Core Qualifications
• Member of the American Psychological Association (#00219740)
• Member of the Pakistan Psychological Association
• Member of The Center of Biomedical Ethics and Culture, SIUT.
• Training in Cognitive Behavioral, Rational Emotive, Person-Centered, Psychodynamic, Emotionally Focused and Sex
Therapy including Trauma Informed practices as well as Psychoanalytic theory and assessment.
• Training in and implementation of qualitative and quantitative studies
Curriculum Vitae
• Management of hospital personnel: motivating, developing, and recruiting health care professionals.
• Psychotherapy of chronic and/or terminal physical illness, grief, end of life, self-harm, personality disorders, sexual problems and abuse, sexual orientation issues, psychosis and severe anxiety and depression, marital issues and family dysfunction. Currently focused on neurodiverse affirmative work and assessment.
Education
Ph.D., Clinical Psychology 2021 Institute of Clinical Psychology, University of Karachi | Pakistan • Thesis on “Religious Orientation and Psychological Problems in Pornography Viewers”, based on data collected from the Pakistani Muslim population • Training in Psychodynamic, Cognitive, Rational Emotive, Person-centered, Sex and Family therapies • Supervised clinical practice
Diploma, Natural Health Practitioner 2012 Alternative Medicine College of Canada | Canada • Proficiency in regenerative cures, bodily approaches, orthomolecular approaches and clinical case studies
Master of Arts, Psychology 2008-2010 University of Karachi | Pakistan • Published paper on commitment in romantic relationships: a qualitative study. 2017, Corpus ID: 167212374. • Published paper on Freud and Sufism drawing parallels between Freud’s writings and the Sufic traditions, which was published by the Journal of European Studies (Pakistan), volumes 26-27, Nos 1 & 2 July 2010 & July 2011 • Term paper on sexual intervention for people suffering from chronic mental disorders
Certification in Foundations in Hypnotherapy 2008 Hypnosis Motivation Institute (HMI) | USA
Certificate, Reiki Healing 2008 The Institute of Mind Sciences | Pakistan
Bachelor of Arts in Psychology, English Literature and Fine Arts 1988 – 1992 P.E.C.H.S. Government Degree College for Woman | Pakistan
Professional Experience
Private Practice (Psychotherapy) 2013 – Present
Psychotherapist May 2014– August 2018 Jinnah Postgraduate Medical College | Pakistan
Internship January – December 2014 Alleviate Addiction Suffering Pakistan
Head of Psychosocial Oncology Department (POD) Jan 2013 – Dec 2015 Indus Hospital Pediatric Oncology Department | Pakistan
Psychotherapist 2011 – 2014 Institute of Clinical Psychology, University of Karachi | Pakistan
Counselor Jul – Dec 2011 Recovery House Caravan of Life Trust (associated with Thresholds USA) | Pakistan
Counselor Jul – Nov 2010 Jinnah Postgraduate Medical College | Pakistan
Counselor Jul 2010 Caravan of Life, Recovery House | Pakistan
Internship: Counselor Jun – Jul 2010 Karachi Psychiatric Hospital (KPH) | Pakistan
Volunteer 2008 – Present Health Education and Literacy Program (HELP) | Pakistan
Counselor 2006 – 2007 Pediatric Ward, Civil Hospital Karachi | Pakistan
Workshops, Seminars, and Conferences
Focus Group with Lady Health Workers, Health Education and Literacy Program (HELP) July 2022 Conducted a focus group on sexual abuse and domestic violence among the underserved communities
Presented Paper on “The Pakistani Sexual Landscape: An Oxymoron” Mar 2019 Kink: An Inclusive Interdisciplinary Conference | Czech Republic
Seminar on “Feminine Worth” Jun 2019 The Nest (Technology Incubator) | Pakistan
Seminar on ‘Importance of Psychosocial Support In Pediatric Oncology’ Jan 2016 Pediatric Oncology, 3rd Biennial Conference, The Indus Hospital | Pakistan
Workshop on ‘The Journey Within: From Mindfulness to Self-Actualization 2015 Habib University | Pakistan
Workshop on ‘Play as a Therapeutic Modality to Counter Burnout Suffered by Health Care Professionals’ 2015 Indus Hospital | Pakistan
Workshop on Complementary Therapies in Palliative Care‘ 2015 Aga Khan University Hospital | Pakistan
Seminar on ‘Mindfulness: Humanizing the Medical Profession‘ Feb 2015 Indus Hospital | Pakistan
Seminar on ‘Counseling in Chronic and Acute Illness’ Feb 2015 Cancer Unit, Ziauddin Hospital | Pakistan
Scholarship for Poster Presentation ‘Development and Implementation of the Psychosocial Oncology Department in Children Cancer Hospital Using Integrative Practice: A Multidisciplinary Approach’ 22 – 25 Oct 2014 46th Congress of the International Society of Pediatric Oncology | Canada
Workshop on ‘Wellness Recovery Action Plan (WRAP)’ Jun 2014 Jinnah Postgraduate Medical College | Pakistan
Workshop on ‘Palliative Care in Pediatric Oncology’ Apr & Jun 2014 Indus Hospital Pediatric Oncology Department | Pakistan
Nurse’s Training Course on ‘Child Development and Psychosocial Aspects of Cancer’ 2013 Indus Hospital Pediatric Oncology Department | Pakistan
Seminar on ‘Psychosocial Impact of Cancer on Children’ 2013 Indus Hospital Pediatric Oncology Department | Pakistan
Workshop on ‘Mindfulness to Create Self Awareness and Alleviate Mental Health Issues’ 2013 Institute of Clinical Psychology, University of Karachi | Pakistan
Workshop on ‘Mindfulness to Reduce Stress and Optimize Performance’ 2013 Indus Children Cancer Hospital | Pakistan
Seminar on Human Sexuality 2013 Institute of Clinical Psychology, University of Karachi | Pakistan
Presented Paper on ‘Social Identity, Partisanship and Student Activism: A Qualitative Study’ 2012 Social Intervention International Conference University of Karachi in Liaison with the US Consulate General Karachi | Pakistan
Continuing Education
Virtual EMDR Mini Workshop: 4 Must-Have Resources for Treating Trauma via Telehealth Jul 2021 PESI, U.S.A
Reconsidering Grief: Exploring Grief and Loss from an LGBTQ+ Perspective Jun 2021 Lisa Constantino (LPC, CEDS-S) & Hanna Badenoch (LMHC), U.S.A. Outloud Pride Summit.
Cannabis, Cannabinoids and Cancer Care Jun 2021 CannX, Tel Aviv
Queer and Trans Perspectives in Academia Jun 2021 Sage Publishing
Treating Trauma Master Series May 2021 National Institute for the Clinical Application of Behavioral Medicine (NICABM)
Grief Summit: Grief Counseling and Treatment in a Pandemic of Loss Apr 2021 PESI, U.S.A.
Sex Therapy (75 CEU) Mar – May 2021 California Institute of Integral Studies, U.S.A
Emotionally Focused Therapy Core Skills (60 CE) Dec 2020 – Jun 2021 Portland Center for Emotionally Focused Therapy, U.S.A
Emotionally Focused Therapy Externship (28 CE) Oct – Nov 2020 Sharon Chatkupt Lee, ICEEFT Certified Trainer and Licensed Psychologist
Advanced Topics in Clinical Supervision (6 CE) Nov 2020 Glenn Marks, Ph.D. Director, Zur Instititute, Inc.
Effective and Ethical Supervision in Psychotherapy and Counselling (6 CE) Aug 2020 Glenn Marks, Ph.D. Director, Zur Institute, Inc.
Certificate in Supervision in Social Work (3CE) Aug 2020 Ofer Zur, Ph.D. Director Zur Institute, Inc.
Psychological Tele-Assessment During COVID-19: Ethical and Practical Considerations (1.5 CE) May 2020 by A. Jordan Wright, PhD, ABAP, Director of the Center for Counseling and Community Wellbeing, Department of Applied Psychology at New York University. Continuing Education in Psychology, American Psychological Association
When Grief Goes Viral: Psychological Assessment and Intervention in the Corona Crisis May 2020 by Robert A. Neimeyer, PhD Professor Emeritus, University of Memphis Director, Portland Institute for Loss and Transition.
Resilience for Trauma Responders: Protecting Ourselves from Secondary Traumatic Stress (1.5 CE) Apr 2020 by Patricia K. Kerig, Ph.D. Dept. of Psychology, University of Utah; Center for Trauma Recovery and Juvenile Justice, National Child Traumatic Stress Network; NCTSN Secondary Traumatic Stress Collaborative.
The New Normal: Coping with Uncertainty and Mitigating Anxiety During These Challenging Times Apr 2020 by Rochelle Frank, PhD. Clinical Psychologist, University of Berkeley, The Wright Institute and UCSF School of Medicine
Mindful Self-Care in the Service of Health Care: An Embodied Approach (1.5 CE) Apr 2020 by Catherine Cook-Cottone, Ph.D. University at Buffalo, SUNY, American Psychological Association
“Suicide in Young People: Psychological and Social Factors” 2018 by Uzma Ambareen, Centre of Biomedical Ethics and Culture (CBEC), SIUT
Workshop on Working with Survivors of Childhood Sexual Abuse (CSA) 2016 by Lynne Kaye, CPPD | Pakistan
Psychological First Aid, Johns Hopkins University/Coursera 2016 by Professor George Everly, Center for Public Health Preparedness, Bloomberg School of Public Health
“Working on How to Transform an Adolescent’s Inner World from a Harsh Place to a Warmer Kinder One” Apr 2014 by David Taransaud, Psychotherapist and International Trainer
“Working with Victims and Villains, the Plight of Child Soldiers” May 2014 by David Taransaud, Psychotherapist and International Trainer
“Couples Counseling and Sex Therapy” Apr 2014 by Jenny Sanderson Psychosexual Psychotherapist
“How to Provide Emotional Holding to Patients with Life Threatening Illnesses” Dec 2013 by Dr Jan Mojsa, Transpersonal Psychotherapist
“Engaging Beyond the Therapeutic Approach” Nov 2013 by Michael Soth, Psychotherapist, CPPD UK
“Working with Trauma and Post Traumatic Stress Disorder” Nov 2013 by Romeck Van Zeyl, Psychotherapist
Family Therapy “Systemic Constellation Work” Nov 2013 by Romeck Van Zeyl, Psychotherapist
Formative Research Methods and Tool Development Oct 2013 by SAIFRN and School of Public Health, University of Sydney
Pediatric Oncology 2013 Indus Hospital, Pediatric Cancer Department
Object Relations Theory Workshop Sept – Nov 2012 by Shazia Mohamed, Art Therapist
Child and Adolescent Behavior Workshop Nov 2012 by David Taransaud, Psychotherapist and International Trainer
Certificate Course in Forensic Psychology 2012 Institute of Clinical Psychology, University of Karachi
Certification in “Protecting Human Research Participants” 2010 DOW University of Health Sciences in collaboration National Institute of Health, Office of Extramural Research (USA)
Neuropsychology Bases of Behavior Workshop 2010 by Dr Nausheen Shahzad, University of Karachi in collaboration with Neuropsychology Center
Additional Information
Languages
• Fluent in English and Urdu
Interests
• Avid reader
• Trained classical singer
• Outdoor sports enthusia