Dr. Seema Saigal is a Professor in the Clinical PsyD program at the California School of Professional Psychology, Alliant International University. She earned her Ph.D. from Northwestern University and her B.A. from Cornell University and is a Licensed Clinical Psychologist in private practice. Dr. Saigal is passionate about student mentorship and fosters inclusive spaces that celebrate diversity and promote academic rigor, open dialogue, and critical thinking. Dr. Saigal was humbled to receive a Teaching Excellence Award in 2022 and a Faculty of the Year award in 2019.
In her private practice, Dr. Saigal focuses on the provision of culturally affirming care and utilizes acceptance and commitment therapy and strength-based approaches designed to promote growth and resilience.
Dr. Saigal’s research focuses on romantic relationships, especially factors related to partner selection and relationship initiation, as well as ways in which personality traits, gender, and mental health symptoms impact interpersonal behavior and relationship satisfaction. Her publications have included topics such as initial romantic encounters, long distance relationships, and post traumatic growth. More recently, Dr. Saigal was invited to be a guest speaker on two Podcast episodes offering pro tips for finding love and building meaningful romantic relationships.
- Ph.D. Clinical Psychology, Northwestern University
- B.A. Psychology and Biological Sciences, Cornell University
- Social Bases of Behavior
- Multicultural Psychology
- Cognitive Behavior Therapy
- Third Wave Therapies
- History & Systems
- Preston, A., Saigal, S., Barrie, R., McKinney, H., Mooney, S., & Padala, P. R. (2022). ""Defeated No More: Meaning-Making After Military Sexual Trauma."" Military medicine. doi: 10.1093/milmed/usab528
- Du Bois, S. N., Woodward, H., Manser, K., Saigal, S., Santic, F., Tully, T., & Sher, T. G. (2021). ""Examining Relationship-Level Predictors of Individual-Level Health in Long Distance Relationships."" The Family Journal. doi: 10664807211054151.
- Persinger, V. C., Whiteside, D. M., Bobova, L., Saigal, S. D., Vannucci, M. J., & Basso, M. R. (2018). ""Using the California Verbal Learning Test, as an embedded performance validity measure among individuals with TBI and individuals with psychiatric disorders."" The Clinical Neuropsychologist, 32(6), 1039-1053.
- Vannucci, M. J., Whiteside, D. M., Saigal, S., Nichols, L., & Hileman, S. (2016). ""Predicting Supervision Outcomes: What is Different about Psychological Assessment Supervision?"" Australian Psychologist, 1-6. doi:10.1111/ap.12258
- Eastwick, P. W., Saigal, S. D., & Finkel, E. J. (2010). Smooth operating: A structural analysis of social behavior (SASB) perspective on initial romantic encounters. Social Psychological and Personality Science, 1, 344-352.
- Stroud, C. B., Durbin, C. E., Saigal, S. D., Knobloch-Fedders, L. M. (2010). Normal and abnormal personality traits are associated with marital satisfaction for both men and women: An actor-partner interdependence model analysis, Journal of Research in Personality, 44, 466-477.