Sajad Vahedi, Ph.D.

About Me

I received my BSc and MSc Degrees from Sharif University of Technology, and my Doctorate Degree in Economics with a focus on health and child development from Arizona State University. I earned my certificate of the Schema Therapy from the Madar Clinic and Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT) from the Hamyar Clinic.
Although I use integrated approach in my coaching services, I believe Schema Therapy provides the most comprehensive structure to understand human psyche and emotional needs and provides the necessary tools and methods for dealing with life challenges and reaching your goals.

My Story

For years, I was working on building a better version of myself by reading from, watching, and listening to people who had something to teach me about self improvement. In doing so, I mostly relied on my intellect without engaging, and even suppressing, my emotions. I lived as though they are polar opposite of each other. This approach took me very far in my personal, educational, and career life. But there was a limit to it!

I recognized these limitations when unpleasant life events challenged my comfort and confidence in my approach to self-improvement. I realized that I don't know myself enough. This doubt in my approach and my desire to understand myself was so great that I decided to talk to a psychologist, because my old approach did not yield useful answers. Through a long process of self-analysis, I earned a deeper understanding of myself and what’s the difference between advancing myself and discovering myself.

Managing this internal conflict helped me in my lifelong quest to realize my passion by using psychology to help those who are motivated to grow as a person. Although it is possible to take on this journey alone, having a person on your side who has the necessary skills and knowledge and has been through a similar journey (not the same, because everyone has a unique path), makes progress easier, faster, and burdens bearable when the path gets rough.

To ground my passion in science, I started learning about human psychology in a more serious and structured way by reading academic textbook in psychology. This new knowledge motivated me to seek practical training with two of the best psychologists in Iran, Dr. Parvizian, to earn my certificate in schema therapy and Dr. Poursalehi, to earn my certificate in cognitive behavioral therapy.

Disclaimer: Coaching does not involve prescribing or managing medications and diagnosis or treatment of mental disorders as defined by the American Psychiatric Association and coaching is not to be used as a substitute for mental health care, substance abuse treatment, psychotherapy, psychoanalysis, or other professional advice by legal, medical or other qualified professionals. I'm not a licensed clinical therapist.