About Dr. Laurie
Keefer
Professor of Medicine, Psychiatry &
Biomedical Sciences | Icahn School of
Medicine at Mount Sinai
Global Leader in Gastropsychology
Laurie Keefer, PhD is a world-renowned Clinical Health Psychologist and Professor of
Medicine, Psychiatry, and Biomedical Sciences at the Icahn School of Medicine at
Mount Sinai in New York. She earned her PhD from the University at Albany and completed
her rigorous clinical training at Rush University Medical Center in Chicago.
For over 25 years, Dr. Keefer has dedicated her career to the integration of psychosocial
care into the routine management of chronic digestive diseases. Her pioneering work has
fundamentally changed how inflammatory bowel disease (IBD) and other gastrointestinal
disorders are treated, shifting the focus from symptom management to holistic resilience
and brain-gut health.
"Currently serving as the Director of Psychobehavioral Research at Mount Sinai, Dr. Keefer
continues to push the boundaries of clinical health psychology, mentoring the next generation
of researchers and clinicians while maintaining a patient-centered philosophy that prioritizes
emotional well-being as a cornerstone of physical health."
A Journey of Impact
-
Penn State University
1997 — FOUNDATION
Earned dual BA degrees in Psychology and Women's Studies,
laying the groundwork for a Career focused on service and leadership -
University at Albany
Focusing research on the application of behavioral interventions to medical conditions, developed interest in the brain-gut.
-
Rush University Medical Center
2003 – 2005 — CLINICAL FIRST
Residency and Fellowship. Became the first integrated health
psychologist specifically dedicated to GI patients, a role that
defined a new specialty. -
Northwestern University
2006 – 2015 — EXPANSION
Expanded the role of Gastropsychology, acquired NIH funding, built one of the nation’s premier gastropsychology clinical and research programs
-
Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai
2016 – PRESENT — LEADERSHIP
Leads a subspecialty medical home for complex IBD, invented the GRITT Method
Treating the Whole Person
Dr. Keefer's philosophy centers on the belief that a patient's
emotional landscape is inseparable from their physical recovery. By
integrating behavioral medicine into gastrointestinal care, she
focuses on early intervention and building sustainable resilience.
Evidence-based, brain-gut behavior therapies
Integrated care models
Treatment targets include emotional healing
"Effective healthcare begins by
treating the whole person—not
just the disease."
— DR. LAURIE KEEFER
INNOVATION
The GRITT Method
Gaining Resilience Through Transitions (GRITT) is a patent-pending comprehensive framework that leverages risk stratification algorithms and precision behavioral medicine techniques to optimize chronic condition management. Developed and tested at Mount Sinai and licensed to Trellus Health (co-founded by Dr Keefer) for scaling and digitizing.
Risk Stratification
Personalized Care Pathways
Multidisciplinary team communication method
Transforming Care Delivery
GRITT provides a framework for multi-disciplinary teams to communicate effectively while delivering personalized psychological support tailored to the patient's specific health trajectory.
MARKET IMPACT
Now serving thousands through Trellus Health's digital platform, providing 24/7 access to resilience-based care.
PROFESSIONAL LEADERSHIP & HONORS
AFFILIATIONS
Rome Foundation
Chief Executive Officer
Psychogastroenterology
Founder & Chair
American Neurogastroenterology and Motility Society
Former Council Member
Crohn’s and Colitis Foundation
Consultant, Methodology and Impact
- Healio Disruptive Innovators Award (2023)
- Distinguished Investigator in Neurogastroenterology
- Fellow, American College of Gastroenterology (FACG) + Fellow, American Gastroenterological Association (AGAF)
- Phi Beta Kappa