Dhara Thakar Meghani

Dhara Meghani

Associate Professor

Program Director
Socials

Biography

Dr. Meghani is a core faculty member, licensed psychologist, and program director in the School of Nursing and Health Professions Clinical Psychology PsyD program. Her research concerns the promotion of infant and perinatal mental health and family relationships through the design and implementation of inclusive, culturally attuned, evidence-based interventions aimed to reduce stress, anxiety, and depression in the transition to parenthood.

Dr. Meghani is the founder of Parentline, a free telehealth service that provides psychological support to parents of children from birth to three years of age. Parentline also partners with community agencies, non-profit organizations, and employers to provide consultation, training, parent support groups and psychoeducational workshops.

Expertise

  • Child, adolescent, and family psychology
  • Psychodynamic, brief/strategic, and solutions-focused therapy
  • South Asian diaspora acculturation and mental health
  • Program development and community partnerships

Research Areas

  • Perinatal, infant, and early childhood mental health
  • Telehealth interventions, access, and equity
  • Graduate student education and professional development

Appointments

  • Program Director, Clinical Psychology PsyD Program
  • Co-Chair, University Academic Integrity Committee
  • Member, School of Nursing and Health Professions Peer Review Committee
  • Member, School of Nursing and Health Professions Academic Standards Committee
  • Faculty Advisor, Clinical Psychology PsyD Program Peer Mentoring Program
  • Co-Chair, Clinical Psychology PsyD Program Comprehensive Exams Committee

Education

  • UCSF/ZSFG Clinical Psychology Training Program, Clinical Internship and Postdoctoral Fellowship, 2009-2011
  • University of Massachusetts Amherst, PhD in Clinical Psychology, 2010
  • University of Massachusetts Amherst, MS in Clinical Psychology, 2007
  • UC Berkeley, BA in Psychology (Anthropology minor), 2003

Prior Experience

  • Assistant Professor in Applied Human Development, Erikson Institute
  • Staff Clinician, Center for Children and Families, Erikson Institute
  • Project Director, Fussy Baby Network MIECHV Training Grant, Erikson Institute

Awards & Distinctions

  • University of San Francisco Office of the Provost Community-Engaged Learning Award, 2020

  • University of San Francisco Office of the Provost Educational Effectiveness Award, 2019

  • Constellation Philanthropy Training Grant, Co-PI, 2019

  • American Psychological Association Division 37 Early Career Research Grant, 2018

  • University of San Francisco Office of the Provost Mentor of the Year, 2018

  • Asian American Journal of Psychology Feature Article (First Author), March 2016

Selected Publications

  • Meghani, D.T. (2020). Finding predictability in uncertain times: 6 tips for parents. Medium [web log]. 

  • Meghani, D.T. & Ferm, B.R. (2019). Development of a Standardized Patient Evaluation Exam: An innovative model for health service psychology programs. Training and Education in Professional Psychology.

  • Meghani, D.T. (2019). Self-care together: Strategies that benefit early career psychology faculty and psychology doctoral trainees. Psychotherapy Bulletin, 54(2), 5-12.

  • Meghani, D.T. (2018). Promoting resilience through early parenting challenges. Profiles in Community-Engaged Learning, University of San Francisco, 2017-18, 32-34.

  • Meghani, D.T. & Harvey, E.A. (2016). Asian Indian international students’ trajectories of depression, acculturation, and enculturation. Asian American Journal of Psychology, 7(1), 1-14.

  • Thakar, D.A., Coffino, B., & Lieberman, A.F. (2013). Maternal symptomatology and parent-child relationship functioning in a diverse sample of young children exposed to trauma. Journal of Traumatic Stress, 26, 217-224