Rajaei Research Lab
Advancing Relational Science through Innovation and Collaboration
The Rajaei Research Lab at The Relationship Institute is a multidisciplinary space where science, technology, and human connection intersect. Our mission is to advance the study of relationships through innovative, evidence-based, and socially responsive research. We bring together clinicians, scholars, and students to explore how relationships shape wellbeing and education within families, communities, and digital environments.
Rajaei Research Lab
Advancing Relational Science through Innovation and Collaboration
The Rajaei Research Lab at The Relationship Institute is a multidisciplinary space where science, technology, and human connection intersect. Our mission is to advance the study of relationships through innovative, evidence-based, and socially responsive research. We bring together clinicians, scholars, and students to explore how relationships shape wellbeing within families, communities, and digital environments.
Our Vision
​We believe research should not live only in journals but in everyday life. The Lab is dedicated to generating knowledge that empowers individuals and couples to create meaningful and healthy connections. Our work integrates systemic therapy, medical family therapy, and emerging technologies such as artificial intelligence to reimagine what relational health can look like in the twenty-first century.
Key Research Areas
AI and Mental Health: Exploring how artificial intelligence can enhance therapeutic education, supervision, and practice while preserving relational ethics.
Cinema Therapy and Narrative Inquiry: Investigating how film and storytelling foster reflection, empathy, and therapeutic insight among clinicians and clients.
Relational Resilience and Health: Studying family and couple processes in medical and health contexts through a biopsychosocial and spiritual lens.
Digital Literacy and Clinical Education: Designing tools and curricula to promote ethical and effective integration of digital technology in therapy and graduate education.
Current Projects
AI Literacy in Therapy Toolkit
Developing relationally grounded digital competency frameworks for therapists.
CFT Cinema Therapy Hub
Connecting film-based narratives with systemic learning and reflective practice.
Cross-Cultural AI Literacy Study
Conducting ethnographic research across universities in the United States, Canada, and Norway on AI and personalized learning.
Interdisciplinary Collaborators
The Rajaei Research Lab thrives on collaboration across disciplines and institutions.
Our interdisciplinary team includes:
Dr. Naseh Shahri, Ph.D.
Associate Professor of Applied Linguistics at San Diego State University. His research examines discourse, culture, and cross-linguistic perspectives on digital pedagogy and AI literacy in higher education.
Dr. Danna Abraham, Ph.D., LMFT
Assistant Professor, researcher, and clinician whose work bridges systemic therapy, cultural identity, trauma-informed practice, and embodied wellbeing. She integrates mindfulness and relational healing into her teaching and research.
Dr. Katherine Hertlein, Ph.D., LMFT
Professor and Associate dean at Wright State University. She is internationally recognized for her research on technology and intimacy and is co-developer of the AI Competency Framework for Systemic Therapists.
Dr. Amin Davoodi, Ph.D.
Assistant Professor of Bilingual and ESL Education at the University of Texas Permian Basin. His research focuses on bilingual education, educational technology, and robot-assisted learning. He explores how innovation can promote equity and inclusion for multilingual learners.
Collaborations and Mentorship
The Lab provides mentorship for students, associates, and emerging scholars who are passionate about relational research. Through guided mentorship, participants learn to translate ideas into publishable studies, research-informed clinical tools, and conference presentations.
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We welcome collaborators, research assistants, and community partners who share our vision of creating a more relational and compassionate world through science. To learn more or get involved, please contact us at afarin@relationshipca.com
Link to Dr. Rajaei's publications:
https://scholar.google.com/citations?user=BpFUuEUAAAAJ&hl=en
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