About Mitra Rashidian, M.S.

Mitra Rashidian holds a Masters Degree in Counseling: Option in Marriage and Family Therapy from California State University, Northridge, Department of Educational Psychology. She is currently a Ph.D.  Candidate in the field of Counseling at the University of New England, School of Health in Australia. She has made presentations in the United States (California State University of Northridge and American Counseling Association), in Canada (Canadian Counseling Association/American Counseling Association), and in Australia (The University of New England) during her Master’s and Doctoral programs. Her academic and research interests include: qualitative and quantitative research on cultural and social factors related to formation of female sexual-self.  She has been published in the Journal of Australian College of Educators.

Ms. Rashidian has lectured on radio talk shows on topics such as effective parenting, domestic violence and addictions. She has an eclectic mix of academic and clinical experiences which has qualified her for teaching at both ground and online graduate and undergraduate programs since 2006. Her professional background includes prior employment in a variety of clinical settings such as community mental health centers, non-profit organizations, In-patient/Out-patient medical and Psychiatric facilities, and crisis hotlines. In 2008, she started a coaching, seminars and education business where she helps people in all walks of life become more self-empowered.

She holds a B.S. degree in Electrical Engineering and is also an artist specializing in oil paintings. She has participated in art shows locally, and her artwork has been published in both national and international magazines. Her diverse clinical, academic, professional, and artistic experiences and studies have given her the highest quality of social and academic skills for education and personal growth. In addition, she has worked with various ethnic groups, and has developed a high level of awareness of the need for greater understanding between people of diverse cultures and backgrounds.

Having grown up as a female who has been exposed to both Eastern and Western Cultures, MS. Rashidian has become highly aware of the many social and cultural challenges that women face both in their treatment as equal human beings, and in their own beliefs about their gender role as it relates to their sexual-selves. The task, MS. Rashidian believes is to help women unlearn the prejudices perpetuated by society, culture and accepted by women for variety of reasons. One of her main goals is to educate and to empower women, and to help them understand their equal values both as human beings and as females. Her beliefs are that many sexually and gender role related issues for women are closely connected with societal and cultural prescribed values specific to women. A woman who has consciously and/or unconsciously internalized this value system is more likely to have gender role and sexual-self confusion and therefore relationship difficulties. Ms. Rashidian has spent the last ten years researching the impact of culture on sexual-self and gender role beliefs and perceptions of women and has personally interviewed over 500 women of both Eastern and Western cultures. One of her goals is to help women break away from their current perceived sexual belief systems and to gain the ability to explore, acknowledge and accept their true sense of sexual-self and humanity.

She believes that when one’s awareness of sense of true-self increase, this creates a higher quality of life for both the individual and for the countless others that this person’s life will touch.

For more information about her academic and professional activities please call (818) 906-7079.

Send email to Mitra: mitra@openhorizonstherapy.com

Mitra has been a member of the following professional organization in good standing since 2000:

News and Media:

Mitra Rashidian has made the following publication, presentations and media appearances:

PUBLICATION:

Rashidian, M., Hussain, R., & Minichiello, V. (2007). Exploring the Iranian-American Women’s Sexual Experiences: Preliminary Findings of a Qualitative Study. Bridging the Gap Between Ideas and Doing Research. Proceedings of the 2nd Annual Postgraduate Research Conference. Faculty of Education, Health and Professional Studies, and Faculty of Economics, Business, and Law. University of New England, Armidale NSW. Pp. 75 – 83.

Rashidian, M. (2006). Understanding the Sexual Selves of Middle Eastern-American Women: A study in Progress. Proceedings of the Inaugural Postgraduate Research Conference, Bridging the Gap Between Ideas and Doing Research, Faculty of Education, Health and Professional Studies. University of New England, Australia, Armidale NSW, pp. 313 – 386.

Peer Reviewed Conference Presentations Originating From Her Research Progrmas:

Rashidian, M. (2009). Understanding the Sexual‐Selves of Iranian‐American Women. Proceedings of the 4th Annual Postgraduate Research Conference, Faculty of The Professions, University of New England, Armidale, NSW, Australia. July 13‐17.

Rashidian, M. (2007). Understanding the Sexual‐Selves of Iranian‐American Women. Proceedings of the 2nd Annual Postgraduate Research Conference, Faculty of The Professions, University of New England, Armidale, NSW, Australia. July 2‐6.

Rashidian, M. (2007). Gender Roles and Power Dynamics: Counseling Strategies for Working with Iranian‐American Women. American Counseling Annual Convention, Detroit, Michigan. March 21‐25.

Rashidian, M. (2006). Understanding the Sexual‐Selves of Middle‐Eastern‐ American Women. Inaugural Postgraduate Research Conference, Faculty of Education, Health and Professional Studies. University of New England, Armidale NSW, Australia. August 8‐11.

Western Association for Counselor Education and Supervision Seminar: Counseling and Wellness in a Land of Plenty. November 2006, Las Vegas, Nevada. “Art Therapy and Severely and Persistence Mentally Ill Patients”.

Rashidian, M., Smart, R., Meji’a, O. L. (2006). Understanding the Sexual Selves of
Middle Eastern‐American Women. American Counseling Association, Canadian Counseling Association Annual Convention. Montreal, Canada, Education Session. March 30‐April 3.

Rashidian, M. (2005). The Influence of Culture on Sexual Responses of Middle Eastern Women. Postgraduate Research Conference, Faculty of Education, Health and Professional Studies. University of New England, Armidale NSW, Australia. July 31‐August 5.

California State University, Northridge, Department of Communication Disorders and Sciences, 2004. Workshop lecture: “The Dynamics of Dealing with Stroke Related Speech Impairment Resulting in Depression, and Relevant Available Therapeutic Intervention”. Experiential activity to enhance speech communication.

California State University, Northridge, Department of Educational Psychology, 2002. “Terror, Justice and Revenge - An International View”, California State University, Northridge.

MEDIA:

Mitra Rashidian has made the following media appearances:

2007 Tehran International Weekly Magazine

2007 Omid International T.V., L.A. - International Refugee Day. Educational & psychological program for refugees involved in addictions & abuse..

2005 Eastern Woman (International magazine) - Psychology/Art

2004 KIRN 670 AM Radio, Los Angeles - Counseling

2002 Jam-E-Jam International T.V., L.A. - Counseling

2002 KIRN 670 AM Radio, Los Angeles - Counseling

2001 Iran-Va-Jahan T.V., Los Angeles - Counseling