Dr. Afzal earned her undergraduate degree in Psychology, with a minor in Developmental Psychology, from the University of California, Los Angeles (UCLA). She went on to complete both her Master’s and doctorate (Psy.D.) in Clinical Psychology at Loma Linda University, where she specialized in pediatric psychology. Furthermore, her graduate research explored the relationship between sleep and anxiety, and how gratitude can serve as a protective factor.

During her doctoral training, Dr. Afzal held positions at several children’s hospitals, including Children’s Hospital Orange County, Loma Linda University Children’s Hospital and MemorialCare Miller Children’s & Women’s Hospital. She completed her clinical internship at the Kennedy Krieger Institute/Johns Hopkins School of Medicine, where she trained extensively in pediatric psychology, behavioral management, rehabilitation and care for children with developmental differences such as autism spectrum disorder and intellectual disability. Following internship, she pursued a fellowship in pediatric psychology at Boston Children’s Hospital/Harvard Medical School, with a focus on caring for children with complex medical and psychological needs.

In addition to her clinical training in hospital settings, Dr. Afzal has experience working in schools and university health systems. She has supported the mental health of high school and college students, and notably helped develop one of the nation’s first hospital–school collaborations: a unique mental health and wellness program at a private high school. Her clinical and research interests include the interplay of physical and emotional health, anxiety and mood disorders, adjustment to medical diagnoses and chronic pain management.