Dangerous Lies: Fake Psychologist Sadia Khan, from Falsified Degrees to Advocating for Child Marriage

The Alarming Influence of a Fake Expert (With Receipts)

In the digital age, social media platforms have become breeding grounds for self-proclaimed experts and influencers who wield significant power over their followers. Among these influencers there are individuals who pose as psychologists, dispensing advice and guidance without the required qualifications or adherence to ethical standards. One such figure is Sadia Khan, a controversial social media influencer known for her purported psychological expertise and misogynistic advice to young women. Let’s delve into the phenomenon of the fake psychologist influencers, examining Sadia Khan, her impact on women’s mental health, and the potential long-term consequences if such practices are not curtailed.

The Rise of Fake Psychologist Influencers

The internet has revolutionized access to information, but it has also blurred the lines between genuine expertise and pseudoscience. Influencers like Sadia Khan exploit social media to build large followings, often presenting themselves as experts in psychology and mental health. Yet, a closer look at her credentials exposes a disturbing lack of authenticity. The evidence presented here strongly indicates that her credentials are falsified.

Who is Sadia Khan?

Sadia Khan is a woman of Pakistani descent living in Dubai (a city most known for fraud and scams, where, so long as scammers don’t target UAE locals, scammers are free to scam anyone). Khan boasts a significant online presence and claims to be a psychologist with extensive -badly photoshopped- qualifications (see her ‘degrees’ below). A deeper investigation into her credentials reveals that her listed degrees and certifications are fabricated and so far unverified by the very universities she claims to have attended, all her university credentials are deeply questionable (see her ‘degrees’ below). What’s more bewildering, both of her BSc and MSc ‘degrees’ in Psychology should have made her eligible for Chartered Membership of the British Psychological Society. Alas! Not surprisingly, she is not listed in their directory neither in any other psychologist directory in the British Psychological Society, nor in the HCPC. Despite her falsified qualifications, Khan has amassed a substantial following, particularly among young women seeking guidance and support, and a naive indoctrinated male audience who subscribe to the “red pill” ideology.

Khan’s now deleted ‘degrees’ from her site are permanently archived here: https://web.archive.org/web/20240109205717/https://www.sadiapsychology.com/qualifications (Keep scrolling to see Khan’s ‘degrees’)

Khaleej Times Dubai News

Khan’s background is complex and revealing. We can deduce from her own words about her origins, growing up in a culture where arranged marriages — often more akin to forced marriages — are prevalent, she would have witnessed female family members being married off to much older men from Pakistan. It is highly likely that these practices not only shaped Khan’s worldview but also reinforced within her the same deeply ingrained sense of entitlement that men from her cultural background hold towards young women. Her family’s origins in PoK, a region with notable representation in troubling crime statistics and a history of problematic practices in the UK, most likely played a significant role in shaping her views on relationships, her position as a woman, and the roles and facades she must assume to survive in her world — a reality far removed from the one experienced by most women in the West.

Khan has spoken about working as a teacher in a ‘troubled’ UK school (also unverified — see her ‘degree’ for teaching -QTS- below) while expressing great dissatisfaction with her low-wage job, but we don’t know anything else about her job history, and since her professional background seems all to be falsified. Who is Khan really? Is even ‘Sadia Khan’ her real name? Is Khan just another Con? It certainly seems so.

According to many influencers in the “red pill” community, in her beginnings she sought to gain exposure by reaching out to them consistently for at least a year, eventually securing an interview with the notorious Andrew Tate (currently in legal proceedings for human trafficking, rape and forming a criminal gang to sexually exploit women). Khan’s interactions with these shady internet figures, along with her controversial statements among other issues that follow her, have earned her the reputation of clout-chaser.

Khan also faces criticism for being a “grifter”, given her practice of charging $50,000USD for speaking engagements, and £550GBP for 50 minutes online therapy calls, grossly misrepresenting academic qualifications. Her critics contend that her exorbitant fees, shameless self-promotion, and lack of credentials call her credibility and so-called expertise into question — and I couldn’t agree more. This pattern of charging exorbitant fees without any qualifications amounts to nothing more than snake oil sales, raising serious concerns about her motives and the legitimacy of her influence. Khan’s profile on All American Speakers.

Despite portraying herself as a success story emerging from a “traditional Muslim” background — a narrative that intrigues most of her naive Western audience — her personal and cultural history tells a different tale. In her culture, marked by rigid expectations and arranged marriages at an early age, the reality is that Khan remains an unmarried, middle-aged woman with no children, floating through various men’s podcasts without achieving the societal success typically valued in her own community. Ironically, she preaches to young women the very ideals she has not attained herself.

However, it could be argued that she has strategically targeted young men in “red pill” communities online, reaping substantial profits at the expense of young girls’ and women’s well-being. By peddling a carefully crafted message while posing as a mental health professional, Khan has taken her grift even further, collaborating with Cosmopolitan Magazine, gaining access to an entire generation of young women. Her strategized approach has quickly brought her both wealth and fame, effectively embodying the essence of con artistry and exploitation.

Sadia Khan posing as a Psychologist working for Cosmopolitan, a magazine that reaches 1 out of 4 women in the world.

Sadia Khan’s degrees, as posted on her website:

Khan’s botched and badly photoshopped ‘degree’ from Royal Holloway and Bedford New College. It’s missing the date, the University’s name, its seal and logo, and 2007 Chair of College Council Sir Andrew Burns’ signature as you can clearly see it here from an authentic degree, posted by the University itself, here another. However other falsified degrees are seemingly more identical to Khan’s than those posted by Royal Holloway itself. src:https://web.archive.org/web/20240109205717/https://www.sadiapsychology.com/qualifications

Khan’s other ‘degree’ lacks date of award, holographic seal, degree registry number, but her name seems to be edited in, whereas in a real degree it would be in ALL CAPS. Also, Dr. Michael Spence joined UCL in 2021, is Khan claiming she received her MSc in 2021? but also she claims to have graduated from UCL in 2007. From 2003 to 2013 Sir Malcom J. Grant was UCL’s President and Provost, not Spence. Here a legitimate degree from UCL: https://kiki132.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/11/img_3893.jpg?w=1536. https://web.archive.org/web/20240109205717/https://www.sadiapsychology.com/qualifications

Another of Khan’s photoshopped ‘degrees’. The British Psychological Society is UK’s licensure board body, not a higher educational institution, offering only a few PBS qualifications for Psychology graduates, and ‘Advanced CBT’ is NOT one of them. Also note the seal on ‘degree’ and issuing provider is Centre of Excellence, a free private COURSE PROVIDER, not The British Psychological Society. https://web.archive.org/web/20240109205717/https://www.sadiapsychology.com/qualifications

Centre of Excellence, another institution Khan claims to have 2 additional Psychology post graduate degrees from. However CoE is an online private free COURSE PROVIDER, not a higher educational institution. Even here, there’s seemingly differences in font style and size from a legitimate diploma from CoE. https://web.archive.org/web/20240109205717/https://www.sadiapsychology.com/qualifications

Another of Khan’s ‘degrees’: extra spacing between the edited name and last name, it lacks date of QTS, and her teacher reference number would put her as having obtained her ‘degree’ in the year 2036? Here a legitimate QTS certificate. https://web.archive.org/web/20240109205717/https://www.sadiapsychology.com/qualifications

An Advocate for Child Marriage

One of the most concerning and dangerous aspects of Khan’s influence is the nature of her advice, which perpetuates harmful stereotypes, outdated ideologies, and misogynistic views that she poses as the standard expectations for young women and men. Khan’s content frequently includes advice that undermines women’s autonomy and reinforces regressive gender roles. She’s known to publicly advocate for child marriage, in her own words that child brides “feel like a woman” and that they acquire higher self-esteem when they get married (to older men), that their sexuality is not her own, but of the older man “who invested in her”, an underage girl, and other spine-chilling statements. Video here. Khan not only perpetuates and promotes dangerous, outdated practices but also poses significant risks to the mental and physical well-being of underage girls and young women who take her advice to heart. Simultaneously, she manipulates her male audience, pushing them toward increasingly radicalized views on women and relationships.

Harassment and Threats

In addition to the problematic nature of her advice, Khan has been known to harass and threaten women who question her qualifications or challenge her views. Numerous women have reported being attacked on social media by Khan and her followers simply for requesting to see her credentials. Khan often dismisses these requests as jealousy, further gaslighting and discrediting her critics.

Several women have come forward with accounts of being harassed by Khan online. These women, many of whom are young and vulnerable, appear to be subjected to abusive messages and public shaming by Khan. Such behavior not only silences dissent but also fosters a toxic online environment where critical inquiry is discouraged.

AAE Speakers

The Psychological Impact on Young Girls

Khan’s advice has severe psychological repercussions for girls and women. Studies have shown that exposure to misogynistic content exacerbate feelings of inadequacy, depression, and anxiety among girls and women. In promoting harmful stereotypes and unrealistic expectations, Khan’s content contributes to the rise in mental health issues among her followers.

The Legal and Ethical Implications

Offering psychological advice without proper credentials is fraud that poses significant risks to the mental health of those who rely on it. The actions of false “psychologist” influencers present serious legal and ethical concerns, as their advice can endanger the well-being of those who follow it.

Legal Cases and Precedents

UK’s BBC in 2018 reported a large-scale problem where thousands of UK nationals had bought fake degrees from a multi-million pound “diploma mill” in Pakistan, revealing several buyers as NHS staff, including Doctors.

In the UK, where using a fake diploma to misrepresent professional credentials constitutes fraud by misrepresentation could result in a 10-year prison sentence. Several cases have exposed the dangers of unqualified individuals posing as mental health professionals.

One notable in Ireland is Caroline Goldsmith for using fake qualifications to make diagnosis for mental health issues, same woman whose son was also jailed for fundraising for the IS. Another example is UK’s Derek Gale, a self-proclaimed “psychologist” who was struck off the Health and Care Professions Council (HCPC) and the UKCP register in 2019 for unethical practices, highlighting the serious risks posed by such fraudsters.

In the USA in 2020 Sharonda Avery was convicted of posing as a psychologist when in reality she had never even finished college. Another in 2023, Bobbie Jean Studzinski, a Wisconsin woman was sentenced to prison for practicing psychology without a license, resulting in significant harm to her clients. This year 2024 in Arizona, Scott Keeling-Torrez has been charged and indicted for his fake diploma and portraying himself as a licensed psychologist.

These cases illustrate the potential for legal action against unqualified individuals who misrepresent their credentials, causing significant harm to the public. They emphasize the urgent need for stricter regulations to protect people from those who exploit mental health issues for personal gain.

If you are in the EU, you can report fraud online here: European Europol, the UK here: Action Fraud UK, and the US here: FBI IC3.

The Legal Repercussions for Khan

Considering that Sadia Khan is based in Dubai, UAE, her misrepresentation as a psychologist and the falsification of academic credentials could subject her to severe legal consequences under UAE law. According to the UAE’s Federal Law by Decree No. (31) of 2021, particularly Chapter Two: Fraud, Article (451), such deceptive practices are classified as serious criminal offenses.

UAE’s law is clear: any individual who fraudulently assumes a false professional identity to deceive others and gain personal benefit is subject to severe penalties, including incarceration and significant fines.

Khan’s actions, conducted within Dubai’s jurisdiction, place her squarely under the scrutiny of this law. Should her fraudulent practices come to light, she could face legal repercussions in the UAE, reflecting the country’s firm stance on protecting the public from exploitation and ensuring the integrity of professional services, especially in critical areas like mental health.

The Crucial Role of Social Media

Social media platforms bear a profound responsibility in the unchecked rise of fake psychologist influencers. These digital arenas, which are increasingly becoming breeding grounds for self-proclaimed experts, fail to implement adequate verification mechanisms and regulatory frameworks. This oversight allows individuals like Sadia Khan to amass extensive followings and dispense hazardous advice without meaningful scrutiny or accountability.

Compounding this issue is the amplification effect of social media algorithms, which prioritize sensational and controversial content to maximize engagement. This creates a perilous feedback loop where influencers who spread misleading or harmful information gain undue influence and credibility. Such dynamics not only endanger public mental health but also undermine the trust in genuine mental health professionals who have invested years in obtaining proper qualifications and adhering to ethical standards.

The Need for Stricter Regulations

To combat the spread of misinformation and protect vulnerable youth and others, social media platforms must enforce stricter regulations on individuals offering psychological advice. This could involve mandatory verification of credentials and enhanced reporting systems, enabling users to easily flag potentially harmful content.

If the issue of fake psychologist influencers is not addressed, the consequences could be dire. The continued spread of harmful advice and misinformation poses a significant threat to public mental health, particularly for young women who are already at a higher risk of mental health issues.

Research indicates that exposure to harmful content can have long-lasting effects on mental health. A study published in the journal Cyberpsychology, Behavior, and Social Networking found that negative online interactions are associated with increased levels of depression and anxiety among adolescents . If influencers like Khan continue to operate unchecked, we may see a rise in mental health issues among young women globally, leading to broader public health challenges.

Khan’s shameless promotion of misogynistic views and outdated gender values and roles, masquerading as professional mental health advice, carries significant societal repercussions. These ‘influencers’ erode decades of efforts that took to promote gender equality: hence, disempowering women around the world and perpetuating cycles of discrimination and inequality wherever the internet reaches.

The case of Sadia Khan exemplifies the significant dangers posed by unqualified “psychologist” influencers in the digital age. Her misogynistic advice, coupled with her unverified credentials, underscores the urgent need for stricter scrutiny and regulation of online content. To protect public mental health and foster a more informed and equitable society, it is crucial for social media platforms, regulatory bodies, and the public to take action against the rise of fake psychologist influencers. Only through such measures can we ensure that vulnerable individuals, especially young girls and young men, receive support and guidance from board-certified and ethically-bound professionals.

References

• Sadia Psychology. (2024). ‘Degrees’ now deleted from her website. Retrieved from: https://web.archive.org/web/20240109205717/https://www.sadiapsychology.com/qualifications
• HEDD Verification + Authentication. UK’s official degree verification hub. https://hedd.ac.uk/#section-what-we-offer
• The British Psychological Society https://www.bps.org.uk/find-psychologist
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• Virginia Woman Convicted of Falsely Posing as Psychologist https://www.nbcwashington.com/news/local/virginia-woman-convicted-of-falsely-posing-as-psychologist/2219917/
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• FBI IC3 https://www.ic3.gov/