Raisa Manejwala

Growing up as an Indian Muslim and being both an ethnic and religious minority in the U.S. cultivated my appreciation for diversity. As a result, much of my career has been dedicated to understanding the unique narratives and experiences of individuals from different minority groups. As a doctoral student, I was awarded the Patricia M. Bricklin Student Ethics Award in 2013 for my ethics paper titled, "Ethical Issues of Integrating Religion/Spirituality Into Psychotherapy." I also published my dissertation in the Journal of Muslim Mental Health titled, "Microaggressions on the University Campus and the Undergraduate Experiences of Muslim South Asian Women." Moreover, I held various leadership positions in a student-run organization to educate students on clinical practice with minority groups. In addition to clinical, research, and educational opportunities, I participated in a memorable experiential workshop series about racial discrimination. Through group exercises, theatre techniques, and discussions, we learned about systemic racism, racial privilege and oppression, and making structural and personal changes in ourselves and our communities. Altogether, these experiences developed my passion in providing culturally-sensitive treatment in psychological practice. Outside of private practice, I participate in raising mental health awareness in local Muslim communities. 

During my doctoral training, I worked in a variety of clinical settings providing individual and group psychotherapy for juvenile offenders, trauma-focused cognitive behavioral therapy for child survivors of sexual abuse, mindfulness-based cognitive therapy for university students, and biofeedback and relaxation training for adults with headache and migraine pain. I published my dissertation in the Journal of Muslim Mental Health titled, "Microaggressions on the University Campus and the Undergraduate Experiences of Muslim South Asian Women."

I was awarded the Patricia M. Bricklin Student Ethics Award in 2013 for my ethics paper titled, "Ethical Issues of Integrating Religion/Spirituality Into Psychotherapy." I highly value integrating religious/spiritual teachings and practices into psychotherapy for clients who consider themselves religious/spiritual. As a result, I have participated in several workshops on culturally-sensitive treatments as well as working specifically with Muslim clients and how to integrate religious/spiritual teachings and practices into psychotherapy. Additionally, I presented a workshop for American mental health professionals on the topic of providing culturally-sensitive treatment for Muslim clients; I also presented on stress management and suicide prevention for Indian medical doctors in Gujarat, India. Furthermore, I was on the panel of health professionals for the relief and development organization, Penny Appeal USA, who presented on the impact of COVID-19 on American Families. I have now been working as a licensed clinical psychologist in the State of Maryland for 5 years. Currently, I provide cognitive-behavioral therapy for adults presenting with generalized anxiety, social anxiety, depression, anger issues, grief and loss, post-traumatic stress disorder, and other life issues. I also completed the grief educator training taught by grief expert, Dr. David Kessler, and facilitate a grief therapy support group. Outside of private practice, I participate in raising mental health awareness in local Muslim communities.

I earned my Doctor of Psychology degree (Psy.D) from La Salle University in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania in 2017.