Dr. Sheeva Mostoufi

I am a licensed clinical psychologist and the Training Coordinator at Old Town Psychology. I specialize in treating a range of concerns such as generalized anxiety disorder, depression, obsessive compulsive disorder (OCD), social anxiety, specific phobias, panic disorder, body-focused repetitive behaviors (e.g., trichotillomania, excoriation/skin picking), tic disorders, and insomnia. I also work with clients seeking support with life transitions, and coping with chronic medical concerns. I strive to provide a supportive collaborative environment to delivering evidence-based treatment interventions tailored to your individual needs.

My approach utilizes evidence-based interventions such as Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT), Motivational Interviewing, Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT), Exposure and Response Prevention (ERP), Comprehensive Behavioral Intervention for tics (CBIT), and mindfulness-based interventions. My goal is to provide a client-centered, non-judgmental, and empathic approach to address your individual needs and goals.

I received my PhD from the San Diego State University/University of California, San Diego Joint Doctoral Program after completing my internship at the VA Puget Sound Health Care System-Seattle Division. I completed my post-doctoral fellowship training at the VA Puget Sound Health Care System-Seattle Division specializing in primary care mental health integration. I have experience providing psychological services in a variety of settings including private practice, as a clinician on grant funded research studies with the Veteran Affairs Health Care System, and in interdisciplinary hospital and medical settings. I also have a background in clinical research with multiple publications in peer-reviewed journals and have participated in organizations such as the American Psychological Association and the Association for Contextual Behavioral Science.

New Book Released:

Dr. Kathryn Ziemer and Dr. Sheeva Mostoufi of Old Town Psychology have partnered with researchers at the University of Zaragoza to publish a self-guided version of Attachment-Based Compassion Therapy. This intervention can be used by anyone – either self-guided or with the support of a therapist.

We recommend it for individuals who would like to increase their self-compassion and improve their relationships with others. Through this intervention, individuals will gain a better understanding of how they relate to other people and address any harmful or negative patterns. The book also includes exercises, handouts, and links for downloadable audio files and meditations to make the experience fully self-applied.

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Publications

Afari, N., Herbert, M. S., Godfrey, K.M. Cuneo, J. G., Salamat, J. S., Mostoufi, S.,…& Wetherell, J. L. (2019). Acceptance and commitment therapy as an adjunct to the MOVE! programme: a randomized controlled trial. Obesity Science & Practice, 5(5), 397-407.

Godfrey, K. M., Herbert, M., Strachan, E., Mostoufi, S., Crofford, L. J., Buchwald, D., ... & Afari, N. (2017). Dexamethasone-suppressed salivary cortisol and pain sensitivity in female twins. The Clinical Journal of Pain, 33(3), 246-253. doi: 10.1097/AJP.0000000000000398

Painter, J. M., Gray, K., McGinn, M. M., Mostoufi, S., & Hoerster, K. D. (2016). The relationships of posttraumatic stress disorder and depression symptoms with health-related quality of life and the role of social support among Veterans. Quality of Life Research, 25(10), 2657-2667.

Pineles, S. L., Nillni, Y. I., King, M. W., Patton, S. C., Bauer, M. R., Mostoufi, S. M., ... & Orr, S. P. (2016). Extinction retention and the menstrual cycle: Different associations for women with posttraumatic stress disorder. Journal of abnormal psychology, 125(3), 349. http://dx.doi.org/10.1037/abn0000138

Godfrey, K. M., Strachan, E., Mostoufi, S., Poeschla, B., Succop, A., & Afari, N. (2015). Familial Contributions to Self‐Reported Sleep and Pain in Female Twins. Pain Medicine. doi: 10.1111/pme.12894.

Godfrey, K.M., Mostoufi, S., Rodgers, C., Backhaus, A., Floto, E., Pittman, J., & Afari, N. (2015). Associations of military sexual trauma, combat exposure, and number of deployments with physical and mental health indicators in Iraq and Afghanistan Veterans. Psychological Services, 12(4): 366-377. DOI:10.1037/ser0000059

Mostoufi, S. M., Cuneo, J. G., Stoddard, J. A., & Afari, N. (2014). Present-Moment Awareness. In Stoddard, J.A. & Afari, N. The Big Book of ACT Metaphors: A Practitioner’s Guide to Experiential Exercises and Metaphors in Acceptance and Commitment Therapy. Oakland, CA: New Harbinger Publications.

Mostoufi, S., Godfrey, K. M., Ahumada, S. M., Hossain, N., Song, T., Wright, L. J., ... & Afari, N. (2014). Pain sensitivity in posttraumatic stress disorder and other anxiety disorders: A preliminary case control study. Annals of General Psychiatry, 13(1), 31. doi:10.1186/s12991-014-0031-1

Afari, N., Ahumada, S. M., Wright, L. J., Mostoufi, S., Golnari, G., Reis, V., & Cuneo, J.G. (2014). Psychological Trauma and Functional Somatic Syndromes: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis. Psychosomatic Medicine, 76(1), 2-11. doi: 10.1097/PSY.0000000000000010

Moeller-Bertram, T., Afari, N., Mostoufi, S., Fink, D. S., Johnson Wright, L., & Baker, D. G. (2014). Specific pain complaints in Iraq and Afghanistan veterans screening positive for post-traumatic stress disorder. Psychosomatics, 55(2), 172-178. doi: 10.1016/j.psym.2013.01.011.

Godfrey, K. M., Lindamer, L. A., Mostoufi, S., & Afari, N. (2013). Posttraumatic stress disorder and health: A preliminary study of group differences in health and health behaviors. Annals of General Psychiatry, 12(1), 30. doi: 10.1186/1744-859X-12-30

Mostoufi, S. M., Strachan, E., Chopko, L., Succop, A., Martinez, B., Ahumada, S. M., & Afari, N. (2013). Adverse childhood experiences, health perception, and the role of shared familial factors in adult twins. Child Abuse & Neglect, 37(11), 910-916. doi: 10.1016/j.chiabu.2013.06.005

Mostoufi, S. M., Afari, N., Ahumada, S. M., Reis, V., & Wetherell, J. L. (2012). Health and distress predictors of heart rate variability in fibromyalgia and other forms of chronic pain. Journal of Psychosomatic Research, 72(1), 39-44. doi:10.1016/j.jpsychores.2011.05.007

Afari, N., Mostoufi, S. M., Noonan, C., Succop, A., Chopko, L., & Strachan, E. (2011). C-reactive protein and pain sensitivity: Findings from female twins. Annals of Behavioral Medicine, 42, 277-283. doi: 10.1007/s12160-011-9297-6

Pineles, S.L., Mostoufi, S. M., Ready, C. B., Street, A. E., Griffin, M. G., & Resick, P. (2011). Trauma reactivity, avoidant coping, and PTSD symptoms: A moderating relationship? Journal of Abnormal Psychology, 120¸ 240-246. doi: 10.1037/a0022123

Pineles, S. L., Shipherd, J. C., Mostoufi, S. M., Abramovitz, S. M., & Yovel, I. (2009). Attentional Biases in PTSD: More evidence for interference. Behaviour Research and Therapy, 47(12): 1050-1057. doi: 10.1016/j.brat.2009.08.001