Don Grant, PhDPh.D., MA, MFA, DAC, SUDCC IV 

Dr. Don Grant is an internationally recognized, award-winning media psychologist, doctoral addictions counselor, researcher, and educator specializing in the impact of digital media and technology on human mental health and relationships. As a Fellow of the American Psychological Association (APA) and the National Advisor of Healthy Device Management for Newport Healthcare, Dr. Grant stands at the forefront of clinical and community responses to digital fatigue, device dependency, and the challenges of hyper-connected environments.

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Clinical Innovation & Educational Outreach

Dr. Grant designs and facilitates specialized clinical strategy and educational training workshops focused on "Healthy Device Management" and "Good Digital Citizenship." His frameworks are widely utilized by clinicians, practitioners, educators, and parents to help adolescents, young adults, and families establish healthy boundaries with technology.

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A prolific voice in media and public education, Dr. Grant’s expertise is frequently sought after by global news organizations and publications. His insights on device-related behaviors, technological addiction, and digital well-being have been featured in The New York Times, The Wall Street Journal, The Los Angeles Times, The Washington Post, Time Magazine, Forbes, The Hill, and The APA Monitor on Psychology, alongside broadcast appearances on CNN, ABC, CBS, NBC, Fox News, and a dedicated feature profile in People Magazine.

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Specialized Research & Systems Frameworks

Dr. Grant’s current research initiatives actively address modern human vulnerabilities within the digital space. In partnership with the Newport Healthcare Center for Research and Innovation, he recently completed two national studies investigating the impact of a caregiver’s device use on early attachment bonds. His broader research agenda explores the psychological effects of artificial intelligence and "chatbot companions," identity construction on social media, para-social digital relationships, and the mitigation of cyber-aggression.

His active enterprise and curriculum projects include:

• Clinical Curricula: Authoring an internationally commissioned "Healthy Device Management and Practices of Good Digital Citizenship" treatment workbook designed specifically for behavioral health practitioners and academic institutions.

• National Advocacy Campaigns: Partnering with the National Association of Behavioral Healthcare Youth Services Committee on the development, content architecture, and rollout of Safe Connections, a national youth cyber-health campaign.

• Academic Contributions: Serving on expert advisory panels for multiple scientific reports examining the AI/chatbot phenomenon and adolescent media consumption, as well as co-editing and contributing to several handbook chapters published by Springer Publishing in partnership with Children and Screens: Institute of Digital Media and Child Development.

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Professional Governance & Leadership

A central figure in the governance of media psychology, Dr. Grant is a Past President of the APA’s Society for Media Psychology and Technology (Division 46). He continues to serve on its Executive Board as a Member-at-Large and actively shapes industry standards as the Co-Chair of both the "Device Management & Intelligence" and "Digital Harm Reduction" committees. Additionally, he serves as an APA Advocacy Division Partner Liaison, an APA Division Science Partner, and holds the executive position of Treasurer for the California Psychological Association’s Division VI (Technology, Media, & Artificial Intelligence).