DCPA would like to invite you to a virtual Covid-19 support Group. It is our strong belief that the current crises and challenges that confront us are best faced by solidarity, unity and the strength of our collective wisdom, energy and empathy. We would like to provide a safe space where the voice of our concerns and fears can be expressed.
It is our hope to also provide a place of unity and support to decrease isolation, despair and hopelessness. Most importantly we would like to provide a healing environment to revitalize and restore hope, prospective and emotional well-being. To accomplish this, we will adopt coping strategies and relaxation techniques, stress reduction, and mind/body approaches.
Stephen Stein, Ph.D. is a licensed psychologist in Washington D.C . and Maryland and holds a certificate of professional qualification in psychology granted by the Association of State and Provincial Psychology Boards. Dr. Stein has been in practice for 30 years and provides individual, group, and couples therapy, as well as supervision, consultation and training to psychologists and other mental health professionals. He is the current Director of Professional Development for the Center for Learning and Professional Development of DCPA. As director, he provides and coordinates training and educational programs designed to advance the professional development, skill acquisition, and clinical capabilities of mental health professions. He served as president of DCPA from 2014-2016 and was the Vice President of Operations from 2010 to 2013, and the Vice President for Professional Affairs from 2005 to 2007. He also served as Chair of the Ethics Committee for DCPA from 2010 to 2013 and had been the previous chair from 1991 to 2006. From 2006 to the present, Dr. Stein has conducted study groups, training programs, and workshops for the following institutions: The University of Maryland, the Institute of Contemporary Psychotherapy and Psychoanalysis, The Washington Society of Psychoanalytic Psychology (Division 39 of the APA) and the Counseling Center at Catholic University of America, and his private practice. These programs were designed for the clinical application of an integration of Neuroscience and contemporary psychotherapeutic approaches combining theory, scientific findings and the effective application of Mind/Body techniques to enhance clinical practice and personal experience. Dr. Stein’s past positions include the following: Chair of Clinical Psychology Externship Program from 1983 to 1987 for the DC Institute of Mental Hygiene; Supervising Psychologist for the DC Institute for Mental Hygiene from 1980 to 1987. In addition, he was also on the senior staff of the Counseling Center at Catholic University of America from 1976 to 1979.
Dr. Stein has also been engaged in the provision of life enhancement and colleague assistance programs, employing Mind/Body approaches and principles of relational psychology to facilitate psychological well being, social justice, and professional development across diverse occupational areas.
Samira Paul, Psy.D., Co-Chair of the District of Columbia Psychological Association Task Force on COVID-19, is a doctor of clinical psychology and an Assistant Professor at the Chicago School for Professional Psychology. She obtained her doctorate in psychology from The Chicago School of Professional Psychology and holds a master’s degree in clinical psychology from Argosy University. She conducts psychotherapy and neuropsychological evaluation for English and Arabic speaking clients and is a consultant on culturally specific clinical interventions. Dr. Paul's experience includes working in inpatient and outpatient settings at the District of Columbia Superior Court and St. Elizabeths Hospital. She also conducted research at Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine on multiple sclerosis in the Arab world and collaborated on research on health behaviors and their impact on cognitive dysfunction in people with multiple sclerosis. Dr. Paul adopts an integrative approach to psychotherapy with a culturally sensitive lens, incorporating religion and spirituality when appropriate. She believes that people have an unlimited capacity to grow when they accept and celebrate their authentic self.
Dr. Paul has taken on a number of roles to advocate and promote social justice and equality, to include establishing the Diversity committee at the District of Columbia’s psychological association and co-founding DMV-Women of Color Psychologists . Prior to her career in psychology, Dr. Paul was a human rights advocate and political consultant in the Middle East, serving as political adviser to the joint US-UK-Canadian Security Coordination Mission and has a diploma in conflict resolution from Germany’s Friedrich-Ebert-Stiftung.
