Scarsdale Psychologist Harris B. Stratyner, Ph.D., Celebrates a Milestone and an Illustrious Career

Anyone within earshot of WFAS AM 1230, Westchester County’s hometown radio station, knows of  Scarsdale Psychologist Harris B. Stratyner, Ph.D. His unmistakably mellifluous voice, measured cadence and erudite observations make his Saturday morning program a staple, and unlike anyone else’s on radio.

As a psychotherapist, he has had immeasurable impact on myriad lives, and helped countless clients to conquer addiction and lead productive, happy lives. As a radio host, he has melded smooth jazz with upbeat conversation while imparting invaluable information about everything from cancer screening to drunk driving. As a result, his program is a must-hear for aficionados of smart radio throughout the listening area. On the brink of celebrating 25 years on the radio, Dr. Stratyner is circumspect about his years on air, grateful for the opportunity to share his insights, and enthusiastic about reaching out to a loyal audience with his special brand of jazz, talk, and celebrity interviews. It’s a labor of love (he does it all gratis), yet it hardly can be construed as work. “If it ever stops being a hobby, that’s when I’ll stop doing the show,” he confesses.

Dr. Stratyner’s “Here’s to Your Good Health” program is poised to celebrate a milestone quarter-century on the air. Broadcast Saturdays at 11:00 a.m. for a full hour, the program is eclectic, informative, and insightful. And, Dr. Stratyner is quick to admit, it’s a lot of fun. “It’s very enriching for me,” he states. “And it’s not an infomercial; it’s a real radio program.”

This real radio program came to Dr. Stratyner serendipitously. “I started out by filling in for someone,” he recalls. “A woman had a radio show, and asked me to sit in for her. I said, ‘I’ve never done a radio show before.’ To which she replied, ‘You’d be great.’”

The only hitch: Dr. Stratyner had to book his own guests. Not a problem. He corralled his godfather, Dizzy Gillespie. And Stan Getz. Hardly small potatoes. It was, in a nutshell, the beginning of a beautiful friendship —with his audience. “I grew up around jazz,” he beams. “I don’t think I had a choice.” Having the likes of Dizzy Gillespie and Stan Getz around the house might tend to whet one’s appetite for the art form. “It’s had a tremendous impact on my life.” Dr, Stratyner’s father was a CPA; Dizzy Gillespie and Stan Getz were among his earliest clients. “Dizzy was my godfather, and Stan’s wife was like my godmother.” Needless to say, the premiere show was a hit. And it still is.

“Here’s to Your Good Health” is a mosaic of sorts. Typically Dr. Stratyner chairs a discussion on the latest health information, whether it’s toxic relationships or colonoscopies, menopause, prostate issues or sex after 60. Then it’s time for some smooth jazz, maybe a give-a-way of theatre tickets, followed by more talk, and a celebrity interview or two. Among the guests to appear on his show are health and nutrition expert Andrew Weil, MD, musician Art Garfunkel, and a panoply of physicians, health aficionados, pundits and politicians. Mayors, senators, governors — they’ve all sat at the microphone with Dr. Stratyner.

Dr. Stratyner credits his longtime sponsors with fueling the show’s momentum. These include: Mercy College (his alma mater); Caron New York’s Recovery Center, the largest treatment center in the United States, where Dr. Stratyner is Vice President of New York Clinical Regional Services; and Four Winds Westchester, a comprehensive inpatient and outpatient mental health treatment center in Katonah, New York.

A Clinical Associate Professor in the Department of Psychiatry at Mount Sinai School of Medicine, Dr. Stratyner is former Division Director of Addiction Recovery Services at Mount Sinai Medical Center in New York City. He is also Vice Chair of the National Council on Alcoholism and Drug Dependence (NCADD) Board of Directors.

When he’s not behind the microphone at WFAS AM, Dr. Stratyner is ensconced in his highly successful psychotherapy practice. Working upwards of 12 or 13 hours a day and several hours on Saturday, he is a devoted and respected clinician — a lifeline to his patients who count on him for his expertise and clinical guidance.

“I’ve never marketed my practice — yet I’ve always been unbelievably busy,” he says. “I tell my patients that they can contact me 24 hours a day, seven days a week, by phone, text or email. I am always there for them.” This is no small comfort to Dr. Stratyner’s patients, many of whom are struggling with addiction issues.

Dr. Stratyner spearheaded the development of “Carefrontation,” a kinder, gentler approach to the heretofore-confrontational tack used in treating the addicted personality. “We treat these people with dignity and respect, while still holding that person accountable and responsible for their lives,” he has said. The “Carefrontation” approach has been adopted by many clinicians and treatment centers nationwide as a new method of acknowledging and treating addiction issues. Dr. Stratyner penned a book on the subject. He’s also written books on his life with Dizzy Gillespie, and on the civil rights movement in America. He doesn’t rule out penning another book in the near future.

When he’s not on the air or seeing patients, Dr. Stratyner is comfortable with being recognized in public by his fans and followers. “I’ve had people come up to me and tell me that they recognize me, or that my voice sounds familiar.” He says. “People tell me that my radio show has helped them, and I’ve received mail and email from people who tell me that I helped them to understand a complicated health issue.” It’s gratifying for a person who has dedicated his life to, well, people.

With the success of his WFAS AM program, Dr. Stratyner is pleased with his track record, and has no plans to overhaul the format or make significant changes. “If it ain’t broke, don’t fix it,” he proclaims. He “might encourage” people to call in periodically, but the flow of the show as it is suits him just fine. He is blogging for the online magazine, reneweveryday.com, a trade magazine for professionals in recovery and treatment. His blog, called Angst, deals with a range of issues — from rudeness and marriage to the intrusion of technology in everyday lives.

Juggling work, his radio program, a successful marriage (his wife is a respected oral surgeon) and myriad other commitments, Dr. Stratyner is deft at prioritizing, and keeps it all flowing flawlessly. “I have very long days,” he admits. “The biggest thing I love are my patients. And my family.”