About Dr. Shari Shamsavari
Dr. Shari Shamsavari has over 30 years of volunteer and professional experience in teaching her life enhancing methods.
Biography
Doctor Shari was born in Syracuse, New York in 1948 and was educated in England, Iran, and the United States. She has served on many national boards that represent her diverse volunteer interests; from establishing a runaway shelter for girls in New York City, acting as Northern California representative for the Northern California Art Therapy Association to serving as a past President of the American Association of University Women. Dr. Shari is the current President of the Child and Adolescent Health Section of the Association for Applied Psychophysiology and Biofeedback (AAPB).
Her professional experience includes extensive work with children, establishing internships for MA-BA Psychology students, workshops with all levels of teachers, physicians / hospital staff, technology workers and many diverse non-profit organizations.
Education
- Ph.D. Philosophy and Social Sciences: Persian Women / Comparative Studies, The Union Institute, Cincinnati, OH
- Certification in Neurobiofeedback
- Art Therapy Registration, American Art Therapy Association
- M.A Psychology, Art Therapy Concentration, Sonoma State University, Rohnert Park, CA
- Rudolf Schaeffer School of Design, San Francisco, CA
- Triangle College, London, England
- Quatrieme Degree, Institute Francais de Teheran
National Board Positions
- 1980-1983 Nassau Children's House in New York City: Established Walk About Runaway Shelter for Girls
- 1987-1993 Mental Health Association of Marin County, CA Community Relations / Fund Raiser
- 1993-1995 American Association of University Women: Public Policy and Program
- 1995-1996 Northern California Art Therapy Association Area Representative (Marin/Sonoma)
- 1995-1997 American Association of University Women Washington D.C. Diversity Consultant: International Federation of University Women
- 1998 National Psychology Advisory Association; Board Member for International Student Programs and Recruitments
- 2000-2001 President of the American Association of University Women - Novato and State of California Diversity Chair
- Affiliate Scholar Center for Women on Research and Development, The Union Institute, Washington DC
Community Projects
- 2011: Nomination by Secretary of Education, State of Jalisco, to receive “Premio Nacional de Accion Voluntaria y Solidaria 2011.”
- Honor Dedication award for outstanding leadership and selfless contributions in organizing the cultural exchange program for the symphony of the children between Mexico and California. from Sonoma State University.
- 2011: Recognition by El Club Rotario de Guadalajara, A. C., for dedication to the children of Mexico, in particular the Orquesta Sinfonia Infantil y Juvenil Lomas del Paraiso
- 2011: Awarded Certificate of Honor by the Board of Supervisors of Sonoma County, California, in recognition of contribution to organizing the cultural exchange between the Rotary Clubs of Guadalajara, Mexico, and Santa Rosa, California, culminating in the performance of the Orquesta Infantil y Juvenil Lomas del Paraiso on June 11, 2011 at Sonoma State University
- 2011: Appointed as Ambassador for the Children of Jalisco, Mexico, in the project Suenos por un Identidad.
- 2010: Dissertation chosen to be included in Union Institute's publication Measures of Enduring Excellence: Journeys toward Greater Leadership and Service published in 2010.
- 2010: Appointed to Union Institute Board of Trustees.
- 2010 AAPB proposal: Children's Section and Section Chair of the association.
- 2009 Children's Symphony of Lomas del Paraiso (program under the secretary of culture in which children are taught to play instruments (planning began 2008; performance scheduled 2011 at SSU Green Music Center - an international program promoting cultural exchange) - Symphony of the children performing Arts Program Children of Lomas del Paraiso State of Jalisco 2011 Secretary of Culture Arq. Alejandro Cravioto Lebrija
- 2005-2006 school program of art therapy and biofeedback in the schools, State of Jalisco Escuela de Carnacion de Las Rosas Zona 99 Government Jalsico School Program with 387 children 2006
- 2005 established clinic Centro Rehabilitation Dif Jalisco Biofeedback Clinic 2005 For Governor's wife Seniora Maria Verdusco La Paz President DIF
- 2004 Art Therapy in Jalisco Program 2004 for DIF Program Governor's wife President Joana Cardenas President DIF Jalisco (orphans and refugees)
- 2002 Conference at Universidad Autonoma, Jalisco, on biofeedback
- 2001 Art therapy conference Universidad de Guadalajara
- 2001 Diversity Day State of California proclamation (planned in 1997)
- 2000 Presented a course at Universidad de Guadalajara, Department of Social Sciences, working with gifted children in art therapy
- 1995-1997 Marin County Art Therapy in the Schools Program
- 1993 Community University Action Project 1993, Sonoma State University
- 1993 Internship in with Community University Action Project, doing art therapy with a welfare recipient seeking to regain custody of her two children
- 1993-1995 Novato Youth Center, treating multicultural families and children with art therapy, on referral from probation department, Hispanic, Persian, Chinese, Vietnamese, African-American, Haitian.
- 1992 worked at Community School in Marin County with juvenile delinquents who had been expelled from their school in San Rafael Unified School district, via the Marin County Superintendent's Office, Mary Jane Burke, in an academic support program
- 1990 Yulupa Elementary School, Sunshine program after-school care, art therapy after-school program - self esteem program.