Mona Afary

Founder and Executive Director

Mona Afary has a Ph.D. in clinical psychology. She has been a licensed therapist since 1987 and a social activist since 1977. An immigrant from Iran, Afary’s experiences under Iran’s authoritarian regime shaped her life’s work in healing and justice.

As a community psychologist, she witnessed the social and psychological struggles of Cambodian survivors of war and genocide. Responding to the urgent need for a community mental health center, she formed the Center for Empowering Refugees and Immigrants in partnership with Cambodian survivors committing her life to build a community with care and justice of the highest integrity.

Email: mona.afary@cerieastbay.org