MDB CENTER - Key Persons
Job Titles:
- Speech & Language Therapist
Ahlam holds a Master's Degree in Speech-Language Pathology from the University of Jordan (2017-2021) and a Bachelor's Degree in Audiology and Speech-Language Pathology from Jordan University of Science and Technology (2009-2014). She is a Freelance Speech and Language Pathologist in Amman since November 2018, specializing in assessment and therapy for adults and children with a wide range of speech and language disorders, including stuttering, learning disabilities, cleft lip and palate, swallowing difficulties, autism, apraxia, dyslexia, ADHD, voice therapy, and motor oral therapy. Ahlam has also served as a Senior Speech and Language Pathologist at Irshad Center (2015-2018) and Modern Montessori School (2015) and as a Speech and Language Pathologist at Irada Child Development Services (2014-2015).
A dedicated speech therapist with six years of experience and have a professional presence, as well as an empathic understanding of patients dealing with different disorders and difficulties. I have a sincere passion regarding every case I handle as I consider my job to be one of the most important fields in our society Read More
Job Titles:
- Certified Clinical Psychologist
- Certified Representative of Tinsley House Clinic
- Founder & Head Specialist
- Specialist of Maria Den Braven Center
Basma is a certified clinical psychologist with 20 years of experience working in the field. Basma is certified in Dialectical Behavioral Therapy (DBT) and is the ambassador of the Linehan Institute/Behavioural Tech, LLC in Jordan. Along with DBT, Basma is certified in Cognitive Behavioural Therapy (CBT), she is familiar with Humanitarian/Rogerian therapy and practices Solution-Focused Brief Therapy, Narrative Therapy, Psychodynamic Approach and Motivational Interviewing.
Basma works with a variety of disorders; she has handled many cases including Borderline Personality Disorder and Trichotillomania, Generalized Anxiety Disorder, Panic Disorders, phobias, Depression, Bipolar I and II, eating disorders. Basma is involved in marriage/family counseling and in cases with addiction. Basma is also the leader of the DBT skills group sessions for adults, which cover mindfulness, distress tolerance, emotional regulation, and interpersonal skills.
Basma is a certified representative of Tinsley House Clinic in Jordan and the region. The Tinsley House Clinic specialises in the treatment of children with Dyslexia, Dyspraxia, ADD, ADHD, OCD and Tourette's syndrome. Tinsley House Clinic uses new advancement of neuropsychology in the treatment.
Basma was a consultant on several projects and has founded different centers and departments in the middle East and MENA region. In 2014, she became a member of the board of directors of the Higher Council for the Affairs of Persons with Disabilities. She was a consultant for Jordan River Foundation JRF, Queen Rania Academy for Teachers QRTA, Doctors without Borders, and Save the Children.
She also works with the Gastrointestinal Bariatric Metabolic center in Amman Jordan on the pre bariatric surgery psychological evaluation and post-surgery follow up and management.
She continues to participate in and attend training workshops in the field to keep abreast of all new developments. She offers DBT supervision to mental health practitioners and teams across the Middle East and is in the process of becoming a certified DBT trainer.
Education
University of Bangor, Wales
Biography The founder and Head Specialist of Maria Den Braven Center, Certified DBT Clinician™, and co-founder of training company DBT MENA… Admittedly, Basma's work as a clinical psychologist is her passion. She has enjoyed each step of her path as a clinical psychologist, helping people build lives worth living. Awards & Education Basma is a...
Job Titles:
- Special Educational Needs and Inclusive Practice Specialist
Dima AlMasri is a Special Educational Needs and Inclusive Practice Specialist with 19 years of experience working in academic settings.
She holds a BA in Psychology, a Post-Graduate Degree in Dyslexia and Literacy, and a Master's Degree in Educational Leadership. She is currently pursuing her second Master's Degree in Special Educational Needs and Disability.
Dima works continuously to remain at the forefront of best practice in the field and has gained certification from a number of renowned institutions including, the International Award in SEN Coordination (iSENCO), Certificate of Competence in Educational Testing (CCET), and is on The British Psychological Society Register of Qualification in Test Use.
Dima is deeply passionate about guiding students and believes in supporting parents and schools on their educational journeys. She is dedicated to building capacities that ensure all learners have equitable access to learning opportunities, promoting growth, and safeguarding mental health.
Balsam is a dedicated therapist who has great interest in helping people change. She collaboratively works with clients to facilitate improvement in their quality of life. Her qualifications, diverse experiences, and trainings provide rich perspectives on how she conducts sessions. Balsam holds a PhD in Health Sciences from the University of Canterbury in New Zealand. Balsam received training in many psychotherapies and counseling approaches including Cognitive Behavioural Therapy (CBT), Dialectical Behaviour Therapy (DBT), Solution-Focused Brief Therapy (SFBT), and Motivational Interviewing (MI). Balsam is part of the Maria Den Braven DBT consultation team.
Biography Assess, diagnose, and manage people with mental health issues from all age groups and a wide range of mental and behavioural problems. Graduated from Al Quds university in Jerusalem as an MD doctor in general medicine and surgery. Then trained and specialised in general adult psychiatry in Jordan and received the Jordanian board certificate...
Job Titles:
- Psychiatrist & Mental Health Specialist
Dr. Ahmad diagnoses and treats mental, emotional, and behavioral disorders across a wide range of ages as well as addictions...
Job Titles:
- Educational & Family Consultant
- Expert
- Relations Consultant
Dr. Khalil Al-Zyoud is a family relations consultant and an expert in human psychology by working in matters of preparation for choosing a life partner and working to bring up children in a psychologically safe environment...
Job Titles:
- Speech Language Pathologist
Hala is passionate about helping children and adults utilize strategies to develop functional communication skills. She strongly values multidisciplinary and parent collaboration in order to maximize a child's potential across all environments.
Hala has dealt with clients of different age groups working across various clinical settings including a multi-disciplinary rehabilitation center, and in the mainstream school in Amman - Jordan. She is passionate about helping children utilize strategies to develop functional communication skills. Hala has extensive experience working with children difficulties in speech and language including articulation errors, phonological processes, stuttering, apraxia in addition to hearing loss, cochlear implant and auditory processing disorder. She has also worked with children presenting with Neurodevelopment Disorders such as Autism Spectrum Disorders (ASD) and Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorders (ADHD) as well as Down's Syndrome, Cerebral Palsy and Global Developmental Delay (GDD). Hala can provide therapy for patients with swallowing and voice disorders.
Biography I am an alumnus of the University of Jordan, where I studied speech-language, and hearing sciences. I'm passionate about treating and helping children with speech and language disorders. On a monthly basis, I keep up with ASHA articles to continue learning the most up-to-date therapy techniques and approaches. Along with my experience, I am... Read More Read More
Hisham Al-Hadrab is a specialist in psychotherapy and a member of the Jordanian Psychological Association and the American Music Therapy Association. He graduated from New York University and is the head of the music therapy program at the Maria Den Braven Center.
Mr. Al-Hadrab has diverse experience in the fields of psychotherapy, psychological and social support, post-traumatic stress disorders, mood disorders, personality disorders, addiction, neurodevelopmental disorders, child development, and palliative and end-of-life care.
Also, he is a council member of the World Federation of Music Therapy and serves as the regional representative for the Middle East and Eastern Mediterranean region.
Job Titles:
- Special Education Specialist
Mai has experience in Education, Special Education, Counselling, and Parent Coaching. With a demonstrated history of working in the education field: skilled in special education, curriculum development, differentiation, and inclusion, as well as parent coaching. Doctoral student, education professional with BA in Education and Teaching diploma from AUB; MA in Education from Bath University U.K.
Mais is a certified audiologist and speech language pathologist with a Bachelor's degree from the University of Jordan since 2014. Currently pursuing a Master's degree in speech and language science at the same university.
Committed to helping individuals and families find hope and meaning through their grief journey. My work focuses on navigating complex emotions and challenges that come with grief and loss. I specialize in working with people who have experienced the loss of a loved one, as well as those who have experienced other types of loss,... Read More Read More
Manar has a Master's degree in clinical psychology from the University of Jordan. She is passionate about the human mind and the impact of environmental events; traumas, attachments, and relationships on forming our personalities. She works with both adults and adolescents and enjoys working with both individuals and their families to elicit the best solutions...
Job Titles:
- Marwa 's Professional Journey and Passion Has Led Her to Work With Children, and She Has Done so for over 5 Years.
Marwa's professional journey and passion has led her to work with children, and she has done so for over 5 years...
Muhannad Halassa graduated with a Master's degree in counseling psychology from the University of Pennsylvania, and trained under the supervision of Dr. Sandone-Barr at the School of Psychoanalysis in Philadelphia...
The main interest is the impact of socioeconomic status on the development of disruptive behaviors
Muhannad Halassa graduated with a Master's degree in counseling psychology from the University of Pennsylvania, and trained under the supervision of Dr. Sandone-Barr at the School of Psychoanalysis in Philadelphia. He has more than five years of experience working with clients from diverse backgrounds and diverse mental illnesses. Muhannad believes that we are not meant to go through this life alone. Whether you are seeking help for a specific problem or you would like to move from surviving to thriving, Muhannad can help.
Ola is a dynamic art therapist who employs the healing power of art creation to help individuals enhance their socioemotional and psychological wellbeing. She has a diverse education background. She holds a Bachelor of Arts in Interior Design from the Lebanese American University, Master of Science in Psychology from the University of Liverpool, Art Therapy Diploma from College for Educational and Clinical Art Therapy, and other training certificates in applied clinical psychology, Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT), Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT), and Dialectical Behavioral Therapy (DBT).
Ola joined the team of specialists at Maria Den Braven in 2015. Her therapy approach is a progressive eclectic one that embraces agility and enables her to work across different therapeutic methods and platforms while maintaining a client-centered approach that believes in the inherent ability of every client to evolve and self-actualize. Through her attentive, intuitive, and non-judgmental therapy style, Ola creates a safe therapeutic environment that balances acceptance and change. Her approach allows clients to develop self-awareness, deepen their understanding of their personal psychological conflicts and needs, spot areas of growth, and learn new skills that are necessary to manage undesirable behaviors, overcome self-limiting beliefs, restore balance, rediscover life purpose, and peruse values and aspirations crucial to live a meaningful life.
Ola's area of competency covers childhood, adolescence, and adulthood challenges related to undesirable behaviors, emotional dysregulation, distorted cognitions, dysfunctional interpersonal dynamics, anxiety, depression, and psychosocial impairment. Additionally, Ola is actively involved in sharing her art therapy knowledge and experience through Art Therapy training workshops.
Job Titles:
- Marriage and Family Communication Consultant
- Professor
Helmi Sari is an esteemed academic professor specializing in the Sociology of Communication. Holding a Ph.D. in Sociology of Communication and a Master's degree in Peace Studies/Social Psychology of Negotiation and Conflict Resolution from the United Kingdom, Sari also obtained a Bachelor's degree in Psychology from the University of Jordan.
From 2007 to 2010, Sari served as the head of the Department of Social Work and Sociology at the University of Jordan. Additionally, from 2008 to 2017, Sari held the position of head of the Arab Association of Sociology.
Throughout Sari's career, he has actively contributed to the field
and made a significant impact. Notably, Sari played a crucial role as a founding member and vice president of the Jordanian Society for Protection from Domestic Violence from 1989 to 2003.
In addition to his academic pursuits, Sari has been teaching sociology at the University of Jordan since the mid-eighties. He has also worked as a trainer for numerous local, regional, and international organizations and institutions. Sari's training expertise spans various areas, including communication, negotiation, resolving family conflicts, and addressing domestic violence.
Sari firmly believes that the contemporary Jordanian family is currently undergoing significant social, cultural, and economic transformations, which impose considerable stress on its members. Consequently, urgent intervention is required from consultants, experts, and counselors, to effectively address these challenges. Sari emphasizes the importance of counseling at every stage of family development, including the premarital, marital, and divorce phases. Each stage
Job Titles:
- Speech & Language Therapist
Rana Al-Kayyali is a dynamic individual with a strong educational background in Audiology and Speech Pathology from Al-Ahliyyeh Amman University, which she completed in 2022. In addition to her academic achievements, she holds an IGCSE/A-Levels qualification from Sands National Academy.
Rana's diverse work experience includes a stint as an English Teacher with AIESEC in the Czech Republic and as the Executive Vice President at AIESEC AMMAN, where she played a crucial role in a non-profit, non-governmental organization. Her responsibilities encompassed leadership, time management, and public speaking. She was also actively engaged with Saemaul Undong as an Activities Coordinator, focusing on international community development.
Currently, Rana is pursuing a master's degree, showcasing her commitment to further education and personal growth.
She possesses strong leadership skills and has a proven track record of active volunteerism. Rana holds certificates in IGCSE English Second Language and participated in an Erasmus+ training workshop exchange in Italy. She was part of a cultural exchange program with AIESEC in the Czech Republic.
Rana is proficient in both Arabic and English, and she has a wide range of interests, including reading, photography, traveling, and tutoring. Her diverse experiences and skills reflect a well-rounded individual who is passionate about making a positive impact in various areas of life.
Job Titles:
- Special Education Specialist
Rania is a behavioral therapist focused on skills and the social-emotional aspects of development to meet objectives and drive children's progress forward. A certified kid's skills coach from Helsinki Brief Therapy institute Ltd. representing Kids' Skills Academy in Jordan. A certified play therapist using play therapy to achieve results during sessions. A BA graduate from...
Saja is a compassionate and patient-centered occupational therapist with more than five years of professional experience. She is eager to provide children with the opportunity to increase their independence in daily living tasks whilst also providing them with the chance to work on important fine and gross motor skills.
Samar holds a Bachelor's in Psychology from Benedictine University and a Master's of Science in Mental Health Counseling from UMASS Boston.
Specializing in Trauma-Focused Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (TF-CBT) for all age groups and Play therapy tailored to young children fostering resilience and empowerment. Skilled in assessing and treating mental health disorders, she provides psychotherapy and support to clients through life challenges to cultivate transformative healing experiences.
Sarah Al Daoud is a passionate junior psychologist, holding a bachelor's degree in Psychology from the University of Pécs and is qualified as a Human Behavior Analyst. Her diverse
Shahed AlTarawneh is an Occupational Therapist based in Amman, Jordan, with a strong passion for working with special needs children. She brings extensive experience and a range of skills, including adaptability, time management, and effective communication.
Vesna is a clinical psychologist (MA clinical psychology from Belgrade University). She works with all age groups in the areas of trauma, PTSD, personality disorders, depression, anxiety, impulsive control, eating and sleeping disorders, psychosomatic disorders.
She has gained experience working in different settings and populations across Europe, Middle East and North Africa in war and post war times. Her practice is culturally sensitive and geared towards finding core issues of the clients' traumatic experiences and clearing away emotional baggage. She utilizes techniques from different modalities and mainly draws upon CBT,TBT,EFT,NLP, DBT and psychodrama. Her treatments are structured in a way to address clients' specific needs.
Hello there, my name is Zena Budiri, I am a mental health counselor who has been working at Maria Den Braven Center for over a year now. I hold a Bachelor of Arts in Counseling and Mental Health from the University of Jordan. And a Master of Arts in Human Development Counseling from the University of Illinois Springfield.