Asnea Tariq

Background

I hold my bachelor’s degree in Clinical Psychology with research on Self-criticism, Self-silencing, Loneliness and Depressive Symptoms among Adolescents and Young adults from Centre of Clinical Psychology at University of the Punjab, Pakistan. Later, I pursued my master’s degree in Clinical Psychology at Government College and University, Pakistan with a research on Early Maladaptive Schemas and Coping Styles in Patients with Obsessive Compulsive Disorder.

During my bachelors, I actively completed Clinical Placements and Case Reports in Adult and Child Psychiatry. Furthermore, during masters period, I took extensive training during clinical placements. I completed my adult placement at Psychiatry and Behavioral Science Department, Mayo Hospital,  Lahore while child placement at a Special Education Centre for Mentally Retarded Children in Lahore.

Professionally I have worked as an Internee Psychologist at Nawaz Sharif Social Security Hospital, Lahore, Pakistan, 2013. As a Visiting Lecturer and Clinical Placement Supervisor at Clinical Psychology Unit, Government College University, Lahore, Pakistan, 2016-2017.

I have been working as Lecturer of Psychology at University of Wah, Pakistan (on study leave) and currently, pursuing my PhD in Clinical Psychology at University of Edinburgh (UK) funded by the Higher Education Commission (HEC) of Pakistan

Qualifications

 

 

Research summary

I'm currently involved in research on depression and anxiety with particular focus on the role of early maladaptive schemas (EMS) and evaluating the  effectiveness of third wave therapeutic approaches, such as compassionate mind training and mindfulness based therapeutic approaches, in reducing the effects of maladaptive schemas and subsequent depression and anxiety symptoms. 

Different intervention techniques have been developed and identified in the past to overcome the effects of maladaptive schemas such as Schema Therapy (Young, 2003) to resolve the maladaptive schemas. Yet, there has not been sufficient research evidence to support that such interventions do indeed modify maladaptive schemas. My present research will examine evidence base using Self-help strategies  based on Compassionate Mind training and Mindfulness based Cognitive therapy as an alternative perspective to diminish the effect of maladaptive schemas rather than shifting these maladaptive schema.

Apart from this, I'm also working on a Systematic Review/Meta-analysis to critically analyze the exisiting literature in explaining the role of early maladaptive schemas in predicting depression and anxiety among Adolescents and Young adults, as well as to identify the research gap to create a base for future research. Another part of  the current research project will be an empirical study, that will comprise of an exploratory phase to explore the relationship between early maladaptive schemas, attachment styles and psychological distress (depression and anxiety)

The present research project is being designed and carried out under the supervision of Dr. Stella Chan and Dr. Corinne Reid

Past research interests

My MS research focuses on developing an understanding of predominant early maladaptive schemas in patients diagnosed with obsessions and compulsions (OCD) as well as to identify the coping strategies to deal with their schemas. During my BS degree in Clinical Psychology, I have conducted a research to explore the role of self-criticism and self-silencing in causing loneliness and depressive symptoms among Adolescents and Young Adults.