Scientific Committee
Dr. Ahmed Alwazeer
Dr. Ahmed Alwazeer is a Consultant Child and Adolescent Psychiatrist at ACPN and a distinguished professional with a wealth of international credentials. He earned fellowship status from the Royal College of Physicians and Surgeons of Canada in Psychiatry (2016) and Child and Adolescent Psychiatry (2017). His academic journey also includes Membership of the Royal College of Psychiatrists in the UK (2006) and a Certificate of Completion of Training in Child and Adolescent Psychiatry from the General Medical Council in the UK (2010). In addition to this, Dr. Alwazeer holds a Postgraduate Diploma in Medical Education from the University of Warwick, UK (2010). He is a licensed physician with the College of Physicians and Surgeons of Nova Scotia, Canada, and is duly licensed by Abu Dhabi's Department of Health (DOH). With over a decade of dedicated experience in psychiatry for children and adolescents in UK and Canada, Dr. Alwazeer joined ACPN in 2023. His prior roles include serving as a Consultant Psychiatrist at Maudsley Health Abu Dhabi, specializing in the mental health of children and adolescents which is part of the AS Health Group. Before serving in the UAE, his role saw him take charge as Physician Lead for Adolescent Intensive Services for Mental Health and Addictions in Canada. Notably, Dr. Alwazeer spent over eight years in Canada at the IWK Health Center, and worked for four years as a Consultant Child and Adolescent Psychiatrist in the UK National Health Services until 2014. In addition to his clinical roles, Dr. Alwazeer holds the position of Assistant Professor in Psychiatry at Dalhousie University, Canada since 2014. He has shared his expertise by presenting on numerous topics in child and adolescent psychiatry and serves as a reviewer for prominent academic journals in this field. Dr. Alwazeer adopts a collaborative approach, working closely with children, young
adults, and their families throughout the journey of recovery from a spectrum of mental health disorders, including mood, anxiety, psychosis, bipolar, substance use,developmental, behavioral, and eating disorders.
Dr. Ahmed Alwazeer
Consultant Child and
Adolescent Psychiatrist
American Center for Psychiatry and Neurology (ACPN), Abu Dhabi, UAE
Dr. Christina Aramouny
Dr. Christina Aramouny is a Consultant Psychiatrist at ACPN Abu Dhabi. She earned her Medical Doctor (MD) degree from Saint Joseph University, Lebanon, in 2011, followed by a diploma in Addictology in 2012 and a specialization in Psychiatry in 2017 from the same institution. Additionally, Dr. Aramouny holds a diploma in Forensic Psychiatry from Paris XI University, France (2017). She has also received advanced training in child and adolescent psychiatry at Robert Debré Hospital in Paris and the AREA+ Epsylon Network in Brussels. She is a licensed psychiatrist by the Department of Health (DoH) in Abu Dhabi.
With over 7 years of clinical experience, Dr. Aramouny has worked across diverse settings and populations, including private practices, hospitals, NGOs, and specialized institutions in Lebanon, and the Middle East. She contributed her expertise at Beautiful Mind Medical Center in Abu Dhabi spanned child, adolescent, and adult psychiatry, with a strong emphasis on multidisciplinary teamwork. In her previous roles in Lebanon, she provided psychiatric care for vulnerable populations, offered parental guidance and psychoeducation on a national scale, and conducted forensic assessments for legal proceedings. At Sacré Coeur and Dr. Samir Serhal Hospitals in Lebanon, she specialized in liaison psychiatry and staff education, while her work at Mosaik Specialized School focused on empowering educators and addressing mental health challenges in children and adolescents. She also held teaching positions at the Islamic University of Beirut as well as Faculty of Nursing Sciences of the Lebanese Red Cross.
Dr. Aramouny’s expertise includes treating a broad range of conditions, including anxiety, depression, ADHD, autism spectrum disorder, mood disorders, early onset of psychosis, eating disorders, and addiction, supporting patients with complex mental health needs. Being a passionate advocate for mental health awareness, she has been actively involved in national awareness campaigns, including maternal and children’s mental health initiatives. Dr. Aramouny’s approach to care combines evidence-based treatments with a compassionate, patient-centered philosophy, helping patients overcome mental health challenges and lead their lives to the fullest.
Dr. Christina Aramouny
Consultant Psychiatrist
American Center for Psychiatry and Neurology (ACPN), Abu Dhabi, UAE
Dr. Ola Safi
Dr. Ola Safi
Specialist Pediatric Neurologist
American Center for Psychiatry and Neurology (ACPN), Abu Dhabi, UAE
Dr. Rami Alshihabi
Dr. Rami Alshihabi is a Senior Clinical Psychologist at ACPN. Prior to joining ACPN, he was Director of Counseling and Senior Wellness Counselor at New York University, Abu Dhabi (NYUAD) health and wellness center. Dr. Alshihabi received his Doctorate in Clinical Psychology in 2004 from the Alliant International University – California School of Professional Psychology, Los Angeles and remains a licensed clinical psychologist in the USA.
His role prior to joining NYUAD was at Sheikh Khalifa Medical City, Abu Dhabi where he worked as Senior Clinical Psychologist after his relocation from the US in 2007. He then was assigned as Head of Psychology Department at the Behavioral Science Pavilion (BSP) at SKMC in 2013 which he held for three years prior to joining NYUAD. Dr. Alshihabi has over 20 years of experience in assessing and treating all forms of mental health and social problems in adults, older adults, children, adolescents, families and couples. In addition to working with students at NYUAD and clients in the Abu Dhabi community, Dr. Alshihabi is a senior DOH License Examiner for all psychologists seeking DOH licensure in the emirate of Abu Dhabi.
Dr. Alshihabi has also been active in the psychological assessments of potential bariatric surgery and transplant patients at SKMC. Dr. Alshihabi is active on the academic front and developed a Work-Related Stress Management Program and has lectured on many subjects including psychological testing, trauma intervention/diffusion, time and anger management, and more. Plus, he has and continues to chair many mental health sessions within the community.
Dr. Rami Alshihabi
Clinical Psychologist
Clinical Lead - Psychology Services
Deputy CMO
American Center for Psychiatry and Neurology (ACPN), Abu Dhabi, UAE
Dr. Rasha Mashmoushi
Dr. Rasha Mashmoushi is the Clinical Lead for Educational Psychology Services and an Educational Psychologist at ACPN. Dr. Mashmoushi earned her Doctorate Degree in Applied Educational Psychology from the University of Nottingham, United Kingdom in 2010, and her Master’s degree in Educational Psychology from the University of Bristol, United Kingdom in 2005.
With over a decade of post-doctoral experience, Dr. Mashmoushi held clinical, directorship, and academic positions at clinics, hospitals as well as educational settings in the United Kingdom, Saudi Arabia, United Arab Emirates, and Lebanon. Her previous work experience included a Clinical Director position in Dubai, Director of Academic Support Services at a prestigious university in Saudi Arabia, and a clinical role at the American University of Beirut Medical Center in Lebanon.
Dr. Mashmoushi has been active in conducting research studies and has presented her research in different conferences including the Inclusion and Wellbeing conference in Dubai, Middle East Psychological Association conference in Kuwait, Empowered by Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder: Take Action conference in Jordan, and Academic International Conference of Multidisciplinary Studies and Education at Oxford University.
She has been active in offering supervision for professionals and psychology students in the region. She has also offered several training and professional development courses in different countries addressing various topics including assessment and treatment of Dyslexia, the link between executive functioning skills and Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder, neuropsychological assessment within the school setting, and early intervention for children with developmental delays.
Dr. Mashmoushi has worked on several governmental projects including developing a specialized assessment center within the Lebanese Ministry of Social Affairs to provide psycho- educational assessment services for children in need. Another project was in partnership with the Lebanese Ministry of Education to develop a framework and guidelines to regulate examination accommodations for students taking the official Lebanese exams.
Dr. Mashmoushi is a board member of the Saudi chapter of the Special Education Network and Inclusion Association (SENIA). SENIA is an international association that advocates for special educational needs and provides resources and support to individuals with disabilities.
Dr. Mashmoushi’s work at ACPN involves leading the Educational Psychology Service across the different branches of ACPN. Her clinical work involves carrying out diagnostic neurodevelopmental and psycho-educational assessments, and working closely with schools, parents, and other professionals to develop treatment plans to support children’s learning, social, behavioral, and emotional needs. She is also trained in carrying out the ADOS- 2 assessment which is the gold standard assessment to diagnose Autism. She is a leading expert in dynamic assessment, and Cognitive Abilities Profile (CAP). The CAP is a structured assessment tool carried out with parents and teachers to gather information around a child’s cognitive abilities. Dynamic assessment is an evaluation method used to identify individuals’ skills as well as their learning potential.
Dr. Rasha Mashmoushi
Educational Psychologist
Director of ACT - NAMA
KSA
Dr. Tahani Alkayyoomi
Dr. Tahani Alkayyoomi is an Emirati consultant psychiatrist at ACPN with extensive experience in child and adolescent mental health. In 2013, she completed a clinical Master’s course in this field at the King’s College London, which included a clinical placement at the Prof. Michael Rutter Children’s Mental Health Unit at the Maudsley Hospital in London. Prior to that, Dr. Alkayyoomi completed her residency training in psychiatry and obtained the Arab Board certification. She continually added courses and certifications in areas such as Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT) and Autism assessments, to deliver high-quality evidence-based care. She is a licensed practitioner in psychiatry with Abu Dhabi’s DoH, and in Dubai with the DHA.
Dr. Alkayyoomi’s practice and experience in psychiatry span over 20 years within the UAE’s local community. She provided specialized mental health services in private as well public health settings including Al Amal Psychiatric Hospital – EHS, Al Ain Hospital, and private clinics. Additionally, she has trained psychiatric residents and interns at Al Ain and Al Amal Hospitals for over a decade. She has several published research papers and is a regular presenter on mental health forums, serving as a key contributor to UAE’s developments in mental health and wellbeing.
Dr. Alkayyoomi areas of interest lie in the assessment and management of various children’s mental health conditions, with a special focus on Autism and ADHD. She uses standardized assessment tools to establish diagnoses and design care plans tailored to each child and adolescent’s needs.
Dr. Tahani Alkayyoomi
Consultant Psychiatrist
American Center for Psychiatry and Neurology (ACPN), Abu Dhabi, UAE
Dr. Tamer Rizk
Dr. Tamer Rizk is a Consultant Pediatric Neurologist at ACPN. He holds qualifications from the American Board of Clinical Neurophysiology with a focus on Pediatric EEG in 2023 and earned his specialist registration (CESR) in Pediatric Neurology in the UK in 2016. He is a Fellow of the Royal College of Pediatrics and Child Health (FRCPCH, UK) since 2012 and completed his medical degree at Alexandria University, Egypt in 1996. Dr. Rizk is a registered pediatric neurologist in USA, UK, Canada, KSA, Egypt, as well as the DoH, Abu Dhabi.
Bringing two decades of expertise in pediatric neurology, Dr. Rizk’s international career spans a comprehensive range of roles. His recent roles included academic and clinical responsibilities including teaching positions as Assistant Professor of Pediatric Neurology at Memorial University, and Dalhousie University in Canada for seven years before going on to join ACPN in 2024. His clinical roles have seen him work as a Consultant Pediatric Neurologist managing various neurological disorders in outpatient, inpatient, and emergency care in the UK and Saudi Arabia. Dr. Rizk is a major contributor to medical research and has more than 50 publications in pediatric neurology literature, authoring multiple books on epilepsy, dystonia, and spasticity.
Dr. Rizk’s expertise is in treating a wide range of pediatric neurological disorders, including epilepsy, neuromuscular disorders, neonatal neurological disorders, structural cerebral malformations, genetic disorders, dysmorphic syndromes, neuro-metabolic disorders, developmental delay, cerebral palsy, neuro-psychiatric & neuro-behavioral disorders (ADHD, autistic spectrum disorders, ODD), headache, movement disorders and autoimmune neurological disorders. He offers comprehensive management and personalized care to his young patients, aiming to enhance their quality of life and developmental outcomes.
Dr. Tamer Rizk
Consultant Pediatric Neurologist
American Center for Psychiatry and Neurology (ACPN), Abu Dhabi, UAE
Ms. Michaela McGilloway
Ms. Michaela McGilloway is an Occupational Therapist at ACPN. She completed her degree in Occupational Therapy at The Robert Gordon University, Aberdeen, Scotland in 2016 and is a licensed practitioner with the Healthcare Professional Council of the UK and DoH, Abu Dhabi.
With over seven years of experience as an OT, she joined ACPN from Cleveland Clinic Abu Dhabi. After her graduation in 2016, she worked in London, UK in two of the largest teaching hospitals for over five years till 2021. She completed her junior and senior rotations in 2019 at Kings College Hospital London, advancing her skills across many specialties. Following this, Ms. McGilloway worked as Specialist Neuro-Occupational Therapist for Guys and St. Thomas Hospital for over a year till 2020, before working at The London Clinic, UK until 2021. She then joined to Cleveland Clinic Abu Dhabi in 2021, developing occupational therapy services across the hospital while supporting continued professional development programs before joining ACPN in 2023.
Ms. McGilloway specializes in rehabilitation for neurological, medical, oncology, vascular and surgical, elderly care, psychiatric, respiratory, and cardiac care. She is particularly skilled in rehabilitation for dementia, stroke, traumatic injuries of the brain and spinal cord, functional neurological disorders, and long-term conditions including Parkinson’s, multiple sclerosis, motor neurone disease, and cerebral palsy. She is passionate about supporting patients reach their milestones and goals with a skillset centered around restoring functional mobility and thereby improving quality of life. She uses interventions such as upper limb rehab, functional training, spasticity management, appropriate posture and seating, visual and sensory rehab, social engagement, anxiety and depression management, cognitive and vocational rehabilitation, in turn improving quality of life and independence
Ms. Michaela McGilloway
Occupational Therapist
Clinical Lead - Rehabilitation Services, Team Leader - OT
American Center for Psychiatry and Neurology (ACPN), Abu Dhabi, UAE
Ms. Stephanie Srour
Mrs. Stephanie Srour is a Team Leader of the Child Clinical Psychology Services at the American Center for Psychiatry and Neurology (ACPN). With a career spanning over a decade in the mental health field, Mrs. Srour is known for her expertise in psychotherapy and psychoeducational assessments for children and adolescents.
Mrs. Srour received her Master of Arts (MA) degree in Clinical Psychology in 2016 and her Bachelor of Arts (BA) degree in Psychology in 2013, both from the American University of Beirut (AUB), Lebanon. During her MA studies, she underwent intensive clinical training at the American University of Beirut Medical Center (AUBMC), specializing in an integrative approach that combines Psychodynamic Therapy and Cognitive-Behavioral Therapy for young clients. Mrs. Srour underwent a further training in Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT) tailored for children and adolescents. Her comprehensive training at AUBMC also included conducting cognitive, psychoeducational, and psychological assessments for children and adolescents. She is a licensed practitioner in both Lebanon and the UAE.
Before relocating to Abu Dhabi in 2020, Mrs. Srour made significant contributions to the field of psychology in Lebanon. She served as the Head of the Psychology Department at the SKILD Center, where she provided psychotherapy and led psychoeducational assessments for children and adolescents experiencing academic and psychological challenges. In her role, she supervised a team of psychologists and developed psychosocial programs to support Syrian refugee families in Lebanon. Additionally, she maintained a private practice at Nawfal Clinics in Lebanon since 2017. Mrs. Srour was also involved in community work, public awareness programs and workshops for schools and social organizations on relevant psychology and mental health subjects. Mrs. Srour co-authored book chapters in “Strategies for Children with Learning Difficulties” and “Wise Parenting.” She was also a frequent guest on Television shows covering parenting and childhood development issues, as well as learning challenges in children.
Mrs. Srour offers her expertise to both UAE Nationals and Expatriate clients dealing with anxiety disorders, such as panic disorder, social phobia, obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD), and general anxiety disorder (GAD), as well as depression. Furthermore, she addresses behavioral issues associated with Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD), Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD), parental divorce, and adjustment challenges. In addition, her clinical work involves carrying out diagnostic neurodevelopmental and psycho-educational assessments, and working closely with schools, parents, and other professionals to develop treatment plans to support children’s learning, social, behavioral, and emotional needs. She is also trained in carrying out the ADOS- 2 assessment which is the gold standard assessment to diagnose Autism.
Mrs. Srour firmly believes in the importance of the therapeutic relationship, patience, and optimism in helping her clients overcome emotional and behavioral struggles. Her dedication and compassionate approach make her a valued member of the ACPN team and a trusted professional in the field of child clinical psychology.
Ms. Stephanie Srour
Clinical Psychologist
Team Leader - Child Psychology Team (Abu Dhabi)
American Center for Psychiatry and Neurology (ACPN), Abu Dhabi, UAE
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