Kelly Johnson, MD, is one of the most recognizable psychiatrists in the country today, dispensing radio advice to hundreds of thousands of listeners weekly. "Dr. Kelly," as he is known on the radio, serves as the relationship expert on Private Lives, hosted by Karen Hand. The radio program has been based in Chicago for the past decade; in addition to winning many broadcast awards, this show has consistently been the No. 1 rated radio talk show on Sunday nights. It is geared toward helping people solve their most difficult relationship, health, and emotional problems in a live call-in format. There is also a strong emphasis on understanding the psychology behind breaking news stories and current events. He has been able to give the psychological perspective on virtually every major political, Hollywood, and sports scandal, while continuing to help ordinary people sort out their lives.
He is the author of The Relationship Problem Solver: For Love, Marriage, and Dating and A Relationship for a Lifetime.
He has extensive national media experience, having appeared regularly on television shows such as Jenny Jones and Montel Williams as their relationship expert.
Johnson completed undergraduate work at Valparaiso University, earning a BS, and then went on to Indiana University Medical School, graduating with an MD. His psychiatric training was completed at Northwestern University. Since then, he has maintained a private psychiatric consulting practice in Chicago. He primarily helps acutely ill medical patients deal with grief and loss. In his outpatient practice, there is an emphasis on relationship therapy, which focuses on understanding relationship choices and emotions.
Johnson has received numerous academic achievement awards and been elected in the past to be a representative to the American Psychiatric Association. He has been an active participant in shaping the bylaws that govern the practice and future of the field of psychiatry