Meet Homeyra Faghihi, PsyD, LCSW | Empowerment Coach and Licensed psychotherapist

We had the good fortune of connecting with Homeyra Faghihi, PsyD, LCSW and we’ve shared our conversation below.

Hi Homeyra, what was your thought process behind starting your own business?

As a Licensed Clinical Social Worker, I used to work in a women’s clinic providing psychotherapy and case managment to my clients. Before that while I was in private practice as well as another community agency, I also had the honor of serving a lot of women. Over the years, I have always found it so rewarding to be of service to women with similar struggles as I once faced, myself, and witness their process. I resigned from my job in 2021 with the intention to focus on helping women all over the world to improve their self esteem, and not just women local to me. This is why I started my business Power to the Self online coaching which has allowed me to serve women in several different countries.

More recently, I narrowed down my work to helping women who struggle to say no to set kind and clear boundaries and ask for what they want in any relationship.

Alright, so for those in our community who might not be familiar with your business, can you tell us more?

I coach women who struggle to say no to set kind and clear boundaries and ask for what they want so that they can stay true to themselves.

I bring my experience as a psychotherapist of 24 years to my coaching practice. Not to mention, personally, I have been practicing saying no quite a bit in my life which makes me qualified AND excited to address this prevalent problem among women, especially , because I used to struggle with poor self-esteem in my younger days.

I have said no to group think in my family, at my job and in my community. I have said it kindly, yet firmly. I have lost some people over my decisions, and have gained confidence instead. By taking the paths I have taken in my life, as well as the work experience with hundreds of women over my 24 years, I am well equiped to teach on the subject and coach women. All this with a history of poor self image, and no awareness in my early years that saying no was even an option.

My mission is to help women remember who they are underneath the shame and self-doubt, so that we can all live an athentic life, AND be a part of making this world a better place. The time is NOW. The world is in very bad shape and we need to be a part of healing it. How can we possibly be of help to humanity and our planet , if we are constantly stuck in self-doubt, self judgment and lack ability to set limits with others. I strongly believe that by saying no to things we don’t want, saying yes to ourselves, and being kinder and more patient with ourselves, we can heal ourselves of course, AND help heal the world. Our love for ourselves will spill over into everything and everyone around us. I truly get excited about this concept.

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?

I would take my friend to Venice to check out the cool neighborhoods and architecture around the canals. Then would take her out for a bit of shock factor to Venice beach for fun and cool things to see.

For a different LA experience, I think I would take her to Pacific Palisades village and try a fancy restaurant there. 🙂

Self- Realization Fellowship Temple would be an amazing place to visit for its calmness and beautiful gardens.

Driving around in the Hollywood hills would be fun too.

I would take her to the Hollywood Bowl for the coolest LA experience.

We would definitely have some Persian food, like Raffi’s in Glendale or Sadaf in Thousand Oaks. Or a sandwich at Attari deli in Westwood.

Broad museum would be on the list too.

We will absolutely drive to San Francisco for the second part of her stay, take the PCH at least part of the way. Walk around the city and soak it in, Explore different neighborhoods and visit Sausalito.

Packed week. She will need a whole week at home to recover. but well worth it. 🙂

Who else deserves some credit and recognition?

I am grateful to two of my family members who helped me arrive in the US at age of 20. Also, I did have two therapists, one in my 20s and one in my 30s. They helped me see myself through their eyes. Even though I saw each of them briefly, they did make an impact on my life.
Being an immigrant and on my own, managing life without any money, or ability to speak English, and no friends when I arrived in the US, I had to rely on myself for almost everything. I managed to live independently, get my education and work many jobs, some of which I loved, and some I didn’t. Sometimes I worked two jobs at a time while going to school.

I also managed to make great friends in my first couple of years here in the US. As young immigrants they were also busy addressing their own issues but they did remind me of the meaning of fun and togetherness, just by being in my life. They were my family at the time when I had no family here in the US. I am still friends with a couple of them.

Last but not least, I have tremendes gratitude for my sweet and fun husband of eleven years. He is super supportive in general, and specifically, very supportive of my decision to leave my stable job in August of 2021 and start my own coaching business. I am eternally grateful for his faith in me. Not many blessings in life can equate the value of a loving and generous partner.

P.S. Thank you, mom, for too much to list. I love you.

Website: https://www.powertotheself.com/

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/power.to.the.self/

Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/homeyra-faghihi-psyd-lcsw/