The Origin of the Story
Founder of The Psychology Projects | Analytical Psychotherapist | Executive Coach | Writer | Reiki Level II Certified
Welcome to The Journey of Transformation and Purpose
Mastaneh (Masti) Lashkari, LMFT, is a Licensed Marriage & Family Therapist, Analytical Psychotherapist, and Executive Coach based in Newport Beach, CA — specializing in trauma recovery, nervous system healing, the Capacity Method, burnout, perfectionism, unconscious patterns, and career transition coaching for high-achieving professionals. Founder of The Psychology Projects and creator of the upcoming Psych Projects Podcast. In-person and telehealth are available across California.
Her career began in banking, where she worked her way up from a teller to a Premier Banking Manager. She consistently exceeded sales quotas, launched new products, and opened new branches. Later, she transitioned into pharmaceutical and medical device sales, holding positions across various specialties, including high blood pressure, diabetes, infectious diseases, and psychiatric medications.
While working full-time and attending school full-time, Masti pursued her bachelor’s and graduate degrees, earning credentials in marketing and psychology. However, upon entering the mental health field, she noticed a striking contrast: her psychology degree provided minimal education on human personality and behavior, while pharmaceutical sales invested extensive resources in training representatives to influence doctors, teaching them how to understand and persuade the human brain, even at an unconscious level. The disconnect was undeniable.
Her final role in pharmaceutical sales, selling antidepressants during COVID-19, became a turning point. With her growing knowledge of disease states, misdiagnoses, and overmedication, she began to question the industry's approach. Realizing psychological labels were often used as rigid definitions rather than tools for deeper understanding.
Her struggles with depression and anxiety further fueled her passion for an approach that is both analytical and deeply human. She recognized the need for a deeper, more nuanced understanding of mental health—one that goes beyond traditional diagnoses and empowers individuals to take control of their healing.
Determined to challenge this framework, she founded The Psychology Projects, a practice dedicated to teaching people how to use their brains and understand the powerful connection between the mind, body, and soul.
Now, as a holistic psychotherapist, executive coach, and writer, Masti blends science, creativity, and storytelling to help individuals reclaim their narratives, break free from limiting psychological frameworks, and embrace personal growth on their terms—through the harmony of the mind, body, and soul.
If you are seeking psychotherapy, nervous system healing, or executive coaching, we would love to hear from you. Please fill out the inquiry form below to get started — your first step toward the work begins here.
If you’re seeking structured psychological guidance, continue the journey at The Psychology Projects.
