Veterans Medical Research Foundation

Niloofar Afari

Credentials: 

• PhD

Current Position(s): 

• Associate Chief of Staff for Mental Health (ACOS MH), VA San Diego Healthcare System

• Professor in Residence, Department of Psychiatry, University of California San Diego

• Vice Chair for Veterans Affairs, Department of Psychiatry, University of San Diego

Personal Statement: 

Dr. Afari received her Ph.D. in Clinical Psychology from the University of Nevada, Reno and completed her predoctoral internship and postdoctoral training at the University of Washington School of Medicine where she also was a faculty member before moving to VA San Diego and UCSD in 2006. She has expertise in examining the relationship between psychological trauma and health, using Acceptance and Commitment Therapy for treatment of various conditions, and implementing eHealth technology for evidence-based screening and outcomes monitoring of mental health symptoms. She has received grant funding from multiple NIH Institutes as well as the Veterans Affairs. Dr. Afari is a Fellow of the Association for Contextual Behavioral Science, and has won various awards for her research. In addition to numerous peer-reviewed articles, Dr. Afari has co-authored the highly popular "The Big Book of ACT Metaphors".

Professional History:

• 2017-present          Associate Chief of Staff for Mental Health (ACOS MH) - VA San Diego Healthcare System

• 2017-present          Vice Chair for Veterans Affairs - Department of Psychiatry, University of California, San Diego

• 2016-present          Professor in Residence - Department of Psychiatry, University of California, San Diego

• 2006-present          Staff Psychologist - VA San Diego Healthcare System, San Diego, CA

• 2010-2016               Associate Professor in Residence - Department of Psychiatry, University of California, San Diego

• 2006-2010               Assistant Professor -  Department of Psychiatry, University of California, San Diego

• 2004-2006               Lecturer - Department of Psychiatry & Behavioral Sciences, University of Washington

• 2000-2004               Acting Assistant Professor - Department of Psychiatry & Behavioral Sciences, University of                                                  Washington

• 1997-2000               Research Scientist - Department of Internal Medicine, Harborview Medical Center/University of                                            Washington

Education:

• University of Nevada, Reno,  Major: Clinical Psychology  Degree: PhD (APA-Approved)                                                  Thesis: A study of paradoxical cognitive responding in thought suppression (Steven C. Hayes, PhD, Chair) 1996

• University of Washington Medical School  APA-Approved Predoctoral Clinical Psychology Internship

• University of California, San Diego Major: Psychology Degree: BA

Honors/Awards:

• 2017              Fellow                                                                     Association for Contextual Behavioral Science

• 2011              Seymour Diamond Lectureship Award               National Headache Foundation

• 1994              Outstanding Psychology Intern                            Department of Psychiatry & Behavioral Sciences,                                                                                                                            University of Washington.

• 1992              Recognition for research pertaining to women  Soroptimist Club of the Sierras, Reno, NV.

• 1985-1986    Departmental Honors                                            Department of Psychology University of California,                                                                                                                        San Diego, CA.

• 1984-1986    Dean’s Honor Roll                                                  University of California, San Diego, CA.

 

National/Global Website: National Center for Biotechnology Information