SAMIR HAMDACHE
Mississauga,ON
Summary
Dedicated Clinical Psychologist and BCBA combining over 20 years of mental health experience with advanced expertise in Applied Behavior Analysis. Highly skilled in assessing, diagnosing, and treating complex emotional and behavioral issues. Manages an intensive daily caseload of up to 8 children with special disabilities, utilizing international testing standards to drive evidence-based interventions. Recognized for compassionate patient counseling, staff training, and delivering culturally competent care across English, and Arabic speaking populations.
Overview
27
27
years of professional experience
Work History
Clinical Psychologist
American Center Uae (APCN)
Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates
08.2020 - Current
- Deliver individualized clinical care and psychological assessments for up to 8 children per day, addressing diverse psychological needs and neurodevelopmental disorders
- Conducted comprehensive psychological assessments to diagnose and develop treatment plans for diverse patient populations.
- Utilized evidence-based therapeutic techniques to provide individual and group therapy sessions, enhancing patient outcomes.
- Collaborated with interdisciplinary teams to create integrated care strategies, improving holistic treatment approaches.
- Developed and implemented training programs for junior psychologists, fostering professional growth and clinical skills enhancement.
- Established protocols for patient documentation and case management, ensuring compliance with healthcare regulations.
- Led workshops on mental health awareness in the community, promoting better understanding and reducing stigma associated with psychological disorders.
- Evaluated program effectiveness through patient feedback and outcome measures, driving continuous improvement initiatives in service delivery.
- Mentored psychology interns, providing guidance and support to cultivate future practitioners in the field of mental health.
Chief Psychologist
Shafallah Center for Special Needs, Doha-Qatar
Doha, Qatar
01.2011 - 01.2019
- Drafting and implementing individual behavioural treatment plan, using the Applied Behaviour Analysis (ABA) Principles
- Imparting training and feedback to the staff on implementing the designed behavioural procedures
- Formulating and presenting data collection, supporting with graphs showing the improvements
- Interfacing with families to ensure implementation of designed goals and procedures
- Assessing / evaluating the students and their skills according to job market needs and ensuring right placement for the right job
- Training in “on the job” site environment and providing follow-up in the job site
Chief Psychologist: Outpatient Unit
Shafallah Center for Special Needs, Doha-Qatar
Doha, Qatar
01.2007 - 01.2011
- Applied the assessment test for placement (IQ Tests, CARS & other informal tests & checklists)
- Designed and implemented individual behavioral modification programs using the Applied Behavior Analysis Principles (ABA) for students with challenging behavior in the center
- Worked on Diagnostic of Autism or Asperger’s with Mild/Moderate/Severe developmental disabilities
- Collaborated with a multi-disciplinary team (PT, OT, Speech Pathology) to achieve the designed goals
- Interfaced with families for support group, counseling, training, so on
- Delivered lectures about scientific subjects and awareness
- Implemented the Diagnostic Tools and Assessment Tests as following sample:
- DSM V Diagnostic and Statistical Mental Disorders
- Stanford Binet 4th Edition (IQ Test)
- Wechsler IQ Tests
- (WISC-IV) Wechsler Intelligence Scale for Children
- (WPPSI-III) Wechsler preschool & primary scale of intelligence
- (NEPSI) A Neuropsychological Assessment
- (WASI) Wechsler abbreviated Scale of Intelligence
- (WNV) Wechsler Nonverbal Test
- (WIAT)
- (BVAT) Bilingual Verbal Ability Test
- (WRAML-2) Wide Range Assessment of Memory and Learning
- (VMI) Beery Developmental tests of Visual Motor Integration 5th Edition
- LEITER-R (Nonverbal IQ Test)
- Conners Teachers Rating Scale
- Conners Parents Rating Scale
- (CVLT-C) California Verbal Learning Test
- (ABS) Adaptive behavior scale
- Vineland Test
- CARS) Childhood Autism Rating Scale
- (TONI-3) Test of Nonverbal Intelligence
- Implemented all the tests to evaluate and diagnose the level of disability of the students
- Wrote a detailed Psychological Report; provided parents with report results along with recommendations for the improvement of cases
- Made the intervention needed for the emergency cases
- Provided training needed for the Teachers and Specialists to implement Behavioral Modification Plan
- Participated in the IEP (Individual Education Plan) for the students
Senior Psychologist: Autism Unit-Sever Disabilities Unit
Shafallah Center for Special Needs, Doha-Qatar
Doha, Qatar
01.2001 - 01.2007
Senior Psychologist: Sever Disabilities Unit-Early Intervention Unit
Shafallah Center for Special Needs, Doha-Qatar
Doha, Qatar
01.1999 - 01.2001
Education
BCBA – Board Certified Behavior Analyst
Florida Institute of Technology
Melbourne, FL07-2021
Comparative Education - Bachelor and Master Degrees
Toronto University
Canada01-2008
Master's Degree - Psychology Department
Lebanese University
Beirut, Lebanon01-1993
Bachelor's Degree - Psychology Department
Lebanese University
Beirut, Lebanon01-1989
Skills
- Medical Advisory Services
- Patient & Preventive Care
- Diagnosis & Treatment Plans
- Comprehensive Treatment Plans
- Medical Prescriptions
- Cultural Sensitivity
- Psychological testing
- Anxiety management
- Stress reduction techniques
- Child psychology
- Cognitive behavioral therapy
- Consultations
- Treatment programs
Languages
Arabic
Native or Bilingual
English
Professional Working
Timeline
Clinical Psychologist
American Center Uae (APCN)
08.2020 - Current
Chief Psychologist
Shafallah Center for Special Needs, Doha-Qatar
01.2011 - 01.2019
Chief Psychologist: Outpatient Unit
Shafallah Center for Special Needs, Doha-Qatar
01.2007 - 01.2011
Senior Psychologist: Autism Unit-Sever Disabilities Unit
Shafallah Center for Special Needs, Doha-Qatar
01.2001 - 01.2007
Senior Psychologist: Sever Disabilities Unit-Early Intervention Unit
Shafallah Center for Special Needs, Doha-Qatar
01.1999 - 01.2001
BCBA – Board Certified Behavior Analyst
Florida Institute of Technology
Comparative Education - Bachelor and Master Degrees
Toronto University
Master's Degree - Psychology Department
Lebanese University
Bachelor's Degree - Psychology Department
Lebanese University