PhD
Assistant Professor of Clinical Psychology
Email: [email protected]
| Degree / Program | Specialization | Institution | Year |
|---|---|---|---|
| PhD | Psychology | International Islamic University Islamabad | 2024 |
| MS | Clinical Psychology | International Islamic University Islamabad | 2018 |
| BS | Applied Psychology | International Islamic University Islamabad | 2015 |
| HSSC | Pre-Medical | FBISE | 2011 |
| SSC | Science Group | FBISE | 2009 |
| Position | Institution / Department | Duration |
|---|---|---|
| Assistant Professor | DCP, STMU, PRC | Since 2025 |
| Adjunct Faculty Member | Department of Computing, Shifa Tameer-e-Millat University, Islamabad | 2025-present |
| Lecturer | Shifa Tameer-e-Millat University | 2022-2025 |
| Visiting Lecturer | Department of English, International Islamic University, Islamabad | 2018-2019 |
| Visiting Lecturer | Department of Anthropology, International Islamic University, Islamabad | 2018-2019 |
| Adjunct Lecturer | Shifa College of Pharmaceutical Sciences | 2023 |
| Position | Organization / Description | Duration |
|---|---|---|
| Clinical Supervisor | Clinical Case Supervision of BS, MS and PhD Students | 2022-2025 |
| Senior Clinical Psychologist | Shifa Psychological Services Clinic | Oct 2024-Feb 2025 |
| Clinical Psychologist | Shifa Psychological Services Clinic | 2022-2024 |
| Clinical Psychologist | I am Empowered organization | 2020-2022 |
| Clinical Psychologist | Rawal General and Dental Hospital | 2016-2017 |
| Clinical Psychologist | PIMS | 2014 |
| Position | Organization / Description | Duration |
|---|---|---|
| Focal Person (DCP) of 12th Convocation, STMU | Shifa Tameer e Millat University Islamabad | 2026 |
| Member of Board of Studies | Department of Clinical Psychology, STMU | Since 2025 |
| In charge Admission Committee | Department of Clinical Psychology, STMU | Present |
| Departmental Board of Graduate Studies (DBGS) | Department of Psychology, Muslim Youth University | 2025 |
| QEC Assessment Team Member | Department of Management Sciences, Shifa Tameer e Millat University Islamabad | 2025 |
| Research Supervisory Committee for Ph.D | Department of Clinical Psychology, Shifa Tameer-e-Millat University Islamabad | 2025-2025 |
| Research Facilitator (Facilitate the MS students, Supervise of Dean FSSH, Prof.Dr. Muhammad Tahir Khalily) (N=15)-Commendation letter given by Dean, FSSH | Department of Clinical Psychology, Shifa Tameer-e-Millat University Islamabad | 2022-2025 |
| Psychologist in Interview Panel | Shifa College of Pharmaceutical Sciences | 2023 & 2024 |
| Sign the MOU with Cheezious and Islamabad Tea | IPCON 2025, Shifa Tameer-e-Millat University | 2025 |
| Collaborated with BOL News Channel and Associated Press of Pakistan | IPCON 2025, Shifa Tameer-e-Millat University | 2025 |
| Published Press release in renown news-papers of Pakistan about first Islamic Psychology Conference | First International Conference of Islamic Psychology (IPCON2025) | 2025 |
| Head of Media Coverage Team | IPCON 2025, Shifa Tameer-e-Millat University, Shifa Tameer-e-Millat University, Islamabad | 2025-2025 |
| Head of Sponsorship Committee | IPCON 2025, Shifa Tameer-e-Millat University | 2024-2025 |
| Member of Executive Committee | Shifa Psychological Services Clinic | 2023-2025 |
| Member of Food committee | for the 11th Convocation of STMU | 2025 |
| Departmental Focal person of DCP Website development | Shifa Tameer-e-Millat University, Islamabad | Since 2022 |
| Member Organizing Committee | IPCON 2025, Shifa Tameer-e-Millat University | 2024-2025 |
| Clinical Supervisor | Clinical Supervision of BS, MS and PMDCP students | Since 2022 |
| Member Exam committee | Shifa Tameer-e-Millat University | 2022-2025 |
| Focal Person (DCP) for the Social media | Shifa Tameer-e-Millat University | Since 2022 |
| Member Organizing Committee | Training programs from the forum of Shifa Psychological Services Clinic | Since 2022 |
| Award / Abbreviation | Organization / Committee | Description / Membership Details |
|---|---|---|
| Amber Hauque Scholarship | Dr. Amber Haque Scholarship | I was awarded the Dr. Amber Haque Scholarship in recognition of my innovative contributions and commitment to advancing new research directions in the field of Islamic Psychology. |
| PPA | Pakistan Psychological Association | Life Time Membership |
| PCOS-AA | Poly Cystic Ovary Syndrome Awareness Association | Member |
| ISIP | International Student of Islamic Psychology | Member |
| GEC member | Guidance and Exam Committee at NUST University Islamabad | Member |
| Reviewer | Peer J (Impact Factor is 2.7) | Reviewer |
| Reviewer | Pakistan Journal of Physiology | Reviewer |
| No. | Research Area / Interest |
|---|---|
| 1. | Cognitive Behavioral Therapy |
| 2. | Islamic Integrated Psychotherapy |
| 3. | Research Methods |
| 4. | Mental Health |
| 5. | Resilience |
| 6. | Health Psychology |
| 7. | Randomized Control Trials |
| 8. | Health Application development |
| 9. | Scale Development |
| 10. | Scale Translation and adaptation |
| 11. | Reproductive Psychology |
| No. | Title | Date |
|---|---|---|
| 1. | Honored with “Commendation letter” in recognition of my research by Prof.Dr.Muhammad Tahir Khalily, Dean of Faculty of Social Sciences and Humanities, STMU | 2025 |
| 2. | CPD Course from Oxford University in “Artificial Intelligence in Health Care” | In process |
| 3. | Step-by-step Guide on How to Prepare a Successful Paper for Publishing in a peer review journal by SPRINGER NATURE | 2025 |
| 4. | Evidence-Based Interventions for Substance Use and Co-occurring Mental Health Disorders | 2025 |
| 5. | Community Reinforcement Approach (CRA) for Substance Abuse Disorders | 2024 |
| 6. | Training workshop on Grant Writing | 2024 |
| 7. | One day training workshop on Narrative Exposure Therapy by Prof. Dr. Tahir Khalily | 2024 |
| 8. | Two-day’s workshop on Trauma Focused Cognitive Behavior Therapy | 2024 |
| 9. | Organized three days’ workshop on “Managing the challenging behavior of children with autism using ABA” | 2024 |
| 10. | Organized one day workshop on Personality theories at a glance | 2024 |
| 11. | Organized one day workshop on Integrative Systemic Couples Therapy | 2024 |
| 12. | Organized one day workshop on De-escalation and breakaway techniques for aggressive behavior in psychiatric patients | 2024 |
| 13. | Organized one day workshop on Communicating DSM diagnoses | 2024 |
| 14. | Organized one day workshop on Community Reinforcement Approach (CRA) – an effective evidence based treatment modality in a traditional addiction treatment unit | 2024 |
| 15. | Organized one day workshop on Wechsler Intelligence Scale for Children (WISC-IV) | 2024 |
| 16. | Organized one day workshop on Selected art therapy techniques | 2024 |
| 17. | Attend two days’ workshop on “Uplifting mental health of women” at National institute of Psychology, Quaid-e-Azam University, Islamabad | 2024 |
| 18. | One week National Training Workshop on “Preliminary Screening for Intellectual Disabilities” From 11th to 15th December, 2023 | 2023 |
| 19. | Faculty Training Workshop on Paper setting, Construction of MCQ’s, SAQ’s SEQ’s, Blueprinting and Development of TOS | 2023 |
| 20. | Attend the workshop on “Navigating Relationships: Understanding the Dynamics of Intra/Interpersonal Connections and the causes of Breakups | 2023 |
| 21. | Training workshop on Wechsler Adult Intelligence Scale (WAIS-R) | 2023 |
| 22. | Training workshop on Minnesota Multiphasic Personality Inventory | 2023 |
| 23. | Training workshop on Management of Pain attacks through CBT Techniques | 2023 |
| 24. | Training workshop on The Bridge Drawing: An art based Assessment | 2023 |
| 25. | Training workshop on Human Figure Drawing | 2023 |
| 26. | Training workshop on Managing Academic Stress | 2023 |
| 27. | Training workshop on N-vivo qualitative Data Analysis | 2022 |
| 28. | Certified Traditional Islamic Integrated Psychotherapy Training. | 2021 |
| 29. | Certification of participation in work shop on “Engaging University Faculty for Mental Health Wellbeing of Youth” World Mental Health Day-2021. | 2021 |
| 30. | Participated in COMSATS Telehealth (CTH) Workshop on Digital Health Strategy Organized by WHO. | 2020 |
| 31. | Training workshop on Menopause and its treatment | 2018 |
| 32. | Training workshop on Cognitive Behavior Therapy | 2016 |
| No. | Level | Title / Description |
|---|---|---|
| 1. | BS | The relationship between Narcissism, Social media addiction and empathy among adolescents. |
| 2. | BS | The relationship between spiritual identity, moral injury and mental health among University students. |
| 3. | BS | The Relationship between Perceived Loneliness, Academic Performance and Career Aspiration among students with Absent Fathers. |
| 4. | BS | The Relationship between Emotional Intelligence, Coping Strategies and Interpersonal Relationship among Single Parented Young Adults in Pakistan. |
| 5. | BS | Relationship between Parental pubbing, Child-parent Relationship and Revenge Bedtime Procrastination among Young Adults. |
| 6. | MS | Co-supervise the researches with Prof. Dr. Muhammad Tahir Khalily (Dean of Faculty of Social Sciences and Humanities, STMU) – The Relationship between cognitive fatigue, Coping Mechanism and treatment perception among drug addicts undergoing treatment. |
| 7. | MS | The Relationship between Perceived Parental Favoritism and Sense of Entitlement among Adolescents: The Mediating Role of Psychological Resilience. |
| 8. | MS | The Relationship between Anthropomorphism in AI Chatbots and Interpersonal Relationship among University Students: Mediating Role of Attachment Style. |
| No. | Publication Details | Status/Link |
|---|---|---|
| 1. | Wardah Ishfaq, & Mushtaq, R. (2024). MENTAL HEALTH AND RESILIENCE AMONG PAKISTANI WOMEN SUFFERING FROM POLYCYSTIC OVARY SYNDROME. Pakistan Journal of Physiology, 20(1), 45–47. | Link |
| 2. | Ishfaq, W. and Mushtaq, R. (2019). RELATIONSHIP OF DEATH ANXIETY AND SUBJECTIVE HAPPINESS AMONG YOUNG AND ELDER PREGNANT WOMEN. Pak J Physiol, 15(4). | |
| 3. | Syeda Ayat-e-Zainab Ali, Wardah Ishfaq, Bushra Hassan and Nazia Iqbal (2021). Development and validation of perceived sexual resentment scale for women (PSRS-W). Journal of the Pakistan Medical Association, 1(1), pp.1–16. | |
| 4. | Ali, S.A.-Z., Ishfaq, W., Hassan, B., Iqbal, N., Ansari, D.S., Alvi, S.M. and Arafat, S.M.Y. (2021). The invisible pain of women: sexual coercion, psychological distress and somatic symptoms. Rivista di Psichiatria, 56(5), pp.254–260. | Link |
| 5. | Khalily, N., Ishfaq, W., & Saleem, T. (2017). The Unrelenting Media Exposure in Pakistan and its Link with Vicarious Trauma. Bahria Journal of Professional Psychology, 16(1), 67–79. | Link |
| 6. | Saleem, T., Ishfaq, W., & Saleem, S. (2017). Menopause symptoms and climacteric depression in women with and without hormone replacement therapy. Pakistan Journal of Physiology, 13(1), 43–45. | Link |
| 7. | Ishfaq, W., Mushtaq, R., & Saleem, T. (2024). SUBJECTIVE HAPPINESS SCALE; TRANSLATION AND VALIDATION IN A SAMPLE OF PREGNANT WOMEN. Xi’an Shiyou Daxue Xuebao (Ziran Kexue Ban)/Journal of Xi’an Shiyou University, Natural Sciences Edition, 20(9), 615–627. | |
| 8. | Ishfaq, W., & Mushtaq, R. (2024). RELATIONSHIP OF RESILIENCE, PSYCHOLOGICAL DISTRESS, AND PSYCHOLOGICAL WELL-BEING AMONG WOMEN WITH POLYCYSTIC OVARY SYNDROME. Xi’an Shiyou Daxue Xuebao (Ziran Kexue Ban)/Journal of Xi’an Shiyou University, Natural Sciences Edition, 20(9), 628–649. | |
| 9. | Scale Development and validation of Multidimensional Distress Inventory for Polycystic Ovary syndrome for Muslim women in Pakistan | In revision (JPMA) |
| 10. | Translation and validation of Perth Empathy Scale in the sample of students | Submitted (PJP) |
| 11. | Navigating Spiritual Distress: Insights into the Causes, Impacts, and Healing Processes within Pakistan’s Muslim Population | Review Process |
| 12. | Effectiveness of Islamic Integrated Cognitive Behavioral Therapy on psycho-socio-spiritual distress among Muslim women suffering from PCOS | Review Process |
| 13. | Translation and validation of Automatic Negative Thought questionnaire in the sample of pregnant women | Accepted |
| No. | Application / Project | Details / Status |
|---|---|---|
| 1. | Anger Pill App | Management of anger through Islamic principles under the supervision of Prof. Dr. Muhammad Tahir Khalily |
| No. | Presentation Title / Authors | Conference Details |
|---|---|---|
| 1. | Ishfaq, W., & Ismail, M. Pre and post differences on premenstrual syndrome and disorder eating among female university Students. | Presented at 13th International CBT conference May 20-28, 2023. Pakistan Association of Cognitive Therapy, Islamabad. |
| 2. | Bridging Perspectives: Integrating Contemporary and Islamic Psychology in University Curricula. Muhammad Tahir Khalily, Fatima Khuram, Syeda Ayat-e-Zainab Ali, Shahid Ijaz, Wardah Ishfaq, Museera Aiman, and Tamkeen Saleem. | Presented in ISLAMIC PSYCHOLOGY SYMPOSIUM: “Advancing the Clinical Practice of Islamic Psychology Through Education and Research” in Doha, Qatar, during the period of February 7–8, 2024. |
| 3. | Conceptualization of spiritual distress among Muslim population (Oral presentation) | Islamic Psychology Conference (IPCON 2025) conducted by Department of Clinical Psychology, STMU |
| 4. | Wardah Ishfaq and Rabia Mushtaq. Relationship of negative thoughts and subjective happiness among working and non-working pregnant women. | Accepted for the presentation in 15th International Conference of Pakistan Psychological Association (PPA): Navigating Applied Fields of Psychology: Research, Practices, and Current Developments in Pakistan November 7th (Inaugural) and 22nd (Closing), 2024. |
| 5. | Ridah Batool and Wardah Ishfaq. Exploring Islamic Mindfulness: The Role of Islamic Cognitive Restructuring on Stress Reduction and Spiritual Well-Being (Oral presentation) | Islamic Psychology Conference (IPCON 2025) conducted by Department of Clinical Psychology, STMU |
| 6. | Rahma Sohail and Wardah Ishfaq. Post Traumatic Growth: A Comparative Analysis of Islamic and Positive Psychology Perspectives (Poster presentation) | Islamic Psychology Conference (IPCON 2025) conducted by Department of Clinical Psychology, STMU |
| No. | Workshop / Session Title | Event Details |
|---|---|---|
| 1. | Seeking Solace during Moment of the Pain: An Islamic Perspective Dr. Wardah Ishfaq and Prof. Dr. Ziasma Haneef Khan | Pre-conference Workshop: 15th International Conference of Pakistan Psychological Association (PPA): Navigating Applied Fields of Psychology: Research, Practices, and Current Developments in Pakistan (26, November, 2024) |
| 2. | Three days’ workshop on Schema Focused Therapy Dr. Uzma Masroor, Dr. Wardah Ishfaq and Ms. Aneela Mushtaq | Shifa Psychological Services Clinic, Department of Clinical Psychology, STMU 20, 21, 22, August, 2024 |
| 3. | When the body Aches, the Soul Awakens: A Psycho-spiritual Approach to Illness in Islam Dr. Wardah Ishfaq and Prof. Dr. Ziasma Haneef Khan | PPA-Pre Conference |
| 4. | Mental Health Café Guest Speaker | Event on 17, July, 2025 at Shifa College of Pharmaceutical Sciences |
| 5. | Webinar of Pre-Pregnancy and Pregnancy Burnout | Futuwwah Academy Tarbiyah (5th July, 2025) |
| 6. | AI as a Tool, not a Crutch: Protecting human cognition and mental well-being through ethical and effective AI use | Webinar (18-January-2026) |
| 7. | Digital Stress and Social Media Pressure | Webinar (24-January-2026) |
| 8. | Self Esteem and Identity Building Workshop | Out-door Seminar (29-January-2026) |
| No. | Project Title | Description / Details |
|---|---|---|
| 1. | Development of Multidimensional Distress Inventory for Polycystic Ovary Syndrome | Development of indigenous scale for the assessment of psychosocial disturbance related to polycystic ovary syndrome among Pakistani Muslim women. Assessment through newly developed scale will help clinical psychologists develop indigenous therapeutic interventions to address psychosocial disturbance related to PCOS among Pakistani women. |
| 2. | Effectiveness of Islamic Integrated Cognitive Behavioral Therapy on Psychosocial Distress and Resilience among Women with Polycystic Ovary Syndrome | Study using Integrated Islamic Cognitive Behavioral Therapy to reduce psychosocial distress among PCOS patients. This study will also compare benefits of Islamic Integrated CBT over hormonal replacement therapy for PCOS women and analyze which is more effective. |
| 3. | Conceptualization of spiritual distress among Muslim Population | Qualitative exploratory study conducted over 1 year using Focused Group Discussions. Purposive sampling with 5 exploratory FGDs involving experts from Islamic studies, Psychology, Chemistry, Mass communication and religious scholars. Thematic Analysis was used to compute themes exploring the concept of spiritual distress within the Muslim population. |
| 4. | Scale Development; Women perception on Marital Sexual Life | Explores Pakistani women’s perceptions of marital sex as a social and familial obligation. Examines how husband’s behavior during sex (careful vs. harsh/aggressive) and communication affect marital satisfaction in female partners. |
| 5. | Effect of Cognitive Behavioral Therapy on Premenstrual Syndrome and Eating Disorder among University Female Students | Intervention-based study investigating the effect of cognitive behavioral therapy (pre and posttest) on premenstrual syndrome and eating disorder among female university students. Two techniques used: cognitive restructuring and guided imagery. |
| 6. | Organize a Seminar on “Menopause, its associated risk and effectiveness of cognitive behavior therapy (CBT)” | Informative seminar covering cognitive behavioral strategies helpful for managing menopausal symptoms in women. |
| 7. | Translation and validation of Automatic Negative Thought questionnaire (Hollon & Kendall, 1989) | Translation and validation of the Automatic Thought Questionnaire—Revised (Kendall, Howard & Hays, 1989) consisting of 40 items developed on Beck Cognitive Triad linked to negative thought. Translated into Urdu language for convenient data collection with Pakistani population. |
| 8. | Translation and validation of Subjective Happiness Scale (Lyubomirsky, & Lepper, 1999) | Translation and validation of the Subjective Happiness Scale (Lyubomirsky & Lepper, 1999) consisting of 4 items. Translated into Urdu language for convenient data collection with Pakistani population. |
| 9. | Islamic Research Institute | Attended and completed one-year research course at Islamic Research Institute, enhancing research skills. |
| 10. | Effect of subjective happiness and negative thoughts on death anxiety among pregnant women | Research exploring the effect of subjective happiness and negative thoughts among pregnant women with respect to different variables like occupation, family system, trimesters, vaginal vs. cesarean delivery, and socioeconomic status. |
| 11. | Research on Depression and aggression are associated risk in Menopause | Research exploring depression and aggression in Pakistani women regarding menopause stage and differentiating between symptoms occurring with and without Hormonal Replacement Therapy. |
| 12. | Research on Vicarious Trauma and Unrelenting Media | Research covering the Peshawar’s Army Public School Attack to investigate the effect of unrelenting media exposure on vicarious trauma. |
| 13. | Commercial Stall | Displayed stalls at Cultural week twice to gain experience in marketing and finance on self-help basis. |
| 14. | Management Project: Recruit process at Pakistan Television | Explored the recruitment process at Pakistan Television by finding facts, figures, and its implementation. |
| 15. | Research Project on Birth order and Emotional Intelligence | Study conducted to explore the relationship between Birth Order and Emotional Intelligence. |
| No. | Skill / Tool |
|---|---|
| 1. | MS Word |
| 2. | MS Power Point |
| 3. | MS Excel |
| 4. | Adobe Photoshop |
| 5. | SPSS |
| 6. | AMOS |
| 7. | Canva |
| 8. | Prezi |
| 9. | N-vivo |
| References will be provided on Demand. |
