About Our Story
Pimmit Counseling & Wellness Clinic was founded in 2000 by Dr. Shahrzad Poorshaghaghi. In subsequent years, Dr. Poorshaghaghi expanded the clinic to include a Skill Building program and Applied Behavior Analysis (autism program), recognizing their shared foundation in fostering growth and independence for individuals. This expansion allowed her to develop services for those impacted by mental health conditions, including autism. Our diverse staff comprises a wide range of talented professionals, including Licensed Professional Counselors (LPCs), Qualified Mental Health Professionals (QMHPs), Board Certified Behavior Analysts (BCBAs), and Board Certified Assistant Behavior Analysts (BCaBAs).
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Dr. Shahrzad Poorshaghaghi
Ed.D.,L.P.C., NCC President & FounderI have been a licensed professional counselor, LPC, since 1999. I received my bachelor’s degree in psychology from Iran. In 1976, I moved to England and in 1977, I immigrated to the United States. I received my master’s and doctoral degree in Counseling Psychology from George Washington University in Washington D.C. From 1986 through 2004. I worked at Northern Virginia Community College and George Washington University Hospital in the Psychiatric Unit and at the Center for Multicultural Human Services (CMHS). In 2000, I established Pimmit Counseling & Wellness Clinic. During my professional experience, I worked with clients with multicultural backgrounds from all different age groups with a wide range of mental and emotional disorders. I speak Farsi fluently and have had the opportunity to work with many Farsi speaking clients. At my practice, I have been offering individual, family, couple, and group therapy. My best advice to others would be to understand that change does not come easily, but if you really want to make a difference in your life, I encourage you to join the challenge.
Iraj Poorshaghaghi
COEducation:Graduated from George Washington University, B.S. in Electrical Engineering & Computer Science, May 1981.
Professional Experience:
- NEC (Nippon Electric Company) – Chief Engineer, Automation of Sorting Center (1981–1985).
- PC Menu – Founder & Owner, Computer Solutions Company (1985–2012).
- PCWC (Pimmit Counseling & Wellness Clinic) – Director of Operations (2012–Present).
Responsibilities:
- Hiring and managing staff.
- Assigning tasks and overseeing daily operations.
- Ensuring smooth workflow while meeting all requirements.
Maryam Azari
L.P.C., QMHPMaryam is a dedicated mental health counselor with a Master of Science in Counseling from Johns Hopkins University. As a Licensed Professional Counselor (LPC), she offers individual, family, couple, and group therapy services. Maryam has a personal passion for working with clients of all ages and multicultural backgrounds, and she is deeply committed to helping them navigate the complexities of mental health and life in America, providing a safe space to explore and address challenges.
In addition to her counseling work, Maryam serves as the Supervisor of Pimmit’s Mental Health Skill Building program. In this role, she provides ongoing support and guidance to Qualified Mental Health Professionals (QMHPs) as they assist clients in achieving their goals of independent living and developing social skills.
Nazak Hosseini
M.A., L.P.C, QMHPNazak Hosseini is a seasoned mental health professional with over 15 years of expertise in individual, couple, and group therapy. Specializing in pre-marital and marital counseling, she is committed to helping clients cultivate strong, resilient relationships through evidence-based therapeutic approaches. As a Licensed Professional Counselor (LPC) certified by the Virginia Board, Nazak combines her clinical expertise with a compassionate, client-centered approach to deliver transformative care. She graduated with a degree in Counseling from the esteemed Islamic Azad University of Tehran in 2015, where she developed the academic and practical skills necessary to address diverse mental health and relational challenges effectively. Nazak is dedicated to empowering individuals and couples to navigate life’s complexities, fostering personal growth, emotional well-being, and meaningful connections.
Mahnaz Ganjali
Resident in Marriage and Family CounselingWith extensive experience working with individuals, couples, and families, Dr. Ganjali has addressed a wide range of issues, including depression, anxiety, schizophrenia, ADHD, marital challenges, relationship difficulties, and personal behavioral concerns. Throughout her career, she has worked in various settings, including homeless shelters, private practice, and, for the past several years, at Pimmit Counseling and Wellness Clinic. Dr. Ganjali takes great pride in being part of a highly professional and dedicated team committed to providing support and care to patients in need.
Sahar Asadi
QMHPFatemeh Asadi is a Qualified Mental Health Professional (QMHP) with a bachelor’s degree in clinical psychology and 29 years of experience in the field. Since 2018, she has specialized in skill-building and worked as a behavior technician at Pimmit Counseling and Wellness Clinic, using her expertise to support individuals in achieving their goals. Her dedication and extensive knowledge ensure high-quality care and effective outcomes for those she serves.
Vida Darkaleh
QMPHVida Darkaleh is a Qualified Mental Health Professional (QMHP) specializing in skill-building programs that help individuals enhance their independence and mental well-being. She works closely with clients to develop essential skills such as emotional regulation, communication, problem-solving, and goal-setting. With a compassionate, client-centered approach, Vida empowers individuals to overcome challenges and improve their daily functioning. She is dedicated to supporting clients in building confidence, self-sufficiency, and resilience, helping them achieve their full potential.
Pouyan Kheradmand
QMHPPouyan Kheradmand holds a B.A. in Psychology from George Mason University and is currently pursuing an M.A. in Counseling at the Chicago School of Professional Psychology. Passionate about the transformative power of psychology, Pouyan is dedicated to helping individuals overcome challenges and achieve personal growth. With a strong commitment to making a positive impact, he empowers others to lead more fulfilling and meaningful lives. Outside of his academic and professional pursuits, Pouyan enjoys meditating, reading, and swimming, which help him maintain balance and further expand his knowledge and self-awareness in the field.
Roshanak Safiardestani
M.A., BCBA, LBAClinical Supervisor
Roshanak graduated from Florida Institute of Technology with a Master of Arts in Professional Behavior Analysis and has been a Board Certified Behavior Analyst since 2020. Roshanak has been working with children and adolescents ranging in age from 2 to 21 years old who have been diagnosed with Autism Spectrum Disorder, Developmental Disabilities, ADHD, Global Developmental Delay, and Intellectual Disabilities. Her ABA experience includes working in a multitude of settings, such as: home, school, and community. Roshanak is bilingual and speaks fluent Farsi. She focuses on teaching social skills and independent living skills. She worked as a Registered Behavior Technician for three years and has a lot of experience with 1:1 ABA therapy, especially for children who have aggressive or challenging behaviors. With her knowledge, she is able to provide great guidance and mentorship to behavior therapists during office and home monitoring.
Maryam Jafardokht
M.S., BCBA, LBA Clinical SupervisorMaryam earned her Master’s degree in Family Counseling from Allameh Tabatabaee University in 2009. She continued her education at Florida University, earning her MS in Psychology in 2022, and became a Board-Certified Behavior Analyst (BCBA) the same year. She has extensive experience working with children and adolescents aged 2 to 21 diagnosed with Autism Spectrum Disorder, developmental disorders, ADHD, ADD, and intellectual disabilities. Maryam began her career in Applied Behavior Analysis (ABA) in 2018 at Pimmit Counseling and Wellness Clinic, where she worked as a Registered Behavior Technician (RBT). In this role, she provided direct services, including 1:1 therapy and parent training, in various settings such as homes and community environments.
Trevor Hamman
B.S., BCaBA, LABA Assistant SupervisorIn 2017, Trevor joined our team as a behavior technician (BT) and later advanced to the role of Registered Behavior Technician (RBT), and he is currently working as one of our Board Certified Assistant Behavior Analysts (BCaBA). Within ABA, Trevor enjoys implementing Functional Communication Training, which includes monthly educational gatherings, onboarding, management tactics, and client advocacy. In his free time, he enjoys spending time with family and friends, hiking, playing golf, and traveling the world.
Toufic Maged
HR DirectorWorking at Pimmit Counseling since 2018, Toufic has found great satisfaction in recruiting talented and dedicated team members for all programs. This role has been fulfilling both professionally and emotionally, as he understands the essential services they provide to clients. When asked to further contribute to the Pimmit family by providing SafetyCare training to employees, Toufic enthusiastically embraced the opportunity to help staff perform their jobs more safely and protect their clients from harm.
Nushin Sullivan
Admin DirectorNushin started working at PCWC in 2020. She is responsible for coordinating staff schedules and assisting new hires with their onboarding process. In addition to her administrative role at the office, she supports various aspects of daily operations. Born in the United States to a Persian family, Nushin is bilingual in Farsi. In her spare time, she enjoys cooking, hiking, being outdoors, and spending time with friends, family, and her rescued dog.
