About Me

My Biography

I am a cognitive psychologist by training (PhD in Cognitive Psychology at Claremont University), with postdoctoral fellowships in geropsychology (psychology of aging), neuroscience, neuropsychiatry, and neuropsychology at Stanford University.  I was able to delve into research and gain clinical experience across the developmental lifespan during my years as a student of psychology starting from my early undergraduate days at UCLA on through my postdoctoral studies at Stanford University.

I have always taken an integrative, big picture, yet out of the box perspective to helping others – such as working with children with diverse psychological needs who were wards of the court at UCLA; piloting an equine assisted therapy research program at Stanford for persons with mild dementia or cognitive impairment and their care partners, teaching Qi Gong (the craft of mobilizing vital life force energy) and Mindfulness to healthy older adults, children, persons with neurological disorders (such as Parkinson’s, Alzheimer’s, Mild Cognitive Impairment, Cancer, Stroke…) and their care partners.   I have been fortunate to have been a tenured professor, a department chair, an administrator, and ultimately seek to complete my professional and life circle in my role as a practitioner to help others.

I take a holistic approach to providing counseling and consulting services, informed by my training, experience, education in and out of the classroom, and intuitive approaches to treating each individual as a unique, whole person.  In life and in the workplace, I practice a complementary East meets West healing approach. I aim to help others heal themselves and see myself as a guide in each person’s journey – towards a healthier YOU.

Languages

English, Spanish, Farsi (Persian), French

My Training

• Licensed psychologist in California, License#: PSY31985
• Bachelor of Arts (BA) in Psychology from the University of California, Los Angeles (UCLA) along with a specialization in Diversified Liberal Arts (working with exceptional & special needs children)
• Master of Arts (MA) is in Experimental Psychology, from California State University, Northridge (CSUN), emphasis in Psycholinguistics
• Doctor of Philosophy (PhD) is in Cognitive Psychology from Claremont University with special emphasis in Diversity & Aging
• Post-doctoral work all took place at Stanford University in Geropsychiatry & Metabolic Disorders, Neuropsychology & Neuroscience, Geropsychology and Ethnogeriatrics
• Certified Qi Gong, Tai Chi and Yoga instructor & practitioner, with over 500 hours of training in Qi Gong and over 300 hours of training in Tai Chi, Meditation, Mindfulness, and Yoga.
• Certified Life Coach

My Experience

• Over 25 years of experience teaching, research, administration and consultation on issues with normal, healthy aging, dementia, memory loss and aging, caregiving
• Administrator, Stanford Alzheimer Disease Research Center, Stanford, California, 2015-present.
• Over 10 years as active practitioner and instructor of Qi Gong, Tai Chi, and yoga; instructor over 5 years.