Meet Ava Elmzadeh | Psychotherapist & Adjunct Professor

We had the good fortune of connecting with Ava Elmzadeh and we’ve shared our conversation below.

Hi Ava, how do you think about risk?
I consider myself an adventurous rebel and risk taking has been an integral part of my growth. I took a huge risk to join an improv class to overcome my debilitating social anxiety and it worked. I took risks over and over again by sharing my unique perspective in front of strangers. For me, risking is all about understanding the fear and how protective it can be and not letting the fear hold me back from growing. Without risk, there is no learning. Without learning you get stuck and close-minded. Being a rebel is being open and willing to step out of my comfort zone and experience new things.

Please tell us more about your work. We’d love to hear what sets you apart from others, what you are most proud of or excited about. How did you get to where you are today professionally. Was it easy? If not, how did you overcome the challenges? What are the lessons you’ve learned along the way. What do you want the world to know about you or your brand and story?
For me, life is art. I have always been an artist and I knew I had to choose a career that also embodied that. I think I have an unconventional perspective to therapy in that it is an art as well. I create art in collaboration with others through dialogue or visuals. I am an artist in that the questions I create paint a story with rich characters. I also intertwine philosophy, which is an art, with therapy as well, particularly postmodernism and existentialism. Not too long ago I ran a music group with teens and we would karaoke and play different instruments together, which helped with depression. Outside of work, I play the drums in a band called Ava Winehouse, and we mostly cover Amy Winehouse songs. If there’s one thing I’m sure of, it’s that I long for imagination and creativity everyday and help others add art to their lives as well.

Any places to eat or things to do that you can share with our readers? If they have a friend visiting town, what are some spots they could take them to?
The first place I would take a loved one to visit is the music studio I share with friends and play music for them or even jam with them if they play too. The next place I would take them is Chaak Kitchen, which is a really unique Bib Garmound restaurant that serves Yucatan dishes. My personal favorite beach to visit with others is Crystal Cove with its trails across PCH and stunning sunsets. I would bring food for a picnic there and some of my favorite games including Azul, Gambio and Ghost Blitz. The last place I would go is to Brio Brio for Japanese style coffee and great vibes.

The Shoutout series is all about recognizing that our success and where we are in life is at least somewhat thanks to the efforts, support, mentorship, love and encouragement of others. So is there someone that you want to dedicate your shoutout to?
I would not be where I am today without the tremendous support and love from my community. My community includes loved ones, mentors, friends, colleagues and my dear husband, Will Sherwin. I want to give a special shoutout to Marcy Rivas for supporting and mentoring me in Narrative Therapy. Her courage, story-telling and rebellious spirit help me connect to my values and also my ancestors who came before me. I also want shoutout Duncan Wigg and David Marsten for being the most influential mentors in my life. I am so grateful to have been supervised in Narrative Therapy by these two. What I love about being supported by everyone mentioned, is that I can keep them all in my mind and heart and when difficult situations arise, I imagine what they would say and do to support me and it helps me so much.

Website: Avalmft.net

Linkedin: Ava Elmzadeh

Other: https://www.psychologytoday.com/us/therapists/ava-elmzadeh-tustin-ca/872070