Meet Dr. Mona Ghosheh | Psychologist

We had the good fortune of connecting with Dr. Mona Ghosheh and we’ve shared our conversation below.

Hi Dr. Mona, how did you come up with the idea for your business?
For the majority of my career I worked as a psychologists at a large Texas university providing mental health treatment to college and graduate students. Mental health services at college counseling centers are short term (1-6 sessions) intended to help students problem-solve and learn basic coping strategies for stress management. Oftentimes, however, students need extended services to treat more debilitating issues like depression, anxiety, trauma, or relationship problems. In these instances, students are referred to community providers who can offer long term and specialized care.

In 2015, I found myself feeling frustrated by the number of students whom I had referred out but who were struggling to connect with an off-campus provider. There seemed to be a wide range of challenges that prevented access to care: lack of transportation, busy class & extracurricular schedules, discomfort with leaving campus, lack of experience using public transportation, difficulties finding providers with necessary specializations within a reasonable geographic area, etc. And sometimes, even when a student was able to connect with an off-campus provider, they would inevitably need to interrupt treatment because of long holiday breaks when they would travel back home for an extended period of time.

That’s when the idea of providing mental healthcare online felt like an obvious solution! It would allow students to access a provider from the comfort of their home, avoid navigating transportation issues, and work with providers with the necessary specialties no matter where that provider’s office was located. Furthermore, they would be able to continue with treatment when traveling home, as long as they packed their laptop or phone! I tried to find such services for my clients but came up short. Keep in mind–this is 2016–way before telehealth services became commonplace. Instead of being discouraged by the lack of telemental health options, I got curious and eager to learn more about how this can be a solution to the barriers I’d observed.

By the end of 2016, I had created a completely virtual telemental health practice for young adults needing accessible services. Providing services in this way, as a private practitioner, was unheard of in my professional community. My business quickly grew as others, who also recognized the need for accessible services, learned about my business. I also started providing trainings and coaching to colleagues who wanted to learn about ways to offer telehealth to their clients.

In the aftermath of the pandemic, the need for more accessible services through telemental health has become undeniable. Almost all mental health professionals started providing their services online. Although this significant change in mental health provision came under unfortunate circumstances–the availability and accessibility of services that it had created for those suffering emotionally is invaluable.

Alright, so for those in our community who might not be familiar with your business, can you tell us more?
I provide individual and group therapy services to folx in their 20s & 30s who are struggling with depression, anxiety, identity issues, and self-confidence. I love helping people with marginalized identities who struggle to feel like they belong, learn to accept themselves and develop deep, meaningful relationships. These issues hit close to home as a first generation, Palestinian American, living in Texas. I know firsthand how challenging it can be to navigate young adulthood while trying to make sense of identities that can at times feel in opposition to one another.

There’s nothing more rewarding than to be able to use my skills and experiences to support those struggling with similar issues! In my career, I developed expertise in working with young adults as well as navigating issues related to identity and identity development. I also worked with systems to address the injustices and pressures imposed on people with marginalized identities. I recognize that issues of belonging, identity, and acceptance are not just personal issues–they’re tied to the world and systems around us.

I’m currently excited about my new therapy group for MENA (Middle Eastern North African) and South Asian womxn! It started out as a space for BIPOC young adults but the group organically become a space for young adult (18-35) MENA (Middle Eastern North African) and South Asian womxn! I decided to restructure this group to serve these womxn because it’s clear that there aren’t very many spaces for womxn in these communities to talk about their concerns in a safe and supportive space.

Providing services to those with marginalized identities through accessible services has been the common thread across the tapestry of my career. It hasn’t always been easy but it’s certainly been a rewarding and transformative experience!

Let’s say your best friend was visiting the area and you wanted to show them the best time ever. Where would you take them? Give us a little itinerary – say it was a week long trip, where would you eat, drink, visit, hang out, etc.
This question is difficult for me because I haven’t been able to explore much of Dallas since moving here from Austin! Here’s a few of my favorite things at the moment:

I love being outdoors and enjoy exploring parks all around the city. One of my favorites is Reverchon Park and the Katy Trail.

I highly recommend people visit the downtown Richardson area to try out Arab/Middle Eastern food, where a large concentration of restaurants and cafes are situated on Main St. off of Spring Valley and Beltline roads. My favorite is Afrah Mediterranean Restaurant.

And finally–this place reminds me of Austin–Opening Bell, a coffee shop near downtown Dallas that has open night mics on Tuesday evenings (but not sure if it’s available now during the pandemic)! Love live music!

Shoutout is all about shouting out others who you feel deserve additional recognition and exposure. Who would you like to shoutout?
I couldn’t have developed my business without the support, encouragement, and enthusiasm of my husband and family. When I came to them with my business idea they heard it with openness and posed difficult questions that forced me to think about how to structure my business so that it’s accessible and inviting from the very first contact. To this day, they are whom I go to first with ideas regarding my business.

I also learned a lot about what it means to be a private practitioner and business owner through Kelly & Miranda’s Zynnyme Business School Bootcamp & Community. They encouraged and supported out-of-the-box thinking, which fortified my courage to continue with my business idea, even on days when I didn’t feel confident.

Much credit also goes to my colleague and friend, Dr. Becky Sherman, who was a listening ear each week for almost 5 years as my business accountability partner. Together, we helped each other hash out ideas and solve business problems. She both cheers me on and helps me slow down.

And finally, I want to recognize all my clients, past and present, who have given me the privilege of being there during a crucial time in their lives. To them, I am eternally grateful and forever changed by knowing them. Thank you.

Website: drmonag.com