Faculty: Shyamala Venkataraman, PhD

Portrait photo of Shyamala Venkataraman

Shyamala Venkataraman, PhD

Associate Professor, Clinical Psychology Department

Faculty, Asian Mental Health Concentration

Faculty Consultant to Registrar

Email
shyamala_​venkataram​an@williamjames.edu
Phone
617-327-6777 x1240
Degree Major/Minor Institution Year
PhD Clinical Psychology Clark University 1986
MA Psychology Mount Holyoke College 1979
BSc Botany SRC College, Tiruchirappalli, India 1975

Courses Taught

  • Clinical Seminar
  • Life Span Development
  • Clinical Practice of Family Therapy
  • Theory and Practice of Family Therapy

Research and Practice Interests

  • Child and Family Development
  • Culture and Attachment
  • Immigration, Acculturation and Identity
  • Trauma and Resilience
  • Asian Mental Health
  • Life Cycle Transitions

Professional Licenses and Certifications

  • Licensed Psychologist, Massachusetts (since 2000)
  • Licensed in New York (1987-2002)

Awards

  • Mintz Chair in Professional Psychology, 2012-2013, Massachusetts School of Professional Psychology
  • Faculty Award for Teaching Excellence, 2009, Massachusetts School of Professional Psychology
  • WJC Faculty Professional Development Grant, Weil Foundation, 2014-2015

Publications and Presentations

  • Diaz, S., Ott, B, & Venkataraman, S. (2020) The Relationship of Passive vs. Active Social Media Use and depression. Accepted for 2020 Annual Meeting of the Massachusetts Psychological Association.
  • Allard, T., Ott, B., & Venkataraman, S. (2019). Deployment communication and its relationship to Adjustment and relationship satisfaction. Annual Convention of the Association for Psychological Science.
  • Panelist, Book Discussion, “Still Becoming,” (Svenson & Banks 2018). William James College, March 2018.
  • Panelist, Book Discussion, Aging Wisely (Silverman & Siegel, 2017) William James College, Sept. 2017.
  • Invited Participant, Panel Discussion of Identity Dialogues, Psychology Internship Training Program, Department of Psychiatry. (April 2017). BU School of Medicine, Boston, MA.
  • Moderator, Psychology of Human Nature in Cinema: Family Dynamics (for the film “Meet the Patels,”, April 2016). Museum of Fine Arts, Boston, MA.
  • Moderator, Psychology of Human Nature in Cinema: Family Dynamics (for the film, Dheepan, April 2017). Museum of Fine Arts, Boston, MA.
  • Invited Presentation, “Attachment theory and couples therapy.” (January 2010). Roger Williams University Counseling Center, RI.
  • Invited Lecturer, Theories of Psychological Development. (January 2009).TUFTS School of Medicine, Boston, MA

Concurrent Leadership, Service and Professional Activities

  • Private practice, Newton, MA.

Prior Experience

  • Consultant, and Psychology Training Supervisor, Couples and Family Clinic, Outpatient Psychiatry, Cambridge Health Alliance (HMS Teaching Affiliate, 2000-2025).
  • Clinical Instructor of Psychology, Department of Psychiatry, Harvard Medical School. Taught training seminar in Foundatons in Couples and Family Therapy (2004-2025).
  • Consulting Psychologist, NorthEast Parent and Child Society, Schenectady, NY (1994-2002).
  • Assistant Professor, SUNY, College in Oneonta (1993-1997).
  • Director of Quality Assurance, Albany County Mental Health Center (1990-1993).
  • Staff Psychologist, Adult and Child Treatment Programs, Albany County Mental Health Center (1984-1990).
  • Private practice, MA (2004-2024).
  • Private Practice, Capital District of NY. (1991-2000)

Professional Affiliations

  • American Psychological Association (APA)
  • Asian American Psychological Association (AAPA)

My overall framework

In the course of my career over the last several decades, I have taught and practiced clinical psychology in the States of New York and Massachusetts. In my academic, research and professional work, I bring an overall perspective that integrates a cultural, developmental and systemic lens.