About Dr. Clifford Sussman
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Dr. Sussman is a child and adolescent psychiatrist and psychotherapist who has been a pioneer in recognizing and treating internet gaming disorder since 2008, long before it became recognized by the World Health Organization as an official diagnosis. He is a frequent educator and presenter on this topic and trains other clinicians as well. As a programmer, software developer, and gamer himself, he is dedicated to helping people achieve healthier, more balanced relationships with digital technology.
Teaching Presenting
Dr. Sussman is on the volunteer faculty at GWU medical school, where he serves as a Clinical Instructor in Psychiatry and Behavioral Sciences. He has regularly delivered presentations throughout his community and the nation on digital technology addiction, after having already established himself as a seasoned presenter on the topics of psychopharmacology, psychotherapy, ADHD, and Autism. He is also a pioneer in training other clinicians to treat digital addictions.
Dr. Sussman has been on multiple expert panels discussing digital technology addiction with various schools and professional organizations around the region, and has presented to students, parents, teachers, and a wide range of mental health clinicians and clinical staff. Highlights include a 6 hour training at the Florida Atlantic University school of social work in December, 2019, the 2018 Master Psychiatry Course in Santa Barbara, and was a featured speaker at the 2020 American Psychiatric Association (APA) annual meeting planned for Philadelphia PA and moved to an online meeting due to COVID. He regularly presents at the AACAP annual meeting. He also has an online home study course offered through the Ross Center for Anxiety.
"I encourage all parents and professionals to watch Dr. Cliff Sussman's webinar on managing screen time during the pandemic and beyond. This is the single best presentation I've seen on this important topic; science-based, clearly presented, full of very practical advice. Thanks to Dr. Cliff for sharing your expertise and wisdom. "
Media Appearances
Dr. Sussman was a guest on IA with Jenn White on NPR in October, 2023 for the show entitled "How our relationships with our phones affect us"
Dr. Sussman did a webinar with Ann Dolin of EC Tutoring on Screen Time and Parenting during COVID 19 in July, 2020 and again in Sept, 2023
In 2017, 2018, and 2020, Dr. Sussman was featured in "Tech Talk Tuesday" blogs from Delaney Ruston, director and writer of the documentary SCREENAGERS, who he has presented with at the AACAP annual meeting.
Dr. Sussman gave a webinar for OperationParent.org on Screen Time and Parenting during COVID 19 in May, 2020
Dr. Sussman was a featured expert at the ADHD and More Online Parent Support Summit in October, 2019
Dr. Sussman was interviewed for the cover article of the Sept-Oct 2019 Issue of Bethesda Magazine.
Dr. Sussman was hired as an expert consultant by HBO's Real Sports With Bryant Gumbel for it's episode on Gaming Addiction in July, 2019.
Dr. Sussman was a featured expert in the bestselling book "Raising a Screen Smart Kid" by Juliana Miner, published July, 2019.
Dr. Sussman was interviewed by ABC news for a story on lootboxes in February, 2019:
Dr. Sussman was referenced in a Sacramento Magazine article in October, 2018.
Dr. Sussman was interviewed for a TIME Magazine for Kids article in September, 2018.
In 2018, Dr. Sussman was quoted in a New York Times article on the WHO decision to classify Internet Gaming Disorder as an Official Diagnosis. He wrote an editorial response to this article featured in the Montogomery County Sentinel on August 9, 2018.
In 2017 Dr. Sussman was the featured guest on "Digital Parent Podcast"
In 2016 Dr. Sussman did a series of interviews for Attention Talk Radio on technology use in ADHD. To listen for free click the links below:
ADHD and Screen Addiction: The Biology and Issues
ADHD and Screen Addiction: The Hard Part
ADHD and Screen Addiction Treatment
In 2014 Dr. Sussman was interviewed for Discovering Democracy, an educational program for High School Students.
In 2013 Dr. Sussman was interviewed for Attention Talk Radio and Attention Talk Video on ADHD in adolescents. To listen for free click here or click on the player below.
In 2011 Dr. Sussman was a guest expert on MyExpertSolution.com where he was interviewed for a radio show on parenting issues in adolescent psychiatry.
Publications
Dr. Sussman was the lead author of "Problem Gaming? Consider Dopamine Detoxification(2023)," an article in the Psychiatric Times. Dr. Sussman authored 2 featured cover articles for CHADD's Attention Magazine, "Limiting Screen Time During a Pandemic: A Guide for Parents (2020)" and "A Parents Guide to Healthy Internet and Video Game Use for Children with ADHD(2018)." He was the lead author of a review article "Internet and Video Game Addictions: Diagnosis, Epidemiology, and Neurobiology" that was published in AACAP's annual journal Psychiatric Clinics of North America in 2017 . Dr. Sussman was the technical editor of Overcoming Internet Addiction for Dummies. Dr. Sussman was the primary author of the chapter in the Oxford Handbook of Psychiatry entitled “Psychotherapy”. He also has authored educational materials on ADHD and Substance abuse for Outcomes, Inc.
Expert Consultant
Dr. Sussman has consulted for Caron Renaissaince Digital Addiction Track in Boca Raton, FL. He has been an expert consultant to HBO's Real Sports With Bryant Gumbel and several other clients, and is available for other consulting positions as well.