For more than twenty years, the brilliant and esteemed Dr. Ludwig has been making waves in the field of psychotherapy from her private practice nestled in the bustling heart of New York City. In addition to helping her clients through their personal struggles, Dr. Ludwig has also become a prominent voice in the national conversation on psychological issues and the mental health crisis.
As a regular contributor to several of the country’s most respected news outlets as well as creating, producing, and hosting her own podcast and Facebook Watch show called, Talking Live with Dr. Robi Ludwig, she also has been sought after to share her expert insights on a wide range of topics. Her deep knowledge and expertise have made her a popular guest on countless shows, as well as a host for the popular “One Week to Save Your Marriage,” the thought-provoking “Without Prejudice,” and the captivating “Scorned.”
Not content with simply being a leading voice in her field, Dr.Ludwig has also cemented her status as a true thought leader and accomplished author. Her ground-breaking works include Till Death Do Us Part: Love, Marriage, and the Mind of the Killer Spouse, a stunning exploration of the dark side of intimate partner relationships, and Your Best Age is Now, a deeply inspiring guide to thriving at any stage of life.
Of course, none of this success would have been possible without Dr. Ludwig’s remarkable academic background. Her impressive qualifications include a master’s degree in social work from the University of Pennsylvania, a post-masters advanced clinical degree from Hunter College, and a doctorate in psychology from the highly esteemed California Southern University.
All of this adds up to one truly remarkable woman. With her unmatched expertise, deep compassion, and unwavering dedication to helping others, it’s no wonder that Dr. Ludwig has become such a force to be reckoned with in the world of psychotherapy and beyond.
Beginning of Television Career
Upon completing her graduate studies, Dr. Ludwig embarked on her career at the prestigious and private hospital Gracie Square in New York City. It was here that she honed her skills as a therapist while working with some of the most severely psychiatrically ill patients. However, Dr. Ludwig had even greater aspirations beyond the hospital walls. She dreamed of becoming a psychological commentator on television and sharing her expertise with a wider audience.
To achieve this goal, Dr. Ludwig enrolled in a course at NYU, where she learned the ins and outs of securing media-related jobs behind and in front of the camera. With the help of her TV coach, Julie Eckhert, she polished her writing and presentation skills and produced a demo tape featuring an interview with a medical student who was planning to populate the world; as a sperm donor.
With her demo tape in hand, Dr. Ludwig approached the CEO of Gracie Square Hospital, where she worked at the time, with a request to feature more women on-air. Typically, male doctors were sent out to represent the hospital on television back then. After seeing her demo tape, the CEO agreed to let her appear on television just once, which was all it took to capture the attention of talk show producers.
This was just the beginning of Dr. Ludwig’s journey to becoming a renowned psychological commentator on television. Soon, she was invited to be a frequent guest expert on shows like
The Montel Williams Show and The Geraldo Rivera Show, which gave her a national platform to share her insights and knowledge. As her reputation continued to grow, Dr. Ludwig was offered high-profile writing and hosting jobs, cementing her status as a true media personality and psychological expert in her field. It’s no wonder why Dr. Ludwig is regarded as a true trailblazer in her field, as she continues to inspire others with her unrelenting passion and dedication to achieving mental health and well-being.
Passion for becoming a Psychotherapist
Dr. Ludwig’s passion for becoming a therapist was something she discovered at a very young age. In fact, as early as 2nd grade, she already believed she was a therapist, even though she had yet to begin her formal education. Her family’s psychological inclination played a significant role in nurturing her interest in the field, which only grew stronger over time.
Although writing wasn’t something Dr. Ludwig enjoyed in high school, she knew deep down that she wanted to become an author someday. It wasn’t until she started working at WETM TV- Channel 18 in Elmira, New York, her first TV job, that she began honing her writing skills. Her uncle, Mr. G, a well-known weatherman in New York City, also played a part in inspiring her to pursue a career in television.
But it was Dr. Joyce Brothers, whom she saw discussing psychological issues on a talk show, that made Dr. Ludwig realize she could combine her passion for psychology with her desire to be on television. While television hosting wasn’t initially part of her career plans, opportunities arose naturally after she worked as a psychological contributor for several years.
Despite her success as a television personality, Dr. Ludwig remains grounded and knows that public speaking is not as easy or natural for her as some of her other professional endeavors. Still, she is grateful for the opportunities she has had to share her expertise and knowledge with a wider audience and is committed to inspiring others to pursue their passions, just as she has.
Resolving Work Challenges by Proficiency
Dr. Ludwig is dedicated to helping others who are interested in her career path and often makes herself available to answer questions about her field. She has served as a mentor for students at her alma mater, the University of Pennsylvania. She also donates her time and money to charities she believes in and that make positive contributions to the community and society.
Dr. Ludwig finds the most rewarding aspect of being a therapist is witnessing her patients’ growth and healing, as they become the better and healthier versions of themselves. However, her worst and most amusing encounter with a patient occurred when a man sought her services after receiving a relationship ultimatum from his fiancé and seeing her on National TV. Despite finding her through television and perusing her professional website, he still mistakenly believed her to be a dominatrix, and as a result, made inappropriate requests during their sessions. Later this patient began stalking Dr. Ludwig, forcing her to hire a lawyer. Despite feeling helpless at the time, her mother’s humorous comments, that he would eventually get bored, stop and move on, not only made her laugh but gave her hope. Fortunately, her wise mom ended up being right. The patient eventually did stop stalking her, moved on and luckily, everyone involved was safe and unharmed. But Dr. Ludwig never did look at her website in quite the same again.
Admiring Real Life Visionaries
In the fast-paced world of television, opportunities often arise when one least expects them. Dr. Ludwig, who stumbled into the world of hosting quite by chance. But what began as a stroke of luck quickly turned into a passion, as she discovered the joys of engaging with audiences and bringing people together through the power of the small screen.
As a host, Dr. Ludwig has always admired those who are able to pivot and adapt in their careers, taking on new challenges with grace and confidence. One such inspiration is the incomparable Soledad O’Brien, who made the leap from CNN anchor to award-winning documentarian with her own production company. With her sharp intellect and creative vision, Brien has blazed a trail for women in media and continues to inspire others to follow in her footsteps.
Another figure who has left a lasting impression on Dr.Ludwig is the beloved actress and philanthropist Goldie Hawn. Known for her infectious energy and comedic timing, Hawn has brought joy to countless moviegoers over the years. But it is her work with the Mind Up Foundation that truly sets her apart, as she seeks to help children build resilience and mental fitness through mindfulness practices and other tools.
Finally, Dr. Ludwig fondly recalls her time working alongside the late Larry King, a true giant of broadcasting. With his signature suspenders and quick wit, King was a beloved figure both on and off camera. Dr. Ludwig remembers him as a unique talent and a dear friend, whose generosity and kindness made him a pleasure to work with.
For Dr. Ludwig, hosting is not just a job, but a chance to connect with others and share stories that inspire and inform. And with role models like O’Brien, Hawn, and King to guide her, she is sure to continue making a positive impact in the years to come.
A Great Audience
According to Dr. Ludwig, her primary audience is connected to her two books and the shows she has hosted. She has a large following within the true crime community, as there is a great fascination with crime and the criminal mind. “There is a strong curiosity about why people who seem “like us” can behave in such unimaginable ways.” After publishing her book, Your Best Age is Now, Dr. Ludwig has cultivated a large mid-life audience. Her audience is interested in dispelling myths surrounding midlife and embracing how this time of life can be a time of growth and transformation, rather than a period of irrelevance and decline.
Global Recognition for Excellent Work
Dr. Ludwig believes that her biggest achievements have come from a series of events and opportunities which have contributed to her success over the years. She considers her pitch to her then news director, David Schifter, to become a psychology reporter for her first job in Elmira, NY, a significant win. She secured her TV dream job that day and was placed on the air that night to analyze the psychopathic killer Timothy McVeigh. Another achievement she is proud of is having a prominent book agent, Andrew Stewart, approach her with the idea of writing a book, fulfilling her dream of becoming an author. Being selected as the host for TLC’s “One Week to Save Your Marriage” after their year-long search for the right person, and guest hosting for Larry King, were also major highlights in her television career. Rather than focusing on one single event, Dr.Ludwig sees the cumulative effect of these experiences as a testament to her success.
Dr. Ludwig has received many awards, which include:
- Inducted into the Cedar Crest Alumnae Hall of Fame 2022
- Patient Preferred Psychologist of the Year New York City 2023
- The Marquis Who’s Who in America Award 2021-2022
- Patient Preferred Physicians and Practitioners Award 2000
- Business Hall of Fame for four consecutive years as Best of Manhattan Mental Health Practitioner Award, 2023
- Cedar Crest Honorary Doctorate 2005
- Voted Award-Winning Reporter in 1997 by the national broadcasters company
She has also graced the covers for both local and national magazine covers:
- Preferred Health Magazine Cover Jan 2023 (Winter Edition) Change Your Environment Change Your Life
- New York Lifestyles Magazine May 2022 – Sisters in the City
- The Pro Age Woman Aug 2022 Reinventing Fabulous
- 25 A Luxury Magazine 2022 The Psychology of Fashion After the Pandemic
- Preferred Health Magazine – A Fashion State of Mind 2022
Forming New Ways to Helping Others Achieve Better Mental Health
For Dr. Ludwig, creating valuable content is not just a job, it’s a passion that drives her to explore new mediums and push the boundaries of what’s possible. From producing TV shows to hosting a podcast, she’s always on the lookout for new ways to connect with her audience and share her insights on mental health and well-being.
Currently, Dr. Ludwig is in the process of producing a web series that explores the challenges of mental well-being in the digital age. This thought-provoking series will offer practical tips and insights on how to stay mentally healthy in an increasingly connected yet disconnected world.
Dr. Ludwig is also working on a proposal for a new book about parenting, which offers insights on how to improve one’s parenting skills, no matter what age or stage of life you’re in. Drawing on her own experiences as a parent, as well as her extensive research in the field of psychology, this book promises to be a valuable resource for anyone looking to be a better parent.
Looking towards the future, Dr. Ludwig is considering exploring the possibility of creating documentaries about mental health in America. With her keen insights and ability to connect with audiences on a deep level, she’s sure to produce content that is both informative and inspiring.
It is through her books, TV shows, podcasts, or social media channels, Dr. Ludwig is always looking for novel ways to help others achieve better mental health and live a more fulfilling and rewarding life. With her boundless energy and passion for her work, the future looks bright for this talented psychotherapist and media personality.
Written by Steve Sanchez.
