Aresh Assadi, Ph.D.
Director of Counseling Services
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Dr. Aresh Assadi is a Licensed Professional Counselor in Arkansas with over 15 years of experience in clinical mental health counseling, higher education, student affairs, and career development. Since earning his doctorate in Higher Education–Student Affairs from the University of Arkansas at Little Rock in 2021, he has served as director of Counseling Services at UA Little Rock, providing compassionate, client-centered care that integrates person-centered, cognitive behavioral therapy, and stoicism. His doctoral research explored masculinity, mental health, and help-seeking attitudes in male college students, revealing how traditional norms, stigma, and low mental health literacy create barriers to care. Through his work, he reframes masculinity to highlight responsibility and personal growth as strengths aligned with seeking help.
Beyond the counseling room, Dr. Assadi is a dedicated suicide-prevention advocate. He serves as research connections chair on the Board of Directors for the Arkansas Chapter of the American Foundation for Suicide Prevention, develops campus and community mental health literacy programs, and presents at national conferences and podcasts on men’s mental health and suicide prevention. At the national level, he serves on the Lived Experiences Advisory Committee under the Suicide Prevention Resource Center, helping shape prevention strategies and mental health resources for university campuses and the overall community across the country. His work blends research, advocacy, and direct service to reduce stigma, expand access, and help individuals navigate life’s challenges with resilience and authenticity.