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ABOUT ME

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Tamara Sharifov, LCSW

Areas of Specialty

  • Trauma - Complex, Acute, Sexual

  • Depression & Anxiety

  • Grief & Loss

  • Women's Mental Health

  • Life Transitions

  • Couples & Relationship Concerns

  • Divorce/Separation

  • Communication & Boundaries

  • LGBTQ+

  • Spirituality/Religion

  • Compassion Fatigue & Burn-Out

  • Front-Line, Humanitarian, & Crisis Workers

  • Forced Migration & Displacement

  • Cultural Sensitivity

  • International Relations & Affairs

  • Conflict Resolution and Peace-building

Experience

As a Licensed Clinical Social Worker, I have 12-years clinical experince in the field of Psychology, with further background in crisis and disaster-work, humanitarianism, and most recently conflict resolution & peace-building. My clinical training was gained under lead psychology expert Dr. E. Paul Holmes - specializing in Third-Wave Cognitive Behavioral Therapies - the newest forms of psychotherapy in the field of psychology. While also receiving additional supervision under PTSD expert Jeff Levy, LCSW. Currently, I virtually teach and consult licensed clinicians along side Dr. Holmes at the University of Chicago School of Social Work, and oversee and provide therapy within a private practice in San Diego, California. Additionally, I have specialized training on the impacts of Post Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD), complex trauma, global mental health, relationship dynamics, and emotion regulation. And further more, unique training & experience with international affairs, refugee mental health, international armed-conflict, political unrest, peace-building, military service, and the impacts of structural racism.

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I have clinical experince working with adult individuals, couples, and families within a variety of contexts - both domestically and internationally. My therapeutic approach fuses a mind-body integration of emotional-experiencing and relational processing, while utilizing a culturally sensitive and mindfulness based approach to promote success within treatment. 

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My graduate studies at the University of Chicago, and my post masters clinical training was gained under the mentorship of Dr. Paul Holmes, PsyD – A clinical psychologist and renowned expert in Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT), Dialectical Behavior Therapy (DBT), and Chronic Distress. Dr. Holmes is also the creator of Contextual-DBT (C-DBT). I then assisted in the development of mindfulness programs, Intensive Outpatient Program, and building a psychology private practice. Simultaneously, I worked with the Syrian refugee community on the boarder of Syrian and Lebanon - both through engagement in a medical mission with the Syrian American Medical Society, and co-founding an international humanitarian organization - Rise Up Humanity. I then received a second Masters in Conflict Management and Resolution, from the Kroc School of Peace Studies at the University of San Diego.

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My experince ranges from on-call staff at Rape Crisis Centers, adult psychotherapist at a community mental health clinic in inner-city Chicago, lead family therapist within a group private practice in San Diego, teaching, consulting, humanitarian work, and more. With my parents immigrating to the United States 2-months before I was born, I have walked the tight-rope of two cultures my entire life. I only hope is to be some sense of grounding as you navigate this thing we call life.

Education & Licensure

2021-2023

Master’s of Science - Conflict Management and Resolution

University of San Diego, Joan B. Kroc School of Peace Studies

LICENSES

  • California Licensed Clinical Social Worker (LCSW# 97915)

  • Illinois Licensed Social Worker   (LSW# 150.102015) (Currently Inactive)

2014-2016

Master’s of Arts - Clinical Social Work 

University of Chicago, School of Social Work, Policy, and Practice.

2008-2012

Bachelor’s of Arts, Psychology

University of California, Santa Barbara.

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Previously Held Positions

Lecturer

-University of Chicago, Masters of Social Work Department

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Guest Lecture

- Kroc School of Peace Studies, University of San Diego

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Dialectical Behavior Therapy Outpatient Clinics 

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Intensive Outpatient Program

– Primary Family Therapist

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Multiple Rape Crisis Centers

 

Emergency Domestic Violence Shelters

Syrian Refugee Camps (Lebanon)

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Humanitarian Relief Organization Co-Founder

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Community Mental Health Clinic 

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Homelessness and Chronic Mental Health Outpatient Services

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Therapeutic School Bridge Program 

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Psychology Consultant to Conflict Resolution Firms and Journalists

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