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Psychology Workshop Series

Session 1: The Role of Culture in Anxiety and Depression

Welcome to the first session of our Psychology Workshop Series, organized by House of Friendship and sponsored by HealthLit4Wake.

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Our psychology workshop, The Role of Culture in Anxiety and Depression, explored how our emotions and mental well-being are deeply influenced by the cultures we live in.


Led by Dr. Salumeh Safayi, the session shed light on how cultural values shape the way we experience, express, and manage anxiety and depression.

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📖 Session 1 Highlights 

  • The Role of Culture in Anxiety and Depression: how societal values influence our understanding of emotions.

  • The Culture of Shame and Anxiety: how emotional suppression and fear of judgment can manifest as physical distress.

  • Cultural Tools in Managing Anxiety: exploring the therapeutic effects of music, poetry, rituals, and storytelling.


🌍 This session welcomed both Iranian and non-Iranian participants. To make the workshop more inclusive, we enabled closed captioning translation, ensuring that everyone could fully engage with the material regardless of language.

​✨ The workshop emphasized how collective rituals, storytelling, and cultural practices can restore meaning, connection, and emotional balance - reminding us that healing is not only individual but also social and cultural.

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📅 Event Date: November 8, 2025
📍 Location: Online Session 

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Session 2: The Role of Culture in Anxiety and Depression

Welcome to the second session of our Psychology Workshop Series, organized by House of Friendship and sponsored by HealthLit4Wake.

 

Our workshop, Migration Stress and Coping Strategies, explored how the process of moving to a new country impacts emotional, psychological, and physical well-being.

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Led by Dr. Salumeh Safayi, this session examined the challenges migrants commonly face — from employment difficulties to language barriers and offered practical tools to support healthy adaptation and emotional resilience.

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📖 Session 2 Highlights 

  • Understanding Migration Challenges

  • Psychological and Physical Impacts

  • Effective Coping Strategies

  • When to Seek Professional Help

  • Personal Growth Through Migration

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🌍 This workshop welcomed participants from diverse backgrounds, creating a supportive space to openly discuss the realities of migration. Closed caption translation was available to ensure accessibility for attendees of all language levels.

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✨ The session emphasized that while migration brings real stress, it also offers opportunities for self-discovery and personal transformation. With understanding, support, and healthy strategies, migrants can navigate challenges while building a meaningful new chapter in their lives.

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📅 Event Date: November 22, 2025
📍 Location: Online Session 

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Session 3: Combating Immigrant Isolation

Welcome to the third session of our Psychology Workshop Series, organized by House of Friendship and sponsored by HealthLit4Wake.

 

In this session, Combating Immigrant Isolation, we focused on one of the most common yet often unspoken challenges of migration: the experience of social isolation and loss of belonging.

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Led by Dr. Salumeh Safayi, the session explored why immigrants are particularly vulnerable to isolation, from the sudden collapse of familiar support systems to the emotional pressure of adapting to a new social and cultural environment. Special attention was given to immigrant self-criticism and how internal expectations can deepen feelings of loneliness.

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📖 Session 3 Highlights 

  • Understanding why isolation is common after immigration

  • The loss of previous social and emotional networks

  • External pressures from adapting to a new environment

  • Internal barriers such as self-criticism and comparison

  • Differences between real and superficial social networks

  • Characteristics of healthy, supportive relationships

  • The importance of recurring spaces and warm introductions

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A central part of this session was the participant discussion, where attendees openly shared their own experiences of isolation after immigration. These exchanges created a supportive space for reflection, validation, and learning from one another’s journeys.

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🌍 This session welcomed participants from diverse backgrounds. Closed caption translation was enabled to ensure accessibility and inclusive participation.

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✨ The workshop emphasized that isolation is not a personal failure, but a shared experience — and that connection can be intentionally rebuilt through small, consistent, and meaningful steps.

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📅 Event Date: December 06, 2025
📍 Location: Online Session 

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Session 4: Maintaining Emptional Balance During Difficult Times

House of Friendship is proud to present the fourth session of our Mental Health Workshop series, sponsored by HealthLit4Wake. This session focused on mental health, coping with crises, and maintaining emotional balance during challenging times.

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We begin by honoring those affected by the recent crisis in Iran, offering condolences to families and communities impacted, and expressing hope for peace, safety, and healing.

Session Highlights:

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Led by Dr. Hassan Mohammad Tehrani, PhD in Counseling, licensed by the Iranian Psychology and Counseling Organization, and founder of Radin Counseling Center, this session covered:

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📖 Session 4 Highlights 

  • Defining mental health and emotional stability

  • Understanding the CBT cycle and the link between thoughts, feelings, and behaviors

  • Recognizing and addressing cognitive errors such as Automatic Negative Thoughts (ANTs)

  • Exploring collective trauma and its effects on communities

  • Applying the 5-4-3-2-1 grounding technique for present-moment awareness

  • Practicing slow, intentional breathing for physiological regulation

  • Managing information consumption to reduce stress

  • Coping with moral injury and survivor’s guilt during crises

  • Choosing meaning and nurturing human connections in difficult times

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🌍 This session welcomed participants from diverse backgrounds. Closed caption translation was enabled to ensure accessibility and inclusive participation.

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📅 Event Date: January 31, 2026
📍 Location: Online Session 

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Session 5: Navigating the U.S. HealthCare System

House of Friendship proudly presented the fifth session of our Psychology Workshop Series, focusing on understanding how mental health services operate within the United States healthcare system.

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Sponsored by HealthLit4Wake, this session provided a practical guide to accessing mental health services, navigating health insurance, identifying culturally competent providers, and understanding individual rights as an immigrant in the United States.

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The workshop was led by Grace He, a licensed mental health counselor specializing in culturally sensitive care for Asian, immigrant, and refugee communities. Drawing from her professional experience, she offered clear guidance to help participants better understand how to seek support and advocate for themselves and their families within the healthcare system.

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📖 Session 5 Highlights 

  • How to access mental health services in the United States

  • Understanding health insurance and coverage options

  • Finding culturally competent mental health providers

  • Knowing your rights within the healthcare system

  • Supporting emotional wellness in immigrant and multicultural communities

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🌍 This session welcomed participants from diverse backgrounds. Closed caption translation was enabled to ensure accessibility and inclusive participation.

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📅 Event Date: Feb 14, 2026
📍 Location: Online Session 

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Session 6: Youth Mental Health

House of Friendship proudly presented the sixth session of our Psychology Workshop Series, focusing on Youth Mental Health and practical access to care.

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This session provided clear and structured guidance for families and young individuals seeking to better understand the mental health system in the United States. Participants learned how to navigate available services, interpret insurance coverage, and identify culturally competent providers who understand diverse backgrounds and lived experiences.

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The workshop was led by Dr. Hassan Mohammad (Farhad) Tehrani, a member of the American Psychological Association, who shared professional insights and answered participants’ questions.

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📖 Session 6 Highlights 

  • How to access mental health services in the United States

  • Understanding health insurance and coverage options

  • Finding culturally competent mental health providers

  • Knowing your legal rights as an individual

  • Supporting youth mental well-being

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🌍 This session welcomed participants from diverse backgrounds. Closed caption translation was enabled to ensure accessibility and inclusive participation.

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📅 Event Date: Feb 28, 2026
📍 Location: Online Session 

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Session 7: Women's Mental Health and Cultural Expectations

The seventh session of our Psychology Workshop Series, focused on Women’s Mental Health and Cultural Expectations in the United States.

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This session explored how cultural norms, societal pressures, and expectations can shape women’s mental health experiences. Participants gained a deeper understanding of the challenges women may face when balancing identity, family roles, and community expectations, especially within diverse cultural contexts.

 

The workshop also highlighted the importance of culturally aware mental health care and encouraged open conversations around stigma, emotional well-being, and access to supportive resources.

 

The session was led by Dr. Hassan Mohammad (Farhad) Tehrani, a member of the American Psychological Association, who shared professional insights and engaged with participants through discussion and Q&A.

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📖 Session 7 Highlights 

  • Understanding cultural influences on women’s mental health

  • Recognizing the impact of societal expectations and gender roles

  • Addressing stigma surrounding mental health in different communities

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🌍 This session welcomed participants from diverse backgrounds. Closed caption translation was enabled to ensure accessibility and inclusive participation.

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📅 Event Date: March 14, 2026
📍 Location: Online Session 

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Session 8: Financial Stress and Mental Health

Welcome to the eighth session of our Psychology Workshop Series, organized by House of Friendship and sponsored by HealthLit4Wake.

 

This session focused on Financial Stress and Mental Health, exploring how financial challenges and uncertainty can affect emotional well-being, relationships, motivation, and overall mental health.

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Led by Grace He, a licensed mental health counselor specializing in culturally sensitive care for Asian, immigrant, and refugee communities, the workshop provided practical guidance on understanding stress responses and developing healthier coping strategies during financially difficult periods.

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📖 Session 8 Highlights 

  • Understanding the emotional and psychological effects of financial stress

  • Recognizing signs of anxiety, burnout, and emotional exhaustion

  • The impact of financial pressure on relationships and daily life

  • Healthy coping strategies and stress management techniques

  • Building resilience during periods of uncertainty

  • The importance of support systems and community connection

  • Practical approaches to protecting mental well-being

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🌍 This session welcomed participants from diverse backgrounds. Closed caption translation was enabled to ensure accessibility and inclusive participation.

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📅 Event Date: March 28, 2026
📍 Location: Online Session ​

Session 9: Psychology Crisis Intervention and Emergency Resources

Welcome to the ninth session of our Psychology Workshop Series, organized by House of Friendship and sponsored by HealthLit4Wake.

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This session focused on Crisis Intervention and Emergency Resources, providing participants with practical information on recognizing mental health emergencies, accessing crisis support services, and supporting individuals and families during emotionally difficult situations.

 

Led by Grace He, a licensed mental health counselor specializing in culturally sensitive care for Asian, immigrant, and refugee communities, the workshop explored the importance of early intervention, community awareness, and accessible support systems.

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The session also encouraged open discussion around emotional crises, suicide prevention awareness, domestic violence resources, and ways communities can provide compassionate and informed support.

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📖 Session 9 Highlights 

  • Recognizing signs of mental health crises and emotional distress

  • Understanding crisis intervention and emergency response resources

  • Supporting family members and loved ones during difficult situations

  • Suicide prevention awareness and available community support services

  • Domestic violence resources and safety support options

  • The role of culturally sensitive care in crisis response

  • Encouraging open conversations and community support

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🌍 This session welcomed participants from diverse backgrounds. Closed caption translation was enabled to ensure accessibility and inclusive participation.

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📅 Event Date: April 18, 2026
📍 Location: Online Session ​

Session 10: Resilience and Future Planning

Welcome to the tenth session of our Psychology Workshop Series, organized by House of Friendship and sponsored by HealthLit4Wake (Wake County).

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This session focused on Resilience and Future Planning, providing participants with practical tools and strategies for strengthening emotional resilience, setting achievable goals, and creating long-term personal well-being plans.

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Led by Dr. Hassan Mohammad (Farhad) Tehrani, a member of the American Psychological Association (APA), the workshop explored how individuals can maintain motivation, emotional balance, and hope while navigating personal, social, and life challenges.

 

Participants engaged in thoughtful discussions, goal-setting exercises, and resource-sharing activities designed to encourage self-growth, confidence, and ongoing community support.

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📖 Session 10 Highlights 

  • Understanding resilience and emotional adaptability

  • Goal-setting exercises for personal growth and future planning

  • Developing personal well-being plans and healthy routines

  • Building motivation, confidence, and emotional balance

  • The role of community support in mental wellness

  • Resource sharing for continued emotional development

  • Encouraging hope, self-awareness, and long-term well-being

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🌍 This session welcomed participants from diverse backgrounds. Closed caption translation was enabled to ensure accessibility and inclusive participation.

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📅 Event Date: May 23, 2026
📍 Location: Online Session ​

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