My Approach to Helping

I believe that almost anyone can benefit from counseling/therapy so long as there is a strong, trusting, supportive, and private relationships between the therapist and client. I make every effort to meet clients where they are and tailor the therapy to peoples' individual needs. I like therapy to be collaborative and I try to empower my clients to make decisions that they think are best for their lives.

The first couple sessions are usually spent getting to know one another and developing a deeper understanding of concern. Together, we will then develop a plan to resolve the problem and/or learn individual skills to cope.

Counseling with me is very discreet and highly confidential. As one of the few licensed psychologists and clinical social workers in Kuwait, all of my work strictly adheres to the ethics codes of the American Psychological Association and the National Association of Social Workers.

More Info About My Practice

I am a licensed psychologist in Rhode Island and a licensed clinical social worker in Pennsylvania. I earned my doctorate in Counseling Psychology with a minor in Educational Psychology from the University of Wisconsin-Madison and a Master's degree in Clinical Social Work from Bryn Mawr College. I currently work as the Director of the Psychological Services Department at Fawzia Sultan Rehabilitation Institute (FSRI). FSRI is a nonprofit medical clinic, and the Psychological Services Department is one of the largest private mental health providers in Kuwait.

I completed an APA-accredited doctoral internship and a postdoctoral fellowship at the University of California, Los Angeles (UCLA). There, I received specialized training in psychotherapy, clinical supervision, and psychoeducational assessment for ADHD and learning differences. I have also received specialized postgraduate training in couples/marital counseling from the renowned Gottman Relationship Institute, the foremost leaders in couples research and therapy. I also hold post-graduate certificates in Aging and Mental Health from Boston University, and Advanced Assessment and Diagnosis from New York University (NYU). I have more than 19 years of clinical experience working in range of settings including UCLA, the University of Wisconsin-Madison, Swarthmore College, and public elementary, middle, high and charter schools, and community mental health centers.

In addition to my clinical work, I am also involved in teaching at the university level and research. Previously, I held an academic appointment at the American University of Kuwait as an Assistant Professor of Psychology and as the Assistant Dean of the College of Arts and Sciences. I currently hold an appointment as an Adjunct Professor in the College of Education at Lehigh University, where I teach master's level courses in Counseling Psychology. I am also an editorial reviewer for various scholarly journals published by the American Psychological Association (APA) and I have several scholarly publications in academic journals.

I am an active member in several professional organizations. I am the previous President of the Middle East Psychological Association (MEPA) and a member of the American Psychological Association (APA). I am also a member of the APA's Division 17 (Counseling Psychology), Division 48 (Peace Psychology) and Division 52 (International Psychology).

The first step is to call (2572-0338) or email me and we can arrange an in-person meeting to assess the problem, answer any questions you have, and create a treatment plan together.

How Psychotherapy Can Help

Research has proven that about 85% of people who enter therapy report improvement in their symptoms and daily functioning. After therapy, people often report greater life satisfaction, fewer health problems, and more satisfying relationships. Some people report improvement in just a few sessions while other concerns may need longer.

How does therapy work?
Most sessions are about 50 minutes long. Some people come in for brief treatment lasting just 6-10 sessions, while others prefer longer depending on the client and the nature of their concern. Therapy is very private, discrete, and confidential. Generally, most people find it helpful to have a supportive place to talk privately about common difficulties in life. People typically develop skills and tools to cope or overcome their concerns.