Dr. Raha Didevar

In the summation of my experiences, I can see a clear progression that has led me to become the person I am today. Foremost, among these aspects of my personal identity is my broad interest in the field of psychology, and my more specific interest in helping people who are faced with poverty and various diseases. On the family level I have always had a strong female role model in my mother, since the death of my father in England, at the age of six. Based on this experience I gained not only a model of what it means to be a strong, independent woman and mother, but also a personal foundation built on nurturing, respect and support. This has contributed to my own psychological health while also endowing me with the skill to help others in need of support and love. Nevertheless, as I began to mature into young adulthood, I embraced the opportunity to explore various different career paths. After graduation from university, I worked as a reporter & NBA sportscaster, for NBC in San Antonio, Texas. But my instinctual feeling was that I belonged to a different path that complemented my past achievements, therefore I moved on to become a high school English teacher. In my time spent teaching I gained a strong sense for my ability to touch the lives of others, by discovering many students carry emotional hardships that threaten their progress as students and need mental support. My vision gradually evolved to become a mentor in public service, who could empower other individuals in need by enabling them to overcome their emotional obstacles.
I attained another Masters degree in Clinical Psychology with an emphasis in Marriage and Family Therapy, and began working as a mental health specialist at the Department of Mental Health (DMH). In this role I conducted therapy with adolescents who suffer from depression, substance abuse, and various mental disorders.
The main experience that made a significant contribution to my personal development and further shaped my career goals was my trip to Africa in 2005. As a volunteer with the Kenya Voluntary Development Association (KVDA), I assisted in a program of Peace Building and Conflict Transformation with the Maasai and Kuria tribes. I then traveled to various villages in Kenya & Tanzania interacting with the locals, and engaging with the people. Other than severe poverty, I realized the lack of education among children and adults dealing with sanitation and prevention of disease by maintenance of sanitary conditions. Also the vast amount of young girls having to undergo female genital mutation (FGM), not by choice. This led me to fulfill my dream by dedicating myself in starting a foundation that would educate communities on health and hygiene. I also engaged in rescuing runaway girls who wanted to continue their education, and not undergo FGM.
In 2006 I committed and completed a Phd program in the field of Depth Clinical Psychology, while working as a mental health specialist, at Cedars Sinai’s Thalians Mental Health Center.
In 2012, I relocated to Bali, Indonesia, where I provided psychotherapy for all ages. My passion is the multicultural approach to humanity, and aiding individuals in overcoming negative stances worldwide.