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Doctor of Philosophy
University of Miami (in Progress)
Coral Gables, FL
APA Accredited Program: Clinical Psychology
Major area of study: Adult Clinical Psychology
Concentration in Quantitative Psychology
Dissertation Title: A Psychoeducational workshop to facilitate help-seeking in Muslims living in the United States by applying an Islamic lens on mental health
Dissertation Chair: Amy Weisman de Mamani, Ph.D.
Master of Science
University of Miami (August 2021)
Coral Gables, FL
Clinical Psychology
Thesis Title: Spiritual bypass as a moderator of the relationship between religiosity and psychological distress in Muslims living in the United States
Thesis Chair: Amy Weisman de Mamani, Ph.D.
Master of Science
Barry University (May 2019)
Miami Shores, FL
Clinical Psychology
Thesis Title: Cultural factors influencing mental health stigma: A comparison of university students in Pakistan and America
Thesis Chair: Stephen W. Koncsol, Ph.D.
Eligible Registered Mental Health Counselor Intern (RMHCI)
Bachelor of Science
University of Tampa (Dec 2014)
Tampa, Florida
Major: Psychology (Pre-medicine track)
Minor: Chemistry
2023 - The Kirk R. Danhour Memorial Award for Overall Excellence, Department of Psychology
University of Miami
2023 - The Gail Ironson Distinguished Speaker Series Award for outstanding graduate research achievements, Department of Psychology
University of Miami
2023 - The Graduate School's Graduate Student Diversity Advocate Award (nominee)
University of Miami
2023 - Toppel Career Center's Graduate Student of the Year (nominee)
University of Miami
2022 - Islamic Psychology Research Fellowship (fellowship is not funded)
Alkaram Institute
2021 - Bertha Weber Appreciation Award for Graduate Service to the Psychology Department
University of Miami Department of Psychology
2019 - Outstanding Graduate Student
Barry University Department of Psychology
2018 - Outstanding Graduate Student Oral Presentation - Social Sciences
Florida Academy of Sciences (FAS) 76th annual meeting
2018 - Outstanding Undergraduate Student Poster Presentation - Social Sciences (co-author)
Florida Academy of Sciences (FAS) 76th annual meeting
2018 - Honorable Mention for the RISE Research Award
Association for Psychological Science (APS) 30th annual convention
2014 - Interfaith Graduation Ceremony Speaker
University of Tampa
2023 - APA Division 36’s (Society for the Psychology of Religion and Spirituality) Student Research Award to deliver a Psychoeducational Workshop to Muslims in Florida ($2500)
PI: Salman S. Ahmad. Co-PIs: Merranda McLaughlin, Amy Weisman de Mamani.
2023 - Fred C. and Helen Donn Flipse Graduate Student Fellowship - University of Miami ($36,500)
2022 - APA Division 36’s (Society for the Psychology of Religion and Spirituality) Student Research Grant to deliver a Psychoeducational Workshop to Muslims in Florida ($2000)
PI: Salman S. Ahmad. Co-PIs: Merranda McLaughlin, Amy Weisman de Mamani.
2022 - APA Division 29’s (Society for the Advancement of Psychotherapy) Charles J. Gelso Grant to deliver Culturally Informed Therapy for Muslims in Florida ($5000)
PI: Merranda McLaughlin. Co-PIs: Salman S. Ahmad, Amy Weisman de Mamani.
2022 - Graduate Activity Fee Allocation Committee (GAFAC) - University of Miami to attend the American Psychosomatic Society’s annual conference in Long Beach, California ($400)
2021 - APA Division 36’s (Society for the Psychology of Religion and Spirituality) Diversity Travel Grant Award to present at the Society for the Scientific Study of Religion’s (SSSR) 71st annual convention in Portland, Oregon ($500)
2021 - Fred C. and Helen Donn Flipse Research Support Fund towards attending Duke University’s Spirituality and Health Research Workshop – University of Miami ($1400)
2021 - Duke University’s Partial Scholarship towards attending the Spirituality and Health Research Workshop ($600)
2020 - Graduate Activity Fee Allocation Committee (GAFAC) - University of Miami to recontact participants for a one year follow-up study ($750)
PIs: Salman S. Ahmad, Merranda McLaughlin. Co-PI: Amy Weisman de Mamani.
2020 - APA Division 36 (Society for the Psychology of Religion and Spirituality) Research Seed Grant to collect a representative sample of Muslim Americans ($1000)
PI: Salman S. Ahmad. Co-PIs: Merranda McLaughlin, Amy Weisman de Mamani.
2019 - Fred C. and Helen Donn Flipse Research Support Fund towards a master’s thesis - University of Miami to collect a representative sample of Muslim Americans ($2500)
PIs: Salman S. Ahmad, Merranda McLaughlin. Co-PI: Amy Weisman de Mamani.
2018 - College of Arts and Sciences Student Travel Award - Barry University to present at the International Neuropsychological Society’s annual conference in Prague, Czech Republic ($500)
2018 - Department of Psychology Student Travel Award - Barry University to present at the International Neuropsychological Society’s annual conference in Prague, Czech Republic ($500)
CULTURALLY INFORMED THERAPY (CIT), University of Miami
Coral Gables, Florida (August 2019 to Present)
Supervisor: Dr. Amy Weisman de Mamani, Ph.D.
- Delivered culturally informed therapy (CIT) to adults (18-97 years) of diverse religious/spiritual and racial/ethnic groups. CIT is a family/group cognitive-behavioral therapy (CBT) for individuals with general mental health concerns (e.g., depression, family conflict) and serious mental illnesses (SMI, e.g., schizophrenia, bipolar disorder).
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BRUCE W. CARTER DEPARTMENT OF VETERANS AFFAIRS MEDICAL CENTER
Miami, Florida (August 2022 to May 2023)
Supervisor: Dr. Grace Caldas, Psy.D.
- Provided post-operative (e.g., amputations, transplants) psychodiagnostic assessments, individual, and group (for amputees) therapy in the Comprehensive Integrated Inpatient Rehabilitation Program (CIIRP).
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PSYCHOLOGICAL SERVICES CENTER (PSC), University of Miami
Coral Gables, Florida
Supervisors: Kristin Lindahl, Ph.D., and Tony Petruzzella, Ph.D.
- Conducted phone screens and intake evaluations with prospective clients, determined fit of prospective clients and assigned cases to junior students, audited files to ensure record-keeping quality, and trained and supervised junior clinic assistants in their conduct of phone screens and intake interviews.
- Provided supervised trainings on assessments for graduate students in class and during practicum.
- Attended regular clinic staff meetings to discuss new and ongoing cases and administrative issues.
Supervisors: Tony Petruzzella, Ph.D., Kristin Lindahl, Ph.D., and Spencer Evans, Ph.D.
- Provided supervised peer assessment supervision to junior graduate students in psychological assessments (e.g., assessment administration, scoring, report writing) via individual meetings.
Supervisors: Gail Ironson, M.D., Ph.D., and Blanche Freund, Ph.D.
- Conducted supervised structured diagnostic assessments (i.e., using the SCID-5) and delivered evidence-based treatments to address symptoms of trauma-related disorders (e.g., PTSD).
- Treatments delivered: Prolonged Exposure (PE) and Cognitive Processing Therapy (CPT).
Outpatient Assessment Services (August 2021 to December 2022)
Supervisors: Tony Petruzzella, Ph.D., Kristin Lindahl, Ph.D., and Saneya Tawfik, Ph.D.
- Conducted supervised psychoeducational assessments to clarify diagnoses (e.g., ADHD, Learning Disorders) and provide recommendations (e.g., academic accommodations) as needed.
- Assessments delivered: WAIS, WMS, WIAT, WJ-ACH, WJ-O, CTOPP, KTEA, TOWRE.
Outpatient Therapy Services (June 2020 to May 2023)
Supervisors: Tony Petruzzella, Ph.D., Kiara Timpano, Ph.D., Daniel Bradford, Ph.D., Gail Ironson, M.D., Ph.D., and Victoria Schlaudt, Ph.D.
- Conducted structured and semi-structured diagnostic assessments and intake interviews (e.g., SCID) to inform diagnosis and treatment planning; delivered evidence-based cognitive, cognitive-behavioral, and acceptance-based interventions (e.g., Cognitive Behavioral Therapy, CPT/PE, Exposure and Response Prevention) for a variety of presenting problems (e.g., depression, anxiety, OC-related disorders, PTSD).
- Provided supervised treatment to complex cases at the clinic as an advanced practicum trainee.
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UNIVERSITY OF MIAMI COUNSELING CENTER
Coral Gables, Florida (August 2021 to May 2022)
Supervisors: Patricia Lobo Arena, Ph.D., Carla de Simone Irace, Ph.D., Laura Curren Adams, Ph.D.
- Provided clinical services to University students and conducted outreach with interdisciplinary teams.
- Treatments delivered: Unified Protocol for the transdiagnostic treatment of mental disorders, Acceptance and Commitment Therapy, Exposure and Response Prevention, and supportive psychotherapy.
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BARRY UNIVERSITY
Miami Shores, Florida
DESIGN NEUROSCIENCE CENTER (DNC)
Doral, Florida (January 2018 to May 2019)
Supervisors: Isaac Tourgeman, Ph.D., Ivelisse Raimundi, Psy.D., and Cristina Santiago, Psy.D.
- Conducted comprehensive neuropsychological evaluations (academic, legal, disability) post-acquired brain injuries (ABI) and delivered individual/group cognitive rehabilitation to clients aged 3-85 years.
- Recorded 1,000 hours on site; eligible Registered Mental Health Counselor Intern (RMHCI) in Florida.
- Assessments delivered: WAIS, WISC, WMS, WTAR, WPPSI, WRAT, DKEFS, RBANS, WJ-ACH, WJ-Cog, WRAML, TOMM, TONI, C-TONI, TMT, COWAT, RCFT, Rey-15, RAVLT, WCST, CPT, CATA, PPVT, EVT, Finger Tapping, Grooved Pegboard.
1. Ahmad, S. S., Hammad, I., Rbeiz, K., Ibrahimi, C., Alshabani, N., McLaughlin, M. M., Kia-Keating, M., & Weisman de Mamani., A. (In Press). Exploring Cumulative Identity-based Discrimination, Distress, and Traumatic Exposure among Muslims living in the United States. Psychological Trauma: Theory, Research, Practice, and Policy.
2. McLaughlin, M. M., Ahmad, S. S., Saenz Escalante, G., & Weisman de Mamani, A. (In Press). A growth curve model approach to understanding the role of collectivistic behaviors in distress reduction. Professional Psychology: Research and Practice.
3. * Almutairi, K., Ahmad, S. S., McLaughlin, M. M., Gattamorta, K., & Weisman de Mamani, A. (2024). Validation of the Perceived Islamophobia Scale (PIS) among Muslims living in the United States. Social Sciences & Humanities Open, 10, 101054. https://doi.org/https://doi.org/10.1016/j.ssaho.2024.101054
4. * Howard, K. A., Ahmad, S. S., Chaves, J., Hoogerwoerd, H., & McIntosh, R. The central executive network moderates the relationship between posttraumatic stress symptom severity and gastrointestinal related issues. Scientific Reports, 14, 10695. https://doi.org/10.1038/s41598-024-61418-3 (Collection: Gut-brain axis)
2. Ahmad, S. S., McLaughlin, M. M., Tawfik, S. H., Messinger, D., & Weisman de Mamani, A., Exploration of an immigrant paradox in Muslims living in the United States (MLUS). (2024). Professional Psychology: Research and Practice. Advance online publication.https://dx.doi.org/10.1037/pro0000552
3. McIntosh, R., Hoogerwoerd, H., Ahmad, S. S., Michel, C., Dillon, K., Kumar, M., & Ironson, G. (2023). A 4-session written emotional disclosure intervention lowers 6-month sympathoadrenal urinary output in persons living with HIV. Psychoneuroendocrinology, 159(1), 106403. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.psyneuen.2023.106403
4. * Ironson, G., & Ahmad, S. S. (2023). Frequency of private prayer predicts survival over 6 years in a nationwide US sample of individuals with a chronic illness. Journal of Religion and Health, Advance Online Publication. https://doi.org/10.1007/s10943-023-01870-z
5. Ahmad, S. S., McLaughlin, M. M., & Weisman de Mamani, A. (2023). Validation and test-retest reliability of the spiritual bypass scale in Muslims: Implications for psychological help-seeking attitudes and self-stigma. Spirituality in Clinical Practice, 10(1), 62-73.https://doi.org/10.1037/scp0000300 (Special Issue: Islamic Spirituality in Clinical Contexts).
6. Weisman de Mamani, A., Lopez, D., McLaughlin, M. M., Ahmad, S. S., & Altamirano, O. (2022). A pilot study to assess the feasibility and efficacy of a transdiagnostic, religiously/spiritually integrated, culturally informed therapy. Spirituality in Clinical Practice, 10(3), 233–244. https://doi.org/10.1037/scp0000308
7. Maura, J., Ahmad, S. S., & Weisman de Mamani, A. (2022). The impact of familial involvement on dropout in a culturally informed group therapy for people diagnosed with ‘schizophrenia’. Psychosis, 1-13. https://doi.org/10.1080/17522439.2022.2118358
8. Ironson, G., & Ahmad, S. S. (2022). Praying for people you know predicts survival over 17 years among people living with HIV in the US. Journal of Religion and Health, 61, 4081-4095. https://doi.org/10.1007/s10943-022-01622-5
9. McLaughlin, M. M., Ahmad, S. S., & Weisman de Mamani, A. (2022). A mixed methods approach to understanding psychological help-seeking in Muslims: Islamophobia, self-stigma, and therapeutic preferences. Journal of Consulting and Clinical Psychology, 90(7), 568–581. https://doi.org/10.1037/ccp0000746
10. McLaughlin, M. M., Ahmad, S. S., Rodriguez, M., & Weisman de Mamani, A. (2022). Vulnerable – Not zealous: Muslim converts experience greater distress when experiencing religious struggle. Professional Psychology: Research and Practice, 53(4), 340–350.https://doi.org/10.1037/pro0000473
11. * Ahmad, S. S., & Koncsol, S. W. (2022). Cultural Factors Influencing Mental Health Stigma: Perceptions of Mental Illness (POMI) in Pakistani Emerging Adults. Religions, 13(5), 401. https://doi.org/10.3390/rel13050401 (Special Issue: Focusing on the Elusive: Centering on Religious and Spiritual Influences within Contexts of Child and Young Adulthood Development)
12. Ahmad, S. S., McLaughlin, M. M., & Weisman de Mamani, A. (2022). Spiritual bypass as a moderator of the relationships between religious coping and psychological distress in Muslims living in the United States. Psychology of Religion and Spirituality, 15(1), 32-42. https://doi.org/10.1037/rel0000469
Weisman de Mamani, A. Altamirano, O., Lopez, D., McLaughlin, M., Maura, J., Martinez de Andino, A., Ahmad, S.S., Hafner, L., Lund, S. (2023). Culturally informed therapy: An intervention that addresses the psychological needs of religious individuals of diverse identities. In P. S. Richards, G. E. K. Allen, D. K. Judd (Eds.), Handbook of Spiritually Integrated Psychotherapies. American Psychological Association.
Weisman de Mamani, A., McLaughlin, M., Altamirano, O., Lopez, D., Ahmad, S.S. (2021). Culturally Informed Therapy for Schizophrenia: A Family-Focused Cognitive Behavioral Approach, Clinician Guide. Treatments That Work. Oxford University Press.
1. Kim, E., Winkeljohn-Black, S., Chandrika Millner, U., Underill, B., Ahmad, S. S. (2024, April). Coulda, shoulda, woulda: What is social justice in Division 36? Interactive Panel at APA Division 36’s (Society for the Psychology of Religion and Spirituality) Midyear Conference, Princeton, NJ.
2. Weisman de Mamani, A., Ahmad, S. S., Chung-Zou, D. S., McLaughlin, M. M., Saenz Escalante, G. (2024, April). Police officer mental health, social justice attitudes, and stigma towards individuals with Schizophrenia. Poster presentation at the Schizophrenia International Research Society’s Annual Congress in Florence, Italy.
3. Di Bello, M., Hoogerwoerd, H., Ahmad, S. S., Ironson, G., McIntosh, R. (2024, March). During trauma recall, prayer and meditation frequency dampen autonomic reactivity: The roles of Self-Compassion and Cardiac vagal tone. Poster presented at the American Psychosomatic Society’s (APS) 81st Annual Meeting, Brighton, UK.
4. Weisman de Mamani, A. G., McLaughlin, M. M., Ahmad, S. S., Saenz Escalante, G. M., & McCain, M. (2023, November). Improving police officer interactions with Black individuals suffering from serious mental illness. Oral presentation at the Association for Behavioral and Cognitive Therapies’ (ABCT) 57th annual convention, Seattle, Washington.
5. McLaughlin, M. M., Ahmad, S. S., Saenz Escalante, G. M., & Weisman de Mamani, A. G. (2023, November). The role of collectivistic behaviors in distress reduction in group therapy for serious mental illness and transdiagnostic concern. Oral presentation at the Association for Behavioral and Cognitive Therapies’ (ABCT) 57th annual convention, Seattle, Washington.
6. * Hoogerwoerd, H., Ahmad, S. S., McIntosh, R., Ironson, G. (2023, November). Do religious and spiritual beliefs moderate the effect of script-driven imagery and trauma recall on real-time heart rate variability in Latina/Hispanic women with PTSD? Poster presented at the Association for Behavioral and Cognitive Therapies’ (ABCT) 57th annual convention, Seattle, Washington.
7. Ahmad, S. S. (2023, November). Toward religious and spiritual competencies in evidence-based practice: Research, training, community, and clinical applications. Chaired symposium (1 presentation, 2 co-authored talks) at the Association for Behavioral and Cognitive Therapies’ (ABCT) 57th annual convention, Seattle, Washington.
8. McIntosh, R., Michel, C., Ahmad, S. S., Baeza Robba, M. J., Caballero, K., Cespedes, A., Di Bello, M., Dillon, K., Figuerdo, E., Hoogerwoerd, H., Machado, I. A., Shemali, Y., Verhagen, R., Rodriguez, A., & Ironson, G. (2023, March). Neuroendocrine correlates of trauma recall in Hispanic/Latina women living with and without HIV. Poster presented at the American Psychosomatic Society’s (APS) annual conference in San Juan, Puerto Rico.
9. Ahmad, S. S., & McLaughlin, M. M. (2022, November). On the front lines of the Muslim mental health crisis: Risk of psychosis, high suicide, low help-seeking, and the vulnerability of converts to Islam. Chaired symposium (1 presentation, 1 co-authored talk) at the Association for Behavioral and Cognitive Therapies’ (ABCT) 56th annual convention, New York City, New York.
10. Ahmad, S. S. (2022, September). Trauma, intersectionality, and discrimination: Presentations from the AMENA-Psy
trauma research collaboration group. Chaired symposium (1 co-authored talk) at the Arab American, Middle Eastern, and North African Psychological Association's (AMENA-Psy) 3rd annual conference, virtual.
11. Ahmad, S. S., McLaughlin, M. M., & Weisman de Mamani, A. G. (2022, April). Spiritual bypass in Muslims: Validation and relationship to religious and spiritual coping, help-seeking attitudes, and self-stigma. Data Blitz Presentation at the midyear conference of Division 36 (Society for the Psychology of Religion and Spirituality) of the American Psychological Association’s (APA), virtual.
12. Ahmad, S. S. (2022, March). Differentiating prayers for self, known others, and unknown others, predicting survival over 17 years in people living with HIV. Citation Poster at the American Psychosomatic Society’s (APS) annual conference, in Long Beach, California.
13. Ahmad, S. S. (2021, November). Cultivating religiosity and spirituality (R/S): spiritual bypass and external locus of control as barriers to better mental health. Chaired symposium (1 presentation, 1 co-authored talk) at the Association for Behavioral and Cognitive Therapies’ (ABCT) 55th annual convention, virtual.
14. Ahmad, S. S., McLaughlin, M. M., & Weisman de Mamani, A. G. (2021, October). Exploration of an immigrant paradox in Muslims living in the United States (MLUS). Oral presentation in a symposium at the Society for the Scientific Study of Religion’s 71st annual convention, Portland, Oregon.
15. Ahmad, S. S., McLaughlin, M. M., & Weisman de Mamani, A. G. (2020, November). Spiritual bypass as a moderator of the relationships between religiosity and psychological distress in Muslims living in the United States. Oral presentation in a symposium at the Association for Behavioral and Cognitive Therapies' 54th annual convention, virtual.
16. McLaughlin, M. M., Ahmad, S. S., & Weisman de Mamani, A. G. (2020, September). Examining demographic concordance of clinicians and therapeutic preferences of Muslims living in the United States. Poster presentation at the American Arab, Middle Eastern, and North African Psychological Association’s (AMENA-PSY) 1st convention, virtual.
17. Ahmad, S. S., McLaughlin, M. M., & Weisman de Mamani, A. G. (2020, September). Acculturation as a moderator of the relationships between perceived discrimination or Islamophobia and negative attitudes toward psychological help-seeking among Muslims living in the United States. Oral presentation at the American Arab, Middle Eastern, and North African Psychological Association’s (AMENA-PSY) 1st convention, virtual.
18. Ahmad, S. S., Ruiz, L., Predestin Carrier, V., Santini Santiago, M., & Tourgeman, I. (2020, February). Spice up your life: An exploratory review of the neuroprotective effects of spices. Poster presented at the International Neuropsychological Society's 48th annual meeting, Denver, CO.
19. Ahmad, S. S., Mclaughlin, M., Zatarain, R., Ortega, C., de Andino, A. M., & Weisman de Mamani, A. (2019, November) Exploring heart rate variability among fully bilingual individuals with schizophrenia. Poster presentation at the Association for Behavioral and Cognitive Therapies' 53rd convention, Atlanta, GA.
20. Ahmad, S. S., & Koncsol, S. W. (2019, April). Cultural factors influencing mental health stigma: A comparison of
university students in Pakistan and America. Oral presentation at the 25th annual psychology research forum at Barry University, Miami, FL.
21. Maresco, A., Ahmad, S. S., Gregorian, A., & Tourgeman, I. (2018, October). A systematic review of singing therapy as a treatment for language disorder. Poster presented at the National Academy of Neuropsychology's 38th annual conference, New Orleans, LA.
22. Ahmad, S. S., Weatherly-Kershaw, A., Wehrle, L., Rios, L., Santiago, C., & Tourgeman, I. (2018, July). The effectiveness of group cognitive rehabilitation for acquired brain injury patients. Oral presentation at the International Neuropsychological Society's bi-annual meeting, Prague, Czech Republic.
23. Wated, G., Des Rosiers, S. E., Barnes, M. Ahmad, S. S., & Suglia, J. (2018, May). College Students' Attrition: Do Perceptions of Employability Matter? Poster presented at the 30th annual convention of the Association for Psychological Science, San Francisco, CA.
24. Ahmad, S. S., & Koncsol, S. W. (2018, May). Perceptions of mental illness in Pakistani versus American university students. Poster presented at the 30th Association for Psychological Science's annual convention, San Francisco, CA.
25. * Ahmad, S. S., Lian, I., Suglia, J., Andersson, I., Carabarin, A., & Zonnevylle, T. (2018, April). Family, adolescent and cultural transitions (F.A.C.T.) laboratory. Oral presentation at the 24th annual psychology research forum at Barry University, Miami, FL.
26. Ahmad, S. S., & Koncsol, S. W. (2018, March). Attitudes and beliefs towards mental illnesses in African American, European American, and Latin American university students. Oral presentation at the Florida Academy of Sciences’ 76th annual meeting, Miami, FL.
27. * Bottinelli, J., Wated, G., Des Rosiers, S., & Ahmad, S. S. (2018, March). The sixth trait: humility and college success. Poster presented at Florida Academy of Sciences’ 76th annual meeting, Miami, FL.
28. * Zonnevylle, T., Wated, G., Des Rosiers, S., & Ahmad, S. S. (2018, March). Top-down and bottom-up processes of subjective well-being.Poster presented at Florida Academy of Sciences’ 76th annual meeting, Miami, FL.
29. * Wilmore, K., Wated, G., Des Rosiers, S., & Ahmad, S. S. (2018, March). Intentional self-regulation and life satisfaction during emerging adulthood. Poster presented at Florida Academy of Sciences’ 76th annual meeting, Miami, FL.
30. Wated, G., Des Rosiers, S., Ahmad, S. S., & Suglia, J. (2017, June). Perceived linguistic discrimination, stress, motivation, and employability among emerging adults. Poster presented at the American Psychological Association's Work, Stress and Health conference, Minneapolis, MN.
31. Ahmad, S. S., Le, J., & Lian, I. (2017, April). Myth vs. fact: The influence of research. Oral presentation at the 23rd annual psychology research forum at Barry University, Miami, FL.
1. Ahmad, S. S. (2023, April). Professional Development in Psychology. Virtual Lecture in the Careers in Psychology course, Psychology Department, Oregon State University.
2. Ahmad, S. S. & Mclaughlin, M. M. (2023, February). Culturally and spiritually integrated care with Muslims. Virtual lecture in the Spiritually Integrated Psychotherapy graduate course, Psychology Department, Loyola University Maryland
3. Ahmad, S. S. (2023, November). Treatments for Schizophrenia and other severe mental disorders. Lecture in the Psychopathology undergraduate course, Department of Psychology, University of Miami, Coral Gables, Fl.
4. Ahmad, S. S. (2023, April). Diversity and cultural competence: The Cultural Formulation Interview. Lecture in the Introduction to Psychotherapy, Ethics, and Professional Issues graduate course in clinical psychology, Department of Psychology, University of Miami, Coral Gables, Fl.
5. Ahmad, S. S. (2023, March). Praying the pain away: Spiritual bypass in Muslims. Oral presentation at the Gail Ironson Annual Speaker Series, Department of Psychology, University of Miami, Coral Gables, Fl.
6. Ahmad, S. S. & Mclaughlin, M. M. (2023, February). Understanding and tackling the low engagement in mental health treatment among Muslims: from research to social and clinical implementation. Virtual presentation at the Religion & Spirituality Preconference, Society for Personality and Social Psychology (SPSP).
7. Ahmad, S. S. & Mclaughlin, M. M. (2022, November). The Muslim American Project (MAP) and implications for research and practice with Muslims. Virtual lecture to Herbert Wertheim College Of Medicine’s (HWCOM) Muslims in Healthcare Group, Florida International University (FIU).
8. Ahmad, S. S. (2022, November). Muslims’ work-life balance. Invited panelist at the National Association of
Muslim Lawyers’ (NAML) annual conference, Las Vegas, NV.
9. Ahmad, S. S. & Mclaughlin, M. M. (2022, October). A brief overview of mental health symptoms & treatment models. Invited panelist at a mosque event held by the South Florida Muslim Federation (SFMF), Davie, FL.
10. Ahmad, S. S. (2021, November). Spiritual bypass and an immigrant paradox among Muslims living in the United States: Studies from the Muslim American Project at the University of Miami. Guest speaker at the annual meeting of the Spiritual & Religious Issues in Behavior Change Special Interest Group (SIG), Association for Behavioral and Cognitive Therapies (ABCT; virtual).
11. Ahmad, S. S. (2021, June). Therapeutic considerations & the role of spiritual bypass for Muslims living in the United States. Virtual members-only lecture organized by the American Arab, Middle Eastern, and North African Psychological Association (AMENA-Psy).
12. Ahmad, S. S. (2021, March). Spiritual bypass as a moderator of the relationships between religiosity and psychological distress in Muslims living in the United States. Virtual lecture in the Sociology of Religion undergraduate honor’s class, Catholic University of America.
1. Janette N. Tannen (2024). Digestible tidbits of research. News@theU.
2. Ahmad, S. I. ISNA’s Ongoing Quest to Serve Muslim Americans. (2023). Islamic Horizons.
3. Ahmad, S. S., McLaughlin, M. M., Weisman de Mamani, A. (2023). Integrating culture and religion/spirituality with evidence-based treatments for underserved groups. Psychotherapy Bulletin (Volume 57, Issue 4).
4. Al-Waheidi, M. (2022). How Imams can destigmatize mental health care among Muslims. YES! Magazine.
5. Janette N. Tannen (2022). Psychology team hopes to increase mental health care for Muslims. News@theU.
DEPARTMENT OF PSYCHOLOGY, UNIVERSITY OF MIAMI
1. CULTURE, PSYCHOPATHOLOGY, AND WELLBEING (CPW) LABORATORY
Department of Psychology, University of Miami
August 2019 to Present
Principal Investigator: Amy Weisman de Mamani, Ph.D.
- CPW projects lie at the intersections of culture, religion/spirituality, and mental health. We are testing culturally informed therapy (CIT), a group CBT that incorporates clients’ cultural/religious/spiritual practices. CIT is delivered by graduate students (PI-supervised) in separate groups for general mental health concerns and serious mental illnesses (SMI).
- The Muslim American Project (MAP; website: www.map-um.com), co-founded by me and Merranda M. McLaughlin, investigates the unique mental health needs of Muslim living in the United States. We also adapted CIT for Muslims (called CIT-M) and are currently co-leading its clinical trial among Florida-based Muslims.
- The Black Lives Matter project seeks to improve interactions between police officers and Black men with SMI, and to investigate the mental health eneds of police officers.
- Responsibilities: managing IRB protocols, recruitment/training/mentoring of Research Assistants (RAs), participant recruitment, data collection and analysis, and other administrative tasks.
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2. Doctoral Dissertation: A psychoeducational workshop to facilitate help-seeking in Muslims living in the united states by applying an Islamic lens on mental health.
Chairperson: Amy Weisman de Mamani, Ph.D.
- After collaborating and consulting with Muslim communities and researchers, this study proposes to offer a culturally informed psychoeducational workshop, titled Islamic Lens on Mental Health (ILM), to Muslims in Florida to increase the likelihood that they will seek professional care when needed.
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3. Master’s Thesis: Spiritual Bypass as a moderator of the relationship between religiosity and psychological distress in Muslims living in the United States.
Chairperson: Amy Weisman de Mamani, Ph.D.
- Investigated spiritual bypass (i.e., use of religious/spiritual beliefs or practices to avoid facing psychological difficulties) in Muslims. Results: Muslims engaging in high levels of spiritual bypass experienced reduced benefits of adaptive religious coping, and exacerbated harm associated with maladaptive religious coping, on their mental health. Spiritual bypass also predicted greater self-stigma and negative help-seeking attitudes in 59 recontacted (13 months later, on average) participants.
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DEPARTMENT OF PSYCHOLOGY, BARRY UNIVERSITY
1. DESIGN NEUROSCIENCE CENTER (DNC) RESEARCH TEAM
Doral, Florida
January 2018 to May 2019
Principal Investigator: Isaac Tourgeman, Ph.D.
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2. FAMILY AND ADOLESCENT CULTURAL TRANSITIONS (FACT) LABORATORY
Department of Psychology, Barry University
January 2017 to May 2019
Principal Investigators: Sabrina Des Rosiers, Ph.D.; Guillermo Wated, Ph.D.
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3. Master’s Thesis: Cultural factors influencing mental health stigma: A comparison of university students in Pakistan and America.
Chairperson: Stephen W. Koncsol, Ph.D.
Defense Date: January 2019
- This study (N = 495) compared university students in Pakistan with those in the U.S. on mental health stigma (MHS) and its correlates by piloting the Perceptions of Mental Illness (POMI) Scale. Significant correlates of MHS included inaccurate perceptions and less exposure to mental illness, followed by individualism, decreasing age, being male, and having less mental health knowledge.
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DEPARTMENT OF PSYCHOLOGY, UNIVERSITY OF TAMPA
COMPARATIVE NEUROANATOMY AND NEUROSCIENCE METHODS
Department of Psychology, University of Tampa
January 2014 to December 2014
Principal Investigator: Scott Husband, Ph.D.
- Conducted literature reviews and assisted PI with exploring how neural circuits contribute to complex cognition within the larger context of brain evolution in non-mammalian species, especially birds.
BMC Psychiatry
Clinical Psychological Science
Family Process
Journal of Clinical Psychology
Journal of Consulting and Clinical Psychology
Journal of Religion and Health
Journal of Mental Health
Journal of Nervous and Mental Disease
Psychology of Religion and Spirituality
Psychotherapy
COURSE INSTRUCTOR, University of Miami
Undergraduate Courses:
Psychopathology (Spring 2023)
Cultural Diversity in Psychology (co-instructor with Dr. Omari Keeles; Fall 2022)
Personality (Fall 2021)
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TEACHING ASSISTANT, University of Miami
August 2019 – August 2023
Courses: Introduction to Psychology; Social Psychology; Emotion; Special Topics in Psychology (Pseudoscience; Psychology of Racism); Introduction to Biobehavioral Statistics; Intermediate Biobehavioral Statistics; Positive Psychology; and Mindfulness, Attention, & the Brain. Responsible for grading, proctoring, guest lecturing, and tutoring students during office hours.
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TEACHING ASSISTANT, Barry University
August 2017 – May 2019
Course: Research Methods & Analysis in Psychology 1 and 2. Tutored, graded, proctored, & lectured.
2020-Present American Psychological Association (APA)
2020-Present Division 36 (Society for the Psychology of Religion and Spirituality) - APA
2020-Present Division 12 (Society of Clinical Psychology) - APA
2020-Present American Arab, Middle Eastern, North African Psychological Association (AMENA-Psy)
2019-Present Association for Behavioral and Cognitive Therapies (ABCT)
2022-2023 American Psychosomatic Society (APS)
2021-2023 Society for the Scientific Study of Religion (SSSR)
2018-2020 International Neuropsychological Society (INS)
2023-2024 Student Representative, Faculty Search, Department of Psychology, University of Miami
2023-Present Grant Manager, Diversity Grants, Presidential Social Justice Task Force, American Psychological Association (APA) Division 36 (Society for the Psychology of Religion and Spirituality)
2022-Present Leader, Spiritual & Religious Issues in Behavior Change Special Interest Group (SIG), Association for Behavioral and Cognitive Therapies (ABCT)
2021-Present Member, Presidential Social Justice Task Force, APA Division 36
2021-2023 Co-President, Psychology Graduate Student Organization (PGSO), UMiami
2021-2022 Student Leader, Spiritual & Religious Issues in Behavior Change SIG, ABCT
2020-2021 Social Chair, Psychology Graduate Student Organization (PGSO), UMiami
2019-2022 Student Representative, Psychosis and Schizophrenia Spectrum SIG, ABCT
2019-2020 Social Media Committee, Technology and Behavior Change SIG, ABCT
2018-2019 Head Graduate Assistant, Department of Psychology, Barry University
2013-2014 Vice-President, Muslim Students Association, University of Tampa
Amy Weisman de Mamani, Ph.D. Gail Ironson, M.D., Ph.D.
Professor of Psychology Professor of Psychology and Psychiatry
Associate Director, Adult Clinical Psychology Departments of Psychology and Psychiatry
Department of Psychology University of Miami
University of Miami g.ironson@miami.edu
aweisman@miami.edu
Frank Muscarella, Ph.D. Tony Petruzzella, Ph.D.
Professor of Psychology Assistant Professor of Clinical Psychology
Department Chair Director, Psychological Services Center (PSC)
Department of Psychology Department of Psychology
Barry University University of Miami
fmuscarella@barry.edu apetruzzella@miami.edu