Meet Dalia Alzendi | Therapist, writer & activist

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

Hi Dalia, we’d love to hear more about how you thought about starting your own business?
I always wanted to have the financial freedom, working on my own pace and secure a living that I can enjoy and benefit others with too. Like a win win approach.

I thought of what I would like to do? And the answer was to raise the public awareness on several social topics in addition to mental health. And How? The answer was theough social media.

I therefore started my page, earned my Certification in Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT), and started to post, reshare and adapt different materials that supports the page purpose. Couple months later, I started to be known for people and clients started to request the services I provide.

Alright, so for those in our community who might not be familiar with your business, can you tell us more?
Since my early childhood, arts, writing and telling stories were so much fun for me. Later on, I started to be more interested in psychology and philosophy. However, my love for arts was just as equal. So I went to have my BA in designs. Then a Masters in Public Admin & Development. I worked for many years in international organizations, including the United Nations. I’ve connected with many people, and I always felt that Mental Health services scarce, stigmatized, and that there are so many people in need for support, including myself and my family.

I went to so many courses, certificates, trainings and eventually worked in a trauma informed organization, that provides wraparound services to survivors of Domestic Violence and Sexual Assault. And there my interest in pursuing my education in Marriage and Family Therapy came even stronger, however, the program fee was very high. So, I decided to reflect on my own traumas, learn from my own life lessons, self educate and learn from the so many therapists around the world through internet, gain more professional certificates and start my own line to support.

What sets me apart from others?

I am a culturally humble therapist and life coach who is bilingual in English and Arabic. My diverse life experience, including my experience with cancer, different cultures, wars, traumas, make me in better understanding to different people needs.

I have a great experience with conservative societies that has so much in gender based violence and Mental health needs. Holding all these pieces together, I am better able to understand people and their struggle in life, and better support them in making choices that are more aligned with their actual needs. Also, my page is one of the very few pages that is dedicated to raise awareness on gender equality, LGBTIQA+, mental health, and social norms in both Arabic and English.

What you are most proud of or excited about?
I am proud that I was able to help hundreds Middle Eastern people to change their perception on different social norms, healthy relationships and break the stigma around Mental Health needs. I am also proud that I was able to bring the change to so many people’s lives through my sessions, my indicator was the post sessions anonyms surveys and referral that I am getting from old clients.
I also provide free sessions to those who cant afford therapy. I’m excited that my business is growing and that I can support even more people in their life Journey.

How did you get to where you are today business-wise. Was it easy?
It wasn’t easy, i had my own fears on how people would accept me or my teachings? how would they resist something that is completely new on them (speaking about Middle Eastern communities), but I always kept my focus on my own intentions in supporting those in need, and i was very surprised how people liked my page and how it started to grow slowly.

What are the lessons you’ve learned along the way?
I would say just focus on what you want to deliver, how you want to support, and never minimize the smaller ideas that you have, mine started with a very small idea of posting words of wisdom in both Arabic and English on my Instagram, and I ended in a completely bigger thing that is growing everyday!

What do you want the world to know about you or your brand and story?

My goal was to raise the awareness and provide therapeutic and life coaching sessions to many people as I personally had a great experience through cognitive behavioral therapy myself and wanted to give back and help others too, I provide free sessions (I select 3 people each month) of those who cant afford it -with an exchange of helping me sharing my page further. I think these free of charge sessions are something new, or at least I haven’t seen that other therapists and life coaches provide.

If you had a friend visiting you, what are some of the local spots you’d want to take them around to?
In San Diego:

I would take them to old town- see some beautiful heritage and culture. La Jolla, Coronado, also will go to Downtown, sea port village, and Balboa park museums and botanic gardens. Depending on the weather, we can have some fun on Del Mar, PB and Coronado beaches, and maybe have some relaxing spots on mission bay and visit the luxury resorts around (having a breakfast on paradise point).

I will also take them to some good Vegan restaurants for new experiences, and yoga with a meal at the Trillogy Sanctuary in La Jolla. And some good Middle Eastern local Falafel (King Price in El Cajon) and Mal Al Sham for Syrian/ Lebanese salads and Kebbeh. Also, will experience the downtown lights with a drink from the c-level or Costera restaurant.

Then will end it up in LA, take tickets to the Universal Studios, go to the walk of fame and hang out in Hollywood for some fun…

Shoutout is all about shouting out others who you feel deserve additional recognition and exposure. Who would you like to shoutout?
So many people in my life were the reason behind my learnings and successes. My father, mom, my son, my daughter, my husband, and my friends from different backgrounds, ethnicities and identities.
The books I read, the philosophers, thinkers, and the spiritual teachers that I’ve met throughout my journey. The organization I worked in and its team.
And definitely, my amazing clients! Everyone has contributed to my growth on their own way.

And for all of that I’m so appreciative and grateful.

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/dalia_msgs/?hl=en