Teri Brister, PhD

Teri Brister, PhD, is senior advisor at the National Alliance on Mental Illness (NAMI). She collaborates with NAMI's medical office to ensure all clinical content meets the highest standards of accuracy, relevance, and value, and is supported by research. Dr. Brister also serves as a subject matter expert on NAMI's National Signature Programs and works with members of the executive team to establish and maintain partnerships that advance NAMI's resources. She is the author of NAMI Basics and co-author of the NAMI Homefront program. From July 2018 to June 2024, she served as the patient and family engagement expert for the SAMHSA-funded APA SMI Adviser project. Before joining NAMI in 2005, Dr. Brister worked for 20 years in the community mental health system in Mississippi, holding both clinical and administrative roles, including assistant executive director at two centers. Dr. Brister is a licensed professional counselor in Mississippi.