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.

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

Neuropsychopharmacology chapter in Sawiman Pediatric Neurology Textbook
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.
Askari S. Manifestation of PVC toxicity in the Damavand Mineral Water factory workers. Rah-e-No (New Way) Med J. 1994; 4:31-35.
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.
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.
Askari S. Women, major victims of suicide in Iran. Rah-e-No (New Way) Med J. 1998; 12:24-30.
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.
Askari S. Treatment of sinusitis. In: Askari S, Salehinia S., eds. Sinusitis – New Approaches to Diagnosis and Treatment. Seda Publication; 1998:79-163.
Askari S, Salpekar JA, Neuropsychopharmacology. In: Swaiman's Pediatric Neurology: Principles and Practice, 7th edition. (Under revision)
McCulloch JA, NcNab I. Sciatica and Chymopapain. Askari S, Salehinia S, trans. 1995.
Askari S, Salehinia S., eds. Sinusitis – New Approaches to Diagnosis and Treatment. Seda Publication; 1998:79-163.
Askari S. A critique of official written commitment required from medical doctors prior to admission to residency programs. Ettelaat newspaper, 1998.
Askari S. International Women Health Volunteers Day. Ettelaat newspaper, 1994.
Askari S. A proposal on the new information management in a public hospital in Kish Island. Free Kish Island Health Organization Newsletter, 1998.
Askari S. A critic of the second five-year cultural and economical developmental program. Ettelaat newspaper. 1997.

Our Team

Dr. Saeed Salehinia, M.D.

Salehinia psychiatry & Neuropsychiatry

Dr. ShabnamZehra Bhojani, M.D.

Child & Adult psychiatrist

Souna Mohseni

Sona Life Harmony

Faranak Ameri

Faranak Holistic Treatment

Lillian Gale

Sound Healing

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