Ummul-Kiram Kathawalla
Postdoctoral Research Associate
Part-Time Instructor
Dr. Ummul-Kiram Kathawalla is a postdoctoral research associate in the Counseling Psychology & Applied Human Development Department at Boston University Wheelock College of Education & Human Development. Dr. Kathawalla teaches courses for PhD students in counseling psychology. She also conducts research on how discrimination, life stress, and sociocultural contexts contribute to the development and persistence of identity development and well-being in minorities. Dr. Kathawalla uses this understanding to develop and examine culturally informed interventions and technology that consider individual differences and experiences to serve marginalized populations. These lines of research build upon each other so that she can move the field of applied ethnic minority psychology forward using rigorous mixed methodology and transparent, open science research practices with a strong commitment to diversity and social justice.
Previously, Dr. Kathawalla completed her clinical psychology residency at VA Bedford Healthcare System where she provided evidenced-based, integrative behavioral health, client-centered individual and group therapy. She completed her clinical internship at VA Boston Healthcare System where her primary focus was PCBH and secondary focuses were behavioral medicine and trauma & addiction services. Dr. Kathawalla was a National Science Foundation graduate research fellow and has received numerous awards for her research, volunteer, and advocacy work including the University of Minnesota’s 2019 Scholarly Excellence in Equity and Diversity Award, APA Division 17’s 2019 Student Social Justice and Advocacy Award, and the 2019 International Society for Research on Identity Doctoral-Level Research Award.
Dr. Kathawalla has expertise in conducting multiple evidenced-based treatments including (but not limited to) acceptance and commitment therapy, cognitive-behavioral therapy for insomnia, cognitive processing therapy for PTSD, dialectical behavioral therapy, integrative behavioral couples therapy, and career counseling; and group therapies, including pregnancy and postpartum anxiety group, race-based stress and empowerment group. She also has expertise conducting multiple psychological and diagnostic assessments (e.g., career assessments, MMPI, WAIS). She hopes to support her clients and supervisees to foster personal growth and live life according to one’s values.
Recent News
Education
PhD, Counseling Psychology, University of Minnesota
MA, Counseling Psychology, University of Minnesota
BS, Human Development & Psychological Services and minor in Global Health, Northwestern University
Courses
CE 848 Proseminar on Effective Interventions (Child)
CE 852 Proseminar on Prevention in Counseling Psychology
Selected Publications
Kathawalla, U. & Syed, M. (2022). Occupational and sociocultural temporal identity integration: Links to overall health for Muslim heritage immigrants to the USA. Journal of Muslim Mental Health. 6(1). https://doi.org/10.3998/jmmh.234
Syed, M., Fish, J., Hicks, J., Kathawalla, U.-K., & Lee, E. (2021). Somali migration to the United States: Understanding adaptation through digital stories. Cultural Diversity and Ethnic Minority Psychology. Advance online publication. https://doi.org/10.1037/cdp0000427.
Kathawalla, U. & Syed, M. (2021). Discrimination, Life Stress, and Mental Health among Muslims: A Preregistered Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis. Collabra: Psychology. 7 (1): 28248. https://online.ucpress.edu/collabra/article/7/1/28248/118767
Kathawalla, U., Silverstein, P., & Syed, M. (2021). Easing Into Open Science: A Guide for Graduate Students and Their Advisors. Collabra: Psychology, 7(1). https://doi.org/10.1525/collabra.18684.