Our Team

Samar Sahyoun is an Assistant Director and Special Educator who provides consultancy at schools and assessments at the center, trains educators, and counsels parents. She holds a bachelor’s degree in English and a Teaching Diploma in special education. Samar enjoys swimming, writing poetry and singing.

Gigi Awabdeh

Jenny Safi is a Special Education Coordinator who adapts the curriculum so that it suits children with learning difficulties. Jenny holds a Teaching Diploma in Special Education from USJ. She is currently pursuing her master’s degree in Special Education. Jenny has attended the training of trainees workshop at the Center for Educational Research and Development. She enjoys cooking and swimming.

Jennifer Noun is a Special Education Coordinator who closely collaborates with the head of the departments at one of SKILD’s partner schools. Jennifer holds a bachelor’s degree in Psychology from the Lebanese University and a bachelor’s degree in Special Education from AKU. She is currently pursuing her master’s degree in Psychology and Psychosomatic at the Lebanese University. Jennifer enjoys cooking and reading.

Zeina Farhat is an Administrative Assistant who supports SKILD’s operational activities. Zeina holds a Bachelor Degree in history from the Lebanese university. Zeina enjoys reading and sports .

Betty Maamari is an administrative assistant who works directly on SKILD’s parent to parent support.
Betty holds a Bachelor Degree in management from State University of New York. She has a certificate in John Louis “Good enough Parenting”. Betty enjoys reading and exercising.

Jocelyne Bou Nader is an Administrative Assistant who supports SKILD’s operational activities.
She is currently pursuing a Degree in theology at USJ.
Jocelyne enjoys music and crafts.

Dr. Hana Azar was the first children’s psychiatrist in Lebanon. She graduated with a psychiatry degree from France in 1994. Ever since, she has occupied remarkable positions in reputable hospitals in the country. Dr. Azar has been on the SKILD team on a part-time basis since 2011.

Samar Khoury is an Educational Psychologist who performs psychoeducational assessments and psychotherapy for children and adolescents. Samar holds a master’s degree in Educational Psychology.
Samar enjoys dancing and playing the piano.

Christiane Chiha is a Psychotherapist who specializes in p arental guidance and psycho-emotional testing for children and adults. Christiane holds a master’s degree in Clinical Psychology.
She enjoys reading and jogging.

Grace Kharrat is an Educational Psychologist who performs counseling sessions and holds recommendation meetings with parents and educators. Grace has a master’s degree in Educational Psychology from the Lebanese University. She enjoys reading and horseback riding.

Hana Schoucair is an Educational Psychologist who is part of the team in charge of the French global assessment process. Hana holds a master’s degree in Educational Psychology from USJ. She is experienced in school counseling.
Hana enjoys traveling and painting.

Stephanie Srour is a Clinical Psychologist who performs psychoeducational assessments and psychotherapy for children and adolescents. Stephanie also provides psychosocial interventions for displaced learners and trains educators at schools to raise awareness about learning difficulties. Stephanie holds a master’s degree in Clinical Psychology from AUB. Stephanie completed a two-year clinical training program at AUBMC specializing in adolescent and child psychology. She enjoys traveling.

Lea Darido is a Psychologist who provides psychosocial support. She is currently pursuing her master’s degree in Clinical Psychology from the Lebanese University. Lea enjoys playing the piano.

Rudy Kanaan is an Educational Psychologist who provides psychoeducational assessments to children and adolescents. She holds a bachelor’s degree in Clinical Psychology and is currently pursuing her master’s degree in Educational Psychology at NDU. She is certified in Thetahealing Therapy. Rudy enjoys traveling and camping.

Maha Riachi is a Psychologist who performs counseling sessions. She holds a Masters 2 degree in Psychology from the Lebanese University. Maha enjoys reading, dancing, and knitting.

Sonia Fares is a Board Certified Behavior Analyst (BCBA) who is responsible for providing Applied Behavior Analysis (ABA) sessions. Sonia holds a master’s degree in General Psychology from AUB. She has experience working with children and adolescents with autism and other developmental disorders, in addition to training and supervising special educators in practicing ABA.  Sonia enjoys traveling and skiing.

Rima Abboud is a Clinical Psychologist who provides psychoeducational assessments and individual psychotherapy to children and adolescents. Rima holds a master’s degree in Clinical Psychology from AUB. She also has a Teaching Diploma in Special Education. She has experience working with children and their families in order to help improve behavior and mental wellbeing. Rima enjoys arts and craft.

Mohamad Naamani is a Clinical Psychologist who provides psychoeducational assessments, individual psychotherapy for children and adolescents, and parent management trainings.
Mohamad holds a master’s degree in Clinical Psychology from AUB. Mohammad completed a two-year clinical training program at AUBMC specializing in adolescent and child psychology. He is also certified in administering the Autism Diagnostic Observation Schedule. Mohamad enjoys academic research.

Grace Nakhoul is a Psychologist who provides life and social skills sessions and counseling sessions. Grace holds a master’s degree in Clinical Psychology at the Lebanese University. She has training in analytic and systematic approaches. Grace enjoys sports.

Batoul Safieddine is a Clinical Psychologist who provides psychoeducational assessments and individual psychotherapy to children and adolescents. Batoul holds a bachelor’s degree in Psychology from LAU. She is currently completing her master’s degree in Clinical Psychology at AUB. Batoul completed a two-year clinical psychology training program at AUBMC, where she specialized in child and adolescent psychology. Batoul enjoys volunteer work and has experience in academic and field research.

Nathalie Biban is the team leader of the Speech and Language Department who provides therapy sessions, parental guidance, and assessments. Nathalie holds a bachelor’s degree in Speech Therapy from USJ.  Nathalie enjoys swimming and snowboarding.

Christelle Maksoud is a Speech Therapist who supports children with speech delays. Christelle holds a bachelor’s degree in Speech Therapy from the Lebanese University. She also holds a certificate in Music Therapy. Christelle enjoys listening to music and playing the piano.

Ruba Kiwan is a Speech and Language Pathologist who supports children with speech delays. Ruba holds a bachelor’s degree in Speech Therapy from the Lebanese University. Ruba enjoys reading, playing tennis and swimming.

Sandy Jomaa is a Speech Therapist who works with kids, parents and educators. Sandy holds a master’s degree in Speech Therapy from USJ.

Sandy Nouneh is a Speech Therapist who supports children with speech delays. Sandy holds a master’s degree in Speech and Language Pathology from USJ. She will soon be a certified Development and Exchange therapist. Sandy enjoys playing the piano and reading.

Joanne Reaidy is a Speech Therapist who supports children with speech delays. Joanne holds a master’s 1 degree in Speech Therapy from the Lebanese University. Joanne enjoys swimming and listening to music.

Serine Damaj is a Speech Therapist who supports children with speech delays. Serine holds a bachelor’s degree in Speech Therapy from Saint Joseph University. She enjoys reading and traveling.

Stephanie Dawra is a Speech Therapist who supports children with speech delays.
Stephanie holds a Master 1 degree in Speech Therapy from the Lebanese University.
Stephanie enjoys dancing and listening to music.

Melissa Khoury

Rana Ajami

Carmella El Dib is a Speech and Language Pathologist who supports children with language delays. Carmella holds a Master’s 1 degree in Speech Therapy from the Lebanese University. Carmella is also a Certified Personal Trainer and enjoys her fitness journey while helping others in theirs.

Dana Barakat is a Speech-Language Pathologist who provides school services to students exhibiting a range of disorders across all levels. She also collaborates with other school professionals and families to engage them in planning and program implementation. Dana holds a bachelor’s degree in Speech-Language Pathology from the Lebanese University and is currently pursuing her master’s degree at Saint Joseph’s University. She enjoys practicing yoga.

Lama Badawi is a Psychomotor specialist and workshop coordinator who provides assessments and therapy sessions. Lama holds a Master’s Degree in Psychomotor Therapy from USJ. Lama attended the movement and breathing training at Centre Lafaurie Mondabon in France. Lama enjoys traveling, swimming and reading.

Sintia Abou Khalil is a Psychomotor Therapist who supports children with enhancing their motor skills and provides assessment sessions.
Sintia holds a master’s degree in Psychomotor Therapy from USJ. She is also an NLP certified technician. Sintia also maintains a family and a job, and has a stress management coach diploma and a vocal therapist diploma. Along with that, Sintia has an undergraduate degree in Music Therapy and a Research Master in Neuropsychology. Sintia enjoys travelling and cooking.

Bathoul Zaiter is a Psychomotor Therapist who supports children with enhancing their motor skills. Bathoul holds a Master 1 degree in Psychomotor therapy from the Lebanese University. Bathoul enjoys traveling and swimming.

Reem Baydoun is a Psychomotor Therapist who supports children with enhancing their motor skills. Reem holds a bachelor’s degree in Psychomotor Therapy from USJ and is currently pursuing her master’s degree. Reem enjoys sports such as swimming.

Yara Abi Antoun is a Psychomotor Therapist who supports children with enhancing their motor skills. Yara holds a bachelor’s degree in Psychomotor Therapy from USJ. Yara enjoys outdoor activities.

Dana Kadi is a Psychomotor Therapist who supports children with enhancing their motor skills. Dana holds a master’s degree in psychomotor therapy from USJ. Dana enjoys traveling, cooking and Latin dancing.

Audrey Gibson is a Special Educator and supervisor for the life and social skills program. Audrey enjoys supporting children in developing their English language skills and helping them learn through multi-sensory activities. She has over 24 years of experience working with children in a number of different educational settings both in the UK and here in Lebanon. Audrey enjoys hiking and reading.

Rola Kalaaji is a Special Educator who teaches Arabic at one of our partner schools. Rola holds a Bachelor Degree in Language and Communication from the Lebanese University. Rola enjoys swimming and traveling.

Yara Nassar is a Special Educator who provides children with one on one educational interventions along with assessments.  Yara holds a Bachelor Degree in Special Education and a Master’s degree in Educational Psychology from NDU. Yara enjoys hiking and traveling.

Silina Kamal is a Special Educator who teaches Math and French. Silina holds a Bachelor’s degree in Special Education from AKU and a Teaching Diploma from USEK. Silina enjoys reading, dancing, and singing.

Aya Bahsoun is a Special Educator who teaches Math and provides ABA sessions. Aya holds a Master’s Degree in Special Education from the Lebanese University.  She enjoys running and hiking.

Maria Manuelian is a Special Educator who teaches English at one of our partner schools. Maria holds a bachelor’s degree in Psychology from LAU. She enjoys playing the piano and listening to music.