Dr. Naima Fatima Sheriff
Program: PhD– Institute of Professional Psychology- Karachi Campus
Batch: 2022
Program: M. PHIL, PROFESSIONAL PSYCHOLOGY– Institute of Professional Psychology – Karachi Campus
Batch: 2014
Program: BS-PSYCHOLOGY—Institute of Professional Psychology-Karachi Campus
Batch: Spring-2012
Consultant Clinical Psychologist
CEO and Co-founder,
Kumak-The Journey to Wellness
In 2008, I was at a crossroads in my life. I had always felt lost and very unsure of what I wanted to do. A spontaneous decision of pursuing psychology and enrolling in the BS programme at the Institute of Professional Psychology, Bahria University became the biggest blessing of my life.
The environment at IPP was unlike anything I had experienced before. The faculty was incredibly supportive, and for the first time in my academic journey, I experienced what it was like to have teachers and mentors who are genuine and supportive. They believed in my abilities more than i believed in myself and that made all the difference. As a result, my grades started to improve, a lost student like me became the topper and a position holder. It was a significant achievement, one that I could never have imagined before as a result I graduated with a Silver medal and a cum laude in BS.
Through my coursework and interaction with faculty, I discovered my passion for mental health. I fell in love with the field and the profession, and I knew that I wanted to continue down this path. This realization led me to enrol in an M.Phil. program in Professional Psychology (clinical group). But the real turning point in my life came in 2013 when I was offered a job as Clinical in charge at IPP. This opportunity allowed me to give back to the community that had given me so much. I started teaching here as a visiting faculty member, which eventually led to a permanent faculty position in 2014. Being at IPP never felt like coming to work. Instead, it felt like being a part of a family where everyone supported each other and encouraged one another to do their best. It was a place where I felt I could dream big and reach for the stars.
The decision to enroll in a PhD post my M.Phil as a gold medalist became very natural and organic for this is what I wanted to do and there was no question that i would do it at IPP. The experience of pursuing my doctoral degree was exceptional.
There were many points where I felt like I couldn’t do it any longer as I was wearing multiple caps of being the clinical in charge of Umeed e nau, an assistant professor and a PhD scholar and there were moments where I felt like I wanted to give up as I was simultaneously suffering from some health issues too. But never once did the people of this place give up on me. They became my biggest cheerleaders, supporters, mentors and therapists and made sure that I don’t give up on my dreams. As a result, I completed my PhD with a 4.0 CGPA in 2022.
Today, I am proud to be a part of the mental health field, leading my own mental health setup, teaching at university level, supervising other clinical psychologists and mental health workers and contributing to national and international mental health projects. When i reflect back it all seems like dream. The young girl that felt like she couldn’t do much has made a name for herself in the field and I owe it to my IPP family. To the people who never gave up on me. Wherever I am in life this place will always be home and I’ll always look back at this journey with warmth and love.