Child and Adolescent Clinical Psychology
ABOUT ME
I was born and raised in Gabon (West Africa), then spent my teenage years in Lebanon before moving to the United States to pursue my college education. My complex heritage has deeply shaped who I am and has strongly influenced my personal and professional decisions. I have witnessed the impact of injustice, war, discrimination, and inequality, and thus am committed to focusing on the unique needs of economically disadvantaged and vulnerable families in my research and clinical pursuits. After completing my undergraduate studies and a Masters in Pennsylvania, I moved to Miami, FL where I worked at the University of Miami, doing adolescent substance abuse treatment research with Dr. Howard Liddle. I decided to return to graduate school six years later and earned my PhD from Florida International University in Clinical Child and Adolescent Psychology. After a one year clinical internship at the University of Texas Health Science Center, I moved to Los Angeles to complete a postdoc under the mentorship of Bruce Chorpita at UCLA. I am currently an Assistant Professor at Loma Linda University working on exciting projects with the goal of providing the best possible mental health care to the most vulnerable communities.
CLINICAL EXPERTISE
Licensed Psychologist, California (CA # 30381)
I am a Clinical Psychologist licensed in the State of California. I specialize in children and adolescent care. I treat depression, anxiety, and anger in children and adolescents. I provide parenting support and training to parents with children who have disruptive behaviors.
Clinical Supervisor (2018 – present)
Loma Linda University, Behavioral Health Institute
San Bernardino City School District
Supervising clinical cases of 2nd year graduate students via weekly individual and group meetings, live supervision, and video observation of sessions.
Supervising student co-supervisors
Clinical Co-Supervisor (2016 – 2018)
University of California, Los Angeles Psychology Clinic
Co-supervising clinical cases of 2nd year graduate students via weekly individual and group meetings, live supervision and video observation of sessions.
Clinician (2016-2018)
University of California, Los Angeles Psychology Clinic
Managing and Adapting Practices (MAP) with children and adolescents
Modular Approach to Treatment for Children (MATCH) with children and adolescents
Clinical Intern (2015-2016)
University of Texas Health Science Center, Houston, TX
Harris County Psychiatric Center: Group therapy, individual therapy, and assessment of children and adolescents in acute psychiatric unit and in juvenile justice unit.
Center for Neurobehavioral Research on Addiction: Motivational Interviewing and Cognitive Behavior Therapy with adult cocaine abusers; Assessment of adult cocaine abusers using the SCID, ASI
Changing Lives through Autism Spectrum Services Clinic: Assessment and treatment of adolescents and young adults with suspected high functioning Autism Spectrum Disorder using the ADOS 2, SRS, AQ/EQ, BASC, ASEBA, Wechsler scales, Woodcock Johnson, Conners-3, Social Stories Questionnaire
Group Therapist and Sexual Health Educator (2014-2015)
Miami Bridge, Miami, FL
Group-based evidence-based (SiHLE) sexual health program for teens in emergency shelter
Assessment Practicum Clinician (2014)
Center for Children and Families, Florida International University, Miami, FL
Assessment of school-age children using the DISC, WIAT, WASI, and CBCL
Life Skills Group Therapist (2013-2014)
Miami Bridge, Miami, FL
Problem-solving and communication skills workshops for teens living in an emergency shelter
Substance Abuse Family Therapist (2011-2014)
University of Miami, Miami, FL
Home-based and family-based Motivational Interviewing with alcohol abusing teens
Teen Parenting Group Therapist (2013-2014)
Continuing Opportunities for Purposeful Education (COPE) High School for Teenage Mothers
Post-partum depression prevention and parenting skills for teen moms
Behavior Consultant (2011-2013)
Miami Music Project
Classroom behavior management consultations for music educators
Early Intervention Family Therapist (2013)
Center for Children and Families, Florida International University, Miami, FL
Parent-Child Interaction Therapy
Substance Abuse and Mental Health Therapist (2003-2005)
Pennsylvania Counseling Services, Reading, PA
Substance Abuse groups for adults with DUIs and other substance related offenses
RESEARCH INTERESTS
I am pursuing a program of implementation research focused on reducing mental health disparities for vulnerable youth and families. My research rests on three principles (a) prioritize research-practice partnerships in the design and delivery of services; (b) identify low-cost ways to disseminate evidence-based practices in communities of need, using indigenous resources; and (c) attend closely to workforce and organizational factors that support feasibility, effective implementation, and sustainability of evidence based practice.
PROFESSIONAL HISTORY
ASSISTANT PROFESSOR, LOMA LINDA UNIVERSITY
August 2018 to present
As an assistant professor, I teach, provide clinical supervision, and research mentoring to doctoral students in clinical psychology.
POSTDOCTORAL RESEARCHER, UNIVERSITY OF CALIFORNIA LOS ANGELES
September 2016 - August 2018
As a postodoctoral researcher, I was involved in multiple research projects to disseminate evidence-based mental health with community partners locally and internationally.
PREDOCTORAL FELLOW, UNIVERSITY OF TEXAS HEALTH SCIENCE CENTER
August 2015-August 2016
As a predoctoral intern, I expanded my clinical skills by working in inpatient and outpatient settings, with adults and children delivering evidence-based treatments and conducting comprehensive psychological assessments.
INSTRUCTOR, FLORIDA INTERNATIONAL UNIVERSITY
August 2011 - May 2015
Along with being a student and taking classes at FIU, I also worked as an instructor. I taught my own sections of Research Methods lab and a Psychology of Parenting undergraduate course. In addition, I was involved in multiple clinical practicum experiences and research projects.
SENIOR RESEARCH ASSOCIATE, UNIVERSITY OF MIAMI SCHOOL OF MEDICINE
March 2006 - July 2011
During my time as a research associate at the University of Miami, I directed multiple NIH research projects focusing on delivering an evidence-based family treatment to juveniles. I worked under the mentorship of Drs. Howard Liddle and Gayle Dakof.
MENTAL HEALTH COUNSELOR, PENNSYLVANIA COUNSELING SERVICES
June 2003 - December 2005
As a counselor at Pennsylvania Counseling Services, I conducted mental health intakes, ran substance abuse groups and delivered individual therapy to clients with various needs.
LANGUAGES
I am fluent in French, English, and Spanish. I can also converse in Arabic.
EVIDENCE-BASED TREATMENT
I am trained in multiple evidence-based treatment programs including DBT, MATCH, MAP, PCIT, MDFT, SiHLE, and Motivational Interviewing
SOFTWARE
I have advanced Excel skills and use SPSS regularly. I have also learned to use AMOS.
EDUCATIONAL EXPERIENCE
PHD, FLORIDA INTERNATIONAL UNIVERSITY
2011-2015
PhD Psychology (Child and Adolescent Clinical Science); GPA: 4.0
Dissertation: Sexual health programming for youth in or at risk for foster care
Mentor: Stacy Frazier, PhD
M.S., VILLANOVA UNIVERSITY
2004-2006
M.S. Psychology (Research emphasis); GPA: 3.63;
Master’s Thesis: The associations of universal value types with the Big 5 personality traits and individualism-collectivism in Lebanon and the United States
Mentor: Steven Krauss, PhD
B.S., KUTZTOWN UNIVERSITY
2001-2003
B.S. Psychology; GPA: 3.75; Dean’s list; Psi Chi Honor Society
Honors Thesis: College students’ knowledge of geography: comparing U.S. and international
students
LET'S CONNECT
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