Today we’d like to introduce you to Wali Hanifzai.
Hi Wali, please kick things off for us with an introduction to yourself and your story.
I immigrated to Los Angeles, California in 2000 as a Afghan refugee/Immigrant and began my new life in the City of Torrance. I was fortunate to be raised by loving and devoted parents (Hadi Hanifzai and Belgees Hanifzai) who dedicated their lives to ensuring the education and well-being of their four children, two boys and two girls (Myself, Wasee, Sara, and Hadeya). Their sacrifices instilled in me the values of compassion, hard work, and service to others.
My journey in helping people began between the ages of 16 and 20, when I volunteered at Torrance Memorial Hospital. There, I provided administrative assistance and respite care to clients and families navigating the challenges of end-of-life care. That experience profoundly shaped my understanding of empathy, dignity, and the importance of community support. Connecting with patients during their end-of-life journey was deeply meaningful to me. Simply being present sharing conversations, bringing a smile, and offering comfort in moments of forgetfulness was often what patients most looked forward to. It wasn’t just the patients who needed this presence; their families also sought support, especially when facing burnout or lacking a strong social network. This mission held great importance for me, as I realized that to truly make a difference in people’s lives, I needed to meet them where they needed compassion the most during their most vulnerable times.
Today, I serve as the Executive Director of Qazizada Multicultural Therapy Clinic, a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization that provides clinical counseling services, educational workshops, and student traineeships in the mental health field throughout California. Over the past four years, our organization has been at the forefront of supporting Afghan refugees who arrived in the U.S. following the 2021 withdrawal from Afghanistan.
In addition to my professional role, I proudly serve on the Board of Placentia Library Friends Foundation in Orange County, the Board President of Afghan American Muslim Outreach (AAMO), and ShuraTV President at the Islamic Shura Council of Southern California. All of these positions allow me to give back to the community that has given me so much, by promoting education, cultural understanding, and civic engagement.
I have been a resident of Orange County for the past nine years, where I live with my loving wife, Dr. Lamba Aziz-Hanifzai, and our beautiful daughter. My wife’s unwavering support, sacrifice, and dedication have been instrumental in my personal and professional growth.
Helping people remains my greatest motivation. It is what inspires me every day to serve, to empower, and to build stronger, and more connected communities.
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?
I still remember the countless sleepless nights when I stayed up until 1 or 2 a.m., working tirelessly on project deliverables, reports, billing systems, marketing strategies, and grant writing all as a sole volunteer. Looking back at those struggles now gives me even more motivation. I constantly remind myself to stay focused and keep moving forward because every stage of struggle is temporary and part of the journey toward growth and success. Despite all the struggles, most importantly, my wife’s endless support would make the struggles feel normal.
Being a first-generation student, I had to navigate my academic and professional journey largely on my own, without the support or guidance many others take for granted. As the first in my family to attend college, I faced numerous challenges, yet I persevered and earned my Bachelor’s degree in Criminology from California State University, Northridge, a Master’s in Social Work from the University of Southern California (USC), and I am currently a Ph.D. candidate in the Global Leadership and Change program at Pepperdine University. Coming from a family unfamiliar with the American education system and with limited English proficiency, I often had to find my own way. These challenges taught me to self-advocate, face my fears, and push through the uncertainty and financial concerns of higher education in pursuit of my goals.
Similarly, in my professional journey, I faced tremendous challenges when I opened my own practice during the COVID-19 pandemic. The uncertainty of that time, coupled with limited access to other healthcare providers, insurance companies, and government entities due to shutdowns, made the process even more difficult. Facing unemployment and financial hardship, I remained determined to move forward despite the obstacles. Within seven months, I adapted my marketing strategies by shifting from in-person meetings, programs, and community engagement to fully virtual platforms. This transition to online outreach and public relations significantly increased my visibility and presence in the community. Through consistency, dedication, and strong work ethics, I was able to build the foundation that has led me to where I am today.
Alright, so let’s switch gears a bit and talk business. What should we know about your work?
At Qazizada Multicultural Therapy Clinic, I wear multiple hats, each reflecting my passion for healing and community impact. As a clinician, I specialize in treating trauma and PTSD, depression, anxiety, and couples therapy. Within the community, I am recognized for my trauma-informed care and expertise in couples counseling. My greatest pride comes from witnessing my clients’ growth and hearing their expressions of gratitude, it brings me endless joy to see the positive impact of our sessions. What sets me apart from many clinicians is my shared cultural and linguistic background with my clients. I am deeply mindful of cultural norms, values, and family dynamics, which allows me to create a safe and relatable therapeutic environment. I am fluent in English, Pashto, Dari, Farsi, Urdu, and Hindi.
In addition to my clinical work, I take an active role in community outreach by hosting family engagement and social wellness workshops. These events aim to reduce loneliness and social isolation while promoting mental health awareness across generations. Through education and dialogue, I help children, youth, and adults address stigma, build resilience, and better manage daily stressors and challenges. Seeing the community coming together at these events is a powerful reminder of their commitment to healing, connection, and continuous growth.
To learn more about my work
Contact Info:
Website: www.qazizadatherapyclinic.org
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/qazizadamulticulturaltherapy/
Are there any important lessons you’ve learned that you can share with us?
The most important lesson I have learned throughout my journey is the value of patience, openness to learning, and consistency. These key principles have guided me toward my achievements and helped me reframe challenges not as failures, but as opportunities for growth and improvement. Each experience has taught me to reflect on what I can do better next time and to approach every obstacle as a step toward progress.
Another important lesson I learned was the value of meeting clients where they are. Many of the individuals I worked with were not familiar with the concepts of therapy or mental health. Taking the time to understand how they perceived and experienced mental health allowed me to learn from their insights and cultural perspectives. Given their limited exposure to therapy, I approached sessions gradually and focused on explaining mental health through their somatic symptoms rather than clinical diagnoses. This experience greatly enhanced my ability to connect with clients and tailor my approach to meet their unique needs.
Contact Info:
- Website: https://www.qazizadatherapyclinic.org
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/qazizadamulticulturaltherapy/
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/QazizadaFoundation/
- Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/@Qazizada
