We had the good fortune of connecting with Lillian Farzan-Kashani and we’ve shared our conversation below.

Hi Lillian, what habits do you feel helped you succeed?
I think one of my strengths is my ability to connect with others in a deep way. Through my training and personal experience, I have found that social support can be one of the most powerful contributors to emotional and physical wellness. With that being said, I think consulting others on a regular basis, whether a therapist, coach, or trusted friend, has certainly helped me succeed.

To expand on this thought, I’m reminded of my accountability group with whom I trained and ran a half marathon during the height of the pandemic. This was something that the 3 of us took on together from different corners of the state and independent of a traditionally organized race. Sharing wins, struggles, and overall progress within this group without a doubt helped me stay consistent and reach the finish line.

Alright, so for those in our community who might not be familiar with your business, can you tell us more?
I’m a social justice oriented therapist and writer. I focus on working with marginalized groups including POC, first generation individuals, and the LGBTQ+ community. I’m most passionate about advocating for communities directly impacted by systemic injustice. Aside from the magic that occurs when you are passionate about the work you are doing, I am perhaps most excited about the autonomy that comes with being your own boss. I am grateful to be able to work remotely while simultaneously seeing the world.

The road to licensure as a Marriage and Family Therapist was certainly a bumpy one as, unfortunately, trainees and pre-licensed professionals are exploited for intense work with high risk populations, often experiencing vicarious trauma and burnout. I overcame these challenges through therapy, being plugged into my community, and more specifically, through socio-economic privilege.

Along the way I’ve learned that no one will/is able to take care of you like you are, and furthermore, that self-care is something to pursue with deep intention.

Let’s say your best friend was visiting the area and you wanted to show them the best time ever. Where would you take them? Give us a little itinerary – say it was a week long trip, where would you eat, drink, visit, hang out, etc.
I would pre-order sandwiches online from Bay Cities Deli and my bestie and I would have a picnic on the beach. 100%

Who else deserves some credit and recognition?
My friends, Andrew and Laurel, also mental health professionals, have supported me through a variety of life’s arenas.

Website: https://www.groundedtherapy.info/

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/grounded1therapy/

Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/lillian-farzan-01989363/

Image Credits
Gary Quinn; Sina Rezvanpour

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