3rd International Child Mental and Behavioral Health Conference
 
Dr. Abdelazim Mohamed Mabrouk
Consultant Pediatrician and Clinical Assistant Professor

Dr. Abdelazim Mohamed Mabrouk is a Consultant Pediatrician at Almuwaijai ambulatory health centre in Al Ain and he is also a clinical assistant professor in the college of Medicine at the UAE University. He qualified as a doctor with a Bachelor of Medicine and Surgery (MBBS) and obtained his MD in Pediatrics from Khartoum University, Sudan, Diploma in child health from United Kingdom and Arab Board in Pediatrics. Dr. Mabrouk main fields of interests are asthma, obesity, enuresis, and ADHD. He is regularly conducting primary care services in these fields in Al Ain. He is actively involved in teaching medical students and residents in the fields of Pediatrics, Psychiatry and family Medicine. He participated in several researches and has many published papers in national and international journals.  He lectures in the Middle East and internationally, and was a recipient of the Excellence in Teaching Award for the year 2011-2012 for his work at UAE University.

 
Dr. Adel Karrani MRCPsych
Conference Co-Chair

Adel Karrani currently works as a Consultant Psychiatrist in the Psychiatry Department of Rashid Hospital in Dubai, United Arab Emirates (UAE). Dr Karrani completed his undergraduate course at the Royal College of Surgeons in Dublin, Republic of Ireland, following which he earned a Master’s in Medical Science from the University of Wales, Cardiff, UK. He is also a member of the Royal College of Psychiatrists, UK. 
Dr Karrani is currently the Director of the Training and Residency Programme at Rashid Hospital, Dubai, where his department was recently re-accredited by the Arab Board. The academic programme has proven extremely successful. Previously, he has served as a Specialist Psychiatrist at Al Kuwaiti Hospital as well as for Al Amal Hospital’s Mental Health Services, both of which are under the Ministry of Health, UAE. Dr Karrani often represents Rashid Hospital and the Dubai Health Authority in regional and local activities. Dr Karrani has delivered several lectures at regional and international conferences and is a member of the expert committee for the development of practice guidelines on the pharmacological treatment of major depressive disorder in the Middle East. 

Currently he is president of the Federation of Psychiatrists and president of the Psychiatry division at the Emirates Medical Association. He is also represents the UAE in the Arab Board of Health Specialization.
 
Dr. Afzal Javed MBBS, MCPS, D.PSYCH
Consultant Psychiatrist
Dr. Afzal Javed is a Consultant Psychiatrist at Coventry & Warwickshire NHS Trust at Nuneaton. He is an Honorary Clinical Associate Teacher at Warwick Medical School, University of Warwick UK. He also holds the position of Chairman Pakistan Psychiatric Research Centre, Fountain House, Lahore (Pakistan) He graduated from King Edward Medical College Lahore, Pakistan and received higher specialised training in Psychiatry from Pakistan and UK( from Royal Edinburgh Hospital, University of Edinburgh and Institute of Psychiatry & Maudsley Hospital London). He has served the UK Royal College of Psychiatrists as Deputy / Associate Registrar, member Board of International Affairs of the College, Chairman of West Midlands Division of the College & one of the lead College office bearers for SAS doctors & Pt & carers groups. He is also elected as executive committee member of the College Faculty of Rehabilitation and Social Psychiatry. His role in international psychiatry is highlighted by his involvement with a number of professional organisations. He is currently working as: • President World Association for Psychosocial Rehabilitation (WAPR) • Secretary for Sections World Psychiatric Association (WPA) • Founding Secretary General Asian Federation of Psychiatric Associations (AFPA) • Advisor & Founder Secretary General of South Asian Forum on Mental Health & Psychiatry (SAF) • Advisor SAARC Psychiatric Federation (SPF) • Immediate Past Co Chairman / Founder office Bearers WPA Section on Psychiatry in Developing Countries • Chairman Pakistan Psychiatric Research Centre, Fountain House, Lahore, Pakistan His areas of special interest are Psychosocial Rehabilitation, Social and Transcultural Psychiatry and Psychiatric Research. His academic skills have been invaluable when publishing more than 95 scientific papers and being author of six books/monographs on different topics of psychiatry. He is currently involved in a number of projects on Schizophrenia and is completing audits in different clinical aspects of long term management of chronic mentally ill in the community.
 
0Ahmad Alhadi
Dr.hadi is an assistant professor and Consultant Psychiatrist and Psychotherapist, department of psychiatry, College of Medicine, King Saud University, Riyadh, Saudi Arabia. Additionally he works as a Supervisor of Psychological Health Research and Applications Chair (PHRAC). He has also been involved as the Director of Psychotherapy Training in Saudi Board of Psychiatry, 2011 – current.
 
Dr. Ahmad Almai M.D.
Conference Chairman, Consultant Child & Adolescent Psychiatrist

Dr. Ahmad Almai graduated in 1989 from King Faisal University School of Medicine, Saudi Arabia. His early career included pediatric training and in 1991 he received the diploma of child health from the College of Physicians and Surgeons, Dublin Ireland.
 Dr. Almai moved to Tufts University Boston, completing two years of general psychiatric residency before joining Yale University where he completed his general psychiatry residency and child and adolescent psychiatry fellowship. He also completed one year of research fellowship at the YaleAnxiety Disorder Clinic. Dr. Almai was appointed as assistant clinical professor of psychiatry at YaleUniversity School of Medicine where he remains on staff part time. 

In addition to the above post, Dr Almai has held positions as medical director for varying children’s services and centers and established his own private practice. Dr. Almai is an American board certified in both general psychiatry and child and adolescent psychiatry. He joined SKMC Psychiatric Hospital as head of child psychiatry service in August 2011.
 
Dr. Ahmed Al Ansari
Consultant Psychiatrist

Dr. Ahmed Al Ansari received his medical degree from the College of Medicine Baghdad University, followed by a fellowship at the Royal College of Physicians in Canada. His diploma in child psychiatry and general psychiatry is from the university of Montreal, Canada. Additionally, he has a degree in health care management from the Royal College of Ireland. Currently Dr.Al Ansari is a Consultant Psychiatrist at the Ministry of Health in Bahrain and an associate professor of Psychiatry at the College of Medicine and Medical Sciences in the Arabian Gulf University. His past experience includes deputy chief of medical staff at Salmaniya medical Center in Bahrain, and chairman of the Department of Psychiatry for the Ministry of Health in Bahrain.
 
AHMED YOUSIF ALI
Consultant Psychiatrist, Head of Psychiatry Section
Dr. Ahmed Yousif Ali is a consultant Psychiatrist and Head of Psychiatry Section at the National Rehabilitation Centre, Abu Dhabi, UAE. He joined the NRC in 2002 moving from the United Kingdom, where he trained at St George’s Hospital Medical School, University of London, between 1994 and 2000. He held a Research Fellowship post at the medical school 1998-1999 and was a tutor of the MIND module in Psychiatry and an examiner in Psychiatry for medical students. He worked as a child and adolescent associate specialist in the south of England between 2000 and 2002.He became a member of the Royal College of Psychiatrists in 2001 and was elected to the Fellowship of the college in 2013. At present he is also on the editorial board of the journal of Substance Abuse Treatment, JSAT, Pennsylvania, USA.
 
Amir Mufaddel
 
Ammar AlBanna
Early onset Psychosis
Dr. Albanna is a Canadian trained child and adolescent psychiatrist at Dubai Health Authority. He completed 6 years of psychiatry residency and child psychiatry training at McGill University, Montreal, Canada. He then joined the Toronto Hospital for Sick Children as a fellow in pediatric neuropsychiatry. Dr. Albanna was involved in conducting comprehensive evidence-based and research-based assessments and interventions for children and adolescents with first episode psychosis and their families. Moreover, he has published on the genetic and cognitive aspects of first episode psychosis and is studying metabolic side effects of antipsychotic medications. Dr. Albanna is a Fellow of the Royal College of Physicians and Surgeons of Canada.
 
Asma Deeb
Consultant & Chief of Paediatric Endocrinology
Dr Asma Deeb obtained an MD degree on growth hormone gene expression from the University of Newcastle Upon Typen, UK in 2002. She held a position of Clinical Lecutrer in Paediatric Endocrinology in the University of Cambridge until 2006. She is curretnly the the Secretary General of the Arab Society of Paediatric Endocrinology
 
Dr. Azhar Abu Ali
Clinical Psychologist

Dr. Abu-Ali is currently a senior clinical psychologist at Latifa Hospital-Dubai Health Authority. She specializes in conducting psychotherapy with children, adolescents, couples, and families, and child psycho-diagnostic assessments. She specializes in psychological trauma including working with survivors of domestic violence, child abuse, medical trauma, grief and loss, and other large scale community traumas. Treatment specializations also include play and family therapy. Dr. Abu-Ali is also bilingual in Arabic/English, and has extensive experience in working with multicultural populations. Dr. Abu-Ali has previously served as the Director of Care and Rehabilitation in the Dubai Foundation for Women and Children, a Research Consultant with the World Bank in Washington D.C., and served in other capacities such as a Clinical Psychologist, Clinical Supervisor, and Director of the school-based program with the Child and Family Division at a community-based agency in the United States. Dr. Abu-Ali published and completed comprehensive and regional research on adolescent identity development, child survivors of trauma, treatment efficacy, and multicultural competency. She further specializes in developing and conducting training workshops for professionals in the field of mental health, as well as community violence prevention workshops.
 
Azhar Othman Khattab
Azhar Othman Khattab completed medical education at Mosul University earning a MBChB in 1980, and he was awarded the arab board certification in paediatrics in 1990. He is currently a consultant in the neurodevelopment section of the paediatrics department at Hamad Medical Corporation, and he is also a faculty member at the Weill Cornell Medical College In Qatar. His area of interest are movement disorder, behavioural disorder, and learning disability, on which he has several publications. He also have a special interest in ultrasound-guided botulinum toxin injection for management of spasticity in children.
 
0Beverly Wagner
Faculty Social Work Department
 
Dr. Bradley Scott Peterson M.D.
Director of Child & Adolescent Psychiatry
Dr. Peterson is the inaugural Director of the Institute for the Developing Mind at Children’s Hospital Los Angeles and the University of Southern California. He is also Director of Child & Adolescent Psychiatry at the Keck School of Medicine. He received his Bachelor’s degree and graduated summa cum laude and Phi Beta Kappa from Tulane University before receiving his Doctorate of Medicine and Alpha Omega Alpha membership from the University of Wisconsin-Madison. He trained in General Psychiatry at Massachusetts General Hospital and Harvard University, and then in Child Psychiatry at the Child Study Center of Yale University. He also trained in psychoanalysis at the Western New England Institute of Psychoanalysis in New Haven, Connecticut. He previously was a faculty member for 12 years at the Yale Child Study Center and at Columbia University for 13 years, where he was the founding Director of MRI Research and Director of Child & Adolescent Psychiatry. His own research uses brain-imaging technologies to understand the origins of neurodevelopmental disorders, map the complex pathways between the constitutional and environmental influences that confer risk for illness or protect against it, trigger its onset or progression, compensate for its presence, or mediate effective treatments. He has published hundreds of papers and received numerous awards for his work in this area. Specific disease processes that he studies include Autism, Depression, Bipolar Disorder, ADHD, Tourette syndrome, Obsessive-Compulsive Disorder, Schizophrenia, eating disorders, Nonverbal Learning Disabilities, premature birth, and the effects of environmental toxins on brain development. He has published more than 260 peer-reviewed papers and 25 book chapters or invited reviews. He has mentored a dozen graduate and medical students and 45 postdoctoral fellows and junior research faculty members.
 
Dr. Thoraiya Kanafani Ph.D., CCPC
Clinical Psychologist
Dr. Thoraiya Kanafani is a PhD graduate from the department of Clinical Psychology at Walden University. Prior to that, she completed her Bachelors in Psychology from Concordia University, her first Masters in Educational Psychology from McGill University, and her second Masters in Counseling Psychology from the University of Ottawa. After completing her education in Canada and working in many different settings, she moved to the Middle East and has been working in countries such as Bahrain, Lebanon, Saudi Arabia, and now the UAE. She has worked with a diverse client base including women with eating disorders, children with learning disabilities and those more clinically based (bipolar, clinically depressed, schizophrenics, anger management, suicide, etc). Her expertise lies in working with adolescents (11-18) and early adults (18-30), however, has experience working with older adults as well.
 
Dr. Ellen S. Rome MD
Head of the Center for Adolescent Medicin

Dr. Rome serves as the Head of the Center for Adolescent Medicine at the Cleveland Clinic Children’s Hospital. A board certified pediatrician, she was among the first to be board certified in Adolescent Medicine. Dr. Rome received her undergraduate degree in psychology, magna cum laude, from Yale University, her medical degree and Alpha Omega Alpha from Case Western Reserve University’s School of Medicine, then completed an internship and residency in pediatrics at Johns Hopkins Hospital. She next completed a three year fellowship in adolescent medicine at Children’s Hospital, Boston, as well as a masters degree in Public Health at the Harvard School of Public Health. She is a Professor of Pediatrics at the Cleveland Clinic Lerner College of Medicine at Case. Dr. Rome has held leadership positions in various organizations serving youth, currently serving as President of the International Federation of Pediatric and Adolescent Gynecology (FIGIJ) and as past Vice President of the North American Society for Pediatric and Adolescent Gynecology (NASPAG). 
 She chairs the Subcommittee on Eating Disorders for the Society for Adolescent Health and Medicine (SAHM) and serves on the Medical Care Task Force for the Academy for Eating Disorders (AED). She has served on the American Academy of Pediatrics’ Committee on Adolescence. As president of the Women’s Professional Staff at Cleveland Clinic, Dr. Rome helped create and implement a business plan to recruit, develop, and promote the best staff within Cleveland Clinic. She is the author of two books collaboratively with Dr. Mehmet Oz and Dr. Mike Roizen, You: The Owner’s Manual for Teens, and You Raising Your Child from First Breath to First Grade. 

 Dr. Rome’s research interests include eating disorders and obesity, reproductive health, and preventive care/wellness. She has been an invited speaker locally, nationally, and internationally on various topics in adolescent medicine.
 
Eva Jajonie
Clinical Psychotherapist - Director
Eva Jajonie began working in 1990 as a mental health professional after earning her Masters degree in Clinical Psychology (Family, Youth and Children) from Wayne State University, USA. She further pursued a Masters in Counselling in Educational Settings from Michigan State University in 2001. She began her experience over 20 years ago working as a Clinical Psychotherapist/Children Social Worker for the Los Angeles County Department of Children and Family Services, Oakwood Hospital Psychiatric Unit, mental health clinic and several non-profit organizations. In the schools and universities arenas, she has held counselling and teaching positions in both the USA and UAE. Her extensive experience in the UAE has led to her deep understanding of the culture and need for quality psychological services in the region. The drive to help individuals reach their potential to with joy and jubilation treating each minute with happiness and laughter resulted in Eva founding Neuron Psychological Care Center in 2014. She has also participated in Abu Dhabi Film Festival 2014 presenting "Beyond Fear" Film documentary to promote therapy for a balanced mental health and well being.
 
Farouk Majzoub
Part-time Professor Emeritus of Clinical Assessment
Dr. Frouk Majzoub is a professor of clinical assessment at the Lebanese University. He was a part time lecturer at the American University of Beirut – Social and Behavioral Sciences Department. He holds a PhD in Clinical Psychology from Paris XIII University in Paris – France, and an HDR (Habilitation a diriger les recherches) in Clinical Intercultural Studies from the University of Picardie Jules Verne in Amiens – France. He is a also a psychotherapist/coach, member of the American Psychological Association, member of the division 29 of psychotherapy of the American Psychological Association, member of the European Association of Psychotherapy, holder of the European certificate of psychotherapy, and member of jury for doctoral research in Lebanon as well as France. He is currently supervising doctoral research at the Lebanese University and has a private clinic for psychotherapy and training. He trains in the use of clinical psychological testing.
 
Fiza Hameed
Faculty Instructor

Ms. Hameed, an applied professional in Paediatric Neuropsychology, is a Faculty Instructor at Zayed University since January 2012 teaching psychology courses in both the College of Education and College of Sustainability Sciences and Humanities. Within the research arena, she is currently engaged in community wide initiatives focusing on the development of bilingual screening measures and neuropsychology testbatteries for children with learning difficulties and/or special needs. Ms.Hameed is also an active member of the university student affairs committee and is an advocate of student engagement & collaborative inter-collegiate initiatives.

Prior to her academic career, Ms. Hameed trained in psychometric testing in clinical psychology for children and early adolescences presenting with learning difficulties, language disabilities, ADHD, Autism Spectrum Disorders, Dyslexia, Behavioral issues, and other developmental delays. She is also a certified Applied Behaviour Analysis (ABA) Therapist and has provided one-one therapy to children with autism in Dubai, as well as social skills group therapy to elementary school children.

 
Hafedh Abdelmelek
Professor
 
Dr Hamza Alsayouf
Dr. Alsayouf is a consultant child neurologist who did his training at Nationwide Children’s Hospital, Ohio State University, 2006-2009. He worked as Child neurologist at Mercy Medical Hospital in Des Moines, IA from 2009 to 2012 and was an assistant professor at Des Moines Osteopathic School of Medicine. He joined Mafraq hospital in Abu Dhabi, UAE as a consultant child neurologist and was a core faculty at Gulf Medical University (GMU) from 2012 to 2013.He did his Pediatric training at Texas Tech University at Amarillo, Texas, 2002-2005 and his medical school at Jordan University of Science and Technology, 1993-1999. Dr Alsayouf has a mini-fellowship in neuroradiology done at American Academy of Radiology. Dr. Alsayouf is currently American board certified in pediatrics and in child neurology.
 
Hesham Hamoda
Child and Adolescent Psychiatrist
Dr. Hesham Hamoda is a Faculty Member at the Harvard Medical School and a Child and Adolescent Psychiatrist at Boston Children’s Hospital. He also serves as a Vice President of the International Association for Child and Adolescent Psychiatry and Allied Professions (IACAPAP) and as a Vice President of the Harvard Arab Alumni Association. Dr. Hamoda completed his Psychiatry training at the Harvard South Shore Program followed by a Fellowship in Child and Adolescent Psychiatry at Boston Children’s Hospital/ Harvard Medical School. He also holds a master-degree in Public Health from the Harvard School of Public Health. He is a Diplomate of the American Board of Psychiatry & Neurology in both General Psychiatry and Child & Adolescent Psychiatry and is also board certified in Public Health. Dr. Hamoda is involved in several educational initiatives in the Arab world related to child mental health including online courses and videos that have been accessed by over one hundred thousand students. He has also served as a consultant for the World Health Organization (WHO) where he has worked on mapping child mental health services in the region and is also developing a school mental health program for the Arab World. He has over 40 publications and poster presentations and his academic accomplishments have been recognized through awards from Boston Children’s Hospital, Harvard Medical School and several national and international organizations including the American Academy of Child and Adolescent Psychiatry, the American Psychiatric Association, the Group for Advancement of Psychiatry and the International Association for Child and Adolescent Psychiatry and Allied Professions.
 
Dr. Jawad Hashim
Assistant Professor, Department of Family Medicine, Faculty of Medicine and Health Sciences

Dr. M. Jawad Hashim is an assistant professor at the department of family medicine in the College of Medicine and Health Sciences, United Arab Emirates University, Al Ain. After obtaining his medical degree from the Aga Khan University, Pakistan, he completed an internship in psychiatry and internal medicine at the University of Rochester, New York where he continued for a family medicine residency. He was board certified by the American Board of Family Medicine in 2002. Dr. Hashim’s research interests include health systems improvement and medical informatics.

 
Dr. Jay Salpekar MD
Associate Professor of Psychiatry and Pediatrics

Jay Salpekar, M.D. is an Associate Professor of Psychiatry and Pediatrics at The George Washington University School of Medicine, and has been on faculty at Children’s National Medical Center in Washington, DC for 15 years. He received B.A. and M.D. degrees from Washington University in St. Louis and continued at Barnes Hospital for internship and residency training in general psychiatry. He then completed a child and adolescent psychiatry fellowship at the Yale University Child Study Center. Dr. Salpekar is director of the Neurobehavior Program at Children’s National, and collaborates with the Comprehensive Pediatric Epilepsy Program and Movement Disorders Program. He has extensive experience as a clinical investigator for industry sponsored and federally sponsored clinical research projects. Dr. Salpekar is a reviewer for numerous scientific journals, grant review panels, and serves on the editorial board for Epilepsy and Behavior. He is active in the American Epilepsy Society, American Neuropsychiatric Association, and was elected to the professional advisory board for the Epilepsy Foundation.
 
Dr. Jenna Alice Burton MBChB
General Practitioner
Dr Jenna Burton is an aesthetic and general physician, medial writer and is involved heavily within population health promotion. She focuses particularly on promotion of chronic eating disorder management and emotional health. Presently Dr Jenna works in GMCClinics, Dubai, where she regularly attends to patients with psychological complaints within an expatriate community. Dr Jenna is from the United Kingdom and has worked within emergency medicine in the UK and Australia before settling within the UAE.
 
Dr. John A. Fayyad
Child and Adolescent Psychiatrist

John A. Fayyad received his MD in 1985 and the American Board of Psychiatry and Neurology in both General Psychiatry (1988) and Child and Adolescent Psychiatry (1990). Currently Dr. Fayyad is a member of the Department of Psychiatry and Clinical Psychology at St. George Hospital University Medical Center and Associate Professor of Clinical Psychiatry in the University of Balamand, Faculty of Medicine and Medical Sciences, Beirut, Lebanon. Dr. Fayyad is also a researcher and a member of IDRAAC (Institute for Development Research, Advocacy and Applied Care), an NGO specialized in Mental Health.

Dr. Fayyad is active in regional and international Child and Adolescent Psychiatry. He is the Secretary General of the Eastern Mediterranean Association of Child and Adolescent Psychiatry and Allied Professions (EMACAPAP) and was a Vice President of the International Association for Child and Adolescent Psychiatry and Allied Professions (IACAPAP).

Dr. Fayyad’s research interests include the epidemiology of child and adolescent disorders, the effects of war and trauma on children, pathways to resilience, and community interventions. He has published on these topics in international scientific journals and has authored several book chapters. He is on the editorial board of several international scientific journals. His areas of clinical expertise include diagnosis and treatment of all childhood onset psychiatric disorders such as Autism, ADHD, Mood Disorders, Tic Disorders, Behavioral Disorders, Anxiety Disorders and Psychiatric Disorders.

 
Dr. Justin Thomas PhD
Experimental Psychologist

Dr. Justin Thomas PhD. is an experimental psychologist and cognitively orientated psychotherapist. His research explores cognitive processes and cultural values in the context of psychological well-being. Justin is an associate professor of psychology at Zayed University in Abu Dhabi (UAE) and author of the book: Psychological Well-Being in the Gulf States.
 
Dr. Khalid Bazaid
Assistant Professor and Consultant
Dr. Bazaid is an Assistant Professor and Consultant Child and Adolescent Psychiatrist in the Department of Psychiatry at the College of Medicine, University of Ottawa, Canada. He held a similar position at the College of Medicine in King Saud University in Saudi Arabia. He is a fellow of the Royal College of Physicians and Surgeons of Canada and among the first to become a Fellow of the Royal College of Physicians and Surgeons of Canada in the subspecialty of Child and Adolescent Psychiatry in 2014. He was a member of many professional organizations including the chairman of the Psychiatry Scientific Council of the Saudi Board, the Psychiatry Scientific Council of the Arab Board, the Child Protection Team at King Khalid University Hospital, and chairman of the Abuse Response Team in Dhahran Healthcare. He is a member of the Psychiatry Saudi Board Certification Examination, the Psychiatry Arab Board Certification Examination, the Arab Board Fellowship Scientific Committee of the Child and Adolescent Psychiatry, and the Child and Adolescent Psychiatry Section of the Saudi Psychiatric Association.
 
Dr. Mahdi AbuMadini
Associate Professor and Consultant Psychiatrist

Dr. Mahdi is an Associate Professor and Consultant Psychiatrist at the College of Medicine in Dammam, Saudi Arabia. Additionally, he is the chairman of the Department of Psychiatry for the College of Medicine at King Fahd Hospital. He founded the Saudi Psychiatric Association, and is a member in the Training and Evaluation Committee for Saudi Health Specialty in Riyadh, Saudi Arabic. Dr. Mahdi has more than 11 published papers as a single author, first and/or co-author in the national and international journals. He chaired and attended more than 37 conferences in the national and international levels. Dr. Mahdi participated as a chairman and/or member of more than 50 scientific and administrative committees at the hospital level, college or university level as well as in the national and international levels in addition to membership in many international psychiatric and neurosurgical societies.
 
0Marwan Al-Sharbati
Associate professor
 
Mary Margaret Gleason
Pediatrician & Child and Adolescent Psychiatrist

Dr. Gleason is a pediatrician and child and adolescent psychiatrist serves as the director for Tulane Infant Mental Health Services.She is interested in the clinical care of high risk young children and their families. In her academic work, Dr. Gleason is interested in early identification of childhood mental health disorders, early childhood mental health disorders in high risk children, especially reactive attachment disorder, and the factors that shape treatment decisions by families and providers. She has developed a screening tool to identify young children at risk for mental health concerns (Early Childhood Screening Assessment), that has been endorsed by the American Academy of Pediatrics.She has also coordinated an effort to define the evidence base related to preschool medications and to develop evidence-informed treatment algorithms to guide responsible treatment decisions. In addition to other leadership positions in child psychiatry, she serves on the American Academy of Pediatrics Early Brain and Child Development Leadership Workgroup, with colleagues, she received the 2011 Norbert and Charlotte Rieger Award for Scientific Achievement and is on the editorial board of the Journal of the American Academy of Child and Adolescent Psychiatry.
 
0Matin Ghayour Minaie
Research assistant
Matin Ghayour-Minaie, B.Sc., M.Sc., is currently undertaking a PhD at Deakin University, School of Psychology and is a Research Assistant in the Faculty of Health, School of Psychology. Her areas of interest center on parenting, adolescence mental health and transition to young adulthood, substance use and early prevention.
 
Dr. Medhat Elsabbahy
Adjunct professor of Psychiatry

Dr. Medhat Elsabbahy received his MD of Psychiatry from the Faculty of Medicine at Ain Shams University in Cairo, Egypt. He is adjunct professor of Psychiatry at UAE University, and currently is the head of the Psychiatric Rehabilitation Department at SKMC. He is a member of many societies including: Psychiatric Rehabilitation, Regional Deputy Vice president of the World Association of Psychosocial Rehabilitation, Head of the Psychiatric Rehabilitation Division in Arab Federation, and an International committee member of the US Psychiatric Rehabilitation Association. His work spans pediatric to geriatric specialties and includes work with addiction, abuse, psychotic disorder, emergency mental health treatment, group therapy and much more.
 
0Meshal Al Aqeel
 
Dr Mishal A. Al Kasimi
Chair of Pediatric Services at Ambulatory Health Services (AHS)

Dr. Mishal A. Al-kasimi currently serves as the Chair of Pediatric Services at Ambulatory Health Services (AHS), for Abu Dhabi Health Services Company (SEHA) and is also the Medical Director for the Abu Dhabi Centre for Care and Rehabilitation at the Zayed Higher Organization, (ZHO) located in Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates.  In his role as Chair of Pediatric Services, he has led implementation of clinical guidelines and protocols, and promoted the adoption of evidence based medicine, quality and efficiency of clinical practice. 

Doctor Al-kasimi had a significant role in merging all medical staff under one umbrella at the Abu Dhabi Centre for Care and Rehabilitation, thus ensuring that care was standardized across the clinic system.  He has a strong affinity and caring for patients with special needs and has been instrumental in bringing special services to that patient population.  Throughout his professional career, Doctor A-kasimi has been deeply committed not only to best practices and quality care, but also to patient satisfaction and best experience. 

Doctor Al-Kasimi received his Undergraduate, Medical School and Post-graduate training in the U.S.A in the State of New York.

He has been a diplomate of the American Board of Pediatrics since 2006, and a Fellow of the American Academy of Pediatrics since 2007.

In addition Doctor Al-kasimi earned a Certificate in Medical Education in Curriculum & Instruction from the University of Cincinnati in Ohio, in 2010. 

Doctor Al-kasimi is pursuing Certified Physician Executive from the American Association for Physician Leadership (formerly The American College of Physician Executives). 

 
Dr. Mohamed Bahgat Abdel-Maksoud
Consultant Psychiatrist,

Consultant Psychiatrist, Al Ain Hospital, UAE. Adjunct Assistant Professor, Department of psychiatry, UAEU. (M.B.Ch.B, MRCPsych, CCT) Dr. Abdel-Maksoud graduated in 1997 from Ain Shams University in Egypt. He obtained the Professional Linguistic Assessment Board (PLAB) and then completed the Senior House officer training in psychiatry in West Midlands Deanery in the U.K. He obtained the MRCPsych. In 2007 and then joined South West London and St. George’s Rotation as a senior registrar where he completed his higher training in general adult psychiatry. After obtaining the Certificate of Completion of Training (CCT), he worked as a substantive consultant psychiatrist in Surrey and Borders Partnership NHS Foundation Trust in the U.K. Dr. Abdel-Maksoud has joined the Behavioural Sciences Institute (BSI) in Al Ain hospital in September 2012. He has a special interest in addiction psychiatry and has other academic interests including teaching and research.
 
Dr. Mohamed Al-Garhy
Consultant Psychiatrist

Dr. Mohamed Al-Garhy is a Consultant Psychiatrist at Sheikh Khalifa Medical City and he is also anadjunct assistant professor in the department of psychiatry at the UAE University. He qualified as a doctor with a Bachelor of Medicine and Surgery (MBBCh) in 1980. He specialised in Psychiatry in 1987 from Cairo University and thereafter obtained his certificate of specialist training (CST) from the United Kingdom. Dr. Al-Garhy has more than 25 years experience in General Adult Psychiatry and substance misuse. Following training and specialization,he served as a Consultant / Medical Director in Al-Amal Hospital in Damam, Kingdom of Saudi Arabia from 1987 to 2005. He served in the National Health Service in the United Kingdom as a consultant Psychiatrist in Devon Partnership NHS Trust from 2005 to 2010. He is currently the head of Chemical dependency Unit, BSP, Sheikh Khalifa Medical City, Abu Dhabi, UAE. He was a Clinical/Educational Supervision for trainees in South West rotational scheme in Psychiatry from South West Peninsula Postgraduate Medical Education, Devon, UK, 2005 – 2010. 

Currently he is a faculty Member & Member of Clinical Competency Committee in Psychiatric Residency Program, Education Institute, Sheikh Khalifa Medical City, Abu Dhabi. He supervises and trains residents allocated to Chemical Dependency Unit for postgraduate training and specialization in Psychiatry. He also lectures on Chemical Dependency for United Arab Emirates University, Faculty of Medicine and Health Sciences undergraduate students.
 
Dr. Mohamed Gamal Mousa
Consultant Psychiatrist

Dr. Gamal was born in Egypt and graduated from Banha Faculty of medicine,1980. He started his medical career as resident in Neuropsychiatry department in Banha university hospital and got his master degree Neuropsychiatry in 1986. He worked in King Saudi Arabia from 1987 till 1991 as psychiatrist specialist in Al-Amal Hospital – AlRhyadh. It is specialized hospital in treatment of alcohol and substance abuse with capacity 280 beds. 

Dr. Gamal joined Psychiatric services in UAE since 1991 as Psychiatric specialist. He got Arab Board degree in Psychiatry in 1999. He was promoted to Consultant in 2007. At present he is responsible for the management of inpatient acute female ward in Behavioral Science Pavilion – Sheikh Khalifa Medical City. He attended and shared in many international conferences and workshops. He is interested in the management of all Psychotic disorders with special interest in the management of Bipolar Disorder.
 
Dr. Mohammad Alsuwaidan
Assistant Professor of Psychiatry

Dr. Mohammad Alsuwaidan is an assistant professor of psychiatry at both the University of Toronto and Kuwait University. He also serves as Head of Mood & Anxiety Disorders and Inaugural Director of Education at the Kuwait Center for Mental Health - Kuwait's national mental health hospital. He completed his psychiatry residency, mood & anxiety disorders fellowship and medical education fellowship at the University of Toronto. He also trained in mood disorders at the Stanford University bipolar clinic and the Tufts Medical Center mood clinic. He completed a Masters of Public Health (MPH) at Johns Hopkins University. Dr. Alsuwaidan is a Fellow of the Royal College of Physicians and Surgeons of Canda and a Diplomate of the American Board of Psychiatry and Neurology.
 
0Moudy Zahrani
 
Nada Naseem Mohamed AbdulRahman
Social Worker
 
Dr. Nadia Al Tamimi
Supervising Junior Psychologists
Dr. Tamimi has a PhD in Psychology focused on Marital Relationships from the University of York in the UK, and a MA in Clinical Psychology from King Saud University. She holds various certificates in Cognitive Behavioral Therapy, Problem Focused Counseling and much more. Her experience in counseling and therapy spans psychological interventions for a wide variety of disorders (panic attack, social anxiety, depression, anger-management, PTSD, and more), and includes couples and relationship difficulties such as infidelity, post-natal problems, pregnancy, menopause, infertility and more.
 
Dr. Nadia Dabbagh
Child and Adolescent Psychiatry consultant

Dr Nadia Dabbagh is a UK-trained Child and Adolescent Psychiatry consultant who has been working at Rashid Hospital, Dubai Health Authority since April 2011. Dr Dabbagh did her undergraduate medical studies at University College London and her specialist psychiatry training in the Royal Free and associated hospitals and the Tavistock Clinic, London. In addition to her medical training Dr Dabbagh has a BSc and PhD in Medical Anthropology and an MSc in Psychiatric Research. She is the author of the book 'Suicide in Palestine: Narratives of Despair' as well as several published articles in international peer-reviewed journals. Dr Dabbagh is currently working on developing efficient, evidence-based and culturally sensitive mental health services for children and adolescents living in the UAE.
 
Dr. Nagat M Al Kabir
FRCPCH
Dr Al Kabir is a consultant community paediatrician in UK. She is a fellow of the Royal College of Paediatrics and Child Health. Her particular interest is in diagnosis and management of neuro-developmental disorders including Autism and ADHD. She also contributes to the local safeguarding children’s boards. She has a vast experience in the assessment and management of children with developmental, behavioural and emotional difficulties. She has been involved in the assessment of children participating in different studies. Dr Al Kabir is trained in performing standardized developmental and diagnostic assessment. She is a volunteer external peer reviewer in Cochrane developmental, Psychosocial and Learning Problems Group (CDPLPG).
 
0Dr. Naseem Qureshi
Public Health Specialist & Consultant psychiatrist
 
Nicole El Marj
Psychology Practitioner
Nicole El Marj obtained her Bachelors in Psychology from the University of Ottawa and her Masters in Educational Neuroscience from the University of London. She has worked in research and clinical settings at the Royal Ottawa Institute of Mental Health Research as well as the Centre for Research in Autism in London. Her expertise lies in psycho-educational and neuropsychological testing as well as remediation for children, adolescents and adults with neurodevelopmental disorders.
 
Dr. Nisrine Aboul-Hosn Psy.D
Psychologist/Clinical Director
Dr. Nisrine Aboul-Hosn is a U.S. educated and trained clinical psychologist, currently practicing in Kuwait. She has over 10 years of experience, both in the United States and the Middle East, providing therapy, assessment and training to individuals from diverse ethnic backgrounds. Dr. Aboul-Hosn is a member of the American Psychological Association, the Lebanese Psychological Association and the Middle East Psychological Association. She is also a former adjunct faculty member at the American University of Kuwait, and continues to research and publish on various pertinent psychological and sociological topics.
 
Dr. Noura AlFaraj
Psychiatrist

Dr. Al Faraj graduated from King Faisal University School, Saudi Arabia in 2004. She joined King Faisal Specialist Hospital and Research Centre as a scholarship candidate and work as a resident in Mental health Department. Dr. Al Faraj moved to Montreal in 2006 and joined five years psychiatry residency program at McGill University. She became a Canadian board certificate in Psychiatry in 2011. Her interest in psychosis grew during residency so she joined University of British Columbia and completed one year of clinical fellowship in early psychosis. Dr. Al Faraj returned back to King Faisal specialist hospital and research center this year to join Mental Health Department as a staff Psychiatrist. She also participates in teaching ALFaisal University medical students and supervises psychiatry residents. Dr. Al Faraj is trying to participate in forming a national support group to help increase awareness of psychosis, decrease stigma and discrimination against individuals who experienced psychosis and their families.
 
Omar Afandi
A final year medical student at Gulf Medical University, UAE. During his clinical rotations, he developed special interest towards becoming a pediatrician, and has worked on a few research projects within this field under the supervision of senior physicians. After getting his Medical degree, Omar plans to seek a pediatric residency in the USA.
 
Dr. Ossama Tawakol Osman
Associate Professor

Associate professor, Department of Psychiatry and Behavioral Sciences, College of Medicine and Health Sciences, United Arab Emirates University. Graduated from Cairo University and completed general psychiatry training in the United States at the Southern Illinois University School of medicine. He completed Research fellowship training in Clinical Psychopharmacology at the National Institute Mental Health (NIMH) in Bethesda, Maryland. Subsequently he held Faculty academic positionsat the University of South Florida in Tampa, Florida, where he led the Schizophrenia Research Unit at the Bay Bines VA. He also worked at Southern Illinois University College of medicine in Illinois, then as an Associate professor of Psychiatry at Mercer University School of Medicine in Macon, Georgia, U.S.A where he was the Medical Director for Central Georgia Mental Health, Developmental disabilities and Substance abuse services and led its reorganization and initial accreditation by JCAHO after transformation into River Edge behavioral health Center.
 
Prof. Suaad Moussa
Founding President
Graduated from American University in Cairo (AUC) with a BA in Psychology in February 1984 and from Cairo University, Faculty of Medicine in November 1984. She received her training in psychiatry in both Egypt and UK. She had her Postgraduate Certificate in Applied Systemic Theory from the University of East London and the Tavistock Clinic in 1998. Her main interests in child psychiatry are the disruptive disorders, infant psychiatry and infant/child-maternal dyad problems. Member of the Association for Child and Adolescent Mental Health (ACAMH) since 1999.
 
Dr. Rami Alshihabi Psy.D.
Senior Clinical Psychologist and Head of the Psychology Department

Dr. Rami Alshihabi, Psy.D. is a Senior Clinical Psychologist and Head of the Psychology Department at the Behavioral Science Pavilion (BSP) at SKMC. Dr. Alshihabi received his bachelor’s in psychology, with high honors, from the University of California, Irvine and his doctorate in clinical psychology from the (APA accredited university) California School of Professional Psychology at Alliant International University. Dr. Alshihabi has had 13 years of experience in assessing and treating minor to major mental health and social problems in adults, older adults, children, adolescents, families and couples, and is a licensed psychologist in the United States of America and Abu Dhabi. Currently, Dr. Alshihabi, is heading the department of psychology at BSP, is working in the out-patient unit (doing therapy and assessments), supervising about 12 junior level psychologists, is the HAAD interviewer for all psychologists that want to get licensed in the city of Abu Dhabi, is highly active in the psychological assessment of potential patients for bariatric surgeryat SKMC, and has developed the work related stress management program for SKMC."
 
Samaa El Abd MB. BCh., MSc., MRCP
Consultant Child, Adolescent & Family Psychiatrist
Dr. SAMAA EL ABD is a British Egyptian Child & Adolescent Consultant Family Psychiatrist at the Maudsley hospital ( King’s College University Hospital London). She has been in the UK since 1985 and has undertaken her psychiatric training at St George;s Hospital Medical School and then took up the substantive Consultant Post in Child and Adolescent Psychiatry at the Maudsley Hospital .She trained and worked at the University of Zurich in Child Mental Health in Switzerland. Dr El Abd has been actively involved in her role as a Consultant Child and Adolescent Psychiatrist in the following roles:
 
Dr Samir Adawi
Dr. Samir Al-Adawi is a professor of Behavioral Medicine at College of Medicine, Sultan Qaboos University. Previously, he was a Fulbright Senior Scholar at the Department of Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation, Harvard Medical School, Boston, USA and a research scientist sponsored by Matsumae International Foundation at the Department of Psychosomatic Medicine, Graduate School of Medicine, the University of Tokyo, Tokyo, Japan. His doctorate training was at the Institute of Psychiatry, King’s College, UK. Dr. Al-Adawi has research interests that focus on ‘non-communicable diseases’. His research and publications have specifically focused on psychosocial determinants of health and ill-health since biological sciences alone in the prevention of and intervention in matters related to diseases appear to be an unattainable aspiration in the Gulf countries. Dr. Al-Adawi is a member of the World Health Organization Expert Consultation Group on Feeding and Eating Disorders, reporting to the International Advisory Group for the Revision of International Classification of Diseases (ICD-10 Mental and Behavioural Disorders.
 
Dr. Samirah AlGhamdi
Creator & Founding Member

Dr. Samirah Ali Alghamdi is a consultant of child and adolescent psychiatry and deputy of protection center against domestic violence and neglect. She is also the creator and founding member of trauma intervention program in Saudi Arabia’s Prince Sultan Medical and Military City in Riyadh. She obtained her Arab board degree in 2007 and a fellowship in child and adolescent psychiatry from Queens University in Canada in 2010. She also has a fellowship in Anxiety Disorder and Cognitive Behavior Therapy for child and adolescent from the University of Toronto in Canada in 2011.
 
Dr Semaa El Abd MB. BCh., MSc., MRCP
Consultant Child, Adolescent & Family Psychiatrist
Dr. SAMAA EL ABD is a British Egyptian Child & Adolescent Consultant Family Psychiatrist at the Maudsley hospital ( King’s College University Hospital London). She has been in the UK since 1985 and has undertaken her psychiatric training at St George;s Hospital Medical School and then took up the substantive Consultant Post in Child and Adolescent Psychiatry at the Maudsley Hospital .She trained and worked at the University of Zurich in Child Mental Health in Switzerland. Dr El Abd has been actively involved in her role as a Consultant Child and Adolescent Psychiatrist in the following roles:
 
Dr Sophie Browning
Consultant Clinical Psychologist/ Lead Psychologist for Inpatient CAMHS
Dr Sophie Browning is a Consultant Clinical Psychologist and is the Lead Psychologist for inpatient Child and Adolescent Mental Health Services (CAMHS) within South London & Maudsley NHS Foundation Trust. She is responsible for ensuring the provision of a systematic Clinical Psychology service for children and adolescents with complex mental health needs and their families across the in-patient and related services. She has enjoyed working within inpatient CAHMS for over 15 years. Sophie is a British Association for Behaviour and Cognitive Psychotherapy (BABCP) accredited practitioner, supervisor and trainer. She teaches, trains and supervises extensively within and outside the Trust in CBT and has a supervisory role within the Children and Young People Increasing Access to Psychological Therapy ( IAPT) course. Sophie has a special interest in CBT for adolescent psychosis and for distressing unusual experiences and carries out funded research in this area.
 
Dr Sultan Mohammed Al Shahrani MB.BS, SSC Psych, AB
Consultant, Psychiatry and Sleep Medicine, Department of Psychiatry & Sleep Disorders Centre

Dr. Sultan Alshahrani is the Deputy Director of the Sleep Disorders Center and a Consultant of Psychiatry in the department of psychiatry at Prince Sultan Medical Military City (PSMMC) in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia. He is the Director of Psychiatry Residency Program at Saudi Commission for Health Specialties in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia.

Dr. Alshahrani got his M.B.B.S from the College of Medicine and Medical Sciences at King Khalid University, Abha, Saudi Arabia in 1999. He finished his psychiatry training and awarded with the Saudi Board Certificate in psychiatry (SSC Psych) in 2006. He was awarded with Arab Board in Psychiatry (ABMS Psych) in the same year. He then finished a Fellowship in Sleep Medicine at the University of Toronto, Canada in 2009

 
Syed Mahboob Shah
Professor

Dr. Syed Shah is Associate Professor at the Institute of Public Health, Faculty of Medicine and Health Sciences, United Arab Emirates University. Dr. Shah obtained his medical degree from Pakistan. He subsequently received his MPH in International and Family Health and PhD in Epidemiology from University of Texas School of Public Health, Houston, USA. From 1994-1998, Dr. Shah was Instructor and Assistant Professor in the Department of Community Health Sciences at Aga Khan University between 1990 and 2001. From 2001 to 2004, Dr. Shah served as Research Scientist in the Safety & Health Assessment and Research for Prevention (SHARP) program of the Washington State government. He was a faculty member and Associate Professor in College of Medicine University of Saskatchewan in 2004-2008. His research interests include epidemiology of chronic diseases particularly cardiovascular disease, mental health and global health.
 
0Dr Tarek Darwish
Head of Behavioural Science Pavillion

Associate professor, Department of Psychiatry and Behavioral Sciences, College of Medicine and Health Sciences, United Arab Emirates University.Graduated from Cairo University and completed general psychiatry training in the United States at the Southern Illinois University School of medicine. Completed Research fellowship training in Clinical Psychopharmacology at the National Institute Mental Health (NIMH) in Bethesda, Maryland. Subsequently, held Faculty academic positionsat the University of South Florida in Tampa, Florida, where he led the Schizophrenia Research Unit at the Bay Bines VA, Also at Southern Illinois University College of medicine in Illinois, then as an Associate professor of Psychiatry at Mercer University School of Medicine in Macon, Georgia, U.S.A where he was also the Medical Director for Central Georgia Mental Health, Developmental disabilities and Substance abuse services and had led its reorganization and initial accreditation by JCAHO after transformation into River Edge behavioral health Center.
 
Tassoula Semaan Bassous M.Ed., TD
Special Education Consultant
Tassoula is the co-founder and managing partner of LEAPS (Learning Emotionally, Academically, Physically, and Socially) Centers. Her current role is to create public awareness regarding learning difficulties in the region, provide individualized intervention to learners with special needs, equip and train current and future teachers, initiate public activities for equal learning opportunities, advocate for the rights of marginalized students, and make a difference in the educational field. She has a Masters in Education (emphasis in Special Education), Lebanese American University, Diploma in Special Education (TD), American University of Beirut and Bachelors in Psychology, Lebanese University. Mrs. Bassous has participated in numerous global educational development seminars and professional training in various countries and has lectured, presented, facilitated, organized, and trained in more than 20 national schools. In addition, she is the President of Special Education teachers Syndicate in Lebanon.
 
Veronica O'Keane
Professor, TCD & Consultant Psychiatrist

VO’K is a consultant psychiatrist in Tallaght Hospital, west Dublin and a professor in Psychiatry in the School of Medicine, Trinity College, Dublin (TCD). She has previously had senior tenured posts in Addenbrooke’s Hospital, Cambridge; The Institute of Psychiatry, London; and Beaumont and St James’s Hospitals, Dublin. She led a national Perinatal Psychiatry service in the Bethlem & Maudsley Hospital Trust, London from 2002-2007.

She runs a research programme RESEED (Research in Endocrinology, Epigenetics and neuroimaging in Depression) in TCD. The core theme of this programme is how stress/depression modifies the cortisol stress system (HPA axis), emotional and behavioural responses and the brain. The two main projects examine (1) depression during pregnancy and the effects of this on fetal development and infant status following birth; and (2) first-presentation depression prospectively.

 
Waseem Mahmoud Fathalla

Dr. Waseem Fathalla has been Graduated from Damascus University Medical School in 1993, did general pediatric residency in Henry Ford Hospital Detroit, and had my pediatric American board certification in 1997. Trained in child neurology in Texas Children’s Hospital/Baylor College of medicine, became American Board certification in Neurology with special qualifications in Child neurology in 2000.

Dr.Fathalla has a special interest in critical care neurology, neurometabolic disorders, end of life care and Islamic bioethics. He also hold a Bachelors and Masters degree in Islamic science.

 
WILLIAM JONATHAN McAULEY
Strategic Advisor on Child Protection
Dr. Jonathan McAuley presently works as Strategic Advisor on Child Protection with the UAE Ministry of the Interior and the Abu Dhabi Police Social Support Centres Department. Having served as a police officer in Northern Ireland from 1974 to 2005 reaching the rank of Detective Superintendent, Jonathan specialised in Child Protection, Child Abuse Investigation and the management of risk to children posed by sex offenders and other dangerous persons. In 2005 he was awarded an MBE by Queen Elizabeth II for his services to child protection in Northern Ireland. From 2005 to 2010 Dr Jonathan worked as Strategy and Policy Coordinator for Public Protection in Northern Ireland. Holding a number of academic qualifications including a Master of Science degree in Child Forensic Studies and a professional doctorate in Human Behavioural Studies, Dr Jonathan has had a number of papers published in various professional journals and magazines including, Child Care in Practice, Journal of Sexual Aggression and The Irish Probation Journal. He has lectured at a number of national and international conferences and has provided training on child protection and dangerous offender management in Europe, the United States and Australia. He is presently a member of the National Organisation for the Treatment of Abuse (NOTA UK) and The International Child Protection Network.
 
Yasser Ad-Dab’bagh MD, DPM, FRCPC(Psych
Consultant Pediatric Neuropsychiatrist


Dr. Ad-Dab’bagh earned his medical degree from King Saud University of Riyadh, K.S.A. in 1993 and obtained his Diploma of Psychological Medicine from the Royal College of Physicians and Surgeons, Ireland in 1997. He then completed a second residency in Psychiatry at McGill University, earning a Graduate Diploma in Psychiatry and becoming a Fellow of the Royal College of Physicians and Surgeons of Canada in 2001. He earned a Graduate Diploma in Child and Adolescent Psychiatry from McGill University while pursuing a Doctorate in Neuroscience and completing a two-year fellowship in Child and Adolescent Psychiatry in 2003. In addition, he graduated from the Canadian Institute of Psychoanalysis in 2005 and has been a member of the Canadian Psychoanalytic Society and a Fellow of the International Psychoanalytical Association since then. He is also among the first to become a Fellow of the Royal College of Physicians and Surgeons of Canada in the subspecialty of Child and Adolescent Psychiatry in 2013. He joined the University of Ottawa as an Assistant Professor of Psychiatry in 2006 and soon became the main Dual Diagnosis and Developmental Neuropsychiatry expert in Eastern Ontario, Canada. In 2014, he became a Fellow of the American Psychiatric Association. Currently, he is on sabbatical from the University of Ottawa and is a Psychoanalyst and Consultant Pediatric Neuropsychiatrist at King Fahad Specialist Hospital, Dammam, K.S.A. Dr. Ad-Dab’bagh is the Executive Editor of the International Journal of Applied Psychoanalytic Studies and a Section Editor of the Journal of the Canadian Academy of Child and Adolescent Psychiatry. He has published several peer-reviewed articles and a book chapter in the fields of child and adolescent psychiatry, neuroimaging, developmental neuroscience and psychoanalysis, and has participated in numerous conferences and symposiums regionally, nationally and internationally. He is a member of several international professional organizations. He is presently involved in setting up research and clinical services for developmental neuropsychiatric disabilities and disorders in the Eastern Province and in developing a national strategy for services related to developmental and behavioral disorders.
 
Yasser Nakhlawi MD, MMM, CMQ, EFQM,
Pediatric Consultant
Dr. Yasser Nakhlawi is an international expert and Consultant for the UNISEF in the area of Child abuse and Neglect Prevention and Child Rights and Advocacy. Currently Dr. Nakhlawi is a Pediatric Consultant at Sheikh Khalifa Medical City – Cleveland Clinic – Abu Dhabi – UAE, He served as the Chairman of the Pediatric Institute 2011- 2013 Dr. Nakhlawi worked as senior consultant in Pediatrics and Neonatology at the American Hospital Dubai – UAE, He was in private practice at Alexandria Pediatrics, LLC, and also he was the Director of Medical Service at Pinecrest Developmental Center at Pineville, LA. And he is an Associate Professor of Pediatrics and Adolescents Medicine at Tulane University, School of Medicine – New Orleans Louisiana.
 
0Dr. Yousra ABDULAZIZ Alatiq
Consultant clinical psychologist
Dr. Yousra Alatiq is a consultant clinical psychologist. She is currently the supervisor for the psychology unit, mental health division at King Abdulaziz Medical City. She is also part time professor at King Abdulaziz University for Health Science. After she graduated from King Saud University with psychology major, Dr. Atiq, had pursued her graduate studies and obtained a master of science from King’s Collage London and the Institute of Psychiatry (IOP) on child and adolescent mental health. She then moved to Oxford University and worked under the supervision of Professor Mark Williams & Professor Guy Goodwin on the psychological processes underlying bipolar disorder and the effect of Mindfulness based Cognitive Therapy on this severe mental disorder. The results of her work at the University of Oxford were a doctorate degree and seven publications in a number of high impact journals. Her main interest is adult mental disorder and the new approach in cognitive behavioral therapy.