Beyond Identification

Welcome to Beyond Identification

This program focuses on the practice of psychotherapy grounded in a heart-centered approach. The heart has been recognized as a center of awareness in many spiritual traditions since ancient times. Recently, the field of psychotherapy has begun to recognize its relevance, from both neurobiological and experiential perspectives, yet there is still much to be learned about the role of the heart in promoting human development and healing.

Read more about this program, and the interplay of psychology and spirituality in Sufism: An Inquiry.

Beyond Identification Team

Hamaseh Kianfar, Ed.D. is a Registered Associate of Marriage and Family Therapy and has earned her Doctoral Degree in Education.  Hamaseh currently works as a Mental Health Practitioner for Behavioral Health and Recovery Services for the county of Marin. Prior to her work for Marin County, Hamaseh worked as a Mental Health Practitioner, providing direct therapeutic services, crisis intervention, facilitating mental health groups, and providing psychodiagnostic court evaluations for juveniles and adults impacted by the criminal justice system. Hamaseh believes that working in a collaborative way with community providers, providing culturally informed care, and keeping the client at the center of services is integral. Hamaseh has served as a commissioner for Marin County’s Human Rights Committee and is committed to equity for all and the promotion of community-based social justice. Hamaseh is certified in a variety of groups and tools, including Seeking Safety, Anger Management, J-SOAP-II, JSORRAT-II, CANS, Parenting for the Inside Out, Thinking for Change, Criminal Conduct and Substance Use, Motivational Interviewing, and Restorative Practices.

Leili First, Ph.D. is a student of Uwaiysi Sufism and a long-time member of the International Association of Sufism. Dr. First has given lectures on Sufism and Women in Islam at colleges and universities and presented at the Annual Sufism Symposium and Parliament of the World’s Religions. She has served on the Marin Interfaith Council, and as a Sufi Women Organization representative at the United Nations meeting of NGOs. She holds a Ph.D. in Transformative Studies.

Jamal Lawrence Granick, Ph.D., is a licensed psychotherapist in California and New Mexico. He is student of Uwaiysi Sufism under the guidance of Dr. Nahid Angha and Shah Nazar Dr. Seyyed Ali Kianfar, the founding directors of International Association of Sufism. Dr. Granick is a member of IAS and serves on its Executive Committee, and has participated in many of its programs, including presenting on Sufism and Psychology nationally and internationally. He also holds a fourth degree black belt in Aikido which he teaches in a regular weekly class. Jamal obtained a Ph.D. from the Institute of Transpersonal Psychology in 2011, and did his doctoral research on transpersonal aspects of therapist’s presence in psychotherapy.

Mary Toth Granick, M.Ed, LMFT is a licensed Marriage and Family Therapist and maintains a private practice in California and New Mexico.  She works with individual adults, couples, adolescents and their families. She also has extensive experience and a background in school-based counseling services. Ms. Toth Granick is a student of Uwaiysi Sufism and a member of the International Association of Sufism. She has contributed articles in the SPF Newsletter and the journal, Sufism: An Inquiry. She has also presented her work with Sufism and Psychology at various retreats in the Bay Area.

Arife Ellen Hammerle, Ph.D. is a senior teacher of the Uwaiysi School of Sufism, guided by Sufi Masters Dr. Nahid Angha and Shah Nazar Seyyed Dr. Ali. Kianfar. Dr. Hammerle is a member of the International Association of Sufism and sits on the Executive Committee for the Institute for Sufi Studies. She is a psychotherapist and published author who teaches courses at the Institute for Sufi Studies and 40 Days Alchemy of Tranquility Program. She is a licensed Marriage and Family Therapist who holds a doctorate in clinical psychology. Dr. Hammerle is a psychotherapist and clinical supervisor with the Community Healing Centers, an integrative psychotherapy non-profit organization. She is a published author who has written numerous books and articles on spirituality and psychology.

Elizabeth Miller, Ph.D., is a student of Uwaiysi Sufism under the guidance of Dr. Nahid Angha and Shah Nazar Seyyed Dr. Ali Kianfar.  She is a member of the Sufi Women Organization Council and serves on the editorial team of Sufism: An Inquiry.. Dr. Miller works as an educator and professor of Philosophy and Religion, and is co-founder of a Bay Area nonprofit.  Her research focuses on heart-based approaches to evaluation and learning, and draws on Sufism, science and psychology.

Katherine Preston, MA, LMFT is a licensed Marriage and Family Therapist, and has been a practicing psychotherapist for over twenty-five years. She maintains a private practice in San Francisco and has held many clinical leadership positions overseeing and providing clinical training and supervision for therapeutic services throughout the Bay Area. Ms. Preston is a student of Uwaiysi Sufism and a member of International Association of Sufism. Ms. Preston serves as moderator for the 40 Days – Alchemy of Tranquility Program.

Amineh Amelia Pryor, Ph.D., LMFT is a student of Uwaiysi Sufism under the guidance of Sufi Masters Dr. Nahid Angha and Shah Nazar Seyyed Dr. Ali Kianfar. Dr. Pryor is co-director of the Sufism and Psychology Forum and co-editor of the SPF Newsletter, a department of International Association of Sufism. Dr. Pryor is a clinical supervisor and psychotherapist at the Community Healing Centers in San Francisco. She presents at local and international conferences and has published articles in the fields of spirituality, psychology, consciousness, and science. Dr. Pryor is the author of Psychology in Sufism and co-author of Sufi Grace.As a presenter and group facilitator in the 40 Days – Alchemy of Tranquility® Program she also experiences the benefits of the 40 Days practices in her own life.

**International Association of Sufism is approved by the California Association of Marriage and Family Therapists, as required by the California Board of Behavioral Sciences, to sponsor continuing education for LCSWs, LMFTs, and LEPs,  Provider number: 95354. IAS maintains responsibility for this program/course and its content. Continuing Education grievances and request for refunds, disability accommodations, copies of CEU certificates or other records should be directed to spf@ias.org. For our policies pertaining to these matters, please go to the policies page.