ABOUT ME

Sanam Bamshad, Ph.D.

I am a Clinical Psychologist with over 10 years of experience working with adolescents, young adults, adults, couples, and families. I mainly work through a Cognitive Behavior Therapy (CBT) framework.

I view each of my clients as unique and thus their needs and presenting problems as unique. Therefore, I do not believe that one method or technique works for everyone. I strongly believe in collaboration, and transparency with my clients and I hold the view that each clients is the best expert in their own lives.  I see myself as an agent who can assist my clients in reaching the goals that they set for themselves.

1536757615339

I am strongly committed to recognizing diversity in all of its forms and work with my clients in ways that are sensitive to their particular needs. I firmly believe in providing culturally sensitive and responsive care to my clients, and see it as my duty and responsibility to educate myself about the racial and cultural backgrounds of my clients as well as the societal and economical forces that have shaped and continue to shape their histories, experiences, and their lives.

I have expertise in Cognitive Behavior Therapy (CBT), Dialectical Behavior Therapy (DBT), Exposure and Response Prevention (ERP) and specialize in treating anxiety disorders, mood disorders, personality disorders as well as challenges and stressors of life transitions.

Majority of my clinical experience has been working with young adolescents and young adults, especially college students. I understand the specific challenges that they face with regard to transitioning to life out of home, moving away from parents and family members, issues related to friendships, navigating the challenges of today’s societies, navigating their academic lives and progress as well as the job market.

In addition to individual therapy, I provide couples and family therapy. In my work with couples and families, I view them as a system and believe that in order for presenting problems to be resolved, they need to be understood and analyzed not in isolation but within larger systems of the family of origin, culture, society, etc.

I am licensed as a Clinical Psychologist in New York State, in Switzerland, in France, as well as in Iran. In addition, I am a registered EuroPsy psychologist.

EDUCATION

Ph.D., Clinical Psychology

Hofstra University, New York, U.S.A

M.A. (With Distinction), Clinical Psychology

Hofstra University, New York, U.S.A

M.A., General Psychology

City University of New York, New York, U.S.A

Honor's B.Sc., Psychology and Cinema Studies

University of Toronto, Toronto, Canada

Licensure

  • New York State – Licensed Clinical Psychologist – License Number: 021791
  • France – Recognized and Registered “Psychologue” – ADELI Number: 759370968
  • Iran –  Licensed Clinical Psychologist – License Number: 4499
  • Switzerland – Recognized and Registered “Psychologue,” and “Psychotherapeute” by Federation Suisse des Psychologue
  • EuroPsy – Registered Psychologist (Clinical and Health Education) — Registration Number: FR-064353-202006

Professional Organizations and Societies Membership

  • American Psychological Association (APA)
  • Association for Behavioral and Cognitive Therapies (ABCT)
  • New York State Psychological Association (NYSPA)
  • Association Vaudoise Des Psychologue (AVP)

Publications

  • Bamshad Alavi, S., and Sanderson, W.C. (2015). Mechanisms of action in psychotherapy. In Cautin, R. & Lilienfeld, S. (Eds), Encyclopedia of Clinical Psychology. Wiley: New York.
  • Bamshad Alavi, S., and Sanderson, W.C. (2015). Sexual Dysfunction. In Cautin, R. & Lilienfeld, S. (Eds), Encyclopedia of Clinical Psychology. Wiley: New York.

Editorial Experience

Editorial Advisory Board Member, Journal of Social Work with Groups

 

Conference Presentations

  • Bamshad Alavi, S. (April 2018). Family therapy with individuals with diagnoses of severe mental illness. Presented at the 8th National Congress on Family Pathology, Tehran, Iran.
  • Bamshad Alavi, S., & Vietze, D. L. (March, 2010). Reducing sexual prejudice towards gay men: A possible short-term change in attitude. Presented at the annual meeting of the Eastern Psychological Association, New York, NY.
  • Bamshad Alavi, S. (March, 2010). Social Psychology Paper Session II.  Session Chair at the annual meeting of the Eastern Psychological Association, New York, NY.
  • Bamshad Alavi, S., & Sanderson, W.C. (November, 2013). The cognitive consequences of social comparison in socially anxious individuals: Self-Esteem, fear of negative evaluation, and memory. Poster presented at the annual meeting of the Association for Behavioral and Cognitive Therapies, Nashville, TN.
  • Courtney, E. A., Bamshad, S., & Sanderson, W.C. (November, 2011). The effect of cognitive restructuring on worry. Poster presented at the annual meeting of the Association for Behavioral and Cognitive Therapies, Toronto, ON, Canada.