About Shadi Beshai
Associate Professor | Kennesaw State University
Director, Mindfulness Engagement and Cultural Adaptation (MECA) Lab
Dr. Shadi Beshai is an Associate Professor in the Department of Psychological Science at Kennesaw State University. He is also the director of the Mindfulness Engagement and Cultural Adaptation (MECA) Lab. Dr. Beshai’s research is focused on improving access to and promotion of evidenced-based psychological treatments for adult depression and anxiety.
Specifically, Dr. Beshai has published several peer-reviewed scientific articles on the cultural adaptation of cognitive-behavioral and mindfulness-based interventions. He has also published extensively on improving public literacy about such interventions and ways to disseminate them more widely. His work highlights his commitment to bridging the gap in unmet mental health needs.
Dr. Beshai has spearheaded and collaborated on numerous large-scale randomized trials that assess the effectiveness of adapted and online MBIs across diverse demographics, including educators, law enforcement officers, and Indigenous communities. These pivotal trials have been carried out in varied international contexts, including Canada, the UK, and Iran. Dr. Beshai’s research was funded by the Canadian Institute of Health Research (CIHR) and the Saskatchewan Health Research Foundation (SHRF). He currently serves as an Associate Editor for the journals Mindfulness and the International Journal of Cognitive Therapy.
Education & Credentials
- Ph.D. in Clinical Psychology - University of Calgary, Canada (2015)
- M.Sc. in Clinical Psychology - University of Calgary, Canada (2010)
- B.A. Hon. in Psychology (Summa Cum Laude) - York University, Canada (2008)
- Registered Doctoral Psychologist (#1069) - Saskatchewan College of Psychologists
Research Focus Areas
1. Treatment Adaptation: Understanding Mechanisms and Moderators
Dr. Beshai’s research explores how psychological interventions can be adapted to different populations by investigating key mechanisms and moderators of therapeutic change. His work examines how factors like self-compassion, dispositional mindfulness, and cultural beliefs influence treatment efficacy.
Key Publication: Beshai, S., Desjarlais, S. M., & Green, B. (2023). Perspectives of Indigenous university students in Canada on mindfulness-based interventions... Mindfulness, 14, 538–553.
2. Promotion of Evidence-Based Mental Health Interventions
Dr. Beshai investigates how psychological treatments are perceived and how messaging can improve their credibility and acceptance. His research explores the impact of psychoeducation, framing, and cultural considerations on attitudes toward mental health interventions.
Key Publication: Salimuddin, S., Beshai, S., Iskric, A., & Watson, L. (2023). Framing effects of cognitive behavioral therapy for depression... Int. Journal of Environmental Research and Public Health, 20(14), 6330.
3. Enhancing Accessibility to Psychological Interventions
Dr. Beshai is committed to making mental health interventions more accessible through scalable, self-guided programs. His research evaluates the efficacy of online mindfulness and self-compassion interventions (such as Mind-OP), particularly for individuals who face barriers to traditional therapy.
Key Publication: Beshai, S., Bueno, C., & Salimuddin, S. (2024). Effects of a self-guided online mindfulness and self-compassion program (Mind-OP)... Mindfulness 15, 259–271.