Dr. Rita Anita Linger, is a Human Scientist, Psycho-physiologist, NC Certified Peer Support Specialist and Trainer, University Professor with a background and practice in psychophysiology, contemporary neuroscience, trauma, MBSR, Mind-Body skills and organizational effectiveness. She is the Executive Director of Recovery Communities of North Carolina, Raleigh, North Carolina (a statewide organization that provides holistic direct recovery services and training programs/technical support, mentoring to those struggling with substance use disorders, their families, allies, and providers of services. Services also include support for trauma relief and mental illness,).

Dr. Linger is Faculty at the University of North Carolina, Integrative Medicine, Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation Dept where she teaches contemporary neuroscience, trauma informed care, psycho-physiology, biofeedback, mind-body skills including mindfulness, diversity, equity and inclusion as well as provider/patient communications and sustained recovery through physiological practices. She also serves as one of the Dept.’s Principal Research Investigators on Chronic Pain and Mindfulness and Community Clinic Services Consultant. She is also Faculty for NYC’s Columbia University’s Global Dignity and Humiliation’s Program. She has worked within the substance use disorder and mental health fields for over 30 years.

Dr. Linger has served as Senior Supervisor and Faculty at the Center for Mind Body Medicine, Washington, DC for the past 14 years. She is an award-winning community & public health professional and academic researcher having worked within healthcare and community systems both in the U.S. and internationally for over three decades to improve the quality of care for disparate communities, healthcare consumers, those struggling with substance use disorder and mental health conditions and those who work with them through the use of holistic and integrative interventions. Dr. Linger is also a WRAP (Wellness Recovery Action Plan) Facilitator and Trainer. She focuses on building healthy communities across the United States. Her name and picture sits on a quilt next to Dorothy Cotton (Martin Luther King’s Civil Rights Aide and Confidante), in the DeWitt Historical Museum in NYS for her leadership in Community Health and Wellness, Trauma Relief, Social Justice and Community Advocacy work.

Dr. Linger is also the Founder of Mindfully Human: Center for Personal and Professional Development.