting scholar at the New York University Center for Neural Science.[10][7][9] She offers therapy services integrating neuroscience and psychology,[3] and is represented by The Lavin Agency for speaking engagements.[2][3][6][11]

Impulse Control Disorders

Berlin's research focuses on impulse-control disorders, including intermittent explosive disorder, kleptomania, pyromania, and obsessive-compulsive spectrum disorders.[15][17][18] She explores functional neuroimaging models for OCD and related conditions,[18] and discusses neural mechanisms of impulse control in clinical contexts.[1][7]

Creativity, Improvisation, and Brain Health

A key theme is the neural basis of improvisation and creativity, where Berlin highlights making novel associations to maintain brain health.[1][8] She advises against over-reliance on routine to foster creativity,[8] and has appeared on platforms like StarTalk and Perception Box to discuss perception and control.[2][5]

Unconscious Influences and Free Will

Berlin investigates how unconscious processes influence behavior, decision-making, and susceptibility to influence.[7][8] Her work questions 'who's in control' of the brain,[8] tying into broader discussions on impulse regulation and fame's effects.[1]

Science Communication and Media

As a prominent communicator, Berlin hosts shows like the Science of Perception Box with Dr. Christof Koch,[5] appears in media explaining brain science,[8][14] and features in galleries from StarTalk and other events.[2][6] She has been a jury member at the 2026 Sundance Film Festival[12] and shared influential books in scientific contexts.[13]

Public Engagements and Forthcoming Works

Berlin collaborates on innovative projects, such as a show with rapper Baba Brinkman at the Edinburgh Fringe.[4] She is authoring a book on the science of impulse control and fame's brain effects.[1][7] Additional appearances include the 'Brain Guru' interview on THIRTEEN.[14]