Dr. Neven Bell is a friend and colleague of Dr. Charles Kroger's and becomes Monk's therapist after Dr. Kroger's untimely passing. In their first meetings, Dr. Bell wins Monk over with his sound advice and compassionate ear, and the two soon forge a unique relationship of their own. Although Dr. Bell is an accomplished therapist, Monk is perhaps most fond of the fact that Dr. Bell's first name, Neven, is a palindrome.