Meet Our Team
Dr. Ismael El-Tayuddin
Clinical Director: Dr. Ismael M. E. El-Halfawi holds licenses as a psychologist and behavior analyst by the Virginia Board of Psychology and the Virginia Board of Medicine respectively. He also practices as a clinical psychologist in Sudan, where he founded the Wolverine Psychological Center for Children and Adolescents. Through in-person and telehealth services, the Wolverine Center works with the United Nations, NGO’s and charity organizations to treat those under 21 who suffer from traumatic experiences such as war or domestic violence. The Center also caters to children with learning or behavior disorders. His expertise includes the practice of behavioral medicine which is complemented by a respect and adherence to Islamic principles and traditions.
Ms. Rayyidha Arif
Clinical psychologist: Ms. Rayyidha Arif is a licensed clinical psychologist with an extensive background in social work both locally and abroad. She works with all age groups, including providing pre-marital and couples therapy. She's focused on Islamic, Positive, and Organisational Psychology.
Mr. Raheel Ahmed
Clinical psychologist: Raheel Ahmed is a licensed Clinical Psychologist with extensive expertise in various therapeutic models, including CBT, ACT, REBT, EMDR, ABA, and Psychoanalysis. Raheel has successfully treated clients with a wide range of mental health issues, such as anxiety, depression, self-harm, at-risk mental states, PTSD, psychosis, and personality disorders. While primarily an adult therapist, Raheel also has significant experience working with children facing psychological challenges, including ASD and ADHD.
At present, pursuing a PhD in Clinical Psychology, with hands-on experience working in rehabilitation centers, government hospitals, children's centers, and private clinics. Additionally, Raheel has a keen interest in the Islamic perspective on mental health and has extensively studied Islamic models of therapy. Raheel is dedicated to delivering comprehensive psychological care through online and in-person sessions.
Mr. Muhammad A. I. Awad
Educational Specialist
Mohamed A. I. Awad is an experienced educator and administrator who has over 15 years of professional teaching experience in child, adolescent, and adult education. He has a Bachelor’s degree (BBA) in Business Administration and Management with a minor in Economics from the American University in London. He is a registered English, Business and Economics teacher with the British Council and Cambridge University in the United Kingdom, the Ministry of Education in Sudan, and in Gateway Center, which is based in Delaware, United States of America. He has successfully taught students both in-person and online via platforms like Zoom and Cambly, where he maintains a perfect tutor rating with all his clients. He is also a registered Trainer of Trainers and engages in teacher training courses as well as company staff training of non-native English speakers in how to function in a Native English-speaking environment. He has experience in dealing with students who were victims of abuse in their past and those who have learning disabilities, and he is part of the United Nations task force against Child Abuse in Khartoum, Sudan.
Outside of education, he has a background in Mass Media and Communications, having served as a radio and satellite TV Producer and program host on both local and satellite Radio and TV channels in the Middle East and Africa.
Shkh Abdullah AbdulLateef
Clinic Chaplain: Sh. Abu Abdullah. Abu Abdillah Abdul-Lateef holds a degree from the esteemed Al-Azhar University in the field of Islamic Law. Presently, he serves as the Educational Director at the Arabic Virtual Academy, an online institution dedicated to imparting knowledge in Qur’an, Arabic, and diverse Islamic disciplines. Sheikh Abu Abdillah is concurrently pursuing his second Master's degree and a PhD in Islamic Studies. His doctoral research centers on Comparative Fiqh at the American Open University, while his Master's program at Al-Azhar University concentrates on the Principles of Islamic Jurisprudence. The Shaykh is available to advise couples requiring marriage counseling or those struggling with spiritual issues.