Pronouns: She/Her
Degree and License: Zahra earned a Bachelor of Science in Molecular, Cellular, and Developmental Biology, and double minors in Applied Developmental Psychology, and Near Eastern Languages and Cultures from University of California, Los Angeles (UCLA). She earned her Master’s degree in Counseling, Marriage and Family Therapy from California State University, Northridge (CSUN). Zahra is Registered Addiction Counselor, and is trained in Art Therapy.
Additionally, she earned a Graduate Certificate in Applied Gerontology, and her second Master’s degree in Teaching English to the Speakers of Other Languages from California State University, Los Angeles (CSULA).
License: LMFT # 133633
Areas of Specialty: Individual Counseling, Group Therapy, Couple Therapy, Family Therapy, Trauma Informed Care, Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT), Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT), and Dialectical Behavioral Therapy (DBT), Solution Focused, Positive Psychology, Crisis Intervention, Addictions, and Art Therapy
Clinical Experience: I have worked in a variety of clinical settings such as school-based counseling, inpatient and outpatient drug rehabs, Community Mental Health, Adult Health Day Care and Counseling Center, and Higher Education. I have extensive experience working with None-Native English Speakers, Minorites and Marginalized Populations, First-Generation College Students, International Students, and Transfer Students.
Treatment Approach: I have an engaging, client-centered, strength based, and collaborative counseling style. I help students to recognize what is strong rather than what is wrong in their lives. I treat my clients with care, kindness, and respect, and provide consistent quality support by validating, reflecting, empathizing, and normalizing their issues. I remain open-minded and collaborative with students and meet them where they are at mentally, emotionally, socially, and academically, and guide them to come up with strategies and identify resources while supporting their self-efficacy, and personal choices. I strive to create a safe, secure, inclusive, supportive, validating, confidential, and welcoming environment by providing a non-judgmental atmosphere that is supported by the therapeutic relationship that is built based on positivity, trust, warmth, and empathy.
I treat students as the expert of their own lives as I hold the space for them to feel comfortable sharing whatever thoughts or emotions they are experiencing. In sessions, students are accepted, their autonomies, and agencies are respected, and their lifestyle diversity, cultural, and spiritual backgrounds are integrated. Students are
engaged in the therapeutic process, and their strengths, wisdoms, and personal choices are supported, and they are empowered to make their desired changes.
I integrate different evidence-based clinical approaches and modalities in order to help students identify emotional, cognitive, and behavioral components of distress they are experiencing. I include progressive muscle relaxation techniques, breathing techniques, psychoeducation, handouts/worksheets, self-regulation, mindfulness skills, meditation, and anchoring and grounding exercises to assist individuals who struggle with emotional and interpersonal issues. When it is appropriate, I integrate art therapy directives in order to help students express themselves freely, process their feelings and emotions, alleviate their symptoms, and develop awareness through expressive and artistic expressions.
Languages: English, Farsi/Persian
Interests: I enjoy going to live concerts and theatrical and musical performances, traveling and exploring new places, going to museums, art shows/exhibitions, learning new skills, attending conferences, trainings, and seminars, watching movies, trying different ethnic cuisines, and experimenting with different cooking and dessert recipes.