was born and raised in Iran, where her mother worked as an elementary teacher and her father as a writer, poet, and activist. Their influence and unwavering encouragement laid the foundation for her lifelong commitment to writing and social justice.

In 1985, Dr. Mahdavi West left Iran and lived in Turkey until mid-1987, when she was granted residency in Sweden as a UN refugee. After two years there, she immigrated to the United States in 1990, where she was granted asylum in 2005. She became a U.S. citizen in 2010 by naturalization.

She earned her Bachelor of Arts in Psychology and Human Development from Vanguard University in 2007, followed by a Master of Arts in Clinical Psychology from Pepperdine University in 2010. In 2018, she completed her Ph.D. in International Psychology with an emphasis on International Trauma Services from the Chicago School of Professional Psychology.

Dr. Mahdavi West serves as a Professor in the Department of Allied Health at Long Beach City College, where she teaches Addiction Treatment Counseling, Multicultural Diverse Populations, and Mental Health Studies. Beyond her roles as a clinician and educator, she is a passionate advocate for social justice, championing the rights of marginalized communities, including women, refugees, people of color, incarcerated populations, and those affected by punitive drug policies.

In 2023, she published Dusty Relics, a collection of poetry that reflects her journey and vision. Dr. Mahdavi West is married to the renowned author and philosopher Dr. Cornel West.