Medical Director
Child and Adolescent and Adult Psychiatrist
Clinical Assistant Professor of Psychiatry and Behavioral Sciences
George Washington University School of Medicine and Behavioral
Sciences

After attending one of Iran’s prestigious medical schools, I completed an adult psychiatry residency at the Medical College of Virginia in Richmond. Later, I went on to complete a

Throughout my psychotherapy practice, I’ve mastered the practice of judiciously using psychiatric medications. Psychiatry has made exciting progress in the last decade and I’ve made a point to familiarize myself with the most up-to-date medications available. In my practice, I often integrate medication with psychotherapy to optimize patient healing. I have experience and a keen interest in treating anxiety, mood disorders, and eating disorders, and have found this integrative approach to be effective. Throughout my practice, I’ve also experienced firsthand the value of effective therapeutic relationships. Self determination, resilience, and meaningful relationships are consistently the key factors that foster human growth and healing.

As children, we often develop self defensive emotional and behavioral responses that continue into adulthood. While these behaviors may have been useful in childhood, they’re often no longer necessary or helpful throughout the rest of our lives. Exploring those feelings and behaviors is the first step to adapt our behaviors to fit our new environment.

People’s culture and ethnicity often play a role in their emotional disturbances. I’ve studied and learned about this overlap thanks to the cultural diversity I’ve experienced throughout my life.

In pursuit of this passion, I co-wrote the scholarly paper “The Treatment of Depression in Culturally Diverse Children and Adolescents”, which was later published in the Journal of Child and Adolescent Psychopharmacology. I’m also involved with George Washington University’s Psychiatry Department’s Global Mental Health Project.

Licensed Clinical Social Worker
Child and Adolescent and Adult Therapist
University of Georgia, Bachelor of Psychology
University of Georgia, Master of Social Work

During the last year of my master’s program, I started my clinical work practicum working in a residential treatment center with children and adolescents. There, I honed my diagnostic and therapeutic skills.

My later work in hospice care and hematology/oncology practice were some of the most rewarding years of my life. Working with people addressing end-of-life issues, chronic illnesses, chronic pain, and grief taught me the value of resilience and staying strong throughout life challenges.

I have also worked with military families in the Washington, DC area for the past decade. I supported children and families by helping them address the challenges of military life and service, including deployment, injury, frequent moves, separation, and divorce.

As a result of my years of experience, I’m comfortable and skilled working with patients of all ages and backgrounds. Recently, much of my focus has been working with children and adolescents dealing with ADHD, anxiety, mood disorders, trauma, and those on the autism spectrum through embedded behavioral health services in schools. I also work with adults in individual therapy, marriage and couples counseling, to address life transitions, anxiety, and depression.

I believe the patient experience and development of treatment plans should be a collaborative approach. I employ multiple evidence-based treatments including a strengths based approach, CBT, TF-CBT, DBT, behavior modification, prolonged exposure (PE), cognitive processing therapy (CPT), treatment for insomnia (CBT-I), and psychodynamic therapy. I recently began integrating mindfulness and meditation into patient work as well. I find this helps patients find an awareness of their inner state of being and learn to connect with a sense of stillness.

To learn more about our team, visit Our Team page at Mclean Counseling Center.