About Rahima Susan Schmall, Ph.D.

My life has been a journey of spiritual opening and healing. Early on, I was introduced to the Prayer of St Francis, which says “Lord, make me an instrument of your peace.” That has been and continues to be my compass point for every movement of my life and work with others.

Being drawn to a life of service, I received her bachelor’s degree in nursing. I then went on to obtain both a masters and doctorate in clinical psychology. For over thirty years now, I have blended my spiritual experience, medical knowledge and psychology training to provide a safe space, practical tools, and deep transformation for all my clients. I have worked as a family therapist in a drug treatment facility, department chair for a Southwestern College’s master’s program in Counseling, consultant for a locked psychiatric facility, and director of the Healing Intensive Program at the Shadhilliya Sufi Center.

Qigong in China

Training as a Buddhist. I have over 20 years of experience as a Buddhist meditator and teacher. I was a director for Shambala Training, a secular meditation program that emphasizes “basic goodness” and creating an enlightened society. It taught me to see the inherent goodness in everyone I encounter.

Life as a Sufi: In the late 1990’s I realized that while I loved meditation, it was not bringing me the deeper surrender to God that I longed for. After making a prayer, I met a healer who introduced me to the Sufi way. The Sufi Way is a path that opens the heart completely to the light of God. It trained me to see the light of God in everyone and everything.

In 2000, I left my home and job in Santa Fe and moved to a Shadhilliya Sufi Retreat Center in Northern California. While a resident there, I came to be the main teacher for the spiritual retreat program and director of the Healing Intensive Retreat.

Studying in Morocco

Healing and Growing: In 1986, I developed what was then called chronic fatigue syndrome and environmental illness. This started me on a powerful healing journey and exploration of many healing traditions. I found that the Sufi Healing, which I now offer to others, provides the deepest and most effective healing light. I studied this tradition first at what is now the University of Spiritual Healing and Sufism as well as in Europe and Morocco.

Healer and Teacher: I am currently faculty and Program Chair for the Healing and Counseling Master’s program at the University of Spiritual Healing and Sufism where I help train new healers and teachers. As a teacher, I have a passion for helping each student find their unique gift as a healer and human being. As a healer, I am known for the ability to help people with physical illness and emotional pain work through their blocks to find the peace and healing of God, a light that is inside their own heart.

Working with Rahima: I invite you to contact me for healing. I can be reached by phone at or by the email below.

Contact Dr. Schmall today to discuss how she might best support you.

• phone: (707) 318-4470
• e-mail: RahimaSchmall@yahoo.com