Joseph Burgo began writing short stories when he was 12 years old, wrote and published his first fantasy novel with Pocket Books (Simon & Schuster) at the age of 23, and then went on to become a clinical psychologist and author of self-help books. His articles and commentary have appeared in major publications such as The New York Times, The Atlantic, the Washington Post, and USA Today, as well as on sites such as CNN, CNBC, Forbes, Vox, and Glamour. He also contributes regularly to Psychology Today and writes the popular blog After Psychotherapy where he discusses personal growth issues from a psychodynamic perspective.

As a clinician, he has practiced psychotherapy for more than 30 years, holding licenses as a marriage and family therapist and clinical psychologist. He earned his undergraduate degree at UCLA and his masters and doctorate at California Graduate Institute in Los Angeles. He is also a graduate psychoanalyst and has served as a board member, officer and instructor at a component society of the International Psychoanalytic Association. He continues to practice psychotherapy by Skype with clients around the world.