Fatima Aydin, PhD
Dr. Fatima Aydin, PhD, is a licensed psychologist with over 25 years of experience providing individual and couples therapy. She maintains a private practice in Greater Boston, where she primarily works with clients affiliated with the Harvard Medical area, including medical students, residents, postdoctoral scholars, and faculty. Dr. Aydin specializes in helping high-achieving individuals improve emotional wellbeing, achieve social integration, and enhance overall life satisfaction. Her approach is insight-oriented and the application of clinical expertise to support meaningful personal growth.
In addition to her clinical work, Dr. Aydin is the founder and director of the Boston International Networking Group (BING), an organization that connects international academics and professionals living in Boston. Through BING, she provides a platform for members to build social and professional networks, share activities, and foster a sense of community. She also developed DreamJobFinders, an online platform designed to match individuals with careers aligned to their personality, values, and skills, reflecting her commitment to holistic personal and professional development.
Dr. Aydin holds a PhD in Clinical Psychology from Boston University and completed her clinical training at Harvard Medical School. She is a longstanding member of the American Psychological Association and the Psychoanalytic Couples and Family Institute of New England. Fluent in Farsi and French, she has a history of working with diverse, international populations. Her career combines clinical practice, mentorship, and innovative networking initiatives, all aimed at supporting personal growth, professional success, and cross-cultural connection.
• Licensed Psychologist
• Boston University - PhD
• Psychoanalytic Couples and Family Institute of New England
• American Psychological Association
• World Boston
What do you attribute your success to?
I attribute my success to my ability to persist through difficulty and be resilient in the face of challenges, while pursuing my passion and trying to make a positive contribution to society. My father was a physician and a humanitarian and he instilled that passion in me, to be authentic, to stay connected to a sense of humanity and to commit to improving people’s lives.
What’s the best career advice you’ve ever received?
Follow your heart when it comes to choosing your career!
What advice would you give to young women entering your industry?
My advice to young women entering the field of Psychology is to be persistent and patient. Remember that it is a competitive field that requires years of training and life experience to master—stay committed, gain diverse experiences, and allow yourself the time to develop true clinical competence.
For those pursuing entrepreneurship, be prepared to build strong business skills and networks, and be aware of the systemic barriers that women and minorities often face in accessing funding and startup resources. Above all, if you choose a project or line of work that is meaningful for you, your dedication and passion will only grow over time and make it a deeply rewarding career.
What are the biggest challenges or opportunities in your field right now?
As a psychologist, I feel one of biggest challenges in the realm of psychotherapy is connecting clients to therapists who are a good match for them. People often struggle finding a therapist to work with and they don’t even consider how important the match is. I think this is an area where some creative matching tools could be developed for matching clients to therapists.
And as a founder and entrepreneurs, I feel the challenges in the field include women launching ventures with limited access to funding, and navigating networks that have historically favored white men. At the same time, there are significant opportunities for women to enter the startup world and launch projects and ideas that are sorely needed but never get the chance to see the light of day. We need women’s input and contribution and have to make it easier for them to enter the business and entrepreneurial arena and give them access to funding so they can make their ideas happen.
What values are most important to you in your work and personal life?
Authenticity. Honesty. Creativity. Growth. Compassion. Humanity. Community. Healing. Self-actualization. Integrity.