Daily Inspiration: Meet Ava Elmzadeh

Today we’d like to introduce you to Ava Elmzadeh.

Hi Ava, we’d love for you to start by introducing yourself.
There are so many stories, people and reasons why I ended up becoming a Therapist and Professor that if I were to explain fully, it would take hours of interviewing. Since I just want to scratch the surface here, I would briefly say that I felt a purpose and a calling to use my imaginative and creative abilities to help people feel seen and heard. I didn’t feel seen growing up and sometimes I still don’t, but at least I can make sure to care for others feeling seen and help others stand up to the problems holding them back from living an extraordinary life.

Would you say it’s been a smooth road, and if not what are some of the biggest challenges you’ve faced along the way?
It has not been a smooth road at all! It’s been more like a very bumpy road with huge potholes and enormous mountains to climb. Along the road, there was also some going backward or coming to a complete stop. The biggest struggles have been the value clashes I have experienced with the mental health systems that surround us. I don’t value keeping people sick for the sake of gaining money or putting people in small boxes so they are easier to understand. I value care, justice and uniqueness. I value expanding rather than reducing people to a diagnoses. Working in large agencies run by businessmen CEOs who know nothing of mental health CARE has been difficult, but every time I stick to my values I feel better and stronger.

As you know, we’re big fans of you and your work. For our readers who might not be as familiar what can you tell them about what you do?
Like many therapists, I work in a variety of settings. I meet with adults in individual therapy and I enjoy using visual aids and the whiteboard feature on zoom to map out options or get a picture of the problem and goals. To me, the session is a creative process because I don’t use a manual, instead I have to get creative with guiding the session and improvising as I go while centering the person and their goals. It’s also been an artistic process to rely on a strong philosophy based on a non-structuralist paradigm and create a peripheral stance I come into sessions with. As an artist and creative, I’m always learning, growing and coming up with new ideas. I also run a group for caregivers of family members struggling with Dementia, which came about when a few of my clients were confronted with the same concerns. I decided to create this space for all of them to relate to each other, which they have found immensely helpful. Teaching classes is a place where I feel the most creative. I bring in creative ideas the students can entertain and interesting activities for the class that allows sharing and community.

Before we go, is there anything else you can share with us?
I am not just one person, I am many. I could not do this work without many hours of consulting with expert therapists each week. My mother, my father and my husband support me and I adapt things they have taught me in my work. My friends inspire me and challenge me to step out of my comfort zone and try new things. My home country of Iran and the ancient culture brought me into this work as well and helped me tap into the art, language, poetry, song, welcoming and warmth I bring into sessions and the classroom. I am honored to be connected to a community of some of the bravest women on the planet who remind me to never stop fighting for what matters to me and join hand in hand with all of the women in the world who deserve better.

Pricing:

• 150 for individual sessions

Contact Info:

• Website: avalmft.net