UA Doctor Helps Iranians Relieve Wartime Stress with Mind-Body Medicine

Noshene Ranjbar's nonprofit EARTH provides virtual trauma relief workshops for over 12,500 people in the Farsi-speaking diaspora.

Published on Mar. 9, 2026

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Dr. Noshene Ranjbar, an associate professor of psychiatry at the University of Arizona, co-founded the nonprofit EARTH to provide mind-body medicine workshops and therapy groups for Iranians dealing with the trauma and stress of the ongoing war in their country. Through EARTH's Iran & Afghanistan Health Sovereignty initiative, Ranjbar has trained over 100 Iranians virtually in Farsi to facilitate these sessions, which are held in private spaces like homes, shelters, and even barber shops. The therapies focus on techniques like breathing, movement, drawing, and biofeedback to help Iranians find resilience, healing, and empowerment during this difficult time.

Why it matters

The current conflict in Iran has led to widespread human rights violations, suppression of dissent, and loss of life, leaving many Iranians struggling with trauma, fear, and hopelessness. Ranjbar's work provides a vital outlet for Iranians to process their emotions and find community support, which can be a powerful antidote to the despair caused by the regime's abuses.

The details

Ranjbar, who was born in Iran before the 1979 Islamic Revolution, has leveraged her connections and expertise to bring mind-body medicine techniques to Iranians both inside the country and in the diaspora. The sessions integrate cultural elements and allow participants to express their fears, hopes, and dreams in a safe, private setting. Ranjbar says the therapies are "transformative" in helping Iranians build resilience, find their voices, and recognize their own inner strength.

  • Ranjbar left Iran when the country was 10 years into the Islamic regime.
  • The Islamic Republic has suppressed the voices of those who speak out or act against its regime for the past 47 years.
  • In January 2026, it is estimated that tens of thousands of anti-regime protesters were killed by revolutionary guard members in a matter of a few days.

The players

Dr. Noshene Ranjbar

An associate professor of psychiatry at the University of Arizona College of Medicine and the co-founder of the nonprofit EARTH, which provides mind-body medicine workshops and therapy groups for Iranians.

EARTH

A nonprofit organization co-founded by Dr. Ranjbar that holds workshops, advocacy, and therapy groups based on training from the Center for Mind-Body Medicine, where Ranjbar is a faculty member.

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What they’re saying

“They just need a private, safe space so that they can gather and support each other, learn the techniques and hear each other. And allow each to express the tears, the fears, the hopes, the dreams. It's transformative.”

— Dr. Noshene Ranjbar, Associate Professor of Psychiatry, University of Arizona College of Medicine (azpm.org)

“They don't want an outside government to come tell them what to do. They want the outside help — as they see it — to get rid of the abuser, the murderous regime that has been killing them.”

— Dr. Noshene Ranjbar, Associate Professor of Psychiatry, University of Arizona College of Medicine (azpm.org)

What’s next

EARTH is currently fundraising to expand its mind-body medicine programs for the Farsi-speaking diaspora.

The takeaway

In the face of ongoing oppression and violence, Iranians are finding solace and resilience through community-based, culturally-integrated mind-body therapies that empower them to heal from trauma and find their collective voice against the regime.