Physician, veteran and television personality Dr. Contessa Metcalfe joined the “Wake Up With Dee” morning show this week for an in-depth conversation on mental health, addiction medicine and the growing need for women to prioritize long-term wellness amid mounting personal and professional pressures.
Dr. Metcalfe, an Atlanta-based physician trained at Xavier University and St. Louis University School of Medicine, specializes in preventive, occupational and integrative medicine, with a strong focus on addiction therapy. During the interview, she spoke about the emotional toll of untreated trauma and burnout, both in the medical profession and beyond.
“One of the issues when it comes to addiction is basically these trauma loops that we all kind of get ourselves into,” Dr. Metcalfe said. She explained that anxiety, depression and post-traumatic stress disorder often go undiagnosed, leading many people to self-medicate rather than seek professional care.
Dr. Metcalfe emphasized that mental health conditions and addiction should be treated with the same seriousness as physical illness. “Just like any other part of your body can get sick, your pancreas can get sick and you can become diabetic,” she said. “Your brain can get sick and it manifests in more than just seizures.”
The discussion also highlighted Dr. Metcalfe's demanding schedule, which includes working at addiction clinics across the state in addition to running her own medical practice. She noted that her personal experience with burnout prompted her to create a more accessible, comprehensive wellness model for women.
That vision led to the creation of the Whole Woman Wellness Weekend, a three-day luxury wellness retreat scheduled for Feb. 27 through March 1, 2026, at Le Méridien Atlanta Perimeter. Designed for women who lead in their families, workplaces and communities, the retreat integrates medical assessments, mental health support, movement, mindfulness and safety education.
Dr. Metcalfe said the event goes beyond traditional wellness retreats by including on site laboratory testing, physician-led education and practical guidance participants can continue using long after the weekend ends. “These three days are hopefully enough to allow you to reinvest in yourself so you can take it back,” she said.
The interview also touched on the pressures many women face as caregivers, breadwinners and community anchors. Dr. Metcalfe noted that vacations and short-term escapes are not substitutes for sustainable wellness strategies. “Going to the bar, going on vacation is good, but that’s not teaching you how to sustain yourself,” she said.
In addition to wellness programming, the retreat will address financial preparedness, legacy planning and personal safety, areas Dr. Metcalfe believes are often overlooked in conversations about women’s health. The goal, she said, is to equip participants with tools to protect both their well-being and their future.
Metcalfe also briefly discussed her role on Bravo’s “Married to Medicine,” describing reality television as a form of escapism that can still offer meaningful lessons. She encouraged viewers to see authenticity and growth, rather than perfection, in the experiences shared on screen.
To listen to the full interview, click the link above.