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Agenda
Speakers
Committee
- Scientific Committee
- Organizing Committee
Sponsors
Venue
Contact Us

ACPN Speakers

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

Mr. Anthony Nhlapo

Mr. Anthony S. Nhlapo is a licensed clinical psychologist at ACPN. He graduated with a Master of
Arts in Clinical Psychology, earned from the University of the Witwatersrand, South Africa, in 2009.
He is pursuing PhD in Human Sciences at the University of Kwa-Zulu Natal, South Africa, with a
research focus on understanding pediatric traumatic brain injury and its impact on children’s brains.
Mr. Nhlapo holds valid medical licenses and registrations both in South Africa’s HPCSA, and with
the DHA in Dubai and DOH in Abu Dhabi.

With over a decade of experience in the field of psychology, Mr. Nhlapo’s professional journey
encompassed a diverse range of clinical settings, including public and private general and psychiatric
hospitals and clinics, community clinics, correctional facilities, and specialized centers for
neuropsychology and forensic clinics, as well as a fertility clinic. After his relocation to the UAE in
2020, Mr. Nhlapo worked at institutions including Aspris Wellbeing Center, and Openminds Center
in Dubai working with a wide range of clients including children and adults. His extensive
experience involves assessing, diagnosing, and treating adults and adolescents with various
psychiatric conditions, ranging from mild to severe. He gained experience in conducting psycho–
educational, neuropsychological, and forensic psychological evaluations in children, adolescents, and
adults, utilizing various psychometric tests. While initially trained in the psychodynamic perspective,
he has honed his skills over the last decade, specializing in Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT) and
employing a blend of psychotherapy modalities to effectively address various conditions.

Mr. Nhlapo’s expertise extends to being a certified specialist in ADHD and Autism. His primary
areas of focus involve the assessment, diagnosis, and treatment of these neurodevelopmental
conditions. Additionally, he provides support to adolescents and adults dealing with depression,
anxiety disorders (including panic disorder, social phobia, and posttraumatic stress disorder – PTSD),
and other behavioral presentations in adolescents, such as conduct and oppositional defiant disorders.
His wealth of experience in diverse clinical settings coupled with his commitment to ongoing
research puts focus on the mental health and well-being of his patients.

Mr. Anthony Nhlapo

Clinical Psychologist
American Center for Psychiatry and Neurology (ACPN), Abu Dhabi, UAE

Ms. Jenevie Mongcal

Ms. Jenevie Mongcal is a Clinical Psychologist at ACPN. She completed her Master’s degree in clinical psychology from the University of Santo Tomas, Manila, Philippines in 2016, and an undergraduate degree from San Pedro College, Philippines, in 2008. Furthermore, she specialized in EMDR Therapy in 2019 from EMDR Philippines, and subsequently in 2021 as a Registered Behavior Technician from Pulse TLC, Dubai. At present, she is pursuing Cognitive Behavior Therapy training from the Beck Institute, USA. She holds memberships with the American Psychological Association, Association for Play Therapy USA, and the European Association for Aviation Psychology. She is a licensed psychologist in Dubai, Abu Dhabi, and the Philippines.

With over six years of clinical experience, Ms. Mongcal enjoys working across various settings and age groups. Her recent employment was with the Veterans Evaluation Services under US Veterans Affairs from 2019 to 2022, where she provided psychological services to military servicemen who served in Afghanistan, Iraq, and Vietnam. She also worked for FlyDubai Aviation Corporation as an Aviation Psychologist offering psychological assessments for pilots (First Officers) and counselling/psychotherapy services for employees in 2022. Prior to joining ACPN in 2023, she was employed with Lifeworks Holistic Counseling Centre in Dubai as a Clinical Psychologist, where she provided psychological assessments, counseling, and psychotherapy services. In the Philippines, she served at the Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD) for two years until 2020, working with a vulnerable population of children exposed to home conflict, neglect, and sexual abuse. She also worked privately handling
psychological evaluations for adoption and annulment cases for three years till 2022. She also has a keen interest in early intervention for children within the autism spectrum disorders and
other learning disabilities employing Applied Behavior Analysis (ABA) and Play Therapy to improve children’s interpersonal, self-help, and academic skills while addressing underlying behavioral challenges. She also works with teenagers helping them regulate their emotions, improve coping skills, address bullying and peer relationships, depression and anxiety, and other concerns.

Ms. Jenevie Mongcal

Psychologist
American Center for Psychiatry and Neurology (ACPN), Abu Dhabi, UAE

Ms. Joulia Chahine

Ms. Joulia Chahine is a Speech and Language Therapist at ACPN Abu Dhabi. She holds a Master’s degree in Speech, Language, and Communication Needs in Schools from City, University of London (specializing in Inclusive Practices) and a Bachelor’s degree in Speech and Language Therapy from Saint Joseph University in Beirut, Lebanon (2015). She is a licensed speech therapist with the Department of Health (DoH) in Abu Dhabi providing therapy in Arabic, English, and French.

With over eight years of experience across Lebanon and the UAE, Ms. Chahine worked in clinical, educational, and community-based settings, supporting children and adolescents with a variety of speech and language disorders. In Abu Dhabi, she worked at Maudsley Health providing direct therapy, parent and teacher training, and school-based consultancy services in both formal and non-formal education environments. Her practice is guided by inclusive, neurodiversity-affirming principles that emphasize individualized, strength-based support.

Ms. Chahine specializes in the assessment and treatment of children with speech sound disorders, developmental language disorders, learning difficulties, stuttering, and communication challenges. She has a strong interest in early childhood intervention and supports each child using a child-led, play-based approach. Ms. Chahine collaborates closely with families, educators, and multidisciplinary teams to create environments that enable communication and learning success to make therapy both meaningful and impactful—helping each child build the confidence and skills they need to thrive.

Ms. Joulia Chahine

Speech and Language Therapist
American Center for Psychiatry and Neurology (ACPN), Abu Dhabi, UAE

Ms. Humaira Khan

Ms. Humaira Khan is an Occupational Therapist at ACPN Abu Dhabi. She holds a Master’s degree in Occupational Therapy from the University of Witwatersrand, South Africa (2019), with a focus on pediatric occupational therapy and research. She also earned a Bachelor of Science in Occupational Therapy with honors from the same institution in 2014.

Ms. Khan’s career spans over ten years in clinical leadership roles across South Africa and the UAE. From 2015 to 2020, she served as the Head of Occupational Therapy at a government district hospital in South Africa, supervising the OT department, while managing administrative tasks and developed standard operating procedures (SOPs). She also played a key role in early childhood intervention (ECI) and cerebral palsy (CP) workgroups, earning two Department of Health awards for successfully implementing service-line projects. In the UAE, Ms. Khan provided home-care occupational therapy services from 2020 to 2023, developing a school-based therapy service and later transitioning into long-term care in 2024. Her role involved streamlining processes to enhance patient care, as well as hosting workshops on various areas including hand splinting, and leading parent and caregiver training on child development and play-based learning.

Ms. Khan specializes in pediatric occupational therapy, focusing on early childhood development, sensory integration, learning and perceptual difficulties, infant massage, and pediatric case management. She also has experience in adult rehabilitation, including hand therapy, neurological rehabilitation, mental health, and vocational assessments. Passionate about advancing occupational therapy services, she is dedicated to empowering patients and caregivers through education, skill development, and holistic therapy interventions.

Ms. Humaira Khan

Occupational Therapist, Clinical Lead- School Rehabilitation Services
American Center for Psychiatry and Neurology (ACPN), Abu Dhabi, UAE

Dr. Ibrahim Al Qaisi

Dr. Ibrahim Al Qaisi is a Pharmacy Supervisor at ACPN Pharmacies. 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. Ibrahim Al Qaisi

Acting Group Pharmacy Director - AS Health Group
Abu Dhabi, UAE

Ms. Lara Kantargian

Ms. Lara Kantargian is a Behavior Therapist at ACPN. She completed her Master’s in Clinical Psychology at Kingston University, UK, in 2020, after earning a bachelor’s degree from the American University of Beirut in 2018. She holds certifications as a Registered Behavior Technician (RBT) and International Behavior Therapist (IBT), and further enhancing her credentials with training in Psychological First Aid (PFA) and Mental Health Psychosocial Support (MHPSS).

With diverse experience in the UK, Lebanon, and UAE, Ms. Kantargian has applied her skills in various settings, beginning with ABA therapy for children with autism spectrum in the UK. She continued her work in educational settings in Lebanon and expanded her practice across nurseries and schools in the UAE, tailoring behavioral interventions to meet local needs.

Currently, Ms. Kantargian focuses on pediatric clients with a range of behavioral challenges and developmental disorders, including Autism Spectrum Disorder and ADHD. Her practice integrates Clinical Psychology with Applied Behavioral Analysis, striving to enhance the independence and abilities of her clients through comprehensive, tailored therapeutic approaches.

Ms. Lara Kantargian

Behavior Therapy Technician
American Center for Psychiatry and Neurology (ACPN), Abu Dhabi, UAE

Dr. Muath AlZarooni, MD

Dr. Muath Alzarooni is a UAE-licensed Consultant Child and Adolescent Psychiatrist with subspecialty training in ADHD and child psychiatry. He completed clinical fellowships at McGill University and the University of Ottawa, with training at the Montreal Children’s Hospital and the Children’s Hospital of Eastern Ontario (CHEO), both internationally recognized and prestigious institutions in North America. Prior to joining ACPN in 2025, he served as Clinical Lead of the Child and Adolescent Psychiatry Division at Sheikh Khalifa Medical City. Dr. Alzarooni is President of the Emirates ADHD Chapter, and his work focuses on ADHD, autism, anxiety, depression, and learning disorders

Dr. Muath AlZarooni, MD

Adjunct Assistant Professor in Psychiatry
College of Medicine and Health Sciences
United Arab Emirates University
Al Ain, UAE

Ms. Nathalie Awad

Nathalie Elias Awad is Physiotherapist at ACPN. She earned her Bachelor’s degree in Physiotherapy from the Fatima College of Health Sciences, Abu Dhabi in 2019. She is a DOH licensed Physiotherapist in Abu Dhabi.

Starting her career in physiotherapy and rehabilitation in 2019, she worked as physiotherapist for the inpatient and long-term care unit at Burjeel Medical City, Abu Dhabi and at Danat Al Emarat Hospital for their inpatient and outpatient clinics seeing patients of all ages. She carried out her clinical training at prestigious healthcare institutions including Sheikh Khalifa Medical City, Cleveland Clinic Abu Dhabi, and Healthpoint Hospital Abu Dhabi. She is well-versed in musculoskeletal, neurological, ICU, post-operative rehabilitation for orthopedic as well as obstetrics & gynecology patients, as well as rehabilitation for children and newborns. With a passion for voluntary service, she dedicated her time as a fitness screener at the Special Olympics World Games for People of Determination for the 2017 & 2018 seasons.

Her areas of interest include women’s health for outpatient and inpatient, virtual prenatal services, NICU along with post discharge neonatal services including follow-ups and parent education about premature complications, and early interventions. Her approach to treatment follows evidence-based care plans that are updated with the latest interventions. Working with a multitude of age groups, Ms. Awad works with children with developmental delays, adults having pelvic floor rehabilitation, neurorehabilitation, pain management and musculoskeletal cases.

Ms. Nathalie Awad

Physiotherapist
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

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. Yin Ying Ten

Ms. Yin has nine years experience in Occupational Therapy and specialize in pediatric developmental therapy, early childhood intervention,
sensory integration, neurological rehabilitation, lymphoedema management, and functional
capacity building for both children and adults. She is passionate about promoting
independence, quality of life, and holistic health through client-centered, evidence-based
interventions. She is dedicated to help clients to reach their fullest potential in daily living, education, and community participation.

Ms. Yin Ying Ten

Occupational Therapist
American Center for Psychiatry and Neurology (ACPN), Abu Dhabi, UAE