Research Interest

My research interests encompass three primary areas. Firstly, I explore the psychological underpinnings of cPTSD, focusing on how developmental experiences and attachment patterns contribute to this complex condition. My aim is to unravel the intricacies of these factors to inform effective interventions and prevention strategies. Secondly, I delve into the effects of self-processes, mindfulness and compassion on psychological outcomes such as well-being, emotional regulation, and interpersonal relationships. This line of inquiry seeks to uncover how these practices can enhance resilience and promote flourishing, with implications for clinical practice. Lastly, I investigate the impact of interpersonal dynamics on mental health, examining how elements like shame, safeness experiences, and compassionate presence shape mental well-being. Through this research, I hope to highlight the significance of intimate connections and supportive environments in fostering individual and collective resilience.

Education

Work History

• 2022 – Now Certified Supervisor and Trainer-in-Training International Centre for Excellence in Emotionally Focused Therapy (EFT), Toronto, Canada

Duties include:

• Teaching EFT to Therapists

• Giving therapy supervision to Therapists (in individual and group formats)

• Engaging in local Community activities (e.g., giving lectures and consultations)

• Designing and Executing Research Studies in EFT

• 2020 – Now Assistant Professor of Psychology University of Tehran /   Iran / Tehran

Duties include:

• Teaching Undergraduate and Graduate Students

• Designing Research Studies

• Executing Research

• Treating patients with from psychological problems

• Giving research supervision to students

• Giving therapy supervision to students

• 2011 – Now Psychotherapist

Duties include:

• Psychological Assessment

• Couples Assessment

• Treatment Planning

• Psychotherapy for Adults

• Couple Therapy for Married Clients

• 2017 – 2020 Pre-University Counsellor  

      Kherad Complex / Iran / Tehran

Occupation:

Duties include:

• Psychological Assessment

• Holding Psychological workshops

• Giving counselling services to Adolescents

• Training coping skills

• Coaching the staff members

Computer Skills

• Knowledge in computers and all Microsoft programs
• Typing speed 40 WPM
• Ability to use Microsoft Excel
• SPSS software
• AMOS software
• LISREL software

Honours and Awards

• 2009- First Ranked amongst all graduates of the academic year 2006 Master’s Degree in Psychology-Family Therapy, Shahid Beheshti University, Tehran, Iran.
• 2006- Second Ranked amongst all graduates of academic year 2002 Bachelor’s Degree in Clinical Psychology, Tarbiat Moallem University, Tehran, Iran.

Major Funding Awards:

• 2020 – Producing the curriculum of the master’s course in teacher training studies, Chief Moderators: Hossein Keshavarzafshar, Maryam Abbasi Sooreshjani, Abbas Javaheri Mohammadi. Research project approved by University of Tehran. No: 50000/4870/120; 350,000,000 RLS
• 2013 – Designing a practical guide for osteoporosis. Project manager: Dr. Seyed Masoud Arzaghi (Member of the Faculty of Endocrinology and Metabolism, Tehran University of Medical Sciences) Research Associates: Maryam Abbasi, Yousef Mehjouri. Project of Endocrine and Metabolism Research Institute of Tehran University of Medical Sciences.

• 2013 – Comprehensive plan for screening, evaluation, referral and treatment of type 2 diabetes patients, project manager: Dr. Seyed Masoud Arzaghi (Member of the Faculty of Endocrinology and Metabolism Research Institute, Tehran University of Medical Sciences). Research Associates: Maryam Abbasi, Yousef Mehjoori. Project of Endocrine and Metabolism Research Institute of Tehran University of Medical Sciences.

• 2013 – The effect of education based on the self-care package on improving the knowledge of people at risk of developing osteoporosis, project manager: Dr. Seyed Masoud Arzaghi (member of the academic staff of the Endocrine and Metabolism Research Institute of Tehran University of Medical Sciences). Research Associates: Maryam Abbasi, Yousef Mehjoori. Project of Endocrine and Metabolism Research Institute of Tehran University of Medical Sciences.

• 2013 – The effectiveness of cognitive-behavioral group therapy on reducing weight, lipid levels and blood sugar in patients with type 2 diabetes: a randomized controlled trial. Project leader: Dr. Seyed Masoud Arzaghi (Member of the Faculty of Endocrinology and Metabolism, Tehran University of Medical Sciences). Research Associates: Maryam Abbasi, Yousef Mehjoori. Project of Endocrine and Metabolism Research Institute of Tehran University of Medical Sciences.

• 2009 – Examining the psychometric properties of the conflict resolution tactics scale (CTS), Chief Moderator: Dr. Lili Panaghi (member of the academic staff of Shahid Beheshti University’s Family Research Institute). Associates: Dr. Mohsen Dehghani, Maryam Abbasi. Research project approved by Shahid Beheshti University.

Translated Books (From English to Persian)

Willard, C. (2021). Mindfulness for Teen Anxiety: A Workbook for Overcoming Anxiety at Home, at School, and Everywhere Else. New Harbinger Publications.

Walsh, F. (2015). Strengthening family resilience. Guilford publications.

Ryan, C., Epstein, N. B., Keitner, G. I., Miller, I. W., & Bishop, D. S. (2012). Evaluating and treating families: The McMaster approach. Routledge.

Schore, A. N. (2019). The Development of the Unconscious Mind (Norton Series on Interpersonal Neurobiology). WW Norton & Company

Journal Papers:

* = (Former) Masters’ students of mine

1. *Taghipour, Z., Abbasi Sooreshjani, M., & Salehi, K. The Process of Using the Self of the Therapist in EFT: A Grounded Theory Study. The American Journal of Family Therapy, 1-20. https://doi.org/10.1080/01926187.2024.2351830 https://scholar.google.com/citations?view_op=view_citation&hl=en&user=-IH3D2oAAAAJ&sortby=pubdate&citation_for_view=-IH3D2oAAAAJ:q3CdL3IzO_QC
   

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2. *Seyfikar, Z., Abbasi Sooreshjani, M., & Farahani, H. (2024). Investigating the Relationship between Perceived Partner Responsiveness and the Degree of Depression Symptoms According to the Moderating Role of Fear of Compassion. Journal of Applied Psychological Research, -. https://doi.org/10.22059/japr.2024.357542.644591 https://scholar.google.com/citations?view_op=view_citation&hl=en&user=-IH3D2oAAAAJ&sortby=pubdate&citation_for_view=-IH3D2oAAAAJ:foquWX3nUaYC
   

   ---

3. *Shekari, H., Ghorbani, N., Rostami, R., Frederickson, J., & Abbasi Sooreshjani, M. (2024). Narcissism and Addiction Potential: The Role of Shame Experiences and the Pattern of Attachment Journal of Applied Psychological Research, 14(4). 10.22059/japr.2022.350845.644439

https://scholar.google.com/citations?view_op=view_citation&hl=en&user=-IH3D2oAAAAJ&citation_for_view=-IH3D2oAAAAJ:Wp0gIr-vW9MC

4. *Shekari, H., Ghorbani, N., Rostami, R., Frederickson, J., Abbasi, M., & Eftekhari, A. (2023). An Overview of Addiction Potential and the Role of Narcissistic Factors, Shame Experiences and Attachment Patterns [Review article]. The Journal of Shahid Sadoughi University of Medical Sciences, 31(3), 6463-6471. https://doi.org/10.18502/ssu.v31i3.12804

https://scholar.google.com/citations?view_op=view_citation&hl=en&user=-IH3D2oAAAAJ&citation_for_view=-IH3D2oAAAAJ:M3ejUd6NZC8C

5.*Samiei, F., Abbasi Sooreshjani, M., & Kazemi, R. (2023). Comparison of Interoceptive Awareness and Equanimity Based on Heart Rate Variability (HRV) Between Women Who Practice Yoga and Those Who Do Not. Journal of Applied Psychological Research, 14(2), 125-143. https://doi.org/10.22059/japr.2023.354952.644530

https://scholar.google.com/citations?view_op=view_citation&hl=en&user=-IH3D2oAAAAJ&citation_for_view=-IH3D2oAAAAJ:qxL8FJ1GzNcC

6. Abbasi Sooreshjani, M., *Nikgoo, R., & Farahani, H. (2023). The indirect effect of compassion for others in the relationship between mindfulness and therapeutic presence. Clinical Psychologist, 27(3), 343-351. https://doi.org/10.1080/13284207.2023.2225697

https://scholar.google.com/citations?view_op=view_citation&hl=en&user=-IH3D2oAAAAJ&citation_for_view=-IH3D2oAAAAJ:4TOpqqG69KYC 

7. Sajjadi*, M., Noferesti, A. & Abbasi, M. Mindful self-compassion intervention among young adults with a history of childhood maltreatment: Reducing psychopathological symptoms, shame, and self-criticism. Curr Psychol (2022). https://doi.org/10.1007/s12144-022-03761-0
   

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8. *Soheilifard, B., Abbasi Sooreshjani, M., & Golamali Lavasani, M. (2022). The Effect of Concrete versus Abstract Processing Mode on Working Memory Capacity in High Rumination. Journal of Applied Psychological Research, 12(4), 271-291. https://doi.org/https://dx.doi.org/10.22059/japr.2022.326769.643903
   

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9. *Nikgoo, R., Abbasi Sooreshjani, M., Naghsh, Z., & Ghorbani, N. (2022). Factorial structure of Persian version of Sussex-Oxford Compassion for Others Scale. Rooyesh-e- Ravanshenasi Journal, 10(12), 49-50. https://doi.org/http://dorl.net/dor/20.1001.1.2383353.1400.10.12.23.5
   

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10. * Ghasemi, Z., Abbasi Sooreshjani, M., & Naghsh, Z. (2022). Early Experiences of Shame and Saftey and Compassion Fatigue in Psychotherapists: The Mediating Role of Compassion for Others. Rooyesh-e-Ravanshenasi Journal (RRJ), 11(5), 79-90.

http://dorl.net/dor/20.1001.1.2383353.1401.11.5.8.3 1.5.8.3     https://scholar.google.com/citations?view_op=view_citation&hl=en&user=-IH3D2oAAAAJ&citation_for_view=-IH3D2oAAAAJ:ULOm3_A8WrAC

11. Abbasi, M., Ghorbani, N., Imani, A. H., & *Tahbaz Hoseinzadeh, S. (2021). Exploring the mediating role of integrative self-knowledge in the relationship between mindfulness and well-being in the context of a mindfulness-based stress reduction program. International Journal of Psychology, 56(2), 249-256. https://doi.org/https://doi.org/10.1002/ijop.12705
    

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12. Abbasi, M., Ghorbani, N., Hatami, J., & Gholamali Lavasani, M. (2018). Validity and reliability of multidimensional assessment of interoceptive awareness (MAIA) in Iranian students. Journal of Sabzevar University of Medical Sciences, 25(1), 47-59.

https://jsums.medsab.ac.ir/article_1029.html?lang=en

https://scholar.google.com/citations?view_op=view_citation&hl=en&user=-IH3D2oAAAAJ&citation_for_view=-IH3D2oAAAAJ:_FxGoFyzp5QC

13. Abbasi, M., Ghorbani, N., Hatami, J., & Lavasani, M. G. (2016). Does visual exposure to an embodied symbol of healing mitigate pain? Contemporary Psychology, 10(2), 15-28. https://bjcp.ir/article-1-895-en.html

https://scholar.google.com/citations?view_op=view_citation&hl=en&user=-IH3D2oAAAAJ&citation_for_view=-IH3D2oAAAAJ:WF5omc3nYNoC

14. Dehestani, M., Tarkhan, M., Abbasi, M., & Aghili, Z. S. (2012). Efficacy of integrating stress coping skills training with detoxification on social adjustment of addicted women. Addiction & Health, 4(3-4), 127.

            https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC3905538/

https://scholar.google.com/citations?view_op=view_citation&hl=en&user=-IH3D2oAAAAJ&citation_for_view=-IH3D2oAAAAJ:ufrVoPGSRksC

15. Abbasi, M., Dehghani, M., Keefe, F., Jafari, H., Behtash, H., & Shams, J. (2012). Spouse‐assisted training in pain coping skills and the outcome of multidisciplinary pain management for chronic low back pain treatment: A 1‐year randomized controlled trial. European journal of pain, 16(7), 1033-1043.

            https://doi.org/10.1002/j.1532-2149.2011.00097.x

https://scholar.google.com/citations?view_op=view_citation&hl=en&user=-IH3D2oAAAAJ&citation_for_view=-IH3D2oAAAAJ:d1gkVwhDpl0C

16. Abbasi, M., Dehghani, M., Mazaheri, M., Ansarinejad, F., & Fadaie, Z. (2010). Trend analysis of changes in marital satisfaction and related dimensions across family life Cycle. Journal of Family Research, 6(1), 5-22. https://www.sid.ir/paper/122353/en

https://scholar.google.com/citations?view_op=view_citation&hl=en&user=-IH3D2oAAAAJ&citation_for_view=-IH3D2oAAAAJ:LkGwnXOMwfcC

17. Panaghi, L., Dehghani, M., Abbasi, M., Mohammadi, S., & Maleki, G. (2011). Investigating reliability, validity and factor structure of the revised conflict tactics scale. Journal of Family Research, 7(1), 103-107.

https://www.sid.ir/paper/122325/en

https://scholar.google.com/citations?view_op=view_citation&hl=en&user=-IH3D2oAAAAJ&citation_for_view=-IH3D2oAAAAJ:Se3iqnhoufwC

18. Ghobadi, K., Dehghani, M., Mansour, L., & Abbasi, M. (2011). Division of household labor, perceived justice (fairness), and marital satisfaction. Journal of Family Research, 2(7), 207-222.

https://jfr.sbu.ac.ir/article_95928_48731abe21be4aea2aa059595d24d4de.pdf

https://scholar.google.com/citations?view_op=view_citation&hl=en&user=-IH3D2oAAAAJ&citation_for_view=-IH3D2oAAAAJ:roLk4NBRz8UC

18. Panaghi, L., Hakim Shooshtari, M., Sharafi, S. E., & Abbasi, M. (2009). Behavioral and emotional problems in offsprings of bipolar parents and the control group. Iranian Journal of Psychiatry and Clinical Psychology, 15(2), 201-207. https://www.sid.ir/FileServer/JF/52813885710

https://scholar.google.com/citations?view_op=view_citation&hl=en&user=-IH3D2oAAAAJ&citation_for_view=-IH3D2oAAAAJ:eQOLeE2rZwMC

19. Abbasi, M., Dehghani, M., Yazdkhasti, H., & Mansouri, N. (2009). Family functioning in the families of patients with anxiety and depressive disorders: a comparison with general population families. Journal of Family Research, 5(3), 361-370.

https://www.sid.ir/FileServer/JF/78913881905 

https://scholar.google.com/citations?view_op=view_citation&hl=en&user=-IH3D2oAAAAJ&citation_for_view=-IH3D2oAAAAJ:YsMSGLbcyi4C

20. Dehghani, M. O. H. S. E. N., & Abasi, M. (2008). The delphia method in marriage and family therapy (concepts & applications). Journal of Family Research, 12, 839-853. https://psycnet.apa.org/record/2009-06664-006

https://scholar.google.com/citations?view_op=view_citation&hl=en&user=-IH3D2oAAAAJ&citation_for_view=-IH3D2oAAAAJ:UebtZRa9Y70C

Manuscripts Under-Review

1. *Esmaeili, F., Abbasi Sooreshjani, M., Farahani, H. (Under review). Developmental Experiences of Primipara Mothers and Their Peripartum Depressive Symptoms: The Mediating Role of Basic Psychological Needs. Clinical Psychologist, X.
2. *Seyfikar, Z, Abbasi Sooreshjani, M., Ravanbakhsh, M. (Under review). Fear of Compassion Moderates the Relationship Between Perceived Partner Response and Negative Affect: A Daily Diary Study with Married Women Experiencing Depressive Symptoms. Current Psychology, X.
3. *Shamsitabar, F., Abbasi Sooreshjani, M., Farahani, H. (Under review). Comparison of Attachment Style Changes in Iranian Women under Domestic Violence, Subject to Divorce and High Marital Satisfaction. Violence Against Women, X

Selected Conference paper presentations

Shamsitabar,F., Abbasi Soorehjani, M. (2024). Comparison of Attachment Style Changes in Iranian Women under Domestic Violence, Subject to Divorce and High Marital Satisfaction. Violence Prevention Research Conference, USA, University of New Hampshire. 

Ravanbakhsh, M, Abbasi Sooreshjani, M., Pourafshari, R. (2023). The role of sadness and self-criticism in proneness to smoke; an intensive longitudinal study, 37th Annual Conference of the European Health Psychology Society, 4-8 September, Bremen, GERMANY (FED REP GER).

Abbasi, M. Ghorbani, N. Hatami, J. (2018). Equanimity Practice within Virtual Reality. 32nd Annual Conference of the European Health Psychology Society. Galway, Ireland. Aug, 2018.

Abbasi, M. Ghorbani, N. Hatami (2017). Validity and Reliability of Multidimensional Assessment of Interoceptive Awareness (MAIA) in an Iranian Population. EFIC Congress (European Pain Federation). Copenhagen, Denmark. September, 2017.

Abbasi, M. Ghorbani, N. Hatami (2017). Bodily posture Matters in pain Relief. EFIC Congress (European Pain Federation). Copenhagen, Denmark. September, 2017.

Dehghani, M.; Abbasi, M.; Jafari, H.; Shams, J., Panaghi, L. Does Fear-Avoidance Model explain the Caesarean section in a normal Healthy Pregnancy7th International Congress of Cognitive Psychotherapy. June, 2011, Istanbul, Turkey.

Abbasi, Maryam (2011). Spouse assisted training in pain coping skills. Fear of movement conference and workshop. June 19 and 20. University of Welfare and Rehabilitation Sciences. Iranian IASP, Tehran, Iran.

Workshops and Courses

• 2024- Received certificate of Attendance- Continuing Education Activity Workshop entitled as “Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing, Level 2 Training”, Led by: C. Isabel Fernandez Reveles, EMDR Europe Association, Italy.
• 2023- Received certificate of Attendance- Continuing Education Activity Workshop entitled as “Helping Therapist Think Clinically”, Led by: Jon Fredrickson (online), Washington School of Psychiatry, Washington, DC., USA.
• 2022- Received certificate of Attendance- Continuing Education Activity Workshop entitled as “Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing, Level 1 Training”, Led by: C. Isabel Fernandez Reveles, EMDR Europe Association, Italy.
• 2022- Received Certification of attendance in “Individual supervision of EFT Supervision”, Led by: Lieven Migerode, EFT Belgium, Belgium
• 2022- Received Certification of attendance in “Individual supervision of ISTDP”, Led by: Nima Ghorbani (Ph.D.), Tehran, Iran.
• 2022-Certifed as the EFT Supervisor, Source of certification: ICEEFT, Canada.
• 2022- Received certificate of Attendance- Continuing Education Activity Workshop entitled as “Emotionally Focused Individual Therapy-level-2”, Led by: Lorrie Brubacher, ICEEFT, Canada.
• 2022- Received certificate of Attendance- Continuing Education Activity Workshop entitled as “Building an Alliance with the Fragile Traumatized Patient”, Led by: Jon Fredrickson (online), Washington School of Psychiatry, Washington, DC., USA.
• 2021- Received certificate of Attendance- Continuing Education Activity Workshop entitled as “Working with Trauma & Emotional Dysregulation”, Led by: Steve Shapiro (online), Washington School of Psychiatry, Washington, DC., USA.
• 2021- Received certificate of Attendance- Continuing Education Activity Workshop entitled as “Emotionally Focused Individual Therapy-level-1”, Led by: Lorrie Brubacher, ICEEFT, Canada.
• 2021- Received certificate of Attendance- Continuing Education Activity Workshop entitled as “Conscious Therapeutic Alliance”, Led by: Nat Kuhn (online), Association of Norwegian Psychologists, Norway.
• 2021- Received certificate of Attendance- Continuing Education Activity Workshop entitled as “Emotionally Focused Therapy-Attachment Injury Resolution Model”, Led by: Lorrie Brubacher (online), Carolina Centre for Emotionally Focused Therapy, North Carolina, USA.
• 2021- Received certificate of Attendance- Continuing Education Activity Workshop entitled as “Rethinking Personality Disorders: The Search for Secure Attachment”, Led by: Ron Black, Online Distance Learning, Interactive.
• 2021- Received certificate of Attendance- Continuing Education Activity Workshop entitled as “Fighting for a Safer Connection”, Led by: Lieven Migerode (online), Irish Centre for Emotionally Focused Therapy, Irland.
• 2020-Certifed as the EFT Therapist, Source of certification: ICEEFT, Canada.
• 2019- Received Certification of attendance in “Individual supervision in EFT”, Led by: Lieven Migerode, EFT Belgium, Belgium.
• 2018- Received certificate of Attendance- Continuing Education Activity Workshop entitled as “How did You Get That Job?”, Led by: American Psychological Association (Online), USA.
• 2018- Received certificate of Attendance- Continuing Education Activity Workshop entitled as “Putting Psychology to Work”, Led by: American Psychological Association (Online), USA.
• 2018- Received certificate of Attendance- Continuing Education Activity Workshop entitled as “Networking for Success”, Led by: American Psychological Association (Online), USA.
• 2018- Received certificate of Attendance- Continuing Education Activity Workshop entitled as “Intensive Advanced Training Program in EFT”, Led by: Kyriak Polychroni and Lieven Migerode, ICEEFT, Canada.
• 2018- Received certificate of Attendance- As a small group facilitator of the “Externship in Emotionally Focused Couple Therapy”, Led by: Kyriaky Polychroni and Lieven Migerode (ICEEFT certified Trainers), Shahid Beheshti University, Tehran, Iran.
• 2018- Received certificate of Attendance- As a small group facilitator of the “Externship in Emotionally Focused Couple Therapy”, Led by: Kyriaky Polychroni and Lieven Migerode (ICEEFT certified Trainers), University of Isfahan, Isfahan, Iran.
• 2017- Received certificate of Attendance- As a small group facilitator of the “Externship in Emotionally Focused Couple Therapy”, Led by: Gail Palmer (ICEEFT certified Trainers), Dubai, UAE.
• 2017- Received certificate of Poster Presentation entitled “Bodily Posture Matters in Pain Relief” at the 10th Congress of the European Pain Federation EFIC, Copenhagen, Denmark.
• 2015- Received certificate of Attendance- Continuing Education Activity Workshop entitled as “Teacher Development Intensive in Mindfulness-Based Stress Reduction (MBSR)”, Led by: Centre for Mindfulness in Medicine, Health Care and Society, hosted by Motus Mundi at Fraterna Domus in Rome, Italy.
• 2015- Received certificate of Attendance- Continuing Education Activity Workshop entitled as “7-Day Residential Training Program in MBSR in Mind-Body Medicine”, Led by: Centre for Mindfulness in Medicine, Health Care and Society, hosted by Motus Mundi at Fraterna Domus in Rome, Italy.

Teaching Experiences

• Counselling and Psychotherapy Techniques (to Bachelor’s students in Psychology)
  Couple Therapy Techniques (to Master’s students in Clinical Psychology
• Advanced Psychopathology (to Master’s students in Clinical Psychology
• Assistantship in Education and Research (to Bachelor’s students i
• Psychology)
  Cognitive Foundations of Psychopathology (to Master’s students in Cognitiv
• Psychology)
  Couple Therapy Techniques (to Master’s students in Clinical Psychology
• Essential Topics in Psychological (to Bachelor’s students in Psychology
• Psychology Texts 2 (to Bachelor’s students in Psychology
• Seminar (to Master’s students in General Psychology
• Stress Management (to Bachelor’s students in Psychology
• Theories of Personality (to Master’s students in Clinical Psychology)

Reviewing and Editorial Service

Consulting Editor:

•             Journal of Applied Psychological Research

Ad-hoc Reviewer

•             Journal of Psychological Reports
•             Journal of Current Psychology
•             Presence Journal (MIT Press)
•             Heliyon Journal
•             Journal of Applied Psychological Research
•             Journal of Clinical Psychology Achievements

Ad-hoc Reviewer

• Farabi International Award, Tehran, Iran
• Reviewer of a Publishing Book entitled (2021): “Psychological Approaches to Pain
• Managment”, University of Tehran Press, Tehran, Iran

University and Department Service

• Chair, Psychology Institute, Department of Psychology, University of Tehran, Iran (2022-2023)
• Member, Professional Research Committee, Department of Psychology, University of Tehran (2022-2023)

Languages:

• Ability to speak French
• Written and spoken Farsi
• Written and spoken English

Professional Associations

• International Center for Excellence in Emotionally Focused Therapy (ICEEFT)
• Psychology and Counseling Organization of Iran (PCOIran)

International Collaborations

• Collaboration with Professor Francis Keefe at University of Duke

In collaboration with Professor Francis Keefe at Duke University Medical Center, we conducted a study comparing three interventions for chronic low back pain (CLBP) patients and their spouses. The interventions were a spouse-assisted coping skills training within a multidisciplinary pain management program (SA-MPMP), a conventional patient-oriented program (P-MPMP), and standard medical care (SMC). We found that patients in the SA-MPMP group showed significant improvements in fear of movement and rumination about pain at 12 months compared to the other groups. These results suggest that involving spouses in CLBP treatment can enhance outcomes and highlight the importance of interdisciplinary approaches in chronic pain management.

• Collaboration With Jon Fredrickson at Washington School of Psychiatry

In collaboration with Jon Fredericksen at the Washington School of Psychiatry, we conducted a study on Tehran University students from 2021 to 2022 to explore the relationship between narcissism, addiction potential, shame experiences, and attachment patterns. Using questionnaires and a sample of 423 students, we found significant associations between these variables. Our analysis highlighted the mediating roles of shame and attachment patterns in the link between narcissism and addiction potential. These findings underscore the importance of considering these factors in interventions for at-risk young adults, contributing to the development of targeted strategies to promote mental health and well-being among university students.

• Collaboration With the International Center for Excellence in Emotionally Focused Therapy (ICEEFT)

Since September 2022, I have been serving as an official supervisor at the International Center for Excellence in Emotionally Focused Therapy (ICEEFT) located in Toronto, Canada. Under my supervision, a significant number of therapists have successfully obtained licensure in Emotionally Focused Therapy (EFT). Additionally, since 2023, I have been conducting training courses in Iran and have established a close collaboration with this center. Furthermore, this collaboration has led me to be invited to participate in the EFTEuropa gathering of trainers in June of 2024.