Bahareh Zarrini

Clinically trained Associate MFT with a Master's degree in Marriage and Family Therapy from Alliant International University (CSPP) and an active CA BBS registration, bringing a psychologically grounded foundation to direct client care. Experienced in trauma-informed intervention, structured crisis stabilization, group facilitation, and multi-agency coordination through direct clinical work with survivors of domestic violence and community members in crisis. Fluent in Farsi, with a personal history of immigration that informs a deep, authentic understanding of cultural navigation, systemic barriers, and resilience.

Complementing clinical training is extensive leadership experience in highly regulated, people-centered environments, designing human systems, resolving complex behavioral and relational dynamics, coaching individuals through change, and coordinating across institutional and governmental ecosystems. This background equips a rare capacity to practice with both relational depth and operational discipline: maintaining accurate documentation, navigating multidisciplinary teams with ease, and building the kind of structured, trust-based relationships that sustain meaningful client progress.

Behavioral Therapist & Group Facilitator at Women's Transitional Living Center (2008-01 – 2009-05)

• Delivered individual therapy and structured group facilitation for residents using a trauma-informed, strengths-based approach, providing crisis stabilization, safety planning, and long-term transition support for survivors of domestic violence and abuse.
• Conducted intake assessments and ongoing psychosocial evaluations, developing individualized care plans aligned with each resident's stabilization and reintegration goals.
• Facilitated weekly psychoeducational and process groups addressing trauma recovery, emotional regulation, coping strategies, and life skills, supporting residents at varying stages of readiness for change.
• Served as primary liaison between medical, governmental, and social service agencies, coordinating resources, advocating for client needs, and ensuring continuity of care across complex systems.
• Maintained accurate, timely case documentation and progress records in compliance with program requirements and client confidentiality standards.

VP, Regional Operations Manager at City National Bank (2025-06 – 2026-03)

• Served as a behavioral and organizational coach to regional managers and frontline teams, using structured feedback and development frameworks to improve individual and team performance, drawing on applied psychology principles in a complex, high-stakes human environment.
• Designed and implemented a 30/60/90-day onboarding and readiness framework for 28 new Account Managers, accelerating role competency and reducing performance anxiety through structured support and clear developmental milestones.
• Managed sensitive HR escalations and employee relations matters in coordination with legal counsel, navigating confidentiality, power dynamics, and interpersonal conflict with discretion and a trauma-aware lens.
• Led division-wide rollout of a new AI platform, certifying 100% of staff within three weeks by building a psychologically safe learning environment that normalized uncertainty and supported knowledge retention.
• Established the division's first 9-box talent calibration framework, integrating performance data with developmental insight to guide leadership coaching and succession conversations.

Director of Strategy & Operations at Cardiac Health & Wellness Institute (2023-03 – 2025-06)

• Directed all human resources and people operations for a clinical team of 30+, overseeing recruitment, onboarding, performance management, and staff retention, achieving a 96% retention rate and 100% HIPAA compliance.
• Served as Chief of Staff to the founding physician, translating organizational vision into actionable people and operational strategy, resolving personnel conflicts, facilitating difficult conversations, and building the leadership culture that allowed the practice to scale sustainably.
• Designed KPI frameworks using Power BI and Tableau to track clinical and operational performance, ensuring accountability and enabling data-informed decisions that substantially improved patient outcomes and resource utilization.
• Partnered with Adult Day Care programs and community health providers to expand access to care for underserved populations, leading patient education workshops and cardiovascular screenings that increased patient referrals by 20%.

VP, Senior Business Growth Strategy Officer at Wells Fargo Bank (2020-03 – 2023-02)

• Led organizational development and change management for a 700+ employee Los Angeles market, designing training and coaching infrastructure grounded in adult learning theory and behavioral change principles.
• Mentored emerging leaders across the LA market, providing structured coaching and a feedback loop to C-suite partners on team dynamics, morale, and performance, a role that required ongoing relational attunement and psychological insight.
• Led the Middle Eastern Resource Network, building culturally competent programming and forging partnerships with community organizations, reflecting the same cross-cultural and community engagement values central to behavioral health work.

Senior Regional Manager at Wells Fargo Bank (2013-06 – 2020-02)

• Built and sustained a high-performing, people-first culture achieving a 95% staff retention rate across multiple teams, a direct outcome of emotionally intelligent leadership, consistent relational investment, and strengths-based coaching.
• Developed customer persona frameworks and immersive role-playing tools for sales teams, applying behavioral psychology to improve empathy, active listening, and relational skill in client-facing interactions.
• Maintained 100% audit pass rates over eight consecutive years by embedding compliance and documentation discipline as a cultural norm.

Master of Arts in Marriage & Family Therapy – Alliant International University, CSPP

Bachelor of Arts in Psychology – University of Southern California