Instructor's Bio

I was born in Tehran, Iran. I moved to the United States at an early age due to the political turmoil in Iran following the revolution. I grew up in Los Angeles, California and I attended the University of California, Irvine for my undergraduate studies. I first majored in biology and earned valuable experience in biomedical research at the Beckman Laser Institute & Medical Clinic. While involved in animal-model studies focused on the treatment of congenital birthmarks known as port-wine stains, I had contact with patients in whom this condition had produced psychological disturbances. I enjoyed my face-to-face contact with the patients and found myself more intrigued with the psychological consequences of this condition as opposed to the biological mechanisms of its development. This led to my interest in pursuing a career in clinical psychology. I have earned my doctorate in Clinical Psychology. My dissertation was a meta-analysis of cognitive behavioral treatments for all classifications of anxiety disorders. Over the past ten years, I have not only provided therapeutic services to a diverse group of psychiatric patients but have been actively involved in mental health research.

I moved from New Jersey to Maryland in 1999 due to my husband's educational endeavors in the field of International Relations. I have been teaching at the Community College of Baltimore, Catonsville for the past four years. Last year, I resigned from my Assistant Professor position at CCBC in order to work with Dr. Aaron Beck at the University of Pennsylvania. Teaching as a part-time faculty member allows me to continue my contact with CCBC students. I reside in Columbia, Maryland with my husband and beautiful dog, Chloe. I am a Licensed Psychologist and a Certified Cognitive Therapist. I manage a part-time private practice in Columbia.

• University of California, Irvine, California
  • B.S. Biology; B.A. Psychology; Minor English
• Chapman University, Orange, California
  • M.A. Pre-Clinical Psychology
• Fairleigh Dickinson University, Teaneck, New Jersey
  • Ph.D. Clinical Psychology
  • Dissertation: Cognitive Behavioral Treatment Efficacy for Anxiety Disorders: A Meta-Analytic Review

• Research Fellow & Cognitive Therapist, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania
• Psychology Associate, Saint Luke Institute, Silver Spring, Maryland
• Psychology Intern, Springfield Hospital Center, Sykesville, Maryland
• Psychology Intern, Medical Services for the Circuit Court of Baltimore City, Baltimore, Maryland
• Psychologist, Maryland General Hospital, Bryn Mawr Rehabilitation Center, Baltimore, Maryland
• Research Coordinator, University of Maryland Medical System, Department of Neurology, Baltimore, Maryland
• Neuropsychology Technician, Clinical & Forensic NeuroScience, Baltimore, Maryland
• Adjunct Professor, Fairleigh Dickinson University, Department of Psychology, Teaneck, New Jersey
• Therapist, Anxiety & Stress Treatment Program North Shore University Hospital - Cornell University Medical College, Department of Psychiatry, Manhasset, New York
• Neuropsychology Testing Technician, Long Island Neuropsychological Consultants, Great Neck, New York
• Social Skills Group Coordinator, FDU Center for Psychological Services, Hackensack, New Jersey
• Research Assistant, Beckman Laser Institute & Medical Clinic, Irvine, California

• Cognitive-Behavioral Assessment & Treatment of Anxiety and Mood Disorders
• Treatment Outcome Studies & Meta-Analytic Reviews
• Immigration Trauma
• Sexual Disorders in the Religious
• Cognitive Interventions for Suicide Attempters