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Samieh Askari child and adult psychiatrist, developmental neuopsychiatrist

Dr. Samieh Askari, M.D.

Child & Adult Psychiatrist 

Developmental/Pediatric Neuropsychiatrist

Dr. Askari achieved her medical degree from Tehran University Medical Sciences. She had her general psychiatry residency at Jamaica Hospital Medical Center and child and adolescent fellowship at Rutgers University where she was awarded a chief fellow and the best teacher of the year.  After years of working as a faculty in child and adult inpatient units, psychiatric ER, IOP, PHP, residential programs, she joined Kennedy Krieger Institute and Johns Hopkins University for one year Developmental Neuropsychiatry Scholarship where she received cutting-edge training in the psychiatric and behavioral care of individuals with neurodevelopmental conditions such as autism spectrum disorders and childhood onset neuropsychiatric disorders. She received referral cases nationally and internationally.

After the completion she was awarded assistant professor at Johns Hopkins. Dr. Askari is currently residing in LA, California providing psychiatry and neuropsychiatry services to the community.

Dr. Askari is a writer and publisher of books and book chapter such as Neuropsychopharmacology chapter in Swaiman’s textbook of Pediatric Neurology, Co-author of the book “Sinusitis new approach to diagnosis and treatment”, author of many research articles, presenter of  many rare and complicated cases during her years of practice in the field of medicine.

My philosophy, Mission, Clinical focus and areas of experties

My philosophy is to practice and implement critical learning/thinking and destigmatizing of mental illness to improve access to and quality of care.


My mission in system innovation focus is to find ways to upgrade and optimize psychiatric system of care and equitable access to care by implementing new treatments, referral pathways, and accessing resources to improve outcomes.

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My clinical focus is to advance and extend my knowledge in developmental neuropsychiatry, and to develop a clinical approach to evaluating and treating children and adolescents and adult with a wide variety of neurodevelopmental and neuropsychiatric conditions. My approach to these complex conditions is evidence-based, personalized, equitable, and holistic.
 

​I have been a frequent presenter at the Kennedy Krieger multidisciplinary neuropsychiatry conference and have given talks internally to different disciplines. I have been evaluating and treating complex and rare neuropsychiatric conditions such as: autism spectrum disorder and intellectual disability, cerebral palsy and perinatal brain injury, pediatric catatonia, concussion and moderate/traumatic brain injury, pediatric functional neurological symptom disorder, neurodegenerative and neurometabolic diseases, autoimmune diseases (e.g., anti-NMDA receptor encephalopathy), epilepsy syndromes (e.g., Lennox Gastaut syndrome and Dravet syndromes), neurogenetic syndromes including rare/orphan syndromes (e.g., 22q11 deletion syndrome, Fragile X syndrome,  tuberous sclerosis and neurofibromatosis, Soto’s syndrome, SCNA syndrome, SHANK syndrome).
 

Publications, Awards, and Honors

Awards and Honors

1994        Commendation for participation in National Polio Eradication Program, Tehran, Iran
1995        Best doctor of the year award, Damavand district, Tehran, Iran     
2016        Chief fellow, Child and Adolescent Psychiatry Program, Rutgers UBHC, NJ                        
2018        Outstanding Teacher Award, Psychiatry program, Rutgers/Robert Wood Johnson Medical School, NJ

 

Publications and Research

  1. Neuropsychopharmacology chapter in Sawiman Pediatric Neurology Textbook

  2. Askari S. Retrospective cohort case study about the causes and prevalence of seronegativity in brucellosis. Rah-e-No (New Way) Med J. 1993; 2:16-21.

  3. Askari S. Manifestation of PVC toxicity in the Damavand Mineral Water factory workers. Rah-e-No (New Way) Med J. 1994; 4:31-35.

  4. Askari S. A report on the condition of a rural health clinic in Damavand. Rah-e-No (New Way) Med J. 1994; 5:13-20.

  5. Askari S. A critique of the second five-year cultural and economical developmental program. Rah-e-No (New Way) Med J. 1997; 11:7-10.

  6. Askari S. Women, major victims of suicide in Iran. Rah-e-No (New Way) Med J. 1998; 12:24-30.

  7. Askari S. The presentation and evaluation of a case of SLE and antiphospholipid antibody syndrome with primary clinical manifestation of chorea. J Faculty Med, Tehran University, 1998;56(3):69-75.

  8. Askari S. Treatment of sinusitis. In: Askari S, Salehinia S., eds. Sinusitis – New Approaches to Diagnosis and Treatment. Seda Publication; 1998:79-163.

  9. Askari S, Salpekar JA, Neuropsychopharmacology. In: Swaiman's Pediatric Neurology: Principles and Practice, 7th edition. (Under revision)

  10. McCulloch JA, NcNab I. Sciatica and Chymopapain. Askari S, Salehinia S, trans. 1995.

  11. Askari S, Salehinia S., eds. Sinusitis – New Approaches to Diagnosis and Treatment. Seda Publication; 1998:79-163.

  12. Askari S. A critique of official written commitment required from medical doctors prior to admission to residency programs. Ettelaat newspaper, 1998.

  13. Askari S. International Women Health Volunteers Day. Ettelaat newspaper, 1994.

  14. Askari S. A proposal on the new information management in a public hospital in Kish Island. Free Kish Island Health Organization Newsletter, 1998.

  15. Askari S. A critic of the second five-year cultural and economical developmental program. Ettelaat newspaper. 1997.        

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Our Team

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Dr. Saeed Salehinia, M.D.

Founder of:      Salehinia psychiatry & Neuropsychiatry Services

https://www.salehiniapsychiatry.com/

​​Board-certified Neuropsychiatrist practicing over 30 years.

Associate Professor at Johns Hopkins University.​

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Education:

  • Neuropsychiatry fellowship from Johns Hopkins Hospital

  • Neuropsychoanalysis fellowship at the Chicago Institute of Psychoanalysis.

  • Psychiatry at Rosalind Franklin University of Medicine in Chicago, Illinois.

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Research and Publication:

  • Author of Neuropsychopharmacology chapter in Neuropsychiatry and Behavioral Neurology: Principles and Practice textbook. 

  • Author of "Sinusitis, New Approach to Diagnosis and Treatment"

  • Peer review for many articles.

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Awards & Honors:

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Areas of Work:

  • Neurodegenerative and Cognitive Disorders such as Major Neurocognitive d/o( Dementia, Frontotemporal, Lewy Body and Vascular dementia, ),

  • Acquired Brain Injury (TBI) and stroke, 

  • Movement disorders: Parkinson/Parkinsonism, Huntington's Disease, Multiple Sclerosis (MS).

  • Functional Neurological Disorders (FND), psychiatric comorbidity with epilepsy/genetic disorder

  • Autism Spectrum d/o and adult disability. 

  • Spravato (esketamine nasal spray) treatment.

  • Providing professional consult ​

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Dr. ShabnamZehra Bhojani, M.D.

Child & Adult psychiatrist, Psychoanalyst, Addiction medicine specialist. 

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​Board certified Child and Adolescent Psychiatrist and Addiction psychiatrist, practicing for over 26 years.  

Affiliated with Columbia University

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Education:

  • Addiction medicine, NY

  • Transference-Focused Psychotherapy training, Columbia University School of Medicine, NY.

  • Psychodynamic psychotherapy training, Columbia University School of Medicine, NY

  • Psychoanalysis fellowship, Columbia University School of Medicine, NY.

  • Child & Adolescent Psychiatry fellowship, Mount Sinai Medical Center, NY.

  • Psychiatry residency, Jamaica Hospital Medical Center, NY.

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Research and Publication:

  • Author of  book "The Marital Knot" .

  • Author of many articles.​

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Awards and Honors: 

  • Alexander Bellar Award from Columbia University for Scholarly work

  • Distinguished Fellow Status, American Psychiatric Association

  • Teacher of the Year Award, 2015, Jamaica Hospital Medical Center

 

Areas of Work:​

  • Addiction and dual diagnosis conditions

  • Anxiety, Depression, mood disorders 

  • PTSD, OCD, Psychotic disorders

  • ADHD, Child Behavior Issues, childhood psychiatric conditions 

  • Declining School Performance in Children

  • Psychotherapy with medication management

  • Immigration Trauma 

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Souna Mohseni

Founder of:       Sona Life Harmony

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https://www.sonalifeharmony.com/

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Over 10 years experience in clinical field.​

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Education:

  • ​Doctoral in acupuncture /Oriental Medicine, South Baylo university, CA.

  • Master degrees in social work, CA. 

  • Associate Clinical Social Worker (ACSW).

  • TMS training (Transcranial Magnetic Stimulation).

  • Certified Autism Specialist:Beginner-to -Advanced on Neuro-Affirming Care.

  • "Body as Billboard" to "Body as Home": Making Body image Changes Stick.

  • Awareness Integration Theory in practice.

  • Non-Violent Communication Training.

 

Awards & Honors:

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Areas of Work: 

  • Applying different psychotherapies including CBT ,EMDR , Exposure & Response Prevention and AIT.

  • Specializing in combining psychotherapy ,oriental medicine ,mindfulness and holistic approach.

  • Offering individual and group therapies for different psychiatric conditions such as  GAD,Panic Disorder,OCD ,social Anxiety&Phobias.

  • Provide Counseling, Crisis Intervention, Advocacy.

  • Skilled in working with diverse populations.

Faranak Ameri

Founder of:            Faranak Holistic Treatment

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Over 15 years experience in clinical field.​

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Education: 

  • ​Doctoral student in acupuncture /Oriental Medicine, Toronto School of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Canada

  • Bachelor’s Degree in Sports Massage and Chiropractic, Iran    

  • Certificate in Classic Massage, Iran     

  • Associate Degree in Software Engineering, Iran

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Areas of Work:

  • Acupuncture /Oriental Medicine: specialized in a holistic approach to recovery at the clinic and mobile care, treating a wide variety of conditions including fractures and sprains, arthritis and post-surgical issues, stroke and brain injury, dizziness and balance issues, pelvic conditions, cancer-related issues and more.

  • Physiotherapy Assistant (PTA): specializing in musculoskeletal injuries and orthopedic recovery.

  • Pain management and rehabilitation specialist.

Lillian Gale

Founder of:       Blossom Sound Healing  ​

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​https://www.blossomsoundhealing.com/​

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Over 10 years experience in clinical field.​

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Education:

  • Certified Sound Practitioner

  • Certified Tuning Fork Therapy Practitioner

  • Certified Breathwork and Meditation Guide

  • Ecstatic/Somatic Dance Guide

  • BTTY Integration Coach

  • BTTY Psychedelic Sitter

 

Areas of Work:

  • Psychedelic Sitting + Integration

  • Ketamine Integration + Coaching

  • Microdose Coaching

  • Spiritual Coaching

  • Magdalene Reiki

  • Sound Healing

You deserve care that truly understands you. Join Askari Psychiatry today.

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