Zamzam Dini is a doctoral fellow in the 2021-2022 class of the Minority Fellowship Program (MFP) with the Interdisciplinary Minority Fellowship Program (IMFP) American Psychological Association (APA). She received her B.A. in psychology from the University of Washington and her M.A. in marriage and family therapy from Saint Mary’s University of Minnesota. Zamzam is currently pursuing a Ph.D. in family social science with a specialization in couples and family therapy at the University of Minnesota. She has professional experience working at the Minnesota Trauma Recovery Institute as a therapist with specialization in brainspotting, narrative exposure therapy, and PTSD treatments.
Zamzam was initially drawn to the MFP because of the opportunities to network with other students of color within her field. She shared, “I sought out the Minority Fellowship Program because I wanted to build a community and network of students of color, like myself who were non-existent in my program. I felt very isolated in my program and being able to join the MFP has helped me immensely.”
When reflecting on how the MFP has enriched her academic and professional career, Zamzam shared that it has provided her with access to invaluable training opportunities. She stated, “Through the MFP, I have access to various trainings that I would not have been able to attend otherwise. Academically, being a part of the MFP has given me the experience of what it is like to apply for funding and has helped build my CV. The various webinars sent to us via SAMHSA or the MFP give me the opportunity to learn continuously throughout the year as well.”
Participating in the MFP has also helped Zamzam build and nurture her professional network. She remarked, “I am amazed at the caliber of the mentors we have access to through the MFP, and I am fortunate to be a part of this program. Not only are we connected to MFP mentors that help build our professional network, but we are also introduced to incredible scholars through webinars and training who we can connect and network with as well. We also build our network by connecting with other fellows and learning various research being done in the country.”
After completing her Ph.D. program, Zamzam plans to seek her professional licensure and join academia. She explained, “I want to become a certified brainspotting clinician and continue to develop my tools in treating trauma. I also want to become independently licensed as an LMFT. My ultimate goal is to become a faculty member in a clinical MFT program where I can conduct research, teach, and stay clinically active.”
Zamzam plans to apply the knowledge and skills acquired from the MFP to her work as a clinician, a community activist, advocate, and future professor. She stated, “The trainings I have had the opportunity to attend will help me become a better clinician and provide me with the necessary tools to serve my community adequately. I am also learning how to build my network and connect with other scholars across disciplines, which will help me immensely in my professional career when seeking an academic role across the country.”
When asked what advice she had for anyone thinking about applying to the MFP, Zamzam said, “Do it! The experience that you will gain is invaluable and cannot be replicated elsewhere. This experience will enrich your life in ways that you will not expect. This program will remind you that you are not alone, your experiences are valid, and there are people who care.” She went on to say, “I want to really encourage other C/MFT students to apply for the APA IMFP. We are taught a systems perspective during our training and the IMFP will provide us with invaluable experience to work on an interdisciplinary team. I really appreciate the interdisciplinary aspect that the APA has incorporated into their MFP. The IMFP drew me to apply to the program, as being able to come together across disciplines is such an important and unique experience.”