Dr. Rickel has a private psychotherapy practice in mid-town Manhattan and is a Professor at Weill Cornell Medical College. Throughout her career, she has worked with individuals, couples and families, and directed research which has led to further understandings of human behavior in its cultural and community context. Her work has been funded by the National Institutes of Health as well as the MacArthur and Kellogg foundations.

Dr. Rickel has been a Clinical Professor of Psychiatry at Georgetown University Medical Center and has also held visiting professor appointments at Princeton University and Columbia University Medical Center. She has published six books and written numerous articles in scientific journals and the popular press. Dr. Rickel has been featured on network television and radio, where she discusses various psychological topics and is a frequent guest speaker.

In 1992 Dr. Rickel was awarded a Senior Congressional Fellowship and served as a member of the public policy staff of U.S. Senator Donald W. Riegle, Jr. At the same time, she was appointed to President Clinton’s Task Force for National Health Care Reform. She is a committed advocate for the inclusion of mental health services in national health care.

Dr. Rickel serves on the boards of the Society of Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center, Children’s Center, the Chamber Music Society of Lincoln Center, the National Symphony Orchestra and Reading Is Fundamental.