Dr. Doreen’s unique voice and energy have a diverse global audience. She is captivating and grounding, encouraging audiences  to wrestle with complex topics and empowering them with actionable tips and tools to balance mental health and technology. She lives to inspire people to live healthy, fiery, embodied lives.

A self-proclaimed “boredom evangelist,” with more than 25 years researching the impact of technology on human health and relationships, Doreen explores boredom as an antidote to many of the negative impacts of digital engagement. Her research finds that practicing what the Dutch call Niksen (translated as “to do nothing deliciously”) increases joy, creativity, focus, and offers significant mental health benefits.

Find Doreen’s work in The New York Times, Time, Health, The Washington Post, Psychology Today, Salon, Shondaland, and other popular press outlets including television, podcasts, and syndicated radio shows such as including Amanpour & Co., PBS, CNN, Nightline, Innovation Hub, and Getting Curious with Jonathan Van Ness.

Winner of the Gold and Silver Nautilus Awards for her books Deviced! Balancing Life and Technology in a Digital World and Restart: Desiging a Healthy Post Pandemic Life. Her new book, In Praise of Boredom. The Case for Doing Nothing in a World that Won’t Stop (Broadleaf Books, publisher), will be released in June 2027.

A prolific, sought-after international speaker, Doreen offers keynotes and workshops to Fortune 500 companies, global nonprofits, school districts, and more.

Doreen loves black coffee, dancing, her meditation cushion, and people…especially people.

Part professor,
part nerd,
totally passionate about creating powerful, inspirational, and embodied experiences
for those she speaks to and writes for.

Read Doreen’s Contributions to the New York Times, The Washington Post, and more…

The Case for Doing Nothing (New York Times)

Tech Addiction is Real. We Psychologists Need to Take it Seriously (Washington Post)

The Technology Pyramid and You (Utne Reader)

Americans are Obsessed with Tidying up. But There’s a Downside to Being Organized (Time)

For press & booking inquiries, reach out here.
Doreen would love to work with you!

  • "Balancing the demands of modern life can make it difficult to show up as your best self. Doreen’s authentic approach provides a straightforward solution, empowering employees and organizations to take a purposeful pause and recharge through valuable insights, engaging content, and thoughtful discussion."

    Rober Stein
    Google Employee Engagement Manager

  • “Doreen’s bright personality, expertise, and thoughtfulness created open conversation, reflection, and awareness to the importance of mental health and living authentically. Almost a year later, our employees are still talking about her session!”

    Domenic Vermuelen
    Southwest Airlines

  • "Dr. Doreen was an absolute pleasure to work with! Her presentation resonated deeply with our organization. She was engaging, funny, and incredibly insightful. We received a lot of positive feedback!"

    Brandon Fries, Employee Experience Manager, Kate Farm

  • Your approach is so amazing and so open-hearted! I just love you!

    Jonathan VanNess, NYT Bestselling Author, Queer Eye Host
    Founder, JVN Hair

  • “Dr. Doreen tells it like it is. There’s nothing she can’t talk through. Great advice dispensed with a little zen that makes us all feel better!”

    Brenda Braxton KGW Sr. Anchor