Today we’d like to introduce you to Ani Asulyan.
Hi Ani, please kick things off for us with an introduction to yourself and your story.
I was 15 years old when my family and I moved from Yerevan, Armenia, to the vibrant city of Los Angeles. The towering skyscrapers and sprawling urban landscape were a stark departure from the familiar streets and serene atmosphere of my hometown. Adjusting to this new environment was a daunting challenge, compounded by the difficulty of learning English—my third language after Armenian and Russian—and navigating a foreign culture and different social norms.
Despite these obstacles, I held onto a clear vision for my future—a career in medicine, with dreams of becoming a surgeon. But life had different plans. My path was dramatically redirected by the struggles of a close friend, whose life was overtaken by methamphetamine addiction, leading to multiple psychiatric episodes and hospitalizations.
Watching my friend’s profound transformation and the suffering she endured sparked something beneath my surface. I happened to enroll in a college course on addiction studies, and it was a revelation. What I learned deeply resonated with me and shifted my perspective on my career aspirations. I decided to pivot from pre-med to addiction studies in 2002, determined to make a difference in this challenging field. I began working at a rehabilitation center dedicated to serving the Armenian community, providing culturally sensitive care and gaining firsthand insight into the complexities of addiction and the difficulties of long-term recovery.
Realizing the profound impact I could have, I pursued a master’s degree in Marriage and Family Therapy at Pacific Oaks College in Pasadena. This academic experience broadened my understanding of how addiction intertwines with family dynamics. After earning my degree in August 2016, I advanced my education by enrolling in a doctoral program in Applied Clinical Psychology at the Chicago School of Professional Psychology.
Over the years, I’ve worked in a variety of settings—ranging from medical detox centers for adults to day-treatment programs for children and adolescents. Each role has reinforced the complex and multifaceted nature of addiction and recovery, fueling my dedication to integrating scientific knowledge with compassionate care.
I’m sure it wasn’t obstacle-free, but would you say the journey has been fairly smooth so far?
My journey has not been a smooth one; it has been marked by numerous challenges, both external and internal. Moving from Yerevan to Los Angeles at a young age introduced me to a world vastly different from my own—culturally, socially, and linguistically. The language barrier was one of my first significant hurdles, making everyday interactions and academic pursuits difficult. Navigating unfamiliar cultural norms and expectations often left me feeling isolated and out of place, struggling to find a sense of belonging.
My family also found it challenging to accept my career aspirations, especially when I decided to work in the addiction field. They struggled to understand why I would choose to work with individuals struggling with substance abuse, viewing it as a difficult and perhaps even shameful path. Their concerns stemmed from cultural stigmas surrounding addiction, which clashed with my desire to help those in need and make a meaningful difference.
On a personal level, my decision to pursue a career focused on addiction recovery created challenges in my relationships. When I chose to change my lifestyle and dedicate myself to this demanding field, some people were not pleased. They found it hard to understand why I wasn’t always available to meet their needs or why I was so focused on work and studies. It was difficult to balance my professional commitments with my personal relationships, especially when those closest to me didn’t always comprehend the sacrifices involved.
Despite these hardships, I remained committed to my purpose. My path has been anything but easy, but every challenge has strengthened my resolve to help others overcome their struggles and to serve as a testament to the power of dedication and resilience amid life’s difficulties.
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?
As a licensed Marriage and Family Therapist specializing in addiction, I am most proud of my journey of resilience and transformation—overcoming cultural, linguistic, and personal challenges to dedicate my life to helping others. My experience navigating cultural differences, adapting to a new country, and overcoming language barriers has instilled in me a deep understanding and empathy for individuals facing diverse struggles. I take pride in my ability to connect with clients from different backgrounds, offering culturally sensitive and compassionate care that truly meets their unique needs.
What sets me apart from others is not only my professional expertise but also my personal journey of perseverance. Having firsthand experience with significant life transitions, cultural adaptation, and the complexities of addiction recovery gives me a unique perspective and genuine empathy that patients find empowering. I am committed to making a meaningful difference in their lives, providing support that is both scientifically informed and rooted in compassion. This combination of personal resilience, cultural sensitivity, and professional dedication is what uniquely defines me as a therapist.
How can people work with you, collaborate with you or support you?
People can work with or collaborate with me by reaching out through professional platforms or organizations I am affiliated with, whether for individual therapy, group sessions, or consultation. I am dedicated to providing culturally sensitive, evidence-based care to those struggling with addiction or relational challenges, and I welcome opportunities to partner with other professionals or community organizations committed to similar goals.
Supporting my work can take many forms, including referrals for individuals in need of clinical services, participating in community outreach or educational initiatives, or collaborating on projects that promote addiction awareness and recovery. Additionally, sharing information about resources and reducing stigma around addiction are valuable ways to support my mission of helping individuals and families find healing and resilience.
If you’re interested in working together or supporting initiatives I am involved in, I encourage you to connect with me directly through professional networks or relevant platforms. I am always open to new collaborations that can expand the reach and impact of this vital work.
