Thank you for your interest in joining the Middle East Psychological Association. This association has mandated a policy of inclusion based on competency (a combination of veriï¬ed education and validated experience). We look forward as a group to working together to positively impact the practice and profession of psychology in the Middle East.
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Sandra Willis
Dr. Sandra Willis is a psychologist with 30 years of experience in academic, government and non-government organizations engaging in social policy and development activities, teaching, and research leading to leadership roles that emphasize turnaround social development strategies. As the Director of Policy & Advocacy in the Global Mental Health Lab in Teachers College, Columbia University, she advises on multiple grants adopting innovative research for evidence-based mental health policy and development in the humanitarian-development nexus. As the Director of Learning & Knowledge Development in World Enabled, an affiliate of the University of California at Berkeley, she advises government, international agencies and private industry on the full implementation for inclusion, equity and diversity, promoting disability rights and inclusive development. Dr. Willis recently joined the International Disability Alliance (IDA) in the capacity of Senior Business Development Officer to advocate for the rights, and promote the inclusion of, persons with disabilities at the United Nations, and to support organisations of persons with disabilities in the GCC/MENA region to advocate for change locally, nationally and internationally. In the social policy domain, Dr. Willis served as a Senior Advisor for the Dubai Government’s The Executive Council and the Abu Dhabi Government’s Department of Community Development, developing social, health, and economic development policy, legislative and programmatic recommendations for macro-level social development strategies that include the Health, Rehabilitation, Disability, Mental Health, Childhood Development and Parenting. In academia, Dr Willis was an Assistant Professor at the California State University in Fullerton, Michigan State University Dubai and Head of the Psychology Program in Zayed University. Most importantly however, Sandra is a proud mother of 3 children – Mia, Jad, and Leila – who inspire and leave her in absolute awe of life.
I am an HR professional, with PhD in Education and an MSc in Psychology, and have started counselling formally in 2021, although I have been doing it as part of my job for 30 years.
My name is Yara Abboud. I am a licensed Clinical Psychologist and I currently work as a mental health counselor at the Holy Spirit University of Kaslik and as a clinical psychologist/ Counselor at Order of Malta, Zouk.
Psychologist, CBT(EABCT), ACT Therapist and Schema Therapist under supervision with experience in different branches of applied psychology starting from career guidance and counselling, organizational and clinical psychology. Currently pursuing MPhil in Clinical Psychology focusing on Culturally Adapted CBT and interested in Transdiagnostic Assessment and Psychotherapy.
I am a clinical and positive Psychologist with over 14 years of clinical experience in the field of Mental Health, Counseling, personal, and social skills training programs. Working with clients of all ages on a variety of different mental and psychological problems, helping people to understand their emotions, learn how to cope with difficult times, develop a positive mindset and maintain their emotional wellbeing.
Dr. Thoraiya Kanafani is a Ph.D. graduate in the Department of Clinical Psychology from Walden University in the United States. Prior to that, she completed her Bachelor’s degree in Psychology from Concordia University, her first master’s degree in Educational Psychology from McGill University, and second Master’s 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 worked in countries such as Bahrain, Lebanon, and Saudi Arabia. She is a Canadian licensed psychotherapist and a Canadian licensed suicide interventionist. She has been featured in magazines and newspapers as well as presents different psychological topics on radio shows and TV channels. She has conducted many workshops and presented seminars on various topics pertaining to psychology and mental health. She currently has over fifteen years of experience in the field of psychology and mental health.
Her main expertise lies in working with adolescents (15-18) and early adults, and couples. She moved to Dubai in 2013 to work as a clinical psychologist and clinical director at the Human Relations Institute and Clinics.
Dr. Thoraiya also works as an adjunct lecturer of psychology and supervisor of dissertations at Middlesex University, Heriot-Watt University, and previously the American University of Sharjah where she teaches undergraduate and graduate-level psychology courses. Dr. Thoraiya supervises psychology interns at HRIC as well.
Dr. Sandra Willis is a psychologist with 30 years of experience in academic, government and non-government organizations engaging in social policy and development activities, teaching, and research leading to leadership roles that emphasize turnaround social development strategies. As the Director of Policy & Advocacy in the Global Mental Health Lab in Teachers College, Columbia University, she advises on multiple grants adopting innovative research for evidence-based mental health policy and development in the humanitarian-development nexus. As the Director of Learning & Knowledge Development in World Enabled, an affiliate of the University of California at Berkeley, she advises government, international agencies and private industry on the full implementation for inclusion, equity and diversity, promoting disability rights and inclusive development. Dr. Willis recently joined the International Disability Alliance (IDA) in the capacity of Senior Business Development Officer to advocate for the rights, and promote the inclusion of, persons with disabilities at the United Nations, and to support organisations of persons with disabilities in the GCC/MENA region to advocate for change locally, nationally and internationally. In the social policy domain, Dr. Willis served as a Senior Advisor for the Dubai Government’s The Executive Council and the Abu Dhabi Government’s Department of Community Development, developing social, health, and economic development policy, legislative and programmatic recommendations for macro-level social development strategies that include the Health, Rehabilitation, Disability, Mental Health, Childhood Development and Parenting. In academia, Dr Willis was an Assistant Professor at the California State University in Fullerton, Michigan State University Dubai and Head of the Psychology Program in Zayed University. Most importantly however, Sandra is a proud mother of 3 children – Mia, Jad, and Leila – who inspire and leave her in absolute awe of life. 
Licensed Clinical Psychologist- Psychotherapist 
I am an HR professional, with PhD in Education and an MSc in Psychology, and have started counselling formally in 2021, although I have been doing it as part of my job for 30 years. 
Psychologist, CBT(EABCT), ACT Therapist and Schema Therapist under supervision with experience in different branches of applied psychology starting from career guidance and counselling, organizational and clinical psychology. Currently pursuing MPhil in Clinical Psychology focusing on Culturally Adapted CBT and interested in Transdiagnostic Assessment and Psychotherapy. 
I am a clinical and positive Psychologist with over 14 years of clinical experience in the field of Mental Health, Counseling, personal, and social skills training programs. Working with clients of all ages on a variety of different mental and psychological problems, helping people to understand their emotions, learn how to cope with difficult times, develop a positive mindset and maintain their emotional wellbeing. 
A passionate student of psychology interested in welfare and upliftment of society. 
Dr. Thoraiya Kanafani is a Ph.D. graduate in the Department of Clinical Psychology from Walden University in the United States. Prior to that, she completed her Bachelor’s degree in Psychology from Concordia University, her first master’s degree in Educational Psychology from McGill University, and second Master’s 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 worked in countries such as Bahrain, Lebanon, and Saudi Arabia. She is a Canadian licensed psychotherapist and a Canadian licensed suicide interventionist. She has been featured in magazines and newspapers as well as presents different psychological topics on radio shows and TV channels. She has conducted many workshops and presented seminars on various topics pertaining to psychology and mental health. She currently has over fifteen years of experience in the field of psychology and mental health.
Her main expertise lies in working with adolescents (15-18) and early adults, and couples. She moved to Dubai in 2013 to work as a clinical psychologist and clinical director at the Human Relations Institute and Clinics.
Dr. Thoraiya also works as an adjunct lecturer of psychology and supervisor of dissertations at Middlesex University, Heriot-Watt University, and previously the American University of Sharjah where she teaches undergraduate and graduate-level psychology courses. Dr. Thoraiya supervises psychology interns at HRIC as well. 