LIGHTHOUSE ARABIA - Key Persons

Aishwarya Waghela

Job Titles:

Client Care Representative

Empowering every individual to reach their own intrinsic potential, I firmly believe that clients are their own experts. I work with the aim of creating a collaborative space that encourages sharing, fosters personal growth, and facilitates continuous learning. I am a Clinical Psychologist born and trained in Cape Town, South Africa. I have previously worked in both private and public mental health services including hospital, forensic and academic settings. Most recently, I worked in private practice in Cape Town seeing predominantly adults and adolescents. I am passionate about preventative mental health, growing mental health awareness and fighting stigma in the interest of public health and social justice. Within the therapy room, it's important to recognize the vulnerability inherent in the therapeutic process. As such, I prioritize creating an environment that feels safe and secure. This sense of safety and trust is crucial for individuals to delve into challenging experiences and emotions, ultimately fostering healing. Therapeutically, I make use of an integrative approach and tailor this approach to address clients' specific needs. I am acutely aware that our existence is not in isolation, we are intertwined with various systems, including relationships, families, work environments, cultures, histories, countries, and legacies. An understanding of these systems is key to understanding individuals and assisting in their development.

Angeline Chan

Job Titles:

Clinical Psychologist

I strive to honour the courage it takes for anyone entering the therapeutic space by providing unwavering empathy, thoug…

Anna White

Job Titles:

Occupational Therapist

Anuradha Indora

Job Titles:

Corporate Services Coordinator / EXECUTIVE ASSISTANT to the

Carolyn Costillas

Job Titles:

Client Care Representative

Catherine Mathenge

Job Titles:

Client Care Representative

Christine Kritzas

Job Titles:

Psychologist

Dr. Alisha Walker

Job Titles:

Clinical Psychologist

Dr. Daniela Salazar

Job Titles:

Clinical Psychologist
EDUCATION DIRECTOR

Dr. Dilara Cagil Tekin

Job Titles:

Specialist Psychiatrist

I believe in the importance of holistic treatment approaches based on the fact that mental health is an integral part of overall health. As a psychiatrist and physician, I believe in the importance of holistic treatment approaches based on the fact that mental health is an integral part of overall health. The uniqueness of each person keeps my love for my profession alive. I work with adults and I have experience working with individuals seeking treatment for a variety of mental health concerns. Prior to joining The Lighthouse Arabia, I have worked extensively in private practice in Istanbul and Dubai. I graduated from Marmara University in Istanbul, after obtaining my medical degree. I went on to complete my further education training for 6 years. This was a multidisciplinary residency program at the Bakirkoy Research and Training Hospital for Psychiatric and Neurological Diseases in Istanbul, which is the pioneering tertiary hospital of Turkey in the field. My training enabled me to gain experience and exposure in various areas of psychiatry including in- and outpatient settings with a comprehensive psychiatric approach.

Dr. Hopolang Matee

Job Titles:

Clinical Psychologist

Dr. Lucy Wood

Job Titles:

Clinical Psychologist

I believe that people are amazingly rich and diverse in every aspect, and so no two experiences are ever the same. As su…

Dr. Mariette Akle

Job Titles:

Clinical Psychologist

Psychotherapy is a place where change and becoming are possible - through the time put into listening, understanding and acceptance. Trust where you will lead yourself. I am a Clinical Psychologist with extensive training in Psychoanalysis. I hold a PhD in Psychoanalysis and Psychopathology from the University of Paris, France and a Masters Degree in Clinical Psychology from the University of Balamand, Lebanon. Prior to joining The LightHouse Arabia, I established and led all psychrelated services in Sheikh Shakhbout Medical City - Mayo Clinic Abu Dhabi, previously Al Mafraq Hospital, which I joined in 2014. I worked in private practice in Lebanon for two years, before moving to the UAE. While I work primarily with adults, I also have experience working with children and adolescents, and in helping all to address a variety of clinical presentations and psychological difficulties. I practice Psychoanalysis and analytically-inspired Psychotherapy, and have been a member of the International of Forums, School of Psychoanalysis of the Forums of the Lacanian Field (IF-SPFLF), and a member of the Lebanese Forum of the Lacanian Field and its committee since 2016.

Dr. Muhamed Hamza

Job Titles:

Clinical Psychologist

The solutions to life's challenges, psychosocial stressors, and struggles lie within you. My role is to walk alongside y…

Dr. Muttahera (Tara) Wyne

Job Titles:

Clinical Psychologist

Dr. Ottilia Brown

Job Titles:

Clinical Psychologist
Coping and Adapting in the Time of COVID - 19: Expert Advice
How to Support Someone Who Is Grieving / 22 Feb 2020
Silencing Your Inner Critic
Why Time Management Equals Stress Management
Your Mental Health and Wellbeing Amidst COVID - 19 / 05 Apr 2020

There are few things as humbling and rewarding as being given access to a client's experience and life journey. With this privilege comes an enormous responsibility to provide an integral space that facilitates exploration and growth and encourages a willingness to venture into difficult and uncomfortable places I primarily work with adults and I enjoy taking a holistic approach to treatment. For me the therapeutic journey is a collaborative one in which both client and therapist commit to the journey. I am eclectically trained and hence will tailor the therapeutic approach to the needs of the client. The basis of all I do in therapy is rooted in demonstrating genuineness, empathy, compassion, and upholding the highest standards of ethical practice. My goal is always that the client's experience in therapy will pave the way for seeking psychological assistance in the future and engender trust and confidence in the profession. I am a registered clinical psychologist since 2002 and have worked at in- and outpatient psychiatric facilities and psychology clinics; in academia as a lecturer, clinical and research supervisor and program coordinator; and in part-time private practice. Prior to joining The LightHouse Arabia I was employed as a Principal Clinical Psychologist at a tertiary public hospital in South Africa where I managed the Clinical Psychology Department, consulted with patients from many walks of life presenting with mental health challenges and life-changing/lifethreatening medical conditions, and conducted and published research. I therefore have extensive experience in the fields of clinical psychology and health psychology. I also have experience in delivering seminars and workshops on topics like grief, stress management and burnout and I am an accredited Mental Health First Aid instructor. I enjoy writing on a range of psychological topics including resilience, self-care, finding meaning, stress and burnout. I can provide therapy in English and Afrikaans.

Dr. Rim Mahmoud

Job Titles:

6 Powerful Ways to Improve Your Communication Skills
Health Psychologist
the All or Nothing Way of Thinking - Destructive Art of Overlooking the Nuances of Life

I strongly believe that distress - no matter how severe - is trying to ‘voice' something meaningful, which deserves atte…

Dr. Robert Chandler - Managing Director

Job Titles:

Clinical Psychologist
MANAGING DIRECTOR
a Psychological Perspective in High Stakes Career Decision Making / 17 Aug 2022

Dr. Saliha Afridi - Chairman, Founder

Job Titles:

Chairman
Clinical Psychologist
Founder
5 Ways That Physical Health Positively Impacts Wellbeing / 12 Jul 2022
a Step by Step Guide to Becoming the Protagonist of Your Own Life / 23 Jun 2023
Breaking the Mental Health Stigma

Dr. Samantha Adams

Job Titles:

Clinical Psychologist

I am dedicated to providing the knowledge, guidance and encouragement needed for therapy to have a meaningful impact on …

Dr. Sheetal Kini

Job Titles:

Clinical Psychologist

I believe in providing a non-judgmental and empathic space where my clients can find safety and direction in this important journey of self discovery. Having been raised in the Middle East as well as the United States, I have learned the importance of cultural context in understanding people's experiences. My curiosity for the human experience led me to pursue my doctoral studies in clinical psychology. My main areas of expertise are in the treatment of Anxiety and Mood Disorders as well as difficulties in Relationships. I am a trained Cognitive Behavioral Therapist with over 8 years of experience in working with Anxiety Disorders such as Panic Disorder, Social Anxiety, Generalized Anxiety, Phobias and Health anxiety as well as Mood Disorders such as Depression and Bipolar Disorder. As much as we clinicians may be "experts" on mental health difficulties, I believe that the client is an expert on his/her own self and has to be an active part of deciding the course of treatment. Although I often conceptualize issues from a cognitive behavioral framework, I remain flexible to use other approaches such as person centered, psychodynamic and attachment focused frameworks in my treatment based on the needs of the client. When relationship difficulties are the focus of therapy, I work with individuals as well as couples. I received my couples therapy training at the internationally renowned Gottman Institute. Our modern, busy lifestyles can weaken the friendship within a marriage or relationship and leave room for conflict and miscommunication. My couples program focuses heavily on assessing your strengths and weaknesses as a unit, and then helping to rebuild your relationship. However, at times only one partner is willing to attend therapy (either because they wish to come alone or their partner refuses to attend). In such circumstances, my aim is to help the individual understand the relationship's difficulties better and to learn communication skills to connect with the partner and/or involve the partner in the therapy process when needed.

Dr. Summer Fakhro

Job Titles:

Clinical Psychologist

Therapy can be a profoundly healing and transformative experience. I believe that our deepest pain comes from self-direc…

Dr. Suresh Wadhwani

Job Titles:

Consultant
Psychiatrist

My philosophy can be summarized by a quote that has guided me throughout my career, ‘Your mental health matters, and it …

Eidde Francke

Erica Erasmus

Job Titles:

Clinical Psychologist

As a psychologist, it is both a privilege and passion for me to witness how human beings can heal, grow and prosper, through the process of therapy. As we are hurt by other people, I also believe through compassion, respect and acceptance, we can heal those very same wounds. I was trained in South Africa, and have 27 years of experience in assisting individuals, families and couples in both public and private health settings, across multicultural and diverse populations. My experience is vast and includes working with clients across a range of issues including depression, anxiety, trauma, grief, personality difficulties, and chronic pain management. I believe that we learn emotional skills as children, and that our experiences and skills learned in childhood have a significant impact on our adult lives. This can include how one is able to deal with stress and accept change, to being able to navigate life's challenges with courage and resilience. This exploration plays an important part in my therapeutic approach with clients, and as you can learn a new skill at any age, therapy offers an opportunity to learn new emotional skills at any given time in one's life. Addressing the complexities of life with mindfulness makes up a large part of my work, which includes emphasis on emotional regulation, relaxation, building awareness of the link between emotion and thought patterns, as well as being able to understand and have insight into how and why we react in a specific way. I believe that having insight into out own inner being is directly linked to our ability to take control and responsibilty for one's life.

Farah Dahabi

Job Titles:

Clinical Social Worker

Hiba Saad

Job Titles:

Occupational Therapist

At the heart of Occupational Therapy is the belief in the right for every individual to lead a meaningful and independent life. As an licensed Occupational Therapist, I have a strong belief that people learn best through meaningful activities that are both fun and intrinsically motivating. Through my experience, I have had the privilege to work alongside children, adolescents, and adults to help them achieve their goals and regain purpose in daily life. I earned a bachelor's degree in Occupational Therapy from Lebanon and later pursued a bachelor's and master's degree in Clinical Psychology, with a focus on Cognitive Behavioral Therapy. Having this experience enabled me to support clients with physical, cognitive, sensory, social, and emotional needs in a variety of settings ranging from clinics, schools, community-settings, to telehealth. With a holistic approach and through combining knowledge and skills from both backgrounds, I have worked with individuals across all ages, with different diagnoses and conditions, including developmental delays, learning difficulties, Autism, ADHD, genetic disorders and hearing impairment.

Juan Korkie

Job Titles:

Clinical Psychologist

Juan van Wyk

Job Titles:

Clinical Psychologist

I believe in the innate ability of the human psyche to heal, grow and thrive within a safe relational connection. I am a clinical psychologist born and educated in South Africa. I've had 17 years of privilege accompanying people on their lifepaths. These experiences included psychotherapy with individuals, couples and families from multi-cultural backgrounds and within various settings. I am an energetic, optimistic individual who thrives on exploring and connecting different ideas and possibilities in order to enhance life.

Kashan Qayyum

Job Titles:

Client Care Representative

Kirsten Nefdt

Job Titles:

Clinical Psychologist

We each have our own story to tell… a reason for who we are currently, and who we are becoming. For me, it is one of the greatest honours and privileges to be able to walk a journey with those who choose to let me into their stories. I value a relational approach to therapy and I work with kindness, compassion, and warmth. My passion and expertise is in working with children, adolescents, teenagers, young adults, and their families. I also enjoy working with adults of all ages, and have extensive experience across all age ranges. I believe in creating a safe therapeutic space, where one can feel equipped to be their true, authentic self, and each client relationship is treated with utmost importance. I enjoy working holistically from a multidisciplinary team perspective, as well as from a client-centered approach. This means that each person's therapeutic journey is different, and tailored to their unique, individual needs. I have experience working in both public and private sectors in Cape Town, South Africa, in psychiatric, forensic, and neurodevelopmental settings.

Krizalei Alfaro

Job Titles:

Client Care Representative

Madalina Oana Filip

Job Titles:

Psychologist ( DHCC Branch )

It's both a privilege and a challenge to make our own way through life, which is not often an easy task. I believe we all have the ability to make progress towards positive change, to learn, heal and evolve. As a therapist, I strive to create a safe, respectful and supportive environment where people feel safe to be their true, authentic selves.