Dr. Maryam N. Tafreshi
Dr. Maryam N. Tafreshi graduated with distinction from the PhD program in International Psychology (IP) with a concentration in Systems and Organization at The Chicago School of Professional Psychology (TCSPP). Her Masters’ degree is in IP, and her Bachelors’ degree is in Microbiology from the Azad University of Karaj, Iran. Dr. Tafreshi is an empowerment researcher and an advocate for global mental and physical health. Her published dissertation topic, which is a multilayered study is being used as a guide for IP, PhD students who are conducting transcendental phenomenological research. The topic of her research is “Iranian Women’s Perspectives on Empowerment: A Phenomenological Study on Attitudes and Policies”. She is originally from Tehran, Iran, and has been an expatriate for over 13 years living in Chile, Brazil, Singapore, China, and Dubai.
In 2017, Dr. Tafreshi was selected as a TCSPP Global Psychology Scholars. With her award, she led and sponsored a multidisciplinary panel on the topic of “A Movement on Global Mental and Physical Health” for the 2018 Middle Eastern Psychology Association (MEPA) conference. At this conference, she received both the MEPA Panel Organization and Sponsorship Award, and Panel Speaker Award. She presented on the same topic at the 2018APA- Pre-Conference of Innovation for International Psychology and in 2019 she was also invited to present at the inauguration of the Mensah Medical Research Institute. In 2019 she co-organized a talk for Mensah Medical to present at Purdue University about the orthomolecular approach for reversing mental illness. In 2019 she also organized a talk for Mensah Medical to present on the same topic at the APA- Div 52, International Psychology. In 2019 Dr. Tafreshi was invited to develop a video for the oral tolerance program of Kharrazian institute demonstrating clinicians and patients on how to increase the diversity of gut microbiome in support of mental and physical health. In March 2019, she was also invited to write an article on women’s empowerment for Ananke, a non-profit entity that strives to empower women and covers the MENA region. In 2020, she organized 13 virtual presentations for Mensah Medical on diverse global issues, which are of high concern during this double global pandemic. Presentations were held by herself, IP and TCSPP faculty, department chair, and scholars, the MEPA president, and internationally renowned mental health advocates. In 2021 she collaborated with Mensah Research Institute and Journey’s Dream in inviting speakers from TCSPP and Saybrook University for the first Integrative Mental Health Summit. At this summit, she presented with Dr. Mensah on the topic of “A Movement Towards Global Mental and Physical Health: The Intersection of International Psychology with Orthomolecular and Integrative Medicine”. In 2022 Dr. Tafreshi and a few of her International Psychology Colleagues presented at a global webinar on the topic of training International Psychologists for addressing global issues, such as global health and well-being. The webinar was hosted by APA- Div52, PCUN, TCSPP, IMCES, and a few other organizations.
Dr. Tafreshi has been a member of APA, APA Division 52, International Committee for Women Forum, ICFW, APA Federal Action Report Network, and The Middle Eastern Psychology Association (MEPA). She is also a member of the Kharrazian Institute, advancing her knowledge on clinical strategies and treatment applications for chronic illness in support of UN Sustainable Developmental Goals, goal #3, Good Health and Well Being.