Dr. Shahnasarian earned a doctorate in counseling psychology at Florida State University, a master’s degree in psychology at Texas A and M University, and a bachelor’s degree in psychology at Indiana University. His specialty credentials include licensing as both a psychologist and mental health counselor, and board certifications as a rehabilitation counselor, vocational evaluator, life care planner, and career counselor. He has published three books and more than thirty articles on career development topics in various professional and industry publications.

Pricewaterhouse recognized Dr. Shahnasarian as an Up and Comer of the Year in 1998. Dr. Shahnasarian was selected 1989 Human Resource Professional of the Year by the American Society for Training and Development. He was the 1990 recipient of the Outstanding Alumni Award for Business and Industry presented by Florida State University. The Florida Career Development Association recognized Dr. Shahnasarian as Business and Industry Professional of the Year in 1992. The department of psychology at Texas A and M University selected Dr. Shahnasarian Outstanding Graduate in Psychology for the first twenty-five years of the College of Liberal Arts in 1995. Dr. Shahnasarian was selected for a 1996 merit award presented by the National Career Development Association. The American Rehabilitation Counselor Association selected Dr. Shahnasarian as Rehabilitation Counselor of the Year in 1999.