POTSDAM -- Mariam H. Asar, a specialist in psychiatry, was recently certified by the American Board of Psychiatry and Neurology.

Certification follows successful completion of an ABPN-approved training program and evaluation process assessing the ability to provide quality patient care in a specialty or sub-specialty.

Candidates for certification are assessed on their ability to effectively treat depressive and anxiety disorders, substance-abuse disorders, developmental disabilities, psychoses, and to intervene with individuals, families and organizations in crisis situations.

Candidates are also assessed for their ability to coordinate practice intervention with other professionals, such as psychologists, social workers and nurses.

Asar joined Canton-Potsdam Hospital in August 2011 and leads its behavioral health medical program.

She received her medical degree from Dow Medical College of Karachi University, Karachi, Pakistan. She completed a residency in pediatric care at Children’s Hospital of the Albany Medical Center, and a residency in adult psychiatry at Temple University Hospital, Philadelphia, Penn.

She is also board certified in pediatrics and is a fellow of the American Academy of Pediatrics.

Asar has acted as an instructor for medical, physician assistant and nurse practitioner students as well as for other health professions students.

She has served on the Institutional Review Board at Charles Cole Memorial Hospital in Coudersport, Penn., an ethics committee for review of research on human subjects.

Her research interests include psychoanalysis, hypnosis, and cognitive behavioral therapy.

Asar uses her spare time to advocate on behalf of children with psychiatric disorders.

For more information contact Canton-Potsdam Hospital’s Behavioral Health Services at 261-5405 or www.cphospital.org.