Dubai Foundation for Women and Children concludes advanced training program on “Psychological Support Groups”

(MENAFN- DFWAC) UAE – Dubai, 28 November 2025
The Dubai Foundation for Women and Children (DFWAC) has concluded its three-day advanced training program on “Psychological Support Groups,” which brought together a distinguished group of regional specialists and witnessed extensive participation from professionals working across the psychological, social, policing, and healthcare sectors in the UAE.
The program was held as part of DFWAC’s ongoing efforts to strengthen national capacities in fields related to psychological support and rehabilitation, in alignment with the objectives of “The Year of Community 2025” and the Dubai Social Agenda 33, aimed at enhancing quality of life and developing more comprehensive and efficient support systems.
Throughout the three days, the foundation adopted an integrated training methodology that combined theoretical frameworks with practical application. From day one, participants were divided into six working groups and engaged in hands-on exercises designed to translate scientific concepts into applicable skills within their respective entities. Each group was tasked with designing a psychosocial support group project relevant to their area of specialization and the target population—featuring a clear identity, defined objectives, operational guidelines, and an organizational structure that ensures continuity and sustainability.
With every training module, participants refined their projects based on newly acquired skills, resulting in the development of innovative concepts for future support groups. These included support models for healthcare, psychological, and social service providers; foster families; survivors of domestic violence; children at risk of neglect; and parents in need of positive parenting skills. The program ultimately served as a comprehensive scientific and practical experience that enabled participants to build realistic frameworks for support groups that can be adopted and implemented effectively within various institutional settings.
The training content was delivered by three prominent academics from the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia:
Prof. Ahmad Al Hadi, Professor and Consultant of Psychiatry and Psychotherapy at King Saud University;
Dr. Mishal Al Aqeel, Associate Professor and Consultant in Psychiatry, Mood Disorders, and Cognitive Behavioral Therapy at King Saud bin Abdulaziz University for Health Sciences;
and Dr. Fatimah Albrekkan, Assistant Professor and Consultant Psychiatrist at King Saud University and a US-certified fellow in forensic psychiatry.
The experts shared their academic and clinical expertise, presenting modern practical models that enriched the program and maximized its impact on participants.
H.E. Shaikha Saeed Al Mansouri, Acting Director General of the Dubai Foundation for Women and Children, stressed that the program marks an important milestone in the ongoing development of the national psychological support ecosystem. She highlighted that psychological support today constitutes a fundamental pillar of protection and quality of life, playing a vital role in enabling individuals to navigate challenges and restore emotional balance. “Our aim is to provide safe, professional spaces for support—spaces that are not optional, but essential for strengthening the stability and wellbeing of families,” she said.
H.E. Al Mansouri emphasized that empowering national talent with advanced knowledge and specialized skills is a cornerstone for building sustainable, high-impact services, describing the training of Emirati professionals as a direct investment in the quality and readiness of mental health systems across the country.
She expressed her appreciation to the Saudi experts for their high-caliber contributions, underscoring that their participation enriched the learning experience and strengthened professional collaboration that benefits Gulf communities collectively.
H.E. Al Mansouri concluded by reaffirming DFWAC’s commitment to launching advanced programs that enhance the preparedness of specialists and position mental wellbeing as a foundational pillar of family and community welfare in the UAE. She emphasized that this program represents a significant step forward in the Foundation’s ongoing mission to place human wellbeing at the center of its priorities.

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