Team

Education:

• Master of Clinical Psychology from the Integrated Psychology Program under Science University Malaysia and Sultan Idris Education University.
• Bachelor of Psychology from HELP University Malaysia

Raouf has accumulated experience working with a wide variety of populations and age groups. While training in the Penang General Hospital, he handled a variety of cases among adults (addiction, grieving, mood disorders, or family problems), including patients admitted in the psychiatric ward. His training was also extended towards children, whereby after being trained in Applied Behavioural Analysis, he became accustomed to treating children with different neurodevelopmental disorders (ADHD, Autism, or Learning and Intellectual Disability) as well as providing parenting training. Besides that, his past work experiences also extended towards working with marginalized populations and even indigenous populations. Therefore allowing him to bond with a wide variety of different individuals.

While being familiar with various techniques, Raouf’s therapy modality of choice is Cognitive Behavioral Therapy. He also uses Acceptance and Commitment Therapy and Mindfulness-based techniques for clients with chronic physical pains, grieving or even depression. Although, most sessions are often tailored specifically for the needs of the client.

There is a delay of 7 years between the first onset of symptoms of mental illness, and seeking support from a health-care professional. This delay is largely attributed to a lack of awareness and the stigma that revolves around the illness. Therefore, Raouf’s goal, is to help carve a society, that is inclusive, progressive, rejects discrimination and supports recovery. This can eventually promote the understanding that seeking mental health support, is no different than visiting a doctor for any physical health problems.

• MEMBER OF PERSATUAN PSIKOLOGI MALAYSIA (PSIMA)
• MEMBER OF MALAYSIAN SOCIETY OF CLINICAL PSYCHOLOGY (MSCP) (CP5-0015), [MAHPC(CP)00331]

Sarah Ayu is a certified and registered art psychotherapist with clinical training in various institutions such as an elder care centre, family services, and student care centre for children with disabilities. She has substantial experience working with various populations of people ranging from young children to the elderly in the education and mental health field.
During her MA Art Therapy training, she utilises person-centered practices and has worked with individuals in a one-on-one setting, dyed or groups with various diagnoses, including Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD), and depression, and helping family units process the transition that comes from family separation. Her approach to sessions is to provide a non-judgmental, open and safe space with tailored treatment strategies to best fit the therapeutic needs of the individual. She upholds the importance of being culturally sensitive and ethical in her session.
Sarah Ayu has a keen interest in advocating the modality of art therapy that marries the creative arts with the structure of psychodynamic theories that uses the creative process of making art as a way to explore emotions, resolve inner conflicts, and improve mental health. Some of the techniques used in her session are not limited to painting, visual journaling, sculpture and clay work, scribble art, weaving, poetry and creative writing, collaging, and narrative storytelling. She believes everyone deserves time and space to heal and grow to better lead a more purposeful life. She is eager and ready to embrace and walk that journey with you.