Prof. Dr. Asghar Ali Shah

Professor Dr. Asghar Ali Shah is a clinical psychologist and psychotherapist with a PhD in Clinical Psychology and 38 years of experience in psychology. He is the Professor and Head of the Psychology Department at Preston University, Islamabad, and a former Chairman of the Department of Psychology at International Islamic University, Islamabad.

He has been in private psychotherapy practice since 1991. Over the years he has seen more than 3,000 clients and logged more than 10,000 hours of clinical experience, working with the full range of concerns that people bring to psychotherapy, from OCD and anxiety to marital difficulties, children's problems and trauma.

Experience at a glance

• 38 years of experience in psychology
• Private psychotherapy practice since 1991
• More than 3,000 clients seen
• More than 10,000 hours of clinical experience
• PhD in Clinical Psychology, University of Peshawar
• Professor and Head of Psychology, Preston University, Islamabad
• Former Chairman, Department of Psychology, International Islamic University, Islamabad
• Author of more than 30 research papers; supervised about 100 theses

Qualifications

• PhD in Clinical Psychology (2005), University of Peshawar
• MPhil in Clinical Psychology (1996), University of Peshawar
• Post-Magistral Diploma in Clinical Psychology (1990), University of Karachi
• MA in Psychology (1988), University of Peshawar

Academic and leadership roles

• Professor and Head of Psychology, Preston University, Islamabad (2026 to date)
• Associate Professor of Psychology, Iqra University, Islamabad (2023 to 2026)
• Chairman, Department of Psychology, International Islamic University, Islamabad (2007 to 2011 and 2022 to 2023)
• Chairman, Board of Studies in Psychology, International Islamic University, Islamabad (2022 to 2023)
• Faculty member, Department of Psychology, International Islamic University, Islamabad (2007 to 2023)
• Associate Professor and Chairman, Department of Psychology, University of Wah (2006 to 2007)
• Assistant Professor of Psychology, Hazara University, Mansehra (2005 to 2006)
• Member of boards of studies, and external examiner for MS, MPhil and PhD, at more than 15 universities across Pakistan

Research and teaching

• More than 30 research papers published in national and international journals
• Author of a book on religiosity, education and moral judgment (2024)
• Published research on trauma and PTSD, including a 2024 paper in the European Journal of Trauma & Dissociation
• Research and conference papers on OCD, depression, postpartum depression, marital conflict and children's emotional problems
• Supervised about 100 MS and MPhil theses and 10 PhD theses in clinical and educational psychology
• Presented at national and international psychology conferences, including as a panellist in 2025

Professional memberships and leadership

• Member, Pakistan Psychological Association, since 1991
• Member, Pakistan Association of Clinical Psychologists, since 1991
• President, Pakistan Psychological Association, Islamabad-Rawalpindi and Gilgit-Baltistan chapter (2012 to 2020)
• Member, Executive Body, Pakistan Psychological Association (2013 to 2015)

Anxiety, fear and compulsions

• Obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD)
• Generalised anxiety and excessive worry
• Panic attacks
• Phobias and social anxiety
• Health anxiety
• Exam and performance anxiety

Mood and emotional wellbeing

• Depression and low mood
• Stress and burnout
• Anger and irritability
• Low self-esteem and confidence
• Grief and loss
• Difficulty managing emotions
• Bipolar disorder (psychotherapy alongside medical care)

Trauma and life events

• Trauma and post-traumatic stress (PTSD)
• Childhood trauma and abuse
• Life transitions and adjustment
• Loneliness and isolation
• Identity and life-direction concerns

Relationships and family

• Marital and relationship difficulties
• Couples therapy
• Premarital concerns
• Family conflict and communication problems
• Trust, infidelity and betrayal
• Separation and divorce adjustment
• Parenting concerns

Children and adolescents

• Behavioural difficulties in children
• Anxiety and fears in children
• School and learning-related stress
• Emotional and identity concerns in teenagers
• Adjustment and family-related problems in children

Sleep, habits and personal growth

• Sleep difficulties and insomnia
• Unhelpful habits and thinking patterns
• Personal development and self-understanding

Training and public education

• Trained NGO field staff on assessing and counselling children who have been sexually abused (2002)
• Trained health counsellors in counselling techniques for patients with AIDS (2000)
• Delivered school mental-health training for teachers, including identifying and supporting slow learners
• Wrote newspaper columns on psychological problems and their solutions
• Took part in mental-health programmes on Pakistan Television and Pakistan Broadcasting Corporation
• Organised free mental-health awareness camps

How he works

Each course of work begins with a careful assessment, so the approach, pace and goals are agreed together. Sessions are private and confidential. As with all therapy, outcomes differ from person to person and no particular result is guaranteed. Where someone needs medical care alongside psychotherapy, he will say so.

Languages

Fluent in Urdu and English, and also speaks Punjabi, Hindko, Saraiki and Pashto.

Sessions

He sees clients on Mondays and Tuesdays, from 10 AM to 8 PM, in person at our Islamabad clinic (F-11/1) or online. Message us on WhatsApp to book.