We’re excited to introduce you to the always interesting and insightful Melika Biglarpour-watson. We hope you’ll enjoy our conversation with Melika below.
Hi Melika, appreciate you sitting with us today to share your wisdom with our readers. So, let’s start with resilience – where do you get your resilience from?
Resilience, for me, is like the thread that has woven through each chapter of my life, stitching together the pieces of my journey. I was born in Iran, surrounded by family—there was always someone to play with, a sense of belonging wrapped around me like a blanket. But at three years old, that blanket was lifted, and we moved to the breathtaking landscapes of Vancouver, British Columbia. It was a world of new sounds, a new language, and a culture so different from what I had known. I was a child then, curious and open, the comments about how I didn’t quite fit—whether it was being too different in Canada or not “Persian enough” back home—bounced off me. Or so I thought.
Then came another move, this time to sunny Southern California, to Irvine, with its proximity to Disneyland and new adventures. I was nine, once again facing the task of rebuilding a life from scratch. But by then, the sting of being different started to sink deeper. Still, I believed in the promise of “when I’m older, it’ll be easier.” So, I pressed on. Through all the moves—we changed homes seven times in Irvine alone—through the heartbreaks, the grief, the joy of friendships, the ache of bullying, the violations to my body, and the complexity of family dynamics, I learned to keep going. The message was clear: no matter what, keep moving forward.
But looking back, I know it wasn’t just me pushing through. I had a chosen family—friends who became my anchor, who stood by me when life was at its hardest. They cried with me, laughed with me, and showed me the importance of not giving up on myself. With the support of community I pursued graduate school and eventually a new chapter out of state with my spouse.
Resilience is beautiful, and it’s also exhausting. It takes courage not only to stand tall in the face of adversity but to reach out and ask for help when the weight becomes too much. As much as resilience is about inner strength, it’s also about community—the people who hold you up when you can’t do it alone. And to anyone feeling weighed down by life right now and feeling alone, I see you. You matter.
Thanks for sharing that. So, before we get any further into our conversation, can you tell our readers a bit about yourself and what you’re working on?
As a psychotherapist with over seven years of experience, I’ve had the privilege of guiding individuals and couples through some of life’s most challenging moments. I’m licensed in California, Hawaii, and Oregon, and hold a Master’s degree in Clinical Psychology from Pepperdine University. My expertise also extends to sex therapy, having completed a certification through the California Institute of Integral Studies Public Program. Alongside that, I’m a certified online breathwork practitioner and soon will be certified for in-person breathwork. I’m also pursuing full certification in EMDR (Eye Movement Desensitization & Reprocessing), a powerful tool for processing trauma.
My practice is based in Oakland, where I offer both in-person and virtual services. I work primarily with adults who are grappling with anxiety, self-criticism, relationship challenges, sexual issues, and trauma. My dedication extends to supporting immigrants, adult children of immigrants, and BIPOC individuals. Being an Iranian immigrant myself, I deeply understand the complex, beautiful, and often difficult experience of navigating multiple cultures and identities.
What makes my work truly special is the holistic approach I take, blending traditional psychotherapy with breathwork and body-centered techniques. This mind-body connection allows clients to explore their emotions, embrace vulnerability, and build healthier, more compassionate relationships—with themselves and with others. I focus on creating a safe, nonjudgmental space where people can connect with their inner strength and healing.
I regularly share tips and resources on my Instagram, @MBW_Holistic_Psych, and invite you to visit my website, MBWpsychotherapy.com, to sign up for therapy, breathwork, or a free consultation. You can also subscribe to my newsletter for updates and access to free breathwork sessions. I’m excited to continue growing and offering these tools to help people on their journey toward emotional and relational well-being.
If you had to pick three qualities that are most important to develop, which three would you say matter most?
Here are three key qualities that have been most impactful on my journey, along with advice for those just starting out:
Curiosity: Embrace the fact that you don’t know everything—and that’s okay! Admitting gaps in your knowledge and actively seeking ways to improve will take you far. Mistakes are inevitable, but they’re part of the learning process. Stay open to growth and be willing to ask questions, even when it’s uncomfortable.
Networking: Stay connected with people from your education and training—these connections are invaluable for both referrals and support. Also, don’t hesitate to reach out to other professionals and businesses. You’ve worked hard to get where you are—let people know who you are and what you offer!
Self-Care: No matter what it looks like for you, set aside time for self-care. Building a business and helping others can be energy-draining, and pushing through burnout doesn’t serve you or the people you are helping. Self-care is personal—it could be a quiet walk, a creative hobby, or even making up songs and dancing like I do! Find something that brings you pleasure and make space for it in your life.
For those just starting, my advice is to stay curious, nurture your professional relationships, and carve out time to recharge. These practices will help sustain you in the long run.
What has been your biggest area of growth or improvement in the past 12 months?
In the past 12 months, I’ve experienced beautiful personal and professional growth. I launched my business, opened my private practice, and moved to a new city. While big changes aren’t new to me—having grown up moving frequently—the emotional hurdles that come with change still persist. One of the biggest challenges I face is grappling with the negative core belief that “I’m not enough.” This belief, shaped by experiences of discrimination as an immigrant, a woman, and a person of color, as well as past traumas, has followed me for much of my life.
When I ventured into private practice and began marketing myself in a new environment, this familiar inner critic resurfaced. Doubts crept in: “Do I have enough to offer as a therapist? As a business owner? Am I doing enough? What if I fail?” These thoughts can feel overwhelming. This past year I’ve been deepening my own healing through breathwork and EMDR therapy. These practices have helped me cultivate compassion for my past, understand my inner critic, and manage my future worries.
While I still experience anxiety and moments of overwhelm, I now meet those feelings with the belief that I am enough as I am—though it’s not always easy. On days when that inner compassion is harder to reach, I’ve learned to lean on my community, which provides the external compassion and support I need to keep moving forward.
Contact Info:
- Website: https://www.mbwpsychotherapy.com/
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/mbw_holistic_psych/profilecard/?igsh=MzRlODBiNWFlZA==
- Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/melika-biglarpour-watson-97b7215b?utm_source=share&utm_campaign=share_via&utm_content=profile&utm_medium=ios_app
Image Credits
N/A
so if you or someone you know deserves recognition please let us know here.
