ABOUT ZARI ALIPOUR, Ph.D.

Few would have bet on Zari Alipour becoming a Ph.D. in America.  Raised in Abbadan, Iran, growing up in a culture shrouded by gender inequality, Zari’s father informed her that she could no longer go to school.  At the age of 12, he said that her place in society was now to provide domestic chores for the family.

But in her mind, the world Zari wanted to inhabit was about continuous learning.   “Reading and learning was my escape,” Zari says, “my way of feeling alive.”

Having excelled in school and being enterprising even as a child, Zari taught herself to sew.  She began to sell dresses to the girls and women in her neighborhood.  With the money she earned, she was able to secretly purchase books and continue to learn on her own knowing that she would be punished if caught.

“Real growth isn’t just about tests and measurements.  It’s about minute to minute decisions, taking the high road and living in a way that benefits you and those around you in a positive way.”

Ultimately choosing to return to school, Zari graduated from high school and obtained a Bachelor of Science in Health Science from the University of Tabriz. In 1979 at the age of 20 and amidst the Iranian Revolution, Zari escaped the turmoil by immigrating to the United States where she diligently continued her education and enjoyed American ideals such as freedom of speech and women’s rights.

She took the California state board of nursing exams and began working as an intensive care nurse.  After 10 years in the field, Zari returned to school and obtained her doctorate in psychology.

Dr. Zari is a licensed psychologist in the State of California. Additionally, she is a certified alcohol and drug counselor, a clinical hypnotherapist and a neuro-linguistic practitioner.

She is a member in good standing with the Los Angeles County Psychological Association and the California Association of Marriage and Family Therapists.

Being a woman of two very different cultures, Dr. Zari has learned the skills, insights and objectivity necessary to successfully evaluate challenges that she and others face and provide the support imperative in carrying out a positive plan of action.

“Each of us is responsible for our own destiny. It has been my honor to witness people transforming their lives and living their dream.”