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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Maanasa Kirthivasan
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.
In the recent years I gained experience across several sectors such as clinical psychology, corporate psychology, aviation psychology , and the NGO system. Beyond my university degree and experience, my inherent personality traits , empathy, interpersonal sensitivity , etc. allow me to practice my profession effectively. I would add to this my skills-set , such as my communication and interpersonal skills, reporting skills, etc. and most importantly my values and ethics. Plus the ambition to succeed and the desire to work on myself holistically and never stop growing personally and professionally
Tharaka Rani Sreekumar is a licensed Psychologist by Health Authority of Abu Dhabi (HAAD) since 2003. She is a Life Member of Indian Association of Clinical Psychologists. Her qualifications are BA Psychology, First Class, First Rank, (1983) and MA Psychology, First Class, Second Rank, (1985) both from University of Kerala, India. She has an additional qualification of MBA in Marketing and Personnel Management, First Class (1988) from University of Calicut, India. She has extensive training in Counselling from Marthoma Guidance & Counseling Center, Trivandrum, Behaviour Modification in Multiple Handicapped Children by Prof. Udo Brack of Hambold University, Berlin, Germany and also in the Study and Practice of Munich Functional Developmental Diagnostics for The 1st, 2nd and 3rd year of a baby’s life from Theodore Helbrugge International Institute for Developmental Rehabilitation, Trivandrum, India. She is a trained Hypnotherapist as well.
Tharaka has worked in the Central Institute of Mental Retardation, Kerala, India for 2 years (1993 – 1995) as Research Assistant in various topics related to Mental Retardation, and as Psychologist and Lecturer for Teacher Trainees in Special Education before coming to Abu Dhabi. She has over 25 years of solid experience in providing top level psychology service to diverse population in Abu Dhabi.
Tharaka is professionally dedicated to providing exceptional care and implementing effective treatment plans for children, adolescents and adults experiencing Anxiety Disorders (including social fear, fear of facing exams, fear of driving, panic attacks, Generalized Anxiety Disorder, OCD and PTSD), Depression, Personality Disorders, ADHD, Learning Disorders and Autistic Spectrum Disorders. She also has expertise in handling emotional issues related to academic settings. She has demonstrated track record of working with diverse client populations in one-to-one and group settings with an inherent ability to establish rapport quickly, build trust, interact with and relate to individuals on all levels and manage all types of personalities, diffuse stressful situations and proactively resolve issues. She has expertise in Individual Psychotherapy, Couple Therapy/ Marriage Counselling, Career Coaching and Professional development, all based on the model of Cognitive Behaviour Therapy.
She has worked in:
Ahalia Hospital (April 1995 - March 2013)
American Center for Psychiatry and Neurology (April 2013 - October 2016)
Canadian Medical Center (November 2017 - February 2019)
NMC Specialty Hospital (May 2019 - till date)
18+ years of experience in International settings (USA, UAE, and Qatar). Experienced Therapist, Wellness Educator, Mental Health and Wellness Researcher.
I am a Clinical Psychologist, Child Development Specialist and Inclusive Educator. I am a registered practitioner with the Department of Health (DOH), Abu Dhabi and Rehabilitation Council of India (RCI). I am also a Certified CBT Practitioner, a Certified Child Psychologist and Certified Mindfulness Practitioner. I have done M.Phil in Clinical Psychology from Amity Institute of Behavioral Health and Allied Sciences, and Masters in Clinical Psychology from SNDT University, India. I currently work as a Clinical Psychologist with NMC Provita International Medical Center. I have more than 11 years of experience and have worked with varied setups like Psychiatric Departments, Child Development Clinics, Mental Hospitals, Rehabilitation Centers, Non-Profit Organizations, Schools, Colleges and Corporations. I decided to take this path at a young age of 12, when I had my first encounter with the magnitude of implications related to mental health. I gradually realized that working with people with Mental Health Disorders alone is not enough. Mental health support and intervention is important, necessary, and beneficial for EVERYONE.
I am very passionate to make a difference and have been a catalyst in enhancing the well-being of more than 80,000 people in this short span of time. I believe this is just the beginning. My motto in life is to bring passion, empathy, innovation, and excellence in everything that I do, and enable others to do the same.
As an Educational Psychologist, counsellor, and passionate advocate for child mental health, I have the training and tools needed to help you on your path to success. My education includes a post-graduate diploma in Neuropsychology, a Master's in Emotional and Behavioral Disorders and a Doctorate of Education.
When you are looking for someone who can walk alongside you in your search for well-being, you should look for someone who is both highly qualified and compassionate. I have nearly 20 years of experience working in public, private, and non-profit settings.
The services I provide include educational therapy, Cognitive Behavioural Therapy (CBT) in counselling sessions, and psychoeducational testing to screen for cognitive, academic, or social/emotional concerns. All of these services can be provided virtually. Please contact me at dralannastaton@gmail.com for more information.
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. 
In the recent years I gained experience across several sectors such as clinical psychology, corporate psychology, aviation psychology , and the NGO system. Beyond my university degree and experience, my inherent personality traits , empathy, interpersonal sensitivity , etc. allow me to practice my profession effectively. I would add to this my skills-set , such as my communication and interpersonal skills, reporting skills, etc. and most importantly my values and ethics. Plus the ambition to succeed and the desire to work on myself holistically and never stop growing personally and professionally 
Tharaka Rani Sreekumar is a licensed Psychologist by Health Authority of Abu Dhabi (HAAD) since 2003. She is a Life Member of Indian Association of Clinical Psychologists. Her qualifications are BA Psychology, First Class, First Rank, (1983) and MA Psychology, First Class, Second Rank, (1985) both from University of Kerala, India. She has an additional qualification of MBA in Marketing and Personnel Management, First Class (1988) from University of Calicut, India. She has extensive training in Counselling from Marthoma Guidance & Counseling Center, Trivandrum, Behaviour Modification in Multiple Handicapped Children by Prof. Udo Brack of Hambold University, Berlin, Germany and also in the Study and Practice of Munich Functional Developmental Diagnostics for The 1st, 2nd and 3rd year of a baby’s life from Theodore Helbrugge International Institute for Developmental Rehabilitation, Trivandrum, India. She is a trained Hypnotherapist as well.
Tharaka has worked in the Central Institute of Mental Retardation, Kerala, India for 2 years (1993 – 1995) as Research Assistant in various topics related to Mental Retardation, and as Psychologist and Lecturer for Teacher Trainees in Special Education before coming to Abu Dhabi. She has over 25 years of solid experience in providing top level psychology service to diverse population in Abu Dhabi.
Tharaka is professionally dedicated to providing exceptional care and implementing effective treatment plans for children, adolescents and adults experiencing Anxiety Disorders (including social fear, fear of facing exams, fear of driving, panic attacks, Generalized Anxiety Disorder, OCD and PTSD), Depression, Personality Disorders, ADHD, Learning Disorders and Autistic Spectrum Disorders. She also has expertise in handling emotional issues related to academic settings. She has demonstrated track record of working with diverse client populations in one-to-one and group settings with an inherent ability to establish rapport quickly, build trust, interact with and relate to individuals on all levels and manage all types of personalities, diffuse stressful situations and proactively resolve issues. She has expertise in Individual Psychotherapy, Couple Therapy/ Marriage Counselling, Career Coaching and Professional development, all based on the model of Cognitive Behaviour Therapy.
She has worked in:
Ahalia Hospital (April 1995 - March 2013)
American Center for Psychiatry and Neurology (April 2013 - October 2016)
Canadian Medical Center (November 2017 - February 2019)
NMC Specialty Hospital (May 2019 - till date)
As an Educational Psychologist, counsellor, and passionate advocate for child mental health, I have the training and tools needed to help you on your path to success. My education includes a post-graduate diploma in Neuropsychology, a Master's in Emotional and Behavioral Disorders and a Doctorate of Education.
When you are looking for someone who can walk alongside you in your search for well-being, you should look for someone who is both highly qualified and compassionate. I have nearly 20 years of experience working in public, private, and non-profit settings.
The services I provide include educational therapy, Cognitive Behavioural Therapy (CBT) in counselling sessions, and psychoeducational testing to screen for cognitive, academic, or social/emotional concerns. All of these services can be provided virtually. Please contact me at dralannastaton@gmail.com for more information.
