Dr. Alya Zia Ahmad is a compassionate physician, educator, and founder of ShaMynds Healing Center, where she blends traditional medical practices with innovative therapies to support mental health and holistic healing. As a pediatrician and integrative medicine expert, Dr. Ahmad has dedicated her career to exploring the intersection of mind, body, and spirit in healing. Her personal journey, deeply influenced by her diverse cultural background and experiences, has led her to embrace and advocate for the transformative power of ketamine-assisted therapy (KAT) and other integrative healing practices.

With an impressive background that includes board certification from the American Academy of Pediatrics, a Fellow of the American Board of Pediatrics, and certifications in Nutritional Psychiatry, Primary Care Psychiatry, Integrative Psychiatry, and Psychedelic Assisted Psychotherapy, Dr. Ahmad is at the forefront of combining medical science with integrative therapies. She is passionate about supporting individuals in their healing journey, helping them to rediscover their true selves, heal from trauma, and embark on a path of deep self-awareness and transformation.

Dr. Ahmad is also an accomplished academic with experience as an Associate Clinical Professor of Pediatrics at UCSF and has held teaching positions at Cleveland Clinic and Texas Children’s Hospital. Through her work in narrative medicine, she strives to enrich the lives of medical students and residents, integrating the healing power of storytelling with clinical practice. Her Narrative Medicine workshops have empowered healthcare professionals to improve their clinical skills and emotional intelligence.

Her work extends beyond clinical practice into public speaking, as she regularly presents at medical and mental health conferences, including on topics such as Psychedelic Assisted Psychotherapy, Integrative Psychiatry, and Narrative Ethics in medicine. Dr. Ahmad is the host of the Too Curious MDs podcast, where she delves into the intersection of science, medicine, and personal growth, empowering others to take control of their well-being and blend modern science with ancient wisdom.

Dr. Ahmad’s clinical focus includes the treatment of children with special needs, chronic diseases, and complex care for children with Down syndrome and medical complexities. Throughout her career, she has demonstrated a deep commitment to global health, health policy, and child health advocacy, having worked in various international settings, including the UAE and Saudi Arabia, where she founded a Down Syndrome Clinic at Sheikh Khalifa Medical City and served as a senior pediatric consultant.

Through her innovative and compassionate approach to healing, Dr. Ahmad reflects her belief that true healing involves not only treating symptoms but nurturing the whole person—mind, body, and soul.