Naimah Saleem, LPC, PMH-C Lead Perinatal Behavioral Health Specialist
Naimah Saleem, LPC, PMH-C, joined the Developing Brain Institute at Children’s National in June 2022 as a Perinatal Behavioral Health Specialist on the Mommy&Me team. In October 2023, Naimah was promoted to Lead Perinatal Behavioral Health Specialist. A native of Washington, D.C., she is a Licensed Professional Counselor and has received advanced training in maternal mental health and holds a Perinatal Mental Health Certification (PMH-C) from Postpartum Support International (PSI). Naimah earned a Master of Science in Dance/Movement Therapy from Pratt Institute in Brooklyn, New York, and a Master of Arts in Mental Health Counseling and Wellness from the New York University Steinhardt School of Culture, Education, and Human Development.
Throughout her career, she has worked in various clinical settings, including schools, inpatient and outpatient psychiatry, and behavioral health agencies in Washington, D.C., and New York. Naimah’s experience spans working with children, adolescents, adults, geriatric populations and perinatal individuals, addressing acute mental health conditions, complex trauma and developmental disorders through individual and group therapy.
In 2024, Naimah was honored with the inaugural PSI Alliance Fellowship, a program designed to enhance the skills and expertise of Black, Indigenous and people of color (BIPOC) providers serving BIPOC communities during the perinatal period. Over 10 months, PSI Alliance Fellows learn from leading experts, contribute research and join a community of passionate providers.
Naimah is deeply passionate about fostering healing and reducing the stigma around mental health in the African American community. She is committed to empowering, educating and supporting the perinatal population in her leadership role on the Mommy&Me team.
Address: 111 Michigan Ave. NW; Washington, D.C., 20010
Email: fetalbrain@childrensnational.org
Department: MRI Lab
Recent Publications & Presentations
2024 | July
Saleem N, Kang R, Barnett KA, Danielson A, Assefa H, Adon J, Andescavage N, Limperopoulos C, Le H-N. “One Size Does Not Fit All: Delivering Manualized CBT Treatment for Low-Income Black Perinatal Individuals.” Postpartum Support International 37th Annual Conference. Washington, D.C. July 2024.
2024 | April
Adon J, Assefa H. Carrillo M, Chafin M, Dampha M, Saleem N, Kang R, Petersen C, Brechot C, Henderson D, Andescavage N, Bassa MM, Keller J, Le HN, Limperopoulos C. Drivers of maternal wellness in a randomized control trial of perinatal mental health in low resourced Black and African American pregnant women. Children’s National Hospital 14th Annual Research, Education and Innovation Week. Washington, D.C. April 2024. (High-scoring poster)