Chief Traumatologist Seema Sharma
Research, Speaking & Authority
Chief Traumatologist Seema Sharma brings 25+ years of corporate leadership, a PhD in contemplative neuroscience of consciousness studies from California Institute of Integral Studies, and a deep clinical stack spanning somatic experiencing, complex trauma, sex therapy, and global healing research across five continents. Her work bridges the gap between Western clinical psychology and the wisdom traditions that have supported human healing for millennia. Below is a complete record of her research, speaking engagements, leadership roles, and media presence.
Published Research
Chief Traumatologist Sharma's doctoral research focuses on the role of spiritual resourcing in insulating female leaders from loneliness in corporate America. Her peer-reviewed publications, presented at major conferences including the American Psychological Association (APA), American Psychological Society (APS), American College of Forensic Psychology (ACFP), and the International Society for the Study of Trauma and Dissociation (ISSTD), span childhood sexual abuse, intimate partner violence, organizational trauma, parental alienation in family systems, and the intersection of psilocybin-assisted healing with loneliness epidemiology. All publications are co-authored with research faculty at Fielding Graduate University and California Institute of Integral Studies.
Dissertation
The Role of Spiritual Resourcing in Insulating Female Leaders from Loneliness in Corporate America. Doctoral dissertation, California Institute of Integral Studies. Available via CIIS repository and ProQuest Dissertations & Theses.
Peer-Reviewed Publications & Conference Presentations
2024
Characteristics of Childhood Sexual Abuse Predict Sexual Dysfunction Symptoms for Men but Not Women. Poster presentation. Co-authored with Kimberly Keiser and Kristine Jacquin, Fielding Graduate University.
Marginalization of Psi Phenomenon and Research Disenfranchises those with Parapsychological Experiences. Poster presentation. Co-authored with Kristine Jacquin, Fielding Graduate University.
Frequency and Amount of Childhood Sexual Abuse Predict Adult Interpersonal Sensitivity. Poster presentation. Co-authored with Makyla Jones and Kristine Jacquin, Fielding Graduate University.
Litigators May Prevent Emotional and Psychological Suffering in Children by Identifying Parental Alienation in High-Conflict Divorce Cases. Presentation, American College of Forensic Psychology Symposium. Co-authored with Kristine Jacquin, Fielding Graduate University.
2023
The Impact of Psilocybin on the Loneliness Epidemic. Poster presentation. Co-authored with Kristine Jacquin, Fielding Graduate University.
Jurors' Beliefs about Mental Illness Predict Juror Decisions in a Rape Case. Poster presentation. Co-authored with Raychelle Allen and Kristine Jacquin, Fielding Graduate University.
Childhood Maltreatment and Maladaptive Schemas Predict Emotion Dysregulation in Adults. Poster presentation. Co-authored with Nicauris Ubiera and Kristine Jacquin, Fielding Graduate University.
Child Behavior May Help Litigators Differentiate between Parental Alienation and Abuse in High-Conflict Divorce Cases. Poster presentation, American College of Forensic Psychology Symposium. Co-authored with Kristine Jacquin, Fielding Graduate University. Awarded Honorable Mention for Research at the 38th Annual American College of Forensic Psychology Symposium.
Organizational Culture May Impact the Development of PTSD in Sexual Harassment Victims: A PRISMA Systematic Review. Poster presentation. Co-authored with Kristine Jacquin, Fielding Graduate University.
The Impact of Receptor Degradation and Psychotropic Medication Practices on Inmates with PTSD. Poster presentation. Co-authored with Kristine Jacquin, Fielding Graduate University.
Juror Beliefs About Mental Illness and Consequences of Rape Predict Juror Decisions in Litigation. Poster presentation. Co-authored with Kristine Jacquin, Fielding Graduate University.
Human Insecurity Predicts Intimate Partner Violence Against Women. Poster presentation. Co-authored with Deja Joi Brewster and Kristine Jacquin, Fielding Graduate University.
Somatic Experiencing May Mitigate Retraumatization in Sexual Harassment Victims with PTSD during Litigation. Poster presentation. Co-authored with Kristine Jacquin, Fielding Graduate University.
Undergraduate Thesis
Intergenerational Perceptions from East-Indian Youth on Arranged Marriages. Sharma, S. (1999, May). Scripps College, Claremont, CA. Advisor: Dr. LeMaster.
Chief Traumatologist Sharma's research spans trauma neuroscience, workplace psychology, organizational culture, intimate partner violence, parental alienation, forensic psychology, psilocybin-assisted healing, consciousness studies, parapsychology, dissociative disorders, and the neurobiological basis of spiritual experience. Her work is informed by 25 years in Fortune 500 corporate leadership (General Motors, Pinterest, CBRE, Rexford Industrial, Temasek Holdings) and training under leading trauma neuroscientists and somatic practitioners including Peter Levine (Somatic Experiencing), Gabor Maté (Compassionate Inquiry), Dick Schwartz (Internal Family Systems), and faculty at California Institute of Integral Studies and Fielding Graduate University.
Speaking & Conferences
Chief Traumatologist Sharma has presented original research and thought leadership at major national conferences, including the American Psychological Association (APA), American Psychological Society (APS), and American College of Forensic Psychology (ACFP). Her research presentations span childhood sexual abuse, intimate partner violence, parental alienation, forensic psychology, organizational trauma, psilocybin-assisted healing, and the marginalization of parapsychological experiences in clinical practice. She has earned awards for research excellence and continues to present at national and international conferences.
Conference Presentations & Research (2022–2024)
Chief Traumatologist Sharma has presented 16+ research papers at major national conferences. Notable presentations include emotional abuse and borderline personality disorder across gender identities, the impact of psilocybin on the loneliness epidemic, parental alienation in high-conflict divorce cases (which received Honorable Mention for Research), organizational culture's impact on PTSD in sexual harassment victims, juror beliefs about mental illness and decision-making in rape cases, and somatic experiencing as mitigation for retraumatization in sexual harassment litigation.
Conferences include American Psychological Association (APA) conventions in Seattle (2024), Washington DC (2023), and Minneapolis (2022); Association for Psychological Science (APS) conventions in San Francisco (2024), Washington DC (2023), and Chicago (2022); and American College of Forensic Psychology (ACFP) symposiums in San Diego (2024, 2023, 2022).
Guest Lectures & Specialized Presentations
Chief Traumatologist Sharma has delivered guest lectures and specialized presentations on somatic therapy, the Gottman Method, trauma-informed parenting, and clinician training at California Institute of Integral Studies, Jenesse Center (Los Angeles), Wholistic Soul, and graduate psychology programs.
June 27, 2026 - Wholistic Soul. Guest speaker on several panels related to mental health and wellness. Long Beach, CA
June 28, 2025 - Wholistic Soul. Guest speaker on several panels related to mental health and wellness. Long Beach, CA
October 15, 2021 — The Gottman Method. Guest speaker, Relationship Counseling class, California Institute of Integral Studies, San Francisco, CA.
March 12, 2021 — Somatic & Sensorimotor Resourcing for Children. Parenting class presenter, Jenesse Center, Los Angeles, CA.
Leadership & Service
Chief Traumatologist Sharma holds faculty and leadership positions at two leading graduate institutions and serves as a board member and leader at a major BIPOC-led nonprofit organization focused on collective wellness and holistic empowerment. Her leadership brings clinical expertise in trauma, consciousness studies, and community-centered healing to institutional and community initiatives.
Academic Leadership
California Institute of Integral Studies
Adjunct Professor, Counseling Psychology
San Francisco, CA
Chief Traumatologist Sharma teaches graduate-level courses in trauma, psychopharmacology, human sexuality, and counseling psychology at California Institute of Integral Studies. She develops curriculum and lesson plans, mentors students through experiential learning, and provides clinical supervision. Her courses include Psychopharmacology (biological bases of behavior, psychotropic medications, indications, and contraindications), Human Sexuality (assessment, diagnosis, treatment of sexual health issues), and Psychopathology & Psychological Assessment (diagnosis, clinical interviewing, assessment).
Fielding Graduate University
Research Affiliate
Santa Barbara, CA
Chief Traumatologist Sharma conducts peer-reviewed research at Fielding Graduate University's School of Psychology, where she serves as Research Assistant in the Forensic Neuropsychology Research Lab under Dr. Kristine Jacquin. She participates in weekly research meetings, designs research with human subjects, processes and analyzes quantitative and qualitative data, and presents research findings at major conferences. Fielding is home to her post-baccalaureate certificate in clinical psychology and the foundation for her published trauma research.
Nonprofit Leadership
Wholistic Soul
Vice President, Board of Directors
Atlanta, GA
Chief Traumatologist Sharma serves as Vice President and Board Member at Wholistic Soul, a nonprofit organization devoted to the empowerment and holistic wellness of BIPOC communities. The organization integrates mental health, financial resilience, and community healing initiatives rooted in collectivist and cultural frameworks. Chief Traumatologist Sharma brings her expertise in trauma-informed care, consciousness studies, and culturally attuned healing to the organization's leadership and strategic direction.
Visit Wholistic Soul: https://www.wholisticsoul.org/
International Society for the Study of Trauma and Dissociation (ISSTD)
Moderator, Board Member (2021–2023)
Arlington, VA
Chief Traumatologist Sharma served as moderator and volunteer for the International Society for the Study of Trauma and Dissociation, reviewing forum posts and classified materials for compliance with organizational standards and fostering a culture of curiosity and evidence-informed learning within the trauma research and clinical community.
Podcast Appearances
Chief Traumatologist Sharma has appeared as a guest expert and thought leader on podcasts spanning trauma recovery, workplace psychology, consciousness studies, and somatic healing. Her appearances bridge clinical research with accessible conversation about healing, nervous system resilience, and the integration of body, mind, and spirit.
Body Justice
Episode 74: Pain that Pierces the Soul: Healing from Sexual Trauma & Eating Disorders with Seema Sharma, PHD
Date: October 17, 2025
Duration: 45 minutes
Host: Allyson
Topic: The soul wounding of sexual trauma, types of sexual trauma, helpful therapy approaches, the connection between sexual trauma and eating disorders, and what healing can look like. Content warning: explicit discussion of sexual abuse.
Link: Listen on Apple Podcasts | Listen on Spotify
ANEW Insight
Episode 65: How Consciousness Heals Trauma | Remote Viewing, Somatic Therapy & Breathwork
Date: April 14, 2025
Duration: 30 minutes
Host: Dr. Supatra Tovar
Topic: How consciousness is the key to unlocking deep trauma healing. Explores government-sponsored remote viewing programs, somatic therapy, breathwork, energy-based healing, holotropic breathwork, the limbic system and trauma, intergenerational trauma healing, transpersonal psychology, APA Division 32 consciousness research, and studies from Duke and the University of Arizona on consciousness and perception. Discusses how one person's healing can ripple through generations.
Link: Listen on Apple Podcasts | Learn More at ANEW Insight
Queer Therapists Talk Wayward
Episode 8: Leap
Date: April 14, 2025
Duration: 30 minutes
Host: Em Martinelli & Avery Philips
Topic:
Link: Listen on Apple Podcasts | Learn More at Queer Therapists Talk Wayward
Articles & Press
Chief Traumatologist Sharma's insights on workplace trauma, somatic healing, loneliness epidemiology, and the neuroscience of consciousness have been featured in peer-reviewed publications, professional journals, popular media outlets, and expert commentary on trauma-related news and workplace psychology.
Canvas Rebel
Profile: Meet Seema Sharma
An in-depth interview exploring Chief Traumatologist Sharma's 25+ years in corporate leadership, her transition into clinical trauma work, her unique integration of somatic therapy with depth psychology, and her approach to healing motivated professionals and overachievers. Discusses the Loneliness Epidemic, workplace culture, and why clinicians need to understand the corporate context of their clients.
Link: Read the full interview
Good.is
Article: If a Song Moves You, Does It Matter Who Made It?
Published: April 9, 2026
Chief Traumatologist Sharma contributes expert commentary on the neuroscience of consciousness, emotional connection, and music as a form of non-verbal healing. As a researcher on the power of music in elevating consciousness and healing trauma, she contextualizes why listeners respond to music regardless of the source (human or AI) and what that reveals about human connection and meaning-making.
Quote: "AI Music or not, we listen to music because it is a form of connection as old as time. It allows us to feel and tap into a non-verbal form of connection."
Link: Read the article
Voyage LA
Profile: Hidden Gems: Meet Seema Sharma of Legacy Trauma Therapy
An interview with Chief Traumatologist Sharma on her clinical practice, specialization in workplace trauma and executive wellness, and her approach to depth-oriented therapy. Featured in Voyage LA's Hidden Gems series profiling innovative leaders and practitioners in the Los Angeles wellness and mental health space.
Link: Read the interview
Fourth Wave / Medium
Article: Thousands of Men Are Drugging & Assaulting Their Wives While They Sleep
Published: April 20, 2026
By Maria Cassano
An investigative article exposing drug-facilitated sexual assault (DFSA) and the online forums that facilitate it. Chief Traumatologist Sharma provides clinical and trauma-informed commentary on the neurobiological impact of sexual assault, trauma recovery, and treatment approaches for survivors of intimate partner violence and sexual abuse.
The Work Continues
Chief Traumatologist Seema Sharma's research, speaking, and leadership serve a single purpose: to advance the understanding and treatment of trauma at the intersection of neuroscience, clinical psychology, somatic healing, and consciousness studies. Her work honors both the rigor of Western science and the wisdom of global healing traditions that have supported human resilience for millennia.
If you are a media outlet, academic institution, conference organizer, or organization seeking expert commentary or collaboration on trauma, workplace psychology, consciousness studies, or somatic healing, you are welcome to reach out.