Meet Samira Dewidar | LCSW, Integrative Trauma and EMDR Therapist

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

Hi Samira, can you walk us through the thought-process of starting your business?
I never dreamed of being a business owner or a therapist. I was originally drawn to public education work and considered being a teacher as well as an advocate for public education reform. I ultimately decided I wanted to work 1:1 with young people in schools as a school social worker which I did for many years both in Los Angeles and New York City public schools. My path to being a trauma therapist in private practice feels unexpected but also completely right and full circle. My father was an immigrant to the US and also started his own business. After many years of working in settings where I was unable to do the deep and meaningful therapy work I am passionate about, I decided to start my own practice. While I was helping clients in those settings, it was often short-term work and I realized I wanted to do more long-term trauma therapy with people. I truly love the work I do now and seeing the amazing progress my clients make, feeling more confident and connected in their personal and professional lives, makes the hard work of owning a business worth it.

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?
I’m a licensed clinical social worker and trauma therapist specializing in teens and adults who on the surface have it “all together” but struggle with self doubt, worry, and not feeling “good enough.” My practice is dedicated to helping clients heal from childhood trauma by providing a safe space to process their experiences, support them in developing self compassion and confidence, and empowering them to see their strengths and resilience. I utilize a combination of Attachment-Focused EMDR, an evidence based trauma treatment for childhood trauma, and client-centered talk therapy. I encourage a holistic approach to healing so I partner with trauma-informed acupuncturists, nutritionists, doctors, and yoga instructors since trauma impacts not only our emotions but our bodies as well.
I moved to Los Angeles in January 2020 from my hometown, New York City, and was very excited. Then the pandemic hit two months later and the entire world shifted. My new job became virtual overnight and I was quarantining in a new city I wasn’t familiar with. It felt very hard to be so far away from loved ones during such a scary time and to not know when I would see them again. Both personally and professionally it felt like the pandemic set me back about two years in terms of transitioning to Los Angeles. Like many therapists, I struggled during the pandemic with all the changes while trying to support clients who were experiencing the same thing.

Starting a private practice as a therapist is always tough because unlike other businesses, potential clients don’t know you exist since you don’t have a storefront the way a restaurant or pilates studio does. It’s definitely by word of mouth from other therapists and your local network. Being in a new city where I didn’t have many local colleagues or connections, starting my practice felt especially hard because of the pandemic. I have really worked hard to put myself out there, professionally and personally, in order to build my presence and business. It would have been much easier to have stayed in New York and opened up shop there. I was definitely thrown a curveball and wouldn’t have chosen this way but I learned so much about myself. It was a tough but necessary reminder of my own resilience and strength which I often help my clients see but sometimes have a hard time noticing in myself. I’m really proud of the business I have built and the wonderful people I have met here in Los Angeles who have embraced me.

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?
Like everyone in Los Angeles, I love my neighborhood and spend most of my time there. My ideal itinerary would definitely skew towards the “Eastside.” A great trip to Los Angeles would include hikes in Griffith Park, a picnic at the Silver Lake Meadows, and wandering the Huntington Gardens. If we are lucky, catching a show at the Hollywood Bowl is always such a great “LA” experience. I love the diversity of Los Angeles and no trip is complete without dinner in Thai Town and street tacos. I have so many favorite restaurants so it’s hard to choose but places like Little Dom’s and Saffy’s are always popular with friends who visit. We are lucky to have snow, mountains, beach, and desert accessible to us so depending on how long a friend is visiting, taking a weekend trip to Joshua Tree or spending time at the beach would be part of the itinerary. I think the easy access to nature, great weather year round, and amazing food scene really sets Los Angeles apart as a city so that’s what I would want to share with friends when visiting.

Who else deserves some credit and recognition?
My partner Dale has always been my biggest supporter. Making the leap to open a business and then navigating all of the challenges of running a business is definitely a risk. We are trained to be therapists, not business owners, so while I felt confident about my ability to help people, I wasn’t so sure about the business aspect. My partner definitely pushed me to go for it and has been so encouraging throughout the process. Additionally, colleagues and mentors who have gone through the process of opening a private practice have been so supportive – whether it is sharing resources, practical advice, or reminding me that I can do this have all been part of my journey to get where I am in my business today. I’m definitely lucky to have such wonderful colleagues in the field.

Website: www.therapywithsamira.com