Our Staff
Dr. Mahnaz N. Mousavi, Director
Student Wellness & Counseling Director, Dr. Mahnaz Mousavi, established the center in 2006. Prior to coming to Qatar, she worked for the counseling center at Cornell University in Ithaca, New York, and worked at a medical university in Iran as a faculty member, researcher, and practitioner at the university clinic.
Dr. Mousavi earned her Ph.D. in Counseling Psychology from the University of Akron in Ohio and a postdoctoral master’s degree in Clinical Psychopharmacology from the California School of Professional Psychology in California. Prior to that, she earned a master’s degree in Clinical Psychology from Iran University of Medical Sciences in Tehran. She maintains a license in the District of Columbia. Her trainings and experiences included teaching, research and clinical practice in various settings such as universities, community mental health centers, private practice, psychiatric hospitals, child guidance centers, and university counseling centers.
As an integrationist in her approach, some of her areas of interest include crisis intervention, childhood abuse, trauma, psychological assessment, mindfulness, and biofeedback. Dr. Mousavi’s academic contributions include a book on childhood abuse in Iran, articles in peer-reviewed journals, and regular presentations at conferences and meetings. Currently, many of her contributions focus on multicultural and cross cultural counseling and counseling university students.
Education
- Licensed Psychologist in the District of Columbia, USA
- Postdoctoral Master of Science in Clinical Psychopharmacology (2011), California School of Professional Psychology, California, USA
- Doctor of Philosophy (2006), Counseling Psychology, The University of Akron, Ohio, USA
- Master of Science (1992), Clinical Psychology, Iran University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran
- Bachelor of Arts (1987), Clinical Psychology, Alzahra University, Tehran, Iran
Dr. Elena Lopez Khoury, Assistant Director
Assistant Director, Dr. Elena Lopez Khoury has been a counselor at the center since 2009. She earned her Ph.D. in Clinical Psychology from the University of South Florida in Tampa, Florida, USA. Throughout her training, she gained counseling experience in community mental health centers, Veteran’s Hospitals, cancer centers, and university counseling centers.
Dr. Lopez Khoury’s interests include health psychology, such as weight management, pain management, and smoking cessation and she is also trained in areas of mindfulness, meditation, and somatic therapies. Many of these skills can help clients who are suffering from negative mental health issues as well as to provide skills which build resiliency among those who are not currently facing a mental health issue.
Education
- Licensed Psychologist in the District of Columbia, USA
- Doctor of Philosophy (2008), Clinical Psychology, University of South Florida, USA
- Master of Arts (2004), Clinical Psychology, University of South Florida, USA
- Bachelor of Science (1997), Psychology and Biology, Duke University, USA
Dr. Amy S. Walker, Psychological Counselor & Inclusion Programming Lead
With over 20 years of experience in the counseling field, Dr. Amy Walker focuses on multicultural counseling, career, and sport/health psychology. She has provided a variety of services including counseling, assessment, consulting, supervision and teaching/training to international populations in Qatar and the U.S. Her work with college students spans over 15 years.
Dr. Walker earned her Ph.D. in Counseling Psychology from The Pennsylvania State University (Penn State). Committed to the continuous practice and development of multicultural competencies and ethics, she utilizes integrated, empirically supported, and culturally adapted therapeutic approaches including Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT), Solution-Focused Brief Therapy (SFBT), and Dialectical Behavior Therapy (DBT). In 2015, she earned a second Master’s degree in Exercise Science and Health Promotion and a certification as a NASM Certified Personal Trainer to assist clients to better understand the intersection of physical and mental health.
Education
- Licensed Psychologist in Pennsylvania, USA
- Doctor of Philosophy (2007), Counseling Psychology, The Pennsylvania State University, USA
- Master of Science (2015), Exercise Science and Health Promotion California University of Pennsylvania, USA
- Master of Arts (2001), Community Counseling, University of Maryland College Park, USA
- Bachelor of Arts (1999), Communication University of Pittsburgh, USA
Sarah Holt, Program Manager
Program Manager Sarah Holt previously worked as a Writing Specialist in the GU-Q Writing Center for 2 years. For over 10 years before coming to Qatar she supported international students from over 100 different countries make the transition to university life at University College Dublin in Ireland.
Sarah holds an M.Phil. from Trinity College and an M.A. from Dublin City University. As an undergraduate, she spent an academic year at Albert-Ludwigs-Universitaet Freiburg and later returned to Germany as the recipient of a Fulbright Teaching Assistantship. Sarah’s areas of interest are women’s health and wellness, yoga, Pilates, and intercultural communication.
Education
- A.B. (1999) Bowdoin College in English and German
- Master of Philosophy (2004), Anglo-Irish Literature from Trinity College, Dublin, Ireland
- Master of Arts (2008), Intercultural Studies from Dublin City University, Dublin, Ireland