MSc, PhD

Dr. Mehdi Hazari is a neurophysiologist and religious scholar. He provides religious counseling to Muslims across North America, specifically related to challenges of Islamic identity and navigating life in the West, marital issues, youth matters and other contemporary topics. His goal is to support the PSYCHED4U team in providing the most useful resources and tools to the community to improve mental health and religious resilience.

MS, MA/MFT

Sarah Zaidi holds a Bachelor of Science degree in Health Sciences and Masters degrees in Applied Health Informatics (Stony Brook University) and in Clinical Marriage and Family Therapy (Touro University). Sarah's passion for counseling, psychology, hawza studies and destigmatizing mental health issues in Muslim communities led her to pursue a certification in Islamic Psychology and Counseling. Recognizing the importance of community engagement, Sarah founded "sukoonwithsarah" in 2022 and the Shia Muslim Mental Health Conference with PSYCHED4U in 2025. She also collaborates with the community via Mufid Academic Seminary, ALI Center NJ and Shia communities across the United States, the UK, and South Asia.

MA, BCC

Sayyid Sameer Ali holds a MA in Clinical Mental Health Counseling (CACREP). He has served as an religious scholar since 2010 across North America and is passionate about Islamic psychology and mental health wellness in the Muslim community. He spent 6 years studying in the hawza, followed by a masters in religious studies (Stanford) and is a board certified chaplain with 10 years of experience providing pastoral care and support in medical and university settings. He specializes in providing support for anxiety, depression, career counseling, and spritual and religious wellness.

EdS

Farah Alkhafaf is a School Psychologist, she graduated from the University of Dayton. Her interests include Special Education, Trauma, Acculturative Stress, Positive Psychology, and Educational Leadership. She specifically specializes in serving students in the areas of academics, social emotional health, and behavior, and she leads team discussions on special education needs and interventions.

Khadeeja Ali Syeda is currently a senior in her fourth year at North Carolina State University, studying psychology and human biology. After earning her bachelor's degree, she plans to continue her education in psychology by pursuing a graduate degree. Her psychological research so far has focused on enhancing the educational experiences of K-12 students in public schools. In her future studies, she hopes to gain a deeper understanding of how to help students navigate traumatic events within the context of their education. She also has an interest in Islamic psychology, which she aims to explore throughout her academic and professional journey.

MSW

Kawthar is a Social Worker and Therapist with a Bachelor's in Psychology from the University of Michigan-Dearborn and a Master of Social Work from the University of Michigan-Ann Arbor, with a focus on Integrated (Holistic) Mental Health. Her experience includes working in schools and community organizations such as Zaman International, MiSide, and ACCESS. She has had the privilege of working extensively with refugee populations, women, and youth in various roles, including Girl Scout leader, teacher, mentor, and camp counselor. Her therapeutic approach is grounded in compassion, openness, and spirituality. Her areas of expertise include, but are not limited to, anxiety, depression, trauma and abuse, ADHD, women's issues, spirituality, relationships, familial conflict, and life transitions.

MS, LLPC

Ahmed Almusawi is a mental health counselor who has previously worked with children, both in schools and in a clinic environment. He also currently provides therapy to individuals ranging in age from late teenage years to adults of all ages. He specializes in working with clients with mood disorders, such as depression and anxiety, as well as OCD, gambling addiction, and more.

Berak Hussain has a BA in Psychology and a Masters in Educational Counseling from the University of Ottawa. She’s also known as The Muslim Counsellor, and is a passionate public speaker in Muslim Mental Health, Social Justice , Islamic and Women issues and poetry. She speaks on a variety of Islamic-psychological issues bridging the connection and misconceptions around Islam and mental health and Islam and women. She has worked locally and internationally on a variety of mental health initiatives working tirelessly to break the stigma around the topic within the community through TV documentaries, shows and implementing wellness programs with widow/orphan charity groups in Iraq.

MA, LLPC

Nourelhouda Jouni is a licensed Professional Counselor. She earned her bachelor's degree in psychology and masters degree in Rehabilitation counseling from Wayne state University. She works with children and adults to offer a safe and sacred space for them to explore their sufferings, deepest fears, and specific needs. She creates a space for people to reconnect with themselves and those they love and to recognize and celebrate the joy of progress.

BS, MA

Aya Nasrallah holds a B.S. in Behavioral and Biological Sciences as well as recently finishing her M.A. from Teachers College, Columbia University with a concentration in Spirituality, Mind, and Body and Research Methodology. She is primarily interested in researching classic as well as novel methods to alleviating and preventing adverse mental health outcomes in the Muslim community.