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Professors

Meet the professors at Petra, your mentors on the road to becoming a counselor.
We aim to ensure that each teaching topic is covered by three teachers. Among these educators, some are fluent in Arabic and come from Jordan, Lebanon, and Egypt, while others originate from Europe and the United States. For the latter group, professional translation services will be made available as needed.

Amany Haidy Shokry Ishak

Christian Counseling
Trauma
Biography

Amany Shokry, MD, an Egyptian, has been married to Dr. Alber Riad since January 1984. They have two married sons, Joseph, aged 39, and Amir, aged 36, along with a 7-year-old grandson, Daniel Amir. A Christian by birth, she transitioned from a career in dermatology, which she pursued from 1984 until 2009, to follow her passion for counseling. After studying general counseling from 2003 to 2005, she deepened her expertise in trauma and PTSD at Eastern Mennonite University (EMU) in Virginia, USA, in 2005. A journey that led her to pursue a Bachelor's degree in psychotherapy from ISARPAC in Denmark, completed in 2012, followed by a Master’s degree in psychotherapy in 2018. Over two decades, she has dedicated herself to one-to-one counseling sessions, specializing in helping sexually abused survivors for 15 years. Additionally, she facilitated counseling programs for church leaders in Egypt from 2012 to 2015 and served as the a dean at Petra ICS.

Albertus Nanninga

Psychopathology, Human development,
Ethics, Community care
Biography

Dr. Bert Nanninga is a trans-cultural psychiatrist specialized in psycho-trauma and migration. As a former long-term tropical practitioner, he now works with refugees and migrants with mental health problems in the Netherlands.

Anja Kovačević

Ethics, Community Care
Family dynamic
Biography

Coming soon

Amal William Ibrahim

Psychology, Family Dynamics, Ethics, Self Care, Counseling Skills
Biography

Amal William is a Master's researcher in Psychological and Educational Consultation at Cairo University. With sixteen years of experience, she has taught Psychological and Educational Counseling since 2007 and has participated in training more than 8000 counselors from many governorates in Egypt. Her experience includes individual and group counseling, marriage and family counseling, and providing psychological counseling to recover from addictive behaviors, especially digital and porn addictions, through Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT) and Dialectical Behavioral Therapy (DBT). She is a certified trainer from the American Association for Positive Education to train parents. She worked as a certified trainer for leaders at the Professional Academy for Teachers at the Ministry of Education, Egypt. Her life’s goal is to live a meaningful life worth living and helping others to do so. One of her important values is continuing to learn and teach others.

Lana Haddad

Counseling skils, Ethics, Self care, Trauma
Biography

Lana Haddad was born and raised in Amman, Jordan. She earned her Master's degree from Liberty University in Virginia, USA. Over the past 20 years, she has been involved in mental health awareness in Jordan, working with churches and various organizations. Lana is also active in training and empowering parents and caregivers. She has worked with refugees in churches, refugee camps, and hospitals, focusing on trauma and its impact on individuals and families. For the past 12 years, Lana has worked as a psychotherapist in clinical settings, assisting individuals with various disorders including depression, anxiety, mood disorders, ADHD, PTSD, personality disorders, and psychotic disorders. Lana is a wife and mother of two girls, Jana and Raya.

Nardin William

Community care
Biography

Ms. Nardin Nagy William is a counselor and lecturer who is a true advocate for children's well-being. As the Founder and CEO of the Folk Foundation (Ark) for Prevention and Violence Reduction, Nardin has dedicated herself to providing education, counseling, and support to vulnerable children and families. With a master's degree in psychotherapy from ISARPAC and IATA, Nardin has made significant contributions to the field of child psychology. Her work in designing an awareness program on protection from sexual abuse has helped countless refugees, as well as Egyptian children and adolescents. Over five years, Nardin and her team educated over 2,000 children and adults in safeguarding practices. Nardin's passion for helping those in need doesn't stop there; for over a decade, she has intervened with 200 homeless children annually. However, in 2022 alone, she reached a staggering 2,300 homeless children. Her dedication to providing support and guidance to the most vulnerable members of society is truly inspiring. In January 2021, Nardin started a counseling school to help children called "Ghosn," meaning "Branch." The first batch of students graduated and obtained international accreditation for the school. The second batch is set to graduate in December 2023. With her tireless work and incredible accomplishments, Nardin is a true hero for children's rights.

Anne Zaki

Christian counseling
Biography

Coming soon

Nanis Nagi William

Psychopathology, Group dynamics
Biography

Coming soon

Nadya Ivanova Stoykova

Community care
Biography

Coming soon

Nikolina Angelova

Counseling skills, Community care, Family dynamics
Biography

Nikolina Angelova is a qualified integrative counselor with more than 7 years of clinical experience. She serves as the Director of Centre Vitus, a center that provides individual and group counseling and psychotherapy. Nikolina is an accredited counseling trainer and provides training for professionals in the caring professions. She is a counselor member of Scotland's professional body for counseling and psychotherapy (COSCA) and a qualified counseling supervisor certified by the Irish Association for Counseling and Psychotherapy (IACP). Her work specializes in trauma and bereavement, children and adolescents, family systems, attachment and relationship issues, and creativity.

Suzan Lotfy

Biblical counseling, Counseling skills, Self care
Biography

Motivated by a deep commitment to assist and empower women and girls psychologically, Suzy Lotfy has devoted two decades to studying psychology with the aim of providing them effective practical support. She earned a master's degree from Hope International University in 2012, USA, and another from Southwest Bible College & Seminary in 2016. Since 1998, Suzy has actively contributed to the field of counseling and psychological support, gaining valuable insights into the stories and challenges faced by numerous women and girls in Egypt and the Arab world. Moreover, for the past 12 years, she has assumed a leadership role in the Counseling School program, impacting hundreds of students globally.

Kristi Kola

Psychopathology
Biography

Kristi Kola graduated in General Medicine in 2017 and specialized in Psychiatry at the University of Medicine, Tiranë. He works as an attending psychiatrist at the 'Sadik Dinçi' Psychiatric Hospital in Elbasan and as a consultation-liaison psychiatrist at the General Hospital in Elbasan. He is also a professor of Psychiatry at the University of Medicine in Tiranë and a consultant at clinics such as the 'Jonathan Center' and 'Tirana Counseling Center' in Tirana.

Martha Manka

Community Care, Family dynamics
Biography

Manka’a Martha Neba is a remarkable individual whose life and work have been dedicated to the service of others. Born and raised in Cameroon, she has pursued a path of academic excellence and professional commitment that has made a profound impact on the lives of many. With a first degree in Sociology and a Masters in Educational Management, Manka’a Martha Neba has demonstrated a deep understanding of social dynamics and a passion for education. Her pursuit of knowledge did not stop there, as she is currently engaged in doctoral studies at the prestigious University of Yaounde I, furthering her expertise in the field of education. In addition to her academic achievements, Manka’a Martha Neba holds a diploma in Educational Counselling and Orientation, reflecting her dedication to supporting and guiding others in their educational journeys. Her ten years of career experience within both public and private educational institutions have equipped her with a wealth of knowledge and a nuanced understanding of the challenges and opportunities within the educational sector. However, Manka’a Martha Neba's contributions extend far beyond the realm of academia. As a frontline development officer, she has been unwavering in her commitment to the restoration of the persecuted Church, working tirelessly to provide support and advocacy for those facing adversity due to their faith. Her role as the Trauma Healing Manager for Central Africa within Africa Service, Cameroon, has allowed her to directly impact the lives of individuals who have experienced profound suffering, demonstrating her compassion and dedication to the well-being of others. Manka’a Martha Neba's journey is a testament to her unwavering commitment to education, social justice, and the alleviation of human suffering. Her multifaceted expertise, coupled with her compassionate spirit, continues to inspire and uplift those around her, making her a beacon of hope and positive change within her community and beyond.

Michee Mbolela Kapongo

Christian counseling, Trauma
Biography

Coming soon

Amy Maher Rizk

Counseling skills, Community care
Biography

Coming soon

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