Speakers

Dr. Ahmed Hanafy is Clinical Psychologist at Maudsley Health. He completed his Doctoral degree (Honor’s) in Clinical Psychology at Cairo University, Egypt in 2018 and Master’s degree in Clinical Psychology in 2013.

Dr. Hanafy has more than sixteen years’ experience as clinical psychologist in Egypt and the UAE. His experience post-graduation (Master’s) started out working at the psychological clinic in Beni Souwaif University, El Abbsia Hospital’s Recovery Centre for Psychiatry and Addiction Rehabilitation in Egypt in 2013. He went on to establish the Egyptian Institute of Cognitive Therapies in 2017. He moved to Abu Dhabi in 2020 joining Zayed Military Hospital where he served as Clinical Psychologist for two years. During his role there he offered treatment for addiction using psychotherapy and supervised & trained the psychology team there. Dr. Hanafy has a keen interest in academic research and regularly presents at conferences in UAE, Egypt and around the world. He has been involved in teaching at Cairo University and Egyptian Psychological Association since 2013 on subjects in offering Schema Therapy and CBT for various psychological conditions.

Dr. Hanafy works with different age groups and has deep experience in treating addiction, post-traumatic stress disorder, obsessive–compulsive disorder, depression, personality disorders and anxiety disorders (panic disorder, social phobia), sexual disorders, and other psychological disorders.

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Ahmed Tohamy is an Australian-trained Clinical Psychologist with a Master of Psychology (Clinical) from the Australian Catholic University (2020), a Master of Professional Psychology from Western Sydney University (2018), and a Bachelor of Psychological Science from the University of New South Wales (2013). He is registered with the Australian Health Practitioner Regulation Agency (AHPRA) and is a Board-Approved Supervisor. Ahmed has 10 years of experience working across public mental health services and private practice, supporting children, adolescents, adults, parents, and families. Before joining Maudsley Health, he held roles in Australia at the Child, Adolescent and Youth Mental Health Services (CAYMHS) and in private practice. He has worked with a wide range of complex presentations including mood and anxiety disorders, OCD, psychosis, trauma, ADHD, personality disorders, school refusal, and family and relational challenges. He provides evidence-based therapies including Schema Therapy, Bowen Family Systems Therapy, CBT, DBT, ACT, and IPT, along with psychometric assessments when appropriate. Ahmed has a special interest in transdiagnostic approaches, early intervention, and systemic family work. He is an accredited parent coach in the Parent Hope Project – an innovative, Australian-first adaptation of Bowen Family Systems Therapy – and is currently completing accreditation as an ISST-certified Schema Therapist.

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Dr. Aisha Mohamed Al Dhufairi is a Consultant Psychiatrist and Clinical Director of Adult services at Maudsley health, with over 15 years of clinical experience in psychiatry, patient care and hospital management.

She completed her Psychiatry residency in Sheikh Khalifa Medical City, Abu Dhabi in 2014. She attained certification from the Arab Board of Health Specialization in Psychiatry. She is a Member of the Royal College of Psychiatrists since 2015. She holds a Master’s degree in Health Care Management.

Before joining Maudsley Health, Dr. Al Dhufairi served as a Senior Consultant Psychiatrist and Core Faculty member of the psychiatry training program. She worked at the institution for 15 successful years, beginning in 2010.

She has held several leadership positions, including Medical Director, Deputy-Medical director, and Division Head of Outpatient Clinic. Dr. Al Dhufairi is a member of several medical and psychiatric committees within government health entities, where she serves as a subject matter expert contributing to the development and enhancement of mental health plans and services.

Dr. Al Dhufairi is specialized in general adult psychiatry, with extensive experience in the assessment and management of a broad range of mental health conditions, including anxiety, depression, obsessive-compulsive disorder, bipolar disorder, and psychotic disorders such as schizophrenia. She has a particular focus on medical disability assessments and rating, including determinations related to medical retirement, work capacity, and eligibility for social support benefits for individuals experiencing significant mental health conditions.

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Anu Shitta is the CAMHS Nurse Service Manager at Al Amal Hospital. Anu completed her BSc Mental Health Nursing at Kings College London, United Kingdom as well as Cognitive Behavioral therapy in Psychosis (CBTp) from the Institute of Psychiatry, Psychology and Neuroscience (IOPPN). Anu trained and has worked across various settings in South London and Maudsley (SLaM) NHS Foundation trust for 13 years (over a decade). Anu has undertaken clinical and managerial posts across two boroughs within SLaM and CAG wide across Adult and CAMHS settings – forensic inpatient, home treatment (HTT), Early intervention psychosis and CAMHS crisis teams – Tier 3 and Tier 3.5. Anu was Clinical service lead for The Paediatric Liaison Team at Kings College Hospital London before moving into CAG wide Urgent care lead/crisis pathway lead leading the emergency and urgent care pathway within SLaM CAMHS and SLP (South London Mental Health and Community Partnership) CAMHS. Anu has an ongoing passion for early intervention, early intervention psychosis and CAMHS and has spent the majority of her career in both clinical and senior managerial posts within the CAMHS setting advocating for excellent care for patients and their families.

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Dr Bruce Clark is a senior Consultant Child and Adolescent Psychiatrist and Clinical Director for the Child and Adolescent Mental Health Services (CAMHS) Directorate at the Maudsley Hospital, South London and Maudsley NHS Foundation Trust. He leads the National and Specialist OCD, BDD and Related Disorders Service and is internationally recognized for his expertise in Obsessive Compulsive Disorder (OCD), Body Dysmorphic Disorder (BDD), Autism Spectrum Disorders, ADHD, anxiety disorders, depression, and complex behavioral challenges in children and adolescents. Dr Clark has extensive experience in developing comprehensive treatment plans, including advanced pharmacological interventions for young people with mental health conditions. Alongside his clinical responsibilities, Dr Clark is Clinical Director for Child at Adolescent Mental Health at Maudsley Hospital. He has a range of national roles including for NICE and NHS England.

Professor Tracy is the Chief Medical Officer and Executive Director for Psychological Therapies at South London and Maudsley NHS Foundation Trust, and deputy Chair of the Cavendish Square Group of London CMOs. Derek is an Adjunct Professor at the Institute of Psychiatry, Psychology and Neuroscience, King’s College London, and an honorary Professor at Brunel Medical School. His PhD was in policy and cultural aspects of creating better integrated care systems, and he has a particular interest in the measurement of clinical effectiveness in large-scale healthcare organisations and cultural factors that support staff.

He has published over 150 peer reviewed articles, and other research interests include New Psychoactive Substances (‘legal highs’). Derek is a member of the Advisory Council on the Misuse of Drugs that advises the UK Home Office on drug harms. He is a deputy editor at BJPsych Open, and an editor of the leading UK textbook on the coroner’s court and the RCPsych book ‘Research Methods in Mental Health’.

At the Royal College of Psychiatrists Derek is an executive member of the occupational psychiatry special interest group. In 2020 he was co-opted as one of the medical leads to design and run the mental health team at the London Nightingale pandemic hospital, work that was awarded the 2021 Royal College of Psychiatrist’s “Team of the Year”. Other notable awards include the 2024 RCPsych President’s Medal, the 2019 RCPsych “Communicator of the Year” award, and the 2015 King’s College London Teaching Excellence Award.

He likes running, the Stone Roses, and enthusiastic people. He hates butter and whinging. More recently, he has changed his mind and decided he just might like cats.

Professor George Tadros is a Consultant Psychiatrist and Geriatric Psychiatrist at Maudsley Health, Abu Dhabi, UAE, bringing over 35 years of extensive clinical experience in psychiatry and patient care.

He became a Member of the Royal College of Psychiatrists (RCPsych), London, in 1998 and was awarded the Fellowship (FRCPsych) in 2016 in recognition of his contributions to the field. He qualified as a psychiatrist and neurologist in 1993 and earned his Doctor of Medicine (MD) from Keele University, UK, in 2004.

He completed his specialist training in the UK and holds the Certificate of Completion of Specialist Training (CCST). He worked as consultant psychiatrist in Birmingham, UK, from 2001 till 2020. He remains a registered Consultant Psychiatrist with the General Medical Council (GMC), UK. He is widely recognized for pioneering psychiatric liaison models in the UK and provided exceptional clinical care for over 25 years. His outstanding service was acknowledged with two prestigious national honors: the Bronze Clinical Excellence Award in 2012 and the Silver Clinical Excellence Award in 2016.

In parallel with his clinical work, Professor Tadros has built a distinguished academic career. He became a Full Professor at Aston Medical School in 2016, was appointed Visiting Professor at the University of Chester in 2014, and currently serves as Adjunct Professor of Psychiatry at Cairo University since 2019. He also held significant leadership roles, including Clinical Director and Deputy Medical Director at Birmingham and Solihull Mental Health NHS Trust until 2020.

Before joining Maudsley Health, Professor Tadros served as Senior Consultant Psychiatrist, Deputy Chief Medical Officer, and Head of the Psychiatry Department at the American Center for Psychiatry and Neurology (ACPN), where he worked for five successful years beginning in 2020.

Professor Tadros is highly skilled in both general and geriatric psychiatry, with a special interest in managing patients with complex medical and psychiatric conditions. He is particularly experienced in the care of older adults with psychiatric disorders and dementia, and is trained in a wide range of memory assessment and management techniques.

He is widely respected for his compassionate and open-minded approach, his commitment to patient autonomy, and his dedication to holistic, integrated, and patient-centred care.

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Dr Gertrude (Trudi) Seneviratne OBE, MBBS, FRCPsych is a Consultant General Adult and Perinatal Psychiatrist and Clinical Director at Maudsley Health Hospital, Abu Dhabi. With over 30 years of NHS experience and more than 25 years as a consultant psychiatrist, she specializes in perinatal mental health, mood disorders, psychosis, anxiety, trauma, personality disorders, and women’s mental health across the lifespan. Former Registrar (Vice-President) of the Royal College of Psychiatrists and Chair of its Perinatal Faculty, she has led national service development, policy, research, and education initiatives. She was awarded an OBE in 2018 for services to perinatal psychiatry.

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Dr. Al Abdullah is a highly accomplished Consultant Psychiatrist specializing in Child and Adolescent Mental Health , with a distinguished career spanning over 14 years. Dually certified by the Saudi Board in both General Adult Psychiatry and Child and Adolescent Psychiatry, his clinical expertise is rooted in extensive training within high-quality tertiary hospitals. He has consistently managed the most challenging and complicated psychiatric presentations, earning a reputation for clinical excellence and a deep understanding of complex patient needs. Throughout his career, Dr. Al Abdullah has balanced rigorous clinical practice with significant academic and leadership responsibilities. In his most recent role, he oversaw a tertiary child and adolescent inpatient mental health unit, where he was the lead consultant managing patients with acute psychiatric presentation requiring immediate, and intensive care, requiring crises management and interventions , and provided specialized consultation-liaison assessments for pediatric patients across various hospital departments. This included providing critical psychiatric support for children facing different medical conditions that are associated with psychological challenges , such as kids diagnosed with different types of cancers, renal impairment, and complex neurological or genetic disorders. A dedicated advocate for his patients, Dr. Al Abdullah is known for his “above and beyond” commitment to supporting children, adolescents, and their families. He adopts an individual-centered approach within a Multidisciplinary Team (MDT) framework, ensuring that care is delivered with the utmost respect for the diverse cultural, ethnic, and religious backgrounds of his patients. His commitment to patient welfare is further evidenced by his active involvement in Child Protection and Safeguarding committees, ensuring the highest standards of safety for vulnerable youth. Dr. Al Abdullah’s specialized clinical interests include early-onset psychotic disorders and a broad range of neurodevelopmental disorders, with a particular focus on Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD) and ADHD. Furthermore, he has demonstrated exceptional leadership in the field of eating disorders, previously leading a comprehensive service in collaboration with psychologists, dietitians, and pediatricians. His career is marked by multiple awards recognizing his contribution to high-index quality of medical care and his unwavering dedication to clinical excellence.

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Helen is a UK trained Registered Mental Health Nurse with a Bachelor of Science from Staffordshire University. Helen has over 15 years experience as a mental health nurse in the UK’s National Health Service (NHS) within both inpatient and community settings. Helen worked as a staff nurse in a medium secure forensic unit before moving into a management role as a ward sister/charge nurse of a mixed adult acute ward. Helen then went on to lead an expanding service within the specialty of perinatal mental health. Helen is a non medical prescriber, she has completed the Mary Seacole Programme with the NHS Leadership Academy and she is also in the process of completing her masters degree in Healthcare Policy and Management with the University of Birmingham. Helen has a keen interest in service development with a focus on quality improvement.

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Hessa AbdulQader Ibrahim is the Assistant Director of Nursing Affairs at Al Amal Psychiatric Hospital, Emirates Health Services, and a senior mental health nursing leader with over 16 years of experience. A Specialist Mental Health Nurse, she has extensive expertise in clinical governance, quality and patient safety, workforce development, and healthcare transformation. Hessa serves as the Program Director of the UAE Mental Health Nursing Residency Program and led its development in collaboration with the National Institute for Health Specialties (NIHS). Holding an MSc in Psychiatric Mental Health Nursing, an MBA, and a BSc in Nursing, she is committed to advancing mental health nursing practice and developing future nursing leaders across the UAE.

Hessa Al Ali is an Emirati psychology graduate who earned her B.Sc. in Psychology from Zayed University in 2025. Her academic and research experience includes studies on linguistics, sound perception, neurodevelopmental conditions, and body dysmorphic disorder. Hessa has gained practical experience across rehabilitative, clinical, and protective settings, supporting individuals with mental health, neurodevelopmental, and intellectual disabilities. She also provided trauma-informed care to individuals affected by domestic violence and assisted in ABA therapy for children with developmental and behavioral challenges. Currently focused on culturally sensitive and neurodiversity-affirming approaches, Hessa aspires to pursue postgraduate training in Clinical Psychology and contribute to mental health research and practice in the UAE.

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Dr. Ibrahim Al Qaisi is Group Pharmacy Director at AS Health. He is qualified as a Doctor of Pharmacy (PharmD) from the University of Sindh, Pakistan. He spent his final year studying for PharmD in Pakistan alongside working as a Clinical Pharmacist at a Civil Hospital in medication management for outpatient and inpatient departments. Moving to Jordan in 2017, he worked as a pharmacist-in-charge at the Pharmore Chain of Pharmacies in Amman, Jordan for two years until 2019, and settled in Abu Dhabi where he would work for three years at Pharmalink Drugstore responsible for tenders, quotations, and contracts for government and private sectors. Dr. Ibrahim has been with the ACPN family since 2021 and supervises operations at the ACPN Pharmacies.

Dr. Jack Nejand completed his Doctorate in Clinical Psychology (DClinPsy) at the Institute of Psychiatry, Psychology and Neuroscience, King’s College London, and the Maudsley Hospital in South London, UK. He is accredited with the British Psychological Society (BPS) and registered with the Health and Care Professions Council (HCPC) UK. He also holds a First-Class Honours undergraduate degree in Psychology (BSc) from the University of Bath, UK. Dr. Jack Nejand has over a decade of clinical experience with clients across the lifespan and in a wide range of settings. Prior to qualifying, he completed an undergraduate placement at the Social Communication Disorders Clinic at Great Ormond Street Hospital (GOSH), London, supporting the service with complex neurodevelopmental assessments. He also worked on an inpatient neurorehabilitation ward in London for adults with acute and traumatic brain injuries. Since qualifying, Dr. Jack has worked in the NHS for DISCOVER, a National and Specialist CAMHS team based at the Maudsley Hospital. DISCOVER provide an innovative, evidence-based, group intervention to help adolescents to manage everyday stresses. Dr. Jack Nejand specialises in the assessment, formulation and treatment of young people experiencing mood and anxiety disorders. He predominantly adopts a CBT-informed approach but is comfortable integrating this with attachment-based and transdiagnostic models. He is also skilled at supporting young people presenting with risk and safeguarding concerns, such as self-harm, suicidality and neglect. He has expertise in adapting and co-producing interventions to be effective within the school environment for individuals, small groups and larger audiences. Dr. Jack is a fierce advocate for increasing access to mental health support for all young people, particularly those from underrepresented groups such as the global majority and young men. Dr. Jack practices with cultural humility and ensures that his clients are always at the centre of their own care.

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Jawahr Al Shamsi holds a B.Sc. in Psychology with a Minor in Innovation and Entrepreneurship from Zayed University. Her academic and research experience includes projects on social media’s impact on body image and factors contributing to obesity in the UAE. She is also an alumna of the Sheikh Mohamed bin Zayed Scholars Program. Jawahr has worked in educational and clinical settings, supporting children, adolescents, and individuals with autism and ADHD. Currently, she serves as a DOH-licensed Assistant Psychologist and Research Coordinator at Maudsley Health, assisting with psychological assessments and clinical care. She aspires to pursue postgraduate training in Clinical Psychology and advance culturally responsive mental healthcare

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Jennifer Meehan is an experienced mental health nurse leader with more than 18 years of clinical, operational, and leadership experience across Ireland, the United Kingdom, and the United Arab Emirates. She serves as Service Manager for the Mental Health of Older Adults Clinical Academic Group at Maudsley Health, supporting the development of specialist older adult mental health services. Jennifer holds an MSc in Advanced Care in Dementia from King’s College London and a BSc in Mental Health Nursing from the University of Limerick. Her expertise includes dementia care, workforce development, patient safety, quality improvement, reducing restrictive practices, and strengthening multidisciplinary teams within culturally diverse healthcare environments

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Jenny Moriarty is an Irish trained Intellectual Disability and Pediatric nurse with experience in both inpatient and community settings. She obtained her HGDip in Pediatric nursing with Dublin City University and Temple Street Children’s Hospital and Bachelor’s degree in Intellectual Disability Nursing also with Dublin City University. With extensive experience working with individuals with Intellectual disability, primarily post qualification working in the community setting, with the aim and focus for improving patients Quality of Life.

Jenny has a profound passion for nursing, focusing on personalized care that addresses the unique needs of each patient. She strives to reduce the stigma surrounding intellectual disability and mental health fostering an environment of acceptance and understanding. Her approach is deeply rooted in empathy and respect and ensuring that every patient receives the highest standard of care.

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Prof. Marwan T. Al-Zoubi is a Chartered Applied Psychologist, Mental Health Specialist, and Full Professor of Psychology at the University of Jordan. He earned his PhD from the University of Surrey, UK, and holds Chartered status with the British Psychological Society. His expertise spans mental health, personality assessment, cognitive abilities, and life skills development. Prof. Al-Zoubi has published over 25 peer-reviewed articles and authored 12 academic books. He also serves as a mental health and research consultant with the International Labour Organization (ILO), contributing to initiatives that promote worker well-being, mental health advocacy, institutional development, and human potential optimization in Jordan and beyond.

Dr. Meshal A. Sultan, MBBS, FRCPC, IFAPA, DFAACAP, is a Consultant Child and Adolescent Psychiatrist at Al Amal Psychiatric Hospital, Emirates Health Services (EHS), and Adjunct Associate Professor of Psychiatry at Mohammed Bin Rashid University of Medicine and Health Sciences (MBRU), Dubai Health. Since 2024, he has also provided monthly collaborative child and adolescent psychiatry care at Khorfakkan Hospital, EHS, supporting the integration of specialist mental health expertise within broader healthcare services.

He is Program Director of the Child and Adolescent Psychiatry Fellowship at EHS and Chair of the Committee for Academic and Professional Advancement (CAPA) at Al Amal Psychiatric Hospital. He led the development of the national training requirements for the Emirati Board in Child and Adolescent Psychiatry and subsequently contributed to establishing the first Emirati Board-accredited Child and Adolescent Psychiatry Fellowship Program at EHS, launched in 2026.

Dr. Sultan has held several national and international leadership roles in child and adolescent mental health. He has served as President of the Emirates Society for Child and Adolescent Mental Health (ESCAM), Emirates Medical Association, since 2024, following earlier roles as General Secretary and Vice President, and has chaired the Scientific Research and Health Committee of the Emirates Autism Society since 2023. He is also Chair of the Scientific Committee for Child and Adolescent Psychiatry at the National Institute for Health Specialties since 2022, Member of the Education Committee of the Canadian Academy of Child and Adolescent Psychiatry since 2022, and Associate Editor of the Journal of the Canadian Academy of Child and Adolescent Psychiatry since 2026.

He graduated with an MBBS from UAE University in 2007 and undertook postgraduate training at the University of Ottawa, Canada, from 2011 to 2017, completing psychiatry residency from 2011 to 2016 followed by subspecialty fellowship training in Child and Adolescent Psychiatry from 2015 to 2017. He is certified in both Psychiatry and Child and Adolescent Psychiatry by the Royal College of Physicians and Surgeons of Canada.

His clinical, academic, and research interests include ADHD, autism, collaborative care, medical education, and improving access to child and adolescent mental health services. He has authored 25 peer-reviewed journal publications, with 20 indexed in PubMed and 24 in Scopus, and has a Google Scholar H-index of 12. His scholarly work has also been presented through 25 research presentations at national and international scientific meetings and academic forums.

Dr. Sultan has been an International Fellow of the American Psychiatric Association (IFAPA) since 2020 and was recognized in 2026 as a Distinguished Fellow of the American Academy of Child and Adolescent Psychiatry (DFAACAP), reflecting sustained professional contributions to the field of child and adolescent psychiatry.

Noor Said is a Clinical and Counselling Psychologist with more than 14 years of experience in mental health, psychosocial support, and clinical practice across government, humanitarian, and community settings. She currently serves as a Psychologist at the Abu Dhabi Family Care Authority, where she provides evidence-based assessment and intervention while contributing to service development and clinical standards. Noor is also the Founder of Happiness Bay, a UAE-based wellbeing initiative focused on preventive mental health and corporate wellbeing. Her expertise includes trauma, burnout, resilience, and psychological wellbeing, utilizing evidence-based approaches such as CBT, EMDR, DBT, ACT, and PM+. Her work is dedicated to enhancing mental health outcomes and promoting sustainable wellbeing for individuals, professionals, and communities.

Dr. Sarah Almarzooqi obtained her Doctoral Degree in Clinical Psychology (DClinPsy) from the Institute of Psychiatry, Psychology, and Neuroscience at King’s College, London, and trained at the National Health Service (NHS) at Maudsley Hospital and St Thomas’ Hospital in London.

Dr. Sarah Almarzooqi is a Consultant Clinical Psychologist, with a career spanning more than 20 years in the field of mental health. She is an Adjunct Professor of Psychology at the Mohammed Bin Rashid University of Medicine and Health Sciences (MBRU). She also held positions of Head of Psychology and allied health, and a Clinical Supervisor.

While working in the UK and the UAE, Dr Almarzooqi developed skills in assessment, diagnosis, behaviour modification, Cognitive Behavioural Intervention (CBT), Trauma-Focused Cognitive Behavioural Therapy (TF-CBT), Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT), and Eye movement desensitization and reprocessing (EMDR).

She provides assessment and intervention for behavioural, and emotional difficulties. And work with children and adolescence including anxiety disorders, mood disorders, emotion-regulation difficulties, and OCD. She has a particular clinical interest and expertise in working with children presenting with trauma and Post Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD). Dr. Sarah uses evidence-based therapies in both individual and group settings.

She also established the first specialized child and adolescent PTSD clinic in Dubai at Aljalila Hospital and has special training and interest in PTSD and trauma. She has successfully published focused research papers on different mental health topics. She is also regular research reviewer at the at European Journal of Psychotraumatology and Maudsley Health Research Ethics Committee Member & researcher. Dr Almarzooqi she is also a founding member of the Emirati Psychological Association.

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Dr. Sarmad Nadeem is a Consultant Psychiatrist and Medical Director at Al Amal Psychiatric Hospital and Maudsley Health, with over 20 years of experience in mental healthcare and medical leadership. Before relocating to the UAE, he held several senior leadership roles within the NHS, including Deputy Medical Director, Associate Medical Director, and Clinical Director at Pennine Care NHS Foundation Trust. He also led community mental health transformation initiatives across Greater Manchester. Dr. Nadeem holds FRCPsych, an MSc from the University of Manchester, and a Postgraduate Certificate in Medical Education. His expertise includes clinical leadership, service transformation, governance, workforce development, health inequalities, and community mental health.

Sophie is a Clinical Psychologist registered with the Department of Health, Abu Dhabi (DOH) and the Health and Care Professions Council in the UK (HCPC). She holds a Doctorate in Clinical Psychology (DClinPsy) from the University of Surrey and is accredited by the British Psychological Society (BPS). She also holds a Postgraduate Certificate (PGCert) in Mental Health and Clinical Psychology from London South Bank University, and a Bachelor’s degree with honours (BSc) in Clinical and Community Psychology from the University of East London. Sophie has over a decade of clinical experience, and has worked in NHS, charity, and community settings in the UK, supporting individuals across the lifespan, from children to older adults, and from diverse backgrounds. She has worked in services supporting adults with a range of difficulties, as well as in highly specialist services for veterans experiencing Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD) related to military service. Sophie has also worked in specialist Older Adult services, providing assessment, diagnosis, and post-diagnosis support for individuals and families affected by dementia. Sophie offers specialist interventions for a wide range of psychological difficulties, including anxiety disorders, depression, low self-esteem, burnout, sleep difficulties, and obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD). She specialises in the treatment of complex trauma and PTSD, as well as in the assessment and support of older adults with cognitive difficulties and dementia. Sophie integrates therapeutic models including Cognitive Behavioural Therapy (CBT), Compassion Focussed Therapy (CFT) and systemic approaches, and has participated in further training in specialised therapies, including Narrative Exposure Therapy (NET). Sophie is skilled in adapting her therapy to suit the needs of the individual client and applies a trauma-informed approach to her care with clients. Her approach is compassionate, collaborative, values driven, and she aims to support clients to reclaim their lives and move towards meaningful, lasting, and sustainable change.

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Dr. Tareq Qassem is a Consultant Psychiatrist at Maudsley Health Abu Dhabi. He graduated from Ain Shams University in Egypt where he worked as a Lecturer in Psychiatry after earning his Medical Doctorate. He then pursued further training in Old Age Psychiatry in the UK before attaining a Consultant role. His responsibilities as a Consultant in Old Age Psychiatry included leading the neurocognitive clinic which assessed and managed patients experiencing cognitive symptoms. Dr. Tareq Qassem was the chairperson for the Research and Innovation Committee in one of West Midlands National Health Service Trusts (serving a population of 1.1 million) and held Honorary Fellow and Senior Lecturer positions in the University of Warwick as well as Aston University. Dr. Tareq Qassem is currently an Associate Professor of Psychiatry at Ain Shams University in Cairo, Adjunct Clinical Associate Professor at the Mohammed Bin Rashid University of Medicine and Dubai Medical College.

Dr. Tareq Qassem has published several publications in high impact journals such as The British Journal of Psychiatry and the British Medical Journal and has authored several chapters in different books in different areas of psychiatry.

Dr. Tareq Qassem is a senior member of the Maudsley Health team at Al-Amal Hospital in Dubai. He is the lead for the Clinical Academic Group for Older Adults.

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Tom completed his Doctorate in Clinical Psychology (DClinPsy) at the Institute of Psychiatry, Psychology and Neuroscience, King’s College London, and the Maudsley Hospital in South London. He is accredited by the British Psychological Society (BPS) and registered with the Health and Care Professions Council, UK. Tom also holds a Master’s degree in Clinical and Developmental Psychopathology from Vrije Universiteit Amsterdam, Netherlands, and a First-Class Honours degree in Psychology (BSc) from the University of Birmingham, UK. Tom has over a decade of clinical experience across specialist mental health services in the UK, including roles within South London and Maudsley NHS Foundation Trust, University College London Hospitals, and the private sector. He has worked with individuals across the lifespan, from children to older adults, experiencing both physical and psychological difficulties. Within the NHS, Tom has worked in highly specialist services for adults with eating disorders and appearance-related distress and contributed psychological input to one of the largest obesity and bariatric centres in the UK. He is a registered member of the British Psychological Society’s Cosmetic Surgery Special Interest Group.. Tom specialises in the treatment of eating disorders. He prioritises creating a safe and trusting space that enables people to explore current difficulties and to make progress towards personally meaningful goals. His practice is culturally sensitive, trauma informed and tailored to reflect the unique experiences of each client, whilst referring to a biopsychosocial evidence-base. Tom integrates therapeutic models including Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT), Compassion Focused Therapy (CFT) and Attachment Theory. He has participated in further training in specialized therapies, including the Maudsley Model of Anorexia Nervosa Treatment for Adults (MANTRA). Tom was one of the first psychologists in the UK to achieve SCOPE Certification, which is an internationally recognised standard of supporting people with overweight and obesity. He is experienced supporting individuals and families therapeutically across the spectrum of eating and appearance related distress, and is committed to tackling the negative impact of weight stigma in healthcare. In addition to his work with eating disorders, Tom supports individuals experiencing a wide range of psychological difficulties, including anxiety disorders, depression, low self-esteem, and obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD). He has experience helping clients manage body dysmorphic disorder (BDD), appearance-related distress, perfectionism, and identity concerns, as well as bereavement, complicated grief, burnout, and sleep problems. Tom is research active and has published in peer-reviewed journals. He is part of a research team at King’s College London recently awarded a Wellcome Trust grant to explore AI-assisted methods for accelerating the development and scalability of digital interventions to improve cognitive health. Tom has also held lead responsibilities in safeguarding and information governance within a large UK national digital therapy service. He is certified at Level 5 in Safeguarding Adults and Children.

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Dr Veronica Byrne graduated from the National University of Ireland, NUIG, in 2016, with a Doctorate in Clinical Psychology. Her research explored the subjective experience of birth trauma in first time mothers, which is an area of interest for her. Veronica achieved her Masters and her BA in Applied Psychology at University College Cork, Ireland. Veronica is a registered Senior Clinical Psychologist with ten years’ experience in the National Health Service in Ireland across multiple areas including; Primary Care, Adult Mental Health, Intellectual Disability, Child and Adolescent Psychology, and Social Inclusion Psychology services. She has gained diverse experience in assessment, differential diagnosis, and case formulation. Due to her dedicated interest and experience in therapeutic intervention, Veronica can offer a range of supportive techniques to manage challenges for young people and families. Veronica is passionate about making psychological research and theory accessible to her clients, and to the public, serving prevention and educational aims. Dy Byrne’s specialist training includes the provision of neurodevelopmental assessment, for example using the ADI-R, and the management of trauma and PTSD, using treatments including; EMDR, Narrative Exposure Therapy and Imagery Rescripting techniques. Veronica is interested in working with children, young people, and families. She has experience in supporting a wide range of challenges including; anxiety disorders, low mood, emotion regulation challenges, adjustment issues and developmental concerns. She has a special interest in the treatment of trauma and PTSD. Veronica works in a person- centered way, with an eclectic approach to intervention, to make assessment and treatment accessible, empowering and collaborative.

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Will update soon.

Dr. Waleed Ahmed is a senior consultant psychiatrist, with 18 years’ experience in the United Kingdom, both in National Health Service (NHS) and private inpatient and outpatient settings. He is a Fellow of the Royal College of Psychiatrists (FRCPsych), UK.

Dr. Waleed trained in various NHS health trusts in England as a general psychiatrist. He completed his specialist training in Child and Adolescent Psychiatry at the Royal Edinburgh Hospital. He went on to complete further specialist training in Adult Forensic psychiatry across Edinburgh, Glasgow and Aberdeen. Dr Waleed is uniquely trained to treat children, adolescents and adults for mental health conditions and is DOH licensed Child and Adolescent Psychiatrist with privileges for Adult Psychiatry.

Dr. Waleed has held a variety of clinical consultant roles and is experienced in treating a range of disorders. He is a consultant Child and Adolescent psychiatrist. He has also held posts in a secure adult inpatient unit and specialist Eating Disorders Unit in the UK. Recognising his expertise in psychiatry and treatment of mental disorders, Dr Waleed was appointed as a Designated Medical Practitioner by the Mental Welfare Commission of Scotland to provide second opinions regarding treatment of mental disorders. He was also appointed as a panel member of the highly esteemed Mental Health Tribunal for Scotland, UK.

Dr. Waleed is passionate about patient rights, holistic approaches to treatment and patient-centred care. As a cornerstone of his practice, he has always involved the young person or adult and their carers jointly in arriving at the best understanding of the patient’s difficulties and formulating the most appropriate treatment. Dr Waleed focuses on the strengths of the individual and family, using a bio-psycho-social model of care and treatment.

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