Biography
Dr. Ashraf completed her undergraduate studies at the University of Michigan - Ann Arbor. She then went
on to complete her medical training at Central Michigan University (CMU) and transitioned to residency
training in Psychiatry with CMU Health. She was the Junior Chief resident and then went on to become
the clinical and administrative Chief resident. She was awarded the Excellence in Advocacy award upon
completion of residency training. Dr. Ashraf then went on to complete a fellowship in Perinatal Psychiatry
and Women’s Mental Health at Northwestern Medicine.
Dr. Ashraf joined the faculty at the University of Michigan in 2023. She provides medication
management and other clinical care to patients with perinatal mood disorders through the University of
Michigan - Perinatal Clinic.
As a perinatal and reproductive psychiatrist, Dr. Ashraf strives to create access to women’s mental health
care for patients navigating mood disorders along the reproductive spectrum. She specializes in providing
preconception consultations and treatment for women with a chronic and new-onset mental illness
desiring to conceive and maintain mental health stability during pregnancy and postpartum timeframes.
She specializes in treatment of peripartum/postpartum anxiety and depression, maternal and paternal
postpartum depression and anxiety disorders, premenstrual dysphoric disorder, premenstrual exacerbation
symptoms, acute stress disorder and posttraumatic stress disorder as a result of traumatic birth
experiences, grief disorders related to perinatal loss, and mood disorders related to infertility and IUI or
IVF treatment.
Outside of work, Dr. Ashraf enjoys reading poetry and non-fiction, listening to music, writing, biking,
hiking, and taking strolls in nature.
Areas of Interest
- Maternal mental health
- Perinatal and Postpartum depression
- Perinatal and Postpartum anxiety
- Premenstrual Exacerbation Symptoms
- Premenstrual Dysphoric Disorder
- Traumatic Birth Experiences
- Cross-cultural Psychiatry
- Quality Improvement
Featured News
May 11, 2023
Experts provide mental health resources for women as need increases
Dr. Mahela Ashraf was interviewed by TV6 in the Upper Peninsula about women’s mental health and the MC3 program’s role in partnering with providers statewide to support perinatal patients with mental health concerns
Credentials
- B.S., English Language and Literature, University of Michigan
- M.D., Central Michigan University - College of Medicine
- Residency, Department of Psychiatry, Central Michigan University
- Fellowship, Perinatal Psychiatry and Women’s Mental Health, Northwestern Medicine
