When selecting the right psychiatrist in Abu Dhabi, it is necessary to find ones who have DOH licensure, as well as some level of international experience and training for their practice. The best company for integrated psychiatric care or advanced medication management for psychiatric disorders is located at Stanford Medical Center, which is situated in the Al Bateen area of Abu Dhabi.
Meet the Top Psychiatrists at Stanford Medical Center
When psychiatric intervention requires an in-depth understanding rather than mere surface-level assessment, Abu Dhabi’s most accomplished citizens look to Stanford Medical Center for help.
Dr. Atef Mustafa — Specialist Psychiatrist, Medical Director & CEO
Atef Mustafa is a Psychiatrist, who has established a Medical Director position at Stanford Medical Center together. He is the highest-level clinician there for the last 4 years and through his psychiatric career of 40 years he has developed his career by working for some of the most reputable facilities in the UAE prior to developing a practice in accordance with his treatment philosophy of utilizing evidence based approaches, confidentiality and patient-centred methods of care.
Designation: Specialist Psychiatrist Medical Director & CEO
Work Experience: More than 40 years
Degrees: PhD in Psychiatry, Istanbul University (Cerrahpaşa Faculty of Medicine). Bachelor’s Degree, Trakya University)
Languages Spoken: (Arabic, English, Turkish)
Previous Work Sites: (Sheikh Khalifa Medical City (SKMC), American Center for Psychiatry and Neurology, British Neurology Psychiatry Center, Mind Maps Medical Centre)
Scope of Practice:
- Anxiety disorders
- Postpartum depression
- Trauma related disorders
- Obsessive compulsive disorder (OCD)
- Attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD)
- Schizophrenia & substance abuse
- Individual, couples & family therapy
- Workplace & occupational stress
- Eating disorders
- Emotional & behavioural issues of children & adolescent
Dr. Atef Mustafa was previously known throughout Abu Dhabi as the historical authority on both SKMC and the American Centre, both of which formed under Dr. Mustafa’s guidance while both institutions provided forty years of pivotal psychiatric services. He therefore can be considered a cornerstone of mental health care in Abu Dhabi.
Dr. Haytham Gindeel — Consultant Psychiatrist
Psychiatrist Dr. Haytham Gindeel is an MRCPsych (UK) professional and one of the most highly respected and internationally recognised consultants in the GCC with 26 years of experience as a specialist psychiatrist and consultant psychiatrist — also an expert on Intellectual Disabilities & Complex Behavioural Disorders.
Designation: Consultant Psychiatrist
Experience: 26 years
Credentials: MBBS; MRCPsych (UK) — Royal College of Psychiatrists
Languages: Arabic, English
Scope of Practice
- ADHD, Autism, Epilepsy, Neuro-Developmental Disorders
- Anxiety & Depression
- Bipolar Affective Disorder
- Psychosis & Personality Disorders
- Obsessive Compulsive Disorder (OCD)
- Sleep Disorders
- Acute Stress Trauma & Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD)
- Substance Misuse Disorders
- Intellectual Disabilities & Rehabilitation
- Eating Disorders
Dr. Gindeel provides a comprehensive evaluation and diagnosis of mental and behavioural disorders in adults and children, particularly intellectual disabilities, mental health problems and/or behavioural issues that necessitate the highest level of specialty training and consulting expertise.
Dr. Aura Carolina Macias — Specialist Psychiatrist
Dr. Aura Carolina Macias is an expert psychiatrist that has been practicing for over 12 years. She is one of the only providers in the Abu Dhabi area with certification as a somnologist from the European Sleep Research Society (an expert of sleep medicine). She is also a founding member of the Venezuelan Academy of Sleep Medicine and has been happily serving the patients of Abu Dhabi since 2019.
Designation: Psychiatrist
Experience: 12+ years
Degrees
- MD in Psychiatry from Central University of Venezuela
- Specialty in Psychiatry from Central University of Venezuela
- Certified somnologist from the European Sleep Research Society
- CBT for Anxiety and Depression (Beck Institute, USA) Languages: English, Spanish, Portuguese, French
Scope of Practice
- Sleep Disorders
- Anxiety disorders and panic attacks
- Depression
- OCD
- Bipolar disorder
- Schizophrenia
- Eating disorders
- Trauma and stressor related disorders
- Neurocognitive disorders (alzheimer’s, vascular brain disease, adhd)
- Sexual dysfunction
In Abu Dhabi’s professional and diplomatic communities, who are affected by sleep disruption and occupational stress, Dr. Macias provides a unique clinical perspective.
Dr. Reham Kamel — Consultant Psychiatrist (Child & Adolescent)
Dr Reham Kamel has a prominent academic and clinical background in Child and Adolescent Psychiatry as a Consultant Psychiatrist. In addition to being an Associate Professor at Cairo University, Dr Kamel is also the founder of the first Parent-Child Interaction Therapy (PCIT) clinics in Egypt and Abu Dhabi. Very few clinicians across the region have this credential.
Designation: Consultant Psychiatrist (Child and Adolescent Psychiatry)
Degrees
- MBBCh, Cairo University
- MSc in Psychiatry, Cairo University
- MD (Doctorate) in General Psychiatry, Cairo University
- Associate Professor of Psychiatry, Faculty of Medicine, Cairo University
International Certifications:
- DBT — DBT-Linehan Board of Certification (DBT-LBC)
- EMDR — EMDR International Association (EMDRIA)
- PCIT — PCIT International (Agency Trainer)
Languages: English
Research: Advanced Research Training at the University of Pittsburgh (USA). In addition to many national publications, she has had many international publications.
Scope of Practice:
- Behavioural disorders
- Neurodevelopmental disorders
- Mood disorders
- Anxiety disorders
- O.C.D
- SPsychotic disorders and conduct problems
- Emotional dysregulation and self-harm
- Trauma-related disorders (DBT and EMDR)
- Psychosomatic disorders
- Evidence-based parent- child interventions including PCIT
- Autism spectrum disorder
Dr Kamel has shared with her view in NGOs programs that received recognition from Plan International, AGFUND, Islamic Development Bank, and multiple international awards bodies for her contributions to humanitarian work through Banati Institution (providing mental health services to vulnerable children).
Dr. Shaikha Mohamed Aidarous Al Madhfari — Consultant Psychiatrist
Dr Shaikha Al Madhfari is a consultant psychiatrist who approaches psychiatry in a holistic way with great respect for cultural differences. She is a native Emirati psychiatrist and speaks both Arabic and English, so she is able to build rapport with her patients, especially those who are Emirati or Arabic-speaking.
Designation: Consultant psychiatrist
Languages: Arabic and English
Professional Affiliation: Multiple Psychiatric Associations
Scope Of Practice
- Comprehensive psychiatric assessment and diagnosis
- Mental wellness with depression, anxiety and mood disorders
- Post-traumatic stress disorder, panic attacks and other stress-related disorders
- Marriage and family therapy
- Collaborative multi-disciplinary treatment
- Personalized, compassionate treatment plans
Because of this commitment to working within a common cultural context, Dr. Al Madhfari can help Emirati families in her clinical setting who want to access a psychiatrist based on their culture.
The Al Bateen Privacy Standard: Why Location Matters
The Stanford Medical Center is located on Al Khaleej Al Arabi St in Abu Dhabi in a private villa style setting, located in Al Bateen, which is one of the most prestigious and exclusive residential and diplomatic areas in the city. This location was chosen for a very specific reason.
Whereas hospital-based psychiatric services provide shared waiting areas, Stanford Medical gives patients:
- Not to meet someone in the waiting room either before or after the appointment
- Designed as a villa with an emphasis on discretion and privacy, opposed to a traditional hospital or clinic.
- Located in an area where the residents expect decorum and discrete treatment for all dignitaries who may visit them.
- Meeting all of the cultural and/or legal definitions of confidentiality
All of these factors are important for the high-net wealth individuals, expatriates and diplomats living in Abu Dhabi, as the act of seeking psychiatric care should have no negative impact on an individual’s or business’ reputation regardless of the outcome.
