Safa Alasady is a second-year graduate student at the University of Pittsburgh's Master in Social Work program. A San Diego Native, Safa earned her B.A. in Political Science from San Diego State University. Before starting her academic journey at the University of Pittsburgh, Safa spent time substitute teaching K-12, where she discovered her passion for working with children and families from diverse backgrounds. This experience fueled her enthusiasm for social work and highlighted the profound impact she could have on young lives. In Safa's initial year of her graduate program, she secured a fellowship with the Center on Race and Social Problems. During her fellowship experience, she interned as a school social worker at Homewood Children's Village, working closely with families in underserved communities. This experience provided valuable insights into the challenges faced by these families and underscored the importance of accessible and equitable social services. In her second year as a graduate student, Safa was selected as a Behavioral Health Scholars fellow and assigned to UPMC's Pediatric Intensive Outpatient Program, which specializes in treating Obsessive-Compulsive Disorder (OCD). In this capacity, Safa actively participates in a collaborative treatment planning process, offering Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT) and Exposure Response Prevention Therapy (ERP) under supervision for children with OCD. 

With her background, she aspires to lead a multidisciplinary healthcare facility that offers tailored therapeutic services, which include rehabilitative and mental health services, ensuring a brighter future for children and adolescents. Safa’s journey, from her experiences in education to her current role as a LEND trainee, has uniquely positioned her to advocate, and continue empowering underserved communities and children with neurodevelopmental disorders.