Maya F. Sidani
Psychology Practitioner

Maya Fleifel Sidani is a practicing Clinical Psychologist and has been associated with the Human Relations Institute (HRI) in Dubai since 2004. As a specialist in Parenting and Child Development Counseling, Maya offers her expertise to both UAE Nationals and Expatriate clients dealing various psychological disorders including Anxiety, Mood and Adjustment disorders, Children and Adolescent disorders. An expert in Parenting Affairs, Maya also handles all issues of development, anxiety, shyness, behavior problems and crisis management in children.

Prior to Dubai, Maya resided in Egypt working as a research associate with the National Institute of Cancer with the children with cancer. The research project was funded by the American University of Cairo and lead by Dr Nancy Peterson.

In 2001, Maya served as a crisis intervention counselor at the American-Arab Family Support Center in Brooklyn, New York. She provided Counseling and Crisis Intervention support for the Arab-American and immigrant community, and handled numerous cases dealing with post 9/11 trauma.

In 1998 she worked with refugees from Iraq in Beirut focusing on the children and parenting education. Maya also served as school counselor and program coordinator at Saint Mary’s Orthodox School in Beirut for children with extra needs - Attention Deficit and Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD), Autism and Slow Learners.

Maya holds a Masters of Science Degree in Clinical Psychology from Saint Joseph University (Beirut, Lebanon), and has initiated her post-graduate studies at the New School University (New York, USA).

She is married with 2 children and is fluent in English, Arabic, and French.

A frequent guest on Television and Radio shows covering parenting and childhood development issues, Maya is also writing contributor to prominent magazines and publications.

Maya is also involved in community work such as lectures, presentations, workshops for schools and social organizations.