Interest Group: Human Rights, Peace & Global Well-Being » Interest Group: Human Rights, Peace, and Global Well-Being – Group Members

Group Members

Dr. Gulzar Ahmad
Dr. Maryam N. Tafreshi
Jean-Machelle Benn-Dubois
Ramneek Kapoor
Monika Kos y Gonzales
Lora Erickson

Kendra Hill
Brandon Christopher Kerr
Emily Lutringer
Iulia Pavlova
Patricia H A Perez
Grant J. Rich

Poonam Sharma
Rekha Pareek Wagani

Dr. Gulzar Ahmad

Gulzar Ahmad (PhD) is an Excellence Awarded HEC Foreign Professor with national and international exposure of North America, South America, Europe, Asia, Africa and Australia; having diversified experience of teaching, training, management, counseling and research in Applied Psychology, Education, Strategic Management & Leadership, Behavioral Sciences & Health Profession Education. He is motivated, energetic & visionary for excellence in teaching, training, research & innovation for global mental health and well-being.
Dr Gulzar Ahmad is ranked as a Professor since 2006 and had been the faculty/Head of various Departments of Psychology for over 30 years, mostly at Government College University, Lahore & Lahore Garrison University and some foreign international universities. He has supervised over 100 graduate and postgraduate research scholars of applied and clinical psychology. His over 40 papers in diversified areas of psychology have been published in journals of national and international repute. Dr Gulzar has/had been holding memberships and positions in over 40 national and international organizations around the globe including BPS, CIPD, ISCA, ISPCAN and seven Divisions of APA. He is the Chair of Special Interest Group on Human Rights, Peace & Global Well-being of International Psychology (APA Division 52), APA Board member on Social Justice, and member Race & Diversity Committee (APA Div 15). He is also the president of Pakistan Council on Family Relations – working for the alleviation of men-women-and-children sufferings within and outside their families. He has given over 100 presentations on various national and global social issues at national and international print and electronic media including PTV, VOA, ABC Radio & Television Network and Television Bahrain, South Africa, Chile & Australia. His biography is published with honors in Marquis Who’s Who in the World, New Jersey, US and International Biographical Centre, Cambridge, England, UK in 12 consecutive editions each. He loves innovation, beauty and morality, and aspires for social justice, gender equitability, respect for diversity and human rights, excellent human development and sustainable peaceful coexistence.

Dr. Maryam N. Tafreshi

Dr. Maryam N. Tafreshi is a faculty at the Mind-Body Medicine Department at Saybrook University, Graduate College of Integrative Medicine and Health Sciences. She graduated with distinction from the Ph.D. program in International Psychology (IP) with a concentration in Systems and Organization at The Chicago School of Professional Psychology (TCSPP) and has been awarded as one of TCSPP Global Psychology Scholars.
As a bi-lingual International Psychology professional, Dr. Tafreshi has global professional, academic, research, and consulting experience. She is specialized in addressing the five key global issues of mental and physical health, empowerment, poverty, environment, and terrorism in addition to diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI); multicultural and emotional competency; expatriation, migration, and acculturation; families and cultures around the world; gender studies; and positive psychology. She has a multidisciplinary, multilayered, and multifactor approach to problem-solving. Her work is guided by the Universal Declaration of Human Rights, CSR, ISO26000, American Psychological Association’s ethical principles, in addition to local laws, cultural values, and the context of all stakeholders to develop or create change at policy, education, and practice level.
Her published dissertation topic, which is a multilayered and multifactor study, is “Iranian Women’s Perspectives on Empowerment: A Phenomenological Study on Attitudes and Policies”. This research has multiple implications for practice, such as addressing several United Nations Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), including SDG 5, gender equality and empowerment of women, and SDG 3, health and well-being. This study provides a groundwork for policies and programs to support Iranian women’s empowerment while considering their diversity and the intersecting contexts in which they live.
Since 2018, Dr. Tafreshi has sponsored, led, organized, hosted, presented, and/or co-presented with her colleagues and experts coming from diverse disciplines at international and national conferences, pre-conferences, online global webinars, schools, universities, and the inauguration of a research center. In March 2019, Dr. Tafreshi was also invited to write an article on women’s empowerment for Ananke, a non-profit entity that strives to empower women and covers the MENA region. The organizations that Dr. Tafreshi has collaborated with are the Middle Eastern Psychology Association, Mensah Medical and Research Institute, Integrative Mental health Summit, Kharrazian Institute, APA- Div52, Psychology Coalition at the United Nations, TCSPP, Institute for Multicultural Counseling & Education Services, Purdue University, American School of Dubai, and Saybrook University.

Jean-Machelle Benn-Dubois, Ph.D.

Dr. Benn-Dubois’ academic history includes a Bachelor of Social Science in Sociology and Psychology from the University of the West Indies, Barbados. A Master of Arts in Clinical Psychology from Roosevelt University, Chicago IL, and a Doctorate in International Psychology from The Chicago School of Professional Psychology, Chicago IL. She is a Caribbean native with clinical and academic tenures spanning over 17 years, focused on trauma, substance addiction, and developmental transitions.
As an educator, she has taught Behavioral Health Science, Developmental Psychology, Multicultural Psychology, Counseling Psychology, Psychopharmacology, Global Mental Health, Humanitarianism, and Mental Health Delivery. Dr. Benn-Dubois considers herself to be a mental health advocate and practitioner. Her clinical experiences were garnered from the fields of substance addiction as a former director of a residential addiction treatment facility; HIV/AIDS as a former manager over the national response to the epidemic; and Education, teaching from primary to university level institutions. As a Caribbean Consultant, she has partnered with UNICEF Caribbean, directing positive behavior management in schools; worked with female sex workers under the umbrella of the HIV/AIDS Alliance in Trinidad & Tobago; conducted research and training with the Organization of American States (OAS) regional Drug prevention and treatment program; trained educators on the identification and intervention design for youths at risk with CARICOM; and The European Union ACP- II initiative in the local indigenous community on working with the environment. She has also volunteered as a reviewer on the selection committee for the American Psychological Association Division 52 (APA) review of Student International Research.
Dr. Benn-Dubois is a member of the American Psychological Association Division 52 (APA), the US Board of National Certified Counselors (NCC), and the EMDR International Association. She has researched Transactional Sexual Abuse in the Caribbean (2016). Status Review of Information, Policies, and Programmes on Physical Education and Sports in Eastern Caribbean Area (2014), State of Homelessness in Antigua (2017), and Exploration of Factors contributing to Sobriety after leaving Treatment (2019). She has presented at the APA Convention and the International Congress of Psychology 2020, and currently teaches doctoral students and guides their dissertation preparation at the Chicago School of Professional Psychology.

Ramneek Kapoor

Chairman, Alka Mansik Pramarsh Foundation Indore. Alka Mansik Pramarsh Foundation, Indore established by me in 2011 is a registered premier nongovernmental organization of Central India. The society is committed to provide access to counseling on mental, psychological, behavioral, psychotic, neurotic, social and spiritual health and professional guidance to all sections of society. We are an organization of psychologists, family therapists counseling experts, social welfare and management experts. We find that the area of mental health and well-being need a revolutionary yet sympathetic approach to providing quality cerebral psychological guiding and counseling services to people from all walks and strata of our society. www.mansikpramarsh.com
Chairman, Family Therapy India. My journey towards becoming a Family Therapist and Relationship Counselor came about ten years ago, coupled with my experience as clinical psychologist. We have over the years helped hundreds of couples find resolutions to their differences in their relationships and re-attain complete empathy, trust, understanding, affection and love.  www.familytherapyindia.com
Academics:
M.A. Clinical Psychology
Postgraduate Diploma in Counseling and Family Therapy
M.A. Science of Living, Preksha Meditation, and Yoga
M.B.A.
Post graduate diploma in marketing and sales management.
M.A. English
WHO Collaborative Centre for Capacity Building and Training in Global Mental Health -Columbia University, Department of Psychiatry, 14 Certificates of training courses completion on ICD-11 Guidelines for Mental Behavioural and Neurodevelopmental Disorders.

Dr. Monika Kos y Gonzales

I was born in Krakow, Poland. I obtained a B.A. from Arizona State University in Psychology, M.A. in School Psychology, and Ph.D. in Counseling Psychology from Northern Arizona University. I also hold Diplomate in School Neuropsychology; I completed didactics in Postdoctoral Master’s in Clinical Psychopharmacology at New Mexico State University.
I am a licensed psychologist, nationally certified school psychologist, and school neuropsychologist.  I focus on pediatric psychological evaluations. I am PREPARE and CBT-Insomnia trainer. I was a grant reviewer for APA Foundation and the Kellogg Foundation and an expert reviewer at Northern Arizona University program for stroke survivors and family, and a psychopharmacology trainee at Sage Neuroscience Center and New Mexico Heart Institute. I am a graduate of New Mexico Partners in Policymaking & a Fellow at LEND at the University of New Mexico. I am collaborating with Warsaw Medical University on international psychopharmacology research project.
My volunteering service includes Senator Ben Luján’s, Mental Health Consortium, International Movement for Prescriptive Authority for Psychologists, Division 52- International Psychology, New Mexico Psychological Association’s Early Career Psychologists Committee and Consultation Group,New Mexico Psychological Association’s Diversity Committee, UNM ECHO- IRCP Brain Injury Planning Committee and Brain Injury Alliance-NM 2020 board member.
I am happily married with four pets and deeply connected with my family of origin. I enjoy writing, the outdoors, photography, gardening, body-mind embodied practices, and immersion in different cultures and their art.  

Dr Lora Erickson

Dr. Lora Erickson is a licensed clinical mental health counselor in the states of Illinois, Florida, and Colorado, an international psychologist, and a professor.  She currently teaches full time for The Chicago School of Professional Psychology (TCSPP) in the Master of Arts in Psychology program for the online campus.  She is also a dissertation committee reader with TCSPP in the international psychology doctoral program. She is also the APA Division 52 past ECP chair. She provides clinical services on a telehealth platform through Higher Ground Wellness. Her research interests include the cross-cultural study of resiliency and protective factors, emergent professional identity models within the field of international psychology, Animal Assisted Intervention stress reduction techniques, social dislocation, and migration with dignity.  She currently resides in the Denver-metro area.

Kendra Hil

Kendra Hill is a dedicated Holistic Health Therapist who focuses on serving marginalized communities and organizations. Her work emphasizes enhancing quality of life through mindfulness and meditation interventions that address key issues such as self-awareness, empathy, cultural and racial biases, internalized stereotypes, and chronic stress. Using diverse therapeutic practices, Kendra integrates visualization techniques, aromatherapy, horticulture therapy, and mindfulness to foster holistic well-being. She is pursuing her Ph.D. in International Psychology at the Chicago School (TCS), where her academic endeavors align with her commitment to social justice and mental health.
In recognition of her innovative contributions, Kendra was awarded the 2023-2024 Creative Fellowship for developing a mindfulness and meditation program tailored for elementary students in marginalized communities. Additionally, she serves as the 2024-2025 APA Campus Ambassador for the Chicago School, advocating for psychological well-being and awareness.
Her research interests encompass intergenerational human rights violations, global capacity building, empathy in practice, assimilation, epigenetics, and international human rights protections. Kendra is passionate about creating equitable access to mental health resources and fostering resilience in the communities she serves.

Brandon Christopher Kerr

Brandon Christopher Kerr, MA is a lecturer at Kingsborough Community College (CUNY) and a PhD candidate in International Psychology at The Chicago School of Professional Psychology, with a concentration in Trauma Services. He has over 16 years of experience in behavioral health, specializing in foreign language anxiety and its impact on the social acculturation of international students. Mr. Kerr has lived abroad in South Korea, Turkey, and Armenia. He is a member of Division 52 (International Psychology) of the American Psychological Association (APA) and the Lebanese Psychological Association (LPA), and has presented at both the Middle Eastern Psychological Association (MEPA) and LPA. His guiding mission is: “Be inspired; Be an inspiration.”

Emily Lutringer

Emily Lutringer is a licensed professional counselor and registered play therapist, specializing in trauma counseling for rural and underprivileged youth. She is a PhD Candidate in International Psychology at The Chicago School of Professional Psychology. Emily is a Disaster Mental Health volunteer with the Red Cross, and volunteers with several other human rights and social justice organizations. She is the co-founder of Emic Cultural Consultants Collective, a transformational anti-racism organization. Emily’s interests in the field are focused on children, social justice, human rights, indigenous psychology, refugee rights, trauma, and resilience.

Iuliia Pavlova, Professor, D.Sc.

Iuliia Pavlova is a Professor of Lviv State University of Physical Culture (Ukraine), Doctor of Sciences, Ph.D. She is a member of the Scientific Council for the defence of dissertations, expert in National Research Foundation of Ukraine, member of the scientific and methodical commission of the higher education sector of the Scientific and Methodological Council of the Ministry of Education and Science of Ukraine. She was honoured in 2021 with the Gratitude from the Prime Minister of Ukraine for significant contribution to the development of education and science in Ukraine; in 2018 was honoured with Registered Scholarship of Supreme Council of Ukraine for the most talented Young Scientists.
Her researches are grounded in transdisciplinary social sciences, pedagogy and cross-cultural psychology and regard well-being, quality of life and physical activity, pro-health attitudes, mental health in a threat of experiencing military conflict. She is principal investigator of the project “Young Ukrainians’ Experiences and Perspectives of the Russia-Ukraine War. A Mixed-Methods Investigation on How to Promote Resilience and Sustainable Peacebuilding” (the project is the winner of the Small Grants Program 2022 by Division 48 APA: Society for the Study of Peace, Conflict & Violence).

pavlova.j.o@gmail.com  +380637626872

Dr Patricia Perez

Patricia H. A. Perez, PhD is an international psychologist, psychotherapist, qualitative researcher, developmental specialist, cultural expert, global consultant and speaker. She is an adjunct faculty in the Department of Psychology at Adler University Chicago. Dr. Perez is originally from Quezon City, Philippines. Dr. Perez received her Bachelor of Arts degree in Psychology from Northwestern University, Master of Education degree in Child Development (Infant Studies concentration) from the Erikson Institute and her Doctorate degree (Multicultural Counseling concentration) in Counseling Psychology from Loyola University Chicago. Dr. Perez has taught undergraduate and graduate courses in child development and psychology on-ground and online across seven higher education institutions for almost 30 years. Her areas of research and practice expertise include mental health and wellness, organizational leadership, philanthropy and development, children and families, disabilities and neurodiversity, community and belonging, child abuse and neglect, global trauma, career development/life coaching, international programming and education, global migration and mobility, acculturation psychology, and third culture kids/adults (TCK/As). Dr. Perez provides consultation nationally and internationally.
Dr. Perez was a 2018 recipient of the Elizabeth Hurlock Beckman Award for inspiring students to establish a concept, procedure, movement and/or organization that makes a difference in their communities. She is a member of Division 52 (International Psychology) of the American Psychological Association (APA) and has been appointed as the division representative for the APA’s Coalition for Psychology in Schools and Education. Dr. Perez is a member of APA’s Global Psychology Alliance. Since 2016, Dr. Perez has served as the chair of the scientific committee for the Middle East Psychological Association’s annual Conference and Expo. Dr. Perez is a past board member of the Illinois Association for Infant Mental Health and DUNK Grassroots (Accra, Ghana). She is a current board member of Kasamahan, a non-for-profit organization that supports Filipinx mental health professionals in the United States. Dr. Perez has been featured in the Chicago Tribune, Fox 32 Chicago, Chicago Magazine, Kuwait TV, Premier Magazine Philippines, WCIU The Jam, Journey’s Dream,Monitor on Psychology (APA), Insight Digital Magazine (The Chicago School), and the New York Post.

Dr Grant J Rich

Grant J. Rich received his Ph.D. in Psychology from the University of Chicago. His work focuses on optimal cross-cultural human development, resilience, posttraumatic growth, and international positive psychology. Dr. Rich has published over 82 peer reviewed journal articles/book chapters in leading journals including American Psychologist, Journal of Positive Psychology, Humanistic Psychologist, Professional Psychology: Research and Practice, and Journal of Aggression, Maltreatment, & Trauma. He is senior editor of eight international/cultural psychology books, including Pathfinders in International Psychology (2015) Internationalizing the Teaching of Psychology (2017), Human Strengths and Resilience: Developmental, Cross-Cultural, and International Perspectives (2018), Teaching Psychology Around the World, Volume 4 (2018), Teaching Psychology Around the World, Volume 5 (2020), Psychology in Southeast Asia (2020, Routledge) and Psychology in Oceania and the Caribbean (2022, Springer). He is lead editor of the book Psychosocial experiences and adjustment of migrants: Coming to the USA (in press with Elsevier, foreword by APA Past President Antonio Puente) and with Past APA President Frank Farley and Krishna Kumar is lead editor of the book International handbook of media psychology: The science and the practice (in contract with Springer). He is a Fellow of the Association for Psychological Science and is a Fellow of the American Psychological Association, and five of its divisions, including D2 (Teaching), D48 (Peace), and D52 (International). He has taught at institutions around the globe (e.g., Alaska, Cambodia, and India), and since 2013, on the Walden University faculty. He teaches courses in cultural psychology, disaster/trauma/crisis, lifespan in cultural context, research methods, and stereotyping/prejudice. A board-certified massage therapist, he edited the quantitative research book Massage Therapy: The Evidence for Practice, serving a term as NCBTMB National Board Member (2018-2019). A licensed social worker, he has served on medical missions internationally. He has served D48 successfully for three years as its APA Convention Program Chair, and, for four years, was Editor of D52’s substantial quarterly International Psychology Bulletin He serves on the editorial boards of PLOS One and APA”s journals Traumatology and Peace & Conflict, and he is President Elect of Division 48 (Peace).

Dr. Poonam Sharma

Poonam Sharma is an Associate Professor at the Department of Social Sciences at the Vellore Institute of Technology (VIT), Vellore. Dr Sharma had served at Amity Institute of Behavioural & Allied Sciences, Amity University, Maharashtra. She has significantly contributed to establishing the Behaviour and Allied Sciences School at AUM during her period. She has years of experience in the development and Academic sectors. She holds the Vice President position at the Bhartiya Counselling Psychology Association (BCPA). She has oriented students on diverse subjects like Psychological Disorders, Positive Psychology, Multicultural- Community Psychology and Counselling. She is working collaboratively with international experts from Evergreen State College USA, Wuyi University China, and Nha Trang University, Vietnam, to share and widen her knowledge and understanding of multicultural Psychology. She has developed a few MOOCs under the Open Education for Better World project of UNESCO and presented the same at the University of Nova Gorica, Slovenia. Dr Poonam has in-depth experience working in HIV & AIDS, Tuberculosis counselling, gender, and sexuality through capacity building and research. Apart from teaching, she has been associated with the Tata Institute of Social Sciences, Mumbai, developing modules and training on HIV/AIDS and TB Counselling. She has her PhD in the prevention of HIV among female sex workers. Apart from HIV, her areas of research and work are preventing Child Sexual abuse, the well-being of marginalised sections of society and education innovation. Dr Sharma is known for her open and flexible approach towards life. She has authored two books and many research papers.

Rekha Pareek Wagani