Our Team

Dr. Yasmeen Khan, Psy.D.

President

Dr. Yasmeen Khan is a licensed clinical psychologist in private practice for twenty years in Chicago. In addition, she has been involved in several community projects in the USA. Dr. Khan received her doctorate degree in clinical psychology from the Chicago school of professional psychology with a specialization in cross-cultural psychology. She works with people of varied cultural backgrounds and faith traditions. Dr. Yasmeen Khan works with children, adolescents, and adults. She utilizes a holistic approach to therapy working with mind, body, and spirit. She has presented several workshops in the USA and abroad on topics of cultural issues, spirituality and psychotherapy. Her certifications and trainings include Clinical Hypnosis (American Society of Clinical Hypnosis) and the Internal Family Systems (IFS) Model.

Dr. Asif Khan, Psy.D.

Vice President

Dr. Asif Khan is a licensed clinical psychologist in private practice for over 15 year. Dr. Asif Khan received his doctorate degree in clinical psychology from the Chicago School of Professional Psychology with a specialization in cross-cultural psychology. He has worked with people of varied cultural backgrounds and faith traditions. He utilizes an integrated approach to therapy. He has worked at an administrative level and in supervisory roles at psychiatric hospitals and community mental health centers in Chicago. He has been closely involved in program development, operations and evaluations. His certifications and training include Clinical Hypnosis (American Society of Clinical Hypnosis) and EMDR.

Shakeel Ahmed

Director Program’s Monitoring & Evaluation

Shakeel Ahmed brings over 2 decades of experience working in the development sector in various roles, especially in designing and implementing strategies, detailed monitoring and evaluation frameworks, research, and conducting surveys and analysis. Shakeel has been working on various challenging and innovative assignments in an equally diverse range of geographical areas of Sindh, Punjab, and Balochistan. His exposure to and interaction with different organizations, communities, cultures, and people has helped him grow professionally and personally. Furthermore, throughout his career, Shakeel has worked with provincial and federal governments and major international donors, including USAID, Aga Khan Foundation, World Bank, DFID, Canada International Development Agency (CIDA), and multiple UN agencies. Being a part of senior member of the project's management team, he was instrumental in aligning the project's strategies with its overall goals.

Nawal Nasir

Manager Community Wellbeing Programs

Nawal Nasir is a Clinical Psychologist and a Mental Health Researcher with extensive experience in researching, implementing, evaluating, and scaling up community-based mental health interventions. Her primary objective is to address the treatment gap for mental health services in developing countries. In addition to her research endeavors, she has hands-on experience in delivering psychological therapies to a diverse range of individuals. Furthermore, she has taken on the role of a Clinical Supervisor, responsible for overseeing community mental health activities and providing guidance to mental health counselors to ensure the delivery of the highest quality care. Nawal's multifaceted approach to her work underscores her dedication not only to offering direct therapeutic support but also to the overarching mission of enhancing and expanding mental health services for underserved communities.

Dr. Fazal Ahmed, MD

Adult and Adolescent Psychiatrist

Dr. Fazal Ahmed is a senior attending psychiatrist and Chairperson of the Division of Child and Adolescent Psychiatry, Cook County Health, Chicago. He obtained his medical degree from graduated from Allama Iqbal Medical College, Lahore and psychiatry training at Rush Presbyterian St Luke’s Medical Center. He has over 25 years experience in psychiatry in Chicago and across the USA. He specializes in adult and adolescent psychiatry and was the first psychiatrist in the USA to establish an outpatient ward for Adult ADHD. Dr. Ahmed has won several awards for his services.

Dr. Nazila Bano Khalid , MBBS, MCPS, MSc (Health Policy & Management)

Psychiatrist & Public Health Professional

Dr. Nazila Bano Khalid is a consultant psychiatrist and public health professional. After completing her MBBS, she pursued post-graduate training at the Aga Khan University and began her career as a psychiatrist. Her fieldwork with the Pakistan Association of Mental Health, Aga Khan Social Welfare Board, and Aga Khan Health Services, Pakistan, convinced her that mental health services need to reach out to the community and integrate health care systems and macro-level policy changes. This realization led her to obtain an MSc in Health Policy and Management from Aga Khan University, shifting her focus from treating mental health disorders to prevention measures, rehabilitation, and vocational training.

Dr. Nazila is a Certified Psychiatric Rehabilitation Practitioner (CPRP) and International Certified Addiction Professional I, II, and III (ICAP I, II, & III) from the International Centre for Credentialing and Education of Addiction Professionals (ICCE). As one of only three professionals in Pakistan qualified at the ICAP III level, she possesses advanced expertise that enables her to train other trainers in addiction counseling, significantly enhancing the capacity and expertise within the field. She is a National trainer for Basic and Advance Universal Treatment Curriculums for Addiction Professionals.

Currently, Dr. Nazila serves as Advisor Consultant for Bawagar Zindagi (Community Outreach Mental Health Services) and is a National Trainer for the United Nations Office on Drugs & Crime for under-trial prisoners. Her extensive experience and advanced qualifications underscore her commitment to improving mental health services and training the next generation of professionals in Pakistan.

Dr. Ambreen Ahmad, MBBS, Diplomate American Board of Psychiatry and Neurology

Child and Adolescent Psychiatrist

Dr. Ambreen Ahmad is a Diplomate and Life Fellow of the American Board of Psychiatry and Neurology with an additional sub specialization in Child and Adolescent Psychiatry. She undertook her specialty training in the United States and practiced there for more than 15 years. For the last 15 years she has been in private practice in Islamabad. She is the Founder member of Rozan, a national NGO working on issues of emotional health, gender and violence against women and children. She continues her involvement with Rozan as a volunteer and a member of the General Body. She has blended her commitment to social issues with her expertise and understanding of emotional and mental health issues and has worked actively to emphasize the importance of self-awareness and attitudinal change for community and health professionals. She has facilitated numerous workshops and Training of Trainers, both nationally as well as regionally in South Asia and Africa.

Dr. Salma Siddiqui, Ph.D.

Clinical Psychologist and Professor of Psychology

Dr. Salma Siddiqui is the founding head of the Dept. of Behavioral Sciences (DBS), at National University of Sciences and Technology, Islamabad, Pakistan. Her doctoral thesis involved development of Indigenous Depression Scale which has been widely used in Pakistan for both screening and research. Dr. Siddiqui has been involved in developing several academic and training programs such as the Institute of Behavioral Science in Karachi and the Department of Psychology in Islamia University in Bahawalpur. She designed and introduced many new courses at Department of Clinical psychology, Govt. College University Lahore. As a Fulbright Fellow she was associated with the Center for Prevention of Youth Behavior Problems and taught at the Department of Psychology, University of Alabama, USA. She was also part of the team which worked for the Psychosocial rehabilitation of the teachers and students at Army Public School, Peshawar after the terrorist attack in 2014. At NUST, Dr. Siddiqui is committed to excellence in teaching and training in Clinical Psychology and developing competency based interdisciplinary academic programs. She regularly contributes to the research and training at various national universities. She is also a recipient of research grants and is leading several research projects around mental health. She is a practicing psychotherapist who is trained in Cognitive Behavior Therapy and EMDR.

Nasreen Tariq

Manager Welfare

Nasreen Tariq is an experienced educationist with a diverse background spanning over 20 years. She holds a Master’s in Literature and a Bachelor’s degree in Education (B.Ed.), along with a certification from the Ontario College of Teachers and a diploma in Early Childhood Education from Sheridan College, Canada. Nasreen worked in public and private schools in Canada before returning to Pakistan in 2011. She joined Bayview Academy School, Karachi, and worked there for 12 years. Drawing upon her extensive experience from abroad, Nasreen Tariq is determined to elevate teaching techniques and methodologies in Pakistan, with a keen focus on catering to the diverse and individualized needs of children, fostering a transformative and inclusive educational experience for all.

Momal Bashir

Project Associate

Momal Bashir has done Master’s in Clinical Psychology from the Institute of Professional Psychology, Bahria University, and has two years of experience as an associate clinical psychologist. She has worked with IRD as a member of Theater of the Oppressed and as a visiting faculty at Ziauddin University and has conducted workshops related to mental health in both hospital and community settings. Momal’s main areas of interest are issues related to anxiety, depression, trauma, aggression, low self-esteem, and relational conflicts for which she adopts different therapeutic approaches. She is passionate about spreading mental health awareness among individuals by working in Savaira.

Madni Tariq

Assistant Manager - Finance

Madni Tariq has completed his Bachelor’s of Business Administration from Indus University, Karachi with specialization of Finance. He recently joined Institute of Cost and Management Accountant of Pakistan. Before joining Savaira, he worked in Soorty Enterprises Pvt Ltd as an Accounts Assistant almost 2 years. He is motivated by Savaira’s mission and wants to help people through his efforts.

Ariba Omer

Assistant Manager - Monitoring and Evaluation

Ariba Omer is a dedicated researcher and advocate for mental health and well-being, holding a Research Master's (MSc) in Clinical Linguistics from esteemed institutions such as the University of Groningen in the Netherlands, the University of Ghent in Belgium, and the University of Eastern Finland.

Ariba's journey is defined by her unwavering commitment to personal and professional growth, driven by her passion for gaining a global perspective and exploring aspects of cross-cultural psychology. Her diverse range of experiences includes conducting research on individuals with schizophrenia and participating in an EEG experiment at University College London (UCL).

Beyond her academic pursuits, she extends her dedication to mental health advocacy by collaborating with prominent organizations like House of Pebbles and the Karachi Down Syndrome Program (KDSP). Ariba's ultimate mission is to create a positive impact by shaping a holistic approach to mental health advocacy in Pakistan.

Aish Imran

Communication and Awareness Associate

My name is Aish, and I am a graduate of SZABIST with a Bachelor's degree in Social Sciences, majoring in Psychology. My academic background has equipped me with a solid understanding of human behavior and mental health, and I have always been passionate about supporting individuals in need. I am dedicated to making a positive impact and take great pleasure in fostering meaningful conversations and contributing to the well-being of others.

In addition to my professional interests, I have a keen interest in jhumkis and minimal jewelry, which reflect my appreciation for subtle elegance and cultural beauty.

Amna Naved

Program Associate, Mental Health Awareness

Amna Naved Siddiqui is a passionate clinical psychologist and the Project Associate for Mental Health Awareness at Savaira. With a solid foundation in clinical psychology, she holds an MS in Clinical Psychology from Bahria University, Karachi, and has extensive experience in mental health advocacy, education, and therapy.

At Savaira, Amna plays a pivotal role in raising mental health awareness through innovative workshops, collaborations, and community engagement. Her background includes working with academic institutions and healthcare organizations, where she has developed programs, facilitated workshops, and provided therapeutic support. Driven by her commitment to mental well-being, Amna is dedicated to fostering understanding and emotional resilience across diverse communities.

Umme Laila

Program Associate

I am an Associate Psychologist with a Bachelor of Social Science majoring in Psychology and a Master’s in Clinical Applications of Psychology from Kingston University, London. The human mind has always intrigued me, and I find it fascinating to observe behavior and continuously learn new things about people.

Every thought, emotion, and behavior tells a story, and understanding these layers of the mind is both a science and an art. Therefore, I always strive to create a supportive and understanding environment where individuals feel empowered to navigate life’s challenges and enhance their overall well-being wherever I go.