Built on Experience. Guided by Integrity.
For over 15 years, Exist has grown into a trusted psychotherapy centre bringing together therapists from diverse professional backgrounds, united by a commitment to ethical practice, ongoing development, and meaningful therapeutic work.
Personalized Care. Professional Standards
At Exist, our work is guided by clinical experience, professional training, and ethical practice. Our team of therapists offers thoughtful, personalized support tailored to each client's needs.
Following an initial assessment, we help match clients with the therapist whose experience and approach are most suited to their concerns. When beneficial, we may also suggest additional support from other professionals, such as psychiatrists or specialized therapists.
20+
Experienced Therapists
15+
Years of Clinical Practice
Since 2011
2
Locations
1000+
Lives Changed
Our Facilities
Welcoming environments with modern design providing comprehensive therapy spaces
Floor Plan
Click a room to view its details
Meet Our Team
Our therapeutic approach is rooted in a commitment to ethics, professionalism, and staying at the forefront of advancements in mental health care
Dina Mouhran
Psychotherapist
Dina holds an MA degree in Counselling Psychology from Breyer State University in the USA and a bachelor's degree in Psychology from the American University in Cairo. She is a senior counselling psychologist with over 10 years of experience. Dina works with individuals, couples, and families and is passionate about working with women's issues, offering counselling for depression, anxiety, low self-esteem, domestic violence, emotional manipulation, infidelity, and supporting women who have suffered a miscarriage, abortion, or infertility. Dina also dedicated years to working exclusively with adolescents at the American University Student Counselling Center. Her work with families focuses on family dynamics, reversal of roles, and counselling adult children of abusive parents, including those with parents who have narcissistic or borderline personality disorders or addiction. Dina also works with older people on loneliness, depression, and finding purpose, using CBT, philosophical therapy, and solution-focused therapy.
Dr. Mai Kabbani
Counseling Psychologist
Mai, DCPsych, MA, is a BPS and HCPC chartered counselling psychologist. She holds a doctorate in counselling psychology from the New School of Psychotherapy and Counselling (Middlesex University) UK, an MA in Sociology/Anthropology focusing on Medical Anthropology from AUC, and a BA in Psychology from AUC. Mai specializes in an existential approach, incorporating CBT at times, and follows a holistic philosophy focusing on the individual's experience. With over 14 years of experience, she works with adults and young adults on grief, anger, anxiety, depression, women's issues, life and motherhood transitions, emotional eating disorders, and sports/performance counselling. Mai is well trained in psycho-oncology and counsels people with cancer and their families across different stages of illness, including palliative care and grief therapy. She is also a part-time lecturer at the New School of Psychotherapy and Counselling.
Farah Abdelbary
Psychotherapist
Farah holds a Bachelor of Science in Psychology from City, University of London, and has received training by Trauma Aid UK on Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing (EMDR). She received training in the mental health department of El Rakhawy Hospital, the 57357 Children's Cancer Hospital's psychology department, and worked in the rehabilitation unit at Kasr Al Ainy Psychiatry for 2 years providing individual and group therapy for substance abuse disorders. She also worked at Médecins Sans Frontières for two years providing therapy for refugees. Farah has experience working with adults, adolescents, and families on substance use, depression, anxiety, PTSD, personality disorders, and self-esteem. She uses an integrative approach combining cognitive behavioural therapy, narrative exposure therapy, and eye movement desensitization.
Heba Ghoneim
AMFT, APCC Psychotherapist
Heba Ghoneim graduated with a Bachelor's Degree in Psychology from AUC with high honors and completed her Master's degree in Clinical Psychology with an emphasis in Marriage and Family Therapy at Pepperdine University, California. She is an EMDR-trained therapist, currently working towards her EMDR certification, and is a registered associate marriage and family therapist in California. She has experience working with children, adolescents, adults, couples, families, and co-leading groups. She has helped clients navigate trauma, ADHD, general anxiety disorders, social anxiety, OCD, low self-esteem, mood disorders, suicidal thoughts, self-harm, life transitions, perfectionism, anger management, relationship problems, divorce, behavioral issues, couple and family conflicts, and sex addiction.
Lamees Abaza
Psychotherapist
Lamees Abaza completed her MA in psychology from The New School (New York) and her Bachelor's degree from the American University in Cairo. She has experience working with high-risk populations in New York and spent three and a half years at Behman Hospital. In her work, she has developed expertise in substance abuse, psychopathology in adults, maladaptive coping methods, anxiety, and depressive symptoms. Lamees takes a client-centered approach and prefers an eclectic method including CBT, psychodynamic therapy, motivational interviewing, and mindfulness. She conducts sessions in Arabic, English, and German.
Maha Zayan
Psychotherapist
Maha Zayan has been working in the field of psychology since 2002. Maha graduated from AUC with a degree in psychology and has completed a Diploma in Integrative Depth Psychology based on Hypnotherapy from the German Society for Therapeutic Hypnosis and Hypnosis Research (GTH). She is currently pursuing her doctorate degree in Counselling Psychology at the New School of Psychotherapy and Counselling in the UK. Maha works with individuals coping with a range of issues, including life issues, anger, anxiety, and depression. She uses both an existential and a depth psychological approach to support clients in understanding their issues, the meanings they hold, and the lessons they bring in a holistic approach.
Mai El Kharrat
Psychotherapist
Maie is a dedicated existential therapist with three years of experience in the mental health field. She holds an MSc in Psychotherapy Studies from the New School of Psychotherapy and Counseling in London (2025), an MA in Sociology of Childhood from UCL, and a BSc in Law from Ain Shams University. Her work with vulnerable populations has equipped her to support individuals dealing with attachment conflicts, anxiety, emotional regulation, depression, and PTSD. Primarily trained in Existential Psychotherapy, Maie employs an integrative approach combining existential therapy, psychodynamic therapy, somatic experiences, and CBT, prioritizing the individual's perspective and inherent capacity for self-understanding.
Manal Abaza
Psychotherapist
Manal Abaza holds an MA in counselling psychology from AUC and a BA in psychology from AUC, and has attained a diploma in clinical psychology from Cairo University. Manal has completed the advanced level of Emotional Focused Therapy (EFT) diploma for couples and has expanded her EFT training to include individuals and families. Manal is passionate about people's well-being and believes in the need to empower clients by highlighting their strength and resilience. She has been counselling individuals, couples, and families, working with those who struggle with adjustment to stress and traumatic events, attachment conflicts, anxiety, depression, and addictive behaviors. She embraces a humanistic approach with positive, emotional focused techniques. Manal has 15 years of work experience in the civil society fields in Egypt.
Omar Nafie
Founder & CEO
Omar Nafie is a systemic psychotherapist, clinical supervisor, and founder of Exist Counselling, Education & Network. His professional journey began with systemic therapy training, followed by an MA in Psychotherapy from Regent's College London. He is also among the few Certified Sex Addiction Therapists (CSAT) in the Middle East, accredited by the International Institute for Trauma and Addiction Professionals (IITAP). With over 20 years of professional membership in the UK Council for Psychotherapy (UKCP), and a postgraduate certificate in clinical supervision from the University of Derby, he also supervises therapists and supports professionals in developing ethical, reflective, and effective practice. Although he initially specialised in couples and family therapy, Omar's clinical focus has increasingly deepened toward addiction work, including substance use, sex addiction, gambling, and other process addictions. His approach is trauma-informed and integrative, drawing particularly on Internal Family Systems (IFS) alongside systemic, relational, and existential modalities to provide tailored, compassionate care.
Salma El Baradie
Psychotherapist
Salma holds a master's degree in Health Psychology from Leiden University and is currently pursuing her doctorate in Counselling Psychology with the New School for Psychotherapy and Counselling in the UK. She brings extensive experience working with underprivileged and marginalized populations, specializing in trauma and recovery. With over ten years of experience, Salma has supported individuals navigating anxiety, depression, relationship challenges, gender and sexuality, sexual trauma, and gender-based violence. Her practice is rooted in Existential Therapy and incorporates elements of Compassion-Focused Therapy. She is dedicated to guiding clients towards living more authentically, in alignment with their core values.
Sarah Salah
Psychotherapist
Sarah Salah is a clinical psychologist and psychotherapist working with adults experiencing trauma, anxiety, depression, mood disorders, personality disorders (including borderline personality disorder), attachment injuries, addiction, and emotional regulation difficulties. She holds a Bachelor's degree in Psychology and is currently pursuing her Master's degree in Clinical Psychology. Her work is grounded in evidence-based approaches, primarily Internal Family Systems (IFS) and Emotionally Focused Individual Therapy (EFIT). She practices from a trauma-informed, attachment-based perspective and views many symptoms as adaptive survival responses rather than personal failures. Sarah has experience in both individual and group psychotherapy, including support groups for chronic illness, and designs therapeutic workshops integrating reflective and experiential work. She offers a warm, structured, and collaborative space where clients can safely explore their inner world, understand protective patterns, and build a more compassionate relationship with themselves.
Shahd Omar
Psychotherapist
Shahd Omar is a doctoral student at the New School of Psychotherapy and Counselling in London, with a focus on existential psychotherapy. She is a certified Focusing professional with The International Focusing Institute (TIFI) and has completed the Wheel of Consent training with the School of Consent. With six years of experience as a somatic coach, she integrates body-based practices into her therapeutic work. Her areas of experience include anxiety disorders, depression, grief counseling, mood disorders, attachment, ADHD, borderline personality disorder, insomnia, substance dependence, OCD, relational issues, sexuality, trauma, disordered eating, women's health, boundaries, and consent. Using an integrative and trauma-sensitive approach, Shahd creates a safe and collaborative space where clients can explore their life stories and navigate existential questions.
Soha El Sokkary
Psychotherapist
Soha El Sokkary completed her MSc in Counselling Psychology from the University of Sheffield, as well as a Postgraduate Certificate in Professional Practice from the University of York, after having received a BA in Psychology from the American University in Cairo. Soha's therapy is integrative and eclectic, using different theories depending on what her clients need. She is comfortable conducting sessions in Arabic, English, French, and German. Soha works with various issues including depression, anxiety, relationships, body image, self-esteem, suicidal thoughts and self-harm, domestic violence, family issues, grief, and divorce. She views her clients as the true experts of their respective lives and views herself as a guide along their journey, working to help them gain insight and empowerment throughout their mental health processes.
Yasmin Samir
Psychotherapist
Yasmin Samir is a Doctorate Candidate in Existential Psychotherapy at New School of Psychotherapy and Counselling in London, UK. Yasmin earned her Master degree in psychology from Derby University, England. She has been a Member of the British Psychological Society (BPS) in the UK since 2015, as well as a member of the UK Council for Psychotherapy (UKCP) and the United Kingdom Association for Psychotherapy and Counselling (UCPA). Yasmin completed her training on different therapeutic approaches including CBT from Beck Institute, DBT intensive training from the Linehan Institute, Schema Therapy from ISST, Compassionate Inquiry for trauma by Gabor Mate, somatic training for trauma, DBT PTSD by Dr. Martin Bohus, the Excellence In Practitioner Skills For Eating Disorders Diploma with NCFED, Fairburn's CBT-E protocol by Oxford University for Eating Disorders, Acceptance and Commitment Therapy, and Motivational Interviewing. She is also a member of the Egyptian Eating Disorder Initiative (EEDI). Over the past years, Yasmin has been working with young adults, adults, and families on well-being, trauma, personality disorder, eating disorder, anger management, self-harm, depression, mood disorders, anxiety, panic disorders, OCD, grief and loss, family dysfunction, conflict resolution, and sports counselling. She is a certified positive discipline parenting coach from the Positive Discipline Association in the US and holds a diploma in education from AUC and a character education diploma from San Diego University.
Yasmine El Shamy
Psychotherapist
Yasmine ElShamy obtained a BA in Psychology from AUC, a diploma in clinical applied psychology from Cairo University, and a master's degree in clinical psychology from Saint Michael's College, US. She completed internships in adult psychiatry and addiction at ElMashfa and Kasr ElAiny Hospital, worked with refugees at Médecins Sans Frontières, served as a college counsellor at the University of Vermont, and worked as a residential counsellor at a US residential facility for at-risk adolescents. She works with clients suffering from anxiety, depression, OCD, trauma, borderline personality disorder, self-esteem issues, grief, and relationship problems. She has received training in CBT, intensive DBT from the Linehan Institute, and EMDR from Trauma Aid UK. Yasmine conducts sessions in Arabic, English, and German.
Zeina El Shazly
Psychotherapist
Zeina graduated with a Bachelor's degree in Psychology from the University of St Andrews, Scotland and a Master of Science in Clinical Mental Health Sciences from University College London (UCL). Zeina trained in the NHS in London for 6 months working with people with dementia, and trained and worked at the Behman Psychiatric Hospital for a year and a half in both the psychology department and the department of substance abuse and addiction, delivering individual and group therapy sessions for people suffering from substance misuse problems, depression, and anxiety. Zeina also works with clients who struggle with low self-esteem, loss of identity, anger management issues, and grief. Her approach is highly individualised and client-focused, utilising cognitive behavioural therapy and psychodynamic techniques.
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