Saudi Arabia’s New Generation of Mental Health Crisis
23 August 2024
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In Saudi Arabia, young people make up the majority of the population. Around a quarter of its residents are between the ages of 15 and
Highlights
- Registered Psychotherapist and Accredited Clinical Supervisor in both the U.K. and UNCG.
- Member of the International Chapter of IAEDP, with training in CBTe (Oxford Group), FREED (King’s College, London), TF-CBT, RO-DBT, and GPM.
- Member of The Australia and New Zealand Eating Disorders Association.
Experience
Fiona Yassin is the International Program Director at The Wave, holding multiple credentials including being a registered Psychotherapist and Accredited Clinical Supervisor in both the U.K. and UNCG (Registration number #361609 National and International Council of Psychotherapists). She is EMDR trained (EMDRIA) and practices as a Trauma therapist (Registration number #10000054651).
Fiona’s expertise includes being a member of the International Chapter of IAEDP, with training in CBTe (Oxford Group), FREED (King’s College, London), TF-CBT, RO-DBT, and GPM. Her specializations cover the treatment of Eating Disorders and Borderline Personality Disorder, as well as families in High Conflict Divorces and Psychiatry across the female lifespan.
Additionally, Fiona holds the distinction of being a Fellow of APPCH, a senior accredited Addiction Professional, and a member of The Association of Child Protection Professionals. She is also trained in MBT (Child and Family and Adult) and Reflective Parenting with The Anna Freud Centre for Children and Families, and is a Member of The Australia and New Zealand Eating Disorders Association.
Fiona holds an MSc in Neuroscience and Mental Health awarded by King’s College London, where she received The Dean’s Award. She is currently completing an MSc in Psychiatry at Cardiff University Medical School and is a PhD Candidate in Mental Health Research at Lancaster University. Outside of her professional pursuits, she enjoys spending time with her three cats, going for long walks on the beach, and appreciating the beautiful animals in her garden.
More from Fiona Yassin
The Rise of Eating Disorders in Saudi Arabia
19 August 2024
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As with other parts of the Arab world, eating disorders have increased in Saudi Arabia in recent years. The prevalence of eating disorders and disordered eating behaviours is now worryingly high, with studies showing that around 7% of Saudi adolescents and young adults have an eating disorder.
Boarding School Syndrome: What Is It and Is It Real? How to Help Your Child Navigate Mental Wellness at School
16 August 2024
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Boarding school syndrome isn’t an official medical diagnosis. Instead, it’s a collection of learned behaviours and attitudes that are common to many people who have attended boarding school.
Mental Health Disorders and School Attendance
12 August 2024
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Young people with mental health disorders are more likely to miss school than those without. These absences may, in turn, make their mental health worse, leading to a vicious downward cycle. However, effective mental health support and interventions can help young people manage and recover from symptoms and spend more time in school, turning a downward cycle into a positive journey of recovery.
Paranoia and Suspicion in Borderline Personality Disorder
8 August 2024
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Young people with borderline personality disorder often experience episodes of paranoia and feelings of suspicion towards other people. These experiences can cause distress and affect
How Missed ARFID Diagnoses in Parents Could Be Affecting Their Children’s Relationship with Food
5 August 2024
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Children learn a lot from their parents through observing, analysing, and adopting their behaviours. This includes eating attitudes and behaviours, whether they are positive or
Eating Disorders as a Self-Harming Behaviour: Understanding the Relationship Between Eating Disorders and Self-Harm
30 July 2024
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Understanding the feelings and thoughts that underpin a young person’s disordered eating behaviours is a fundamental part of treatment. This blog offers some information on eating disorders, as self-harming behaviour, co-occurring eating disorders and NSSI, and what it means for young people’s treatment and recovery.
Returning to School After Mental Health Treatment: Balancing Emotional, Social and Educational Factors
23 July 2024
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Taking time out of school for mental health treatment can be the best decision for a young person. Sometimes, the stress and pressures of school
How Does Hong Kong’s High-Pressure Society Impact Young People’s Mental Health?
15 July 2024
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Many young people in Hong Kong have symptoms of anxiety, depression, and other mental health disorders, both in primary school and secondary school. Mental health disorders not only harm the well-being of children and adolescents but also their mental health in the future.
Naming Borderline Symptoms in Young People – What Could We Call It Instead?
5 July 2024
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Many clinicians are still reluctant to diagnose BPD in adolescents before they are 18. Stigma and misconceptions surrounding personality disorders cause clinicians to avoid the diagnosis, despite strong evidence that many young people show stable and persistent BPD symptoms. Instead, young people may be diagnosed with anxiety disorders, mood disorders, or psychotic disorders.
Children Who Witness Violence On- and Offline
20 February 2026
Witnessing violence can be a traumatic experience for a young person, whether they see the event in person or online. Exposure to violence can lead to symptoms of post-traumatic stress disorder, anxiety, fear, panic, and other psychological distress. They may feel helpless, hopeless, and out of control.
Borderline Personality Disorder in Mumbai: Why Parents are Choosing Overseas Treatment Options
16 February 2026
Having BPD doesn’t mean there is something wrong with a young person’s personality. BPD traits can usually be understood as a normal response to difficult life events, which, at some point, helped a young person cope with and survive their experiences. However, these mechanisms make it hard to function in everyday life.
How to Support Your Teen in Residential Treatment
13 February 2026
Collaborative treatment is one of the core elements of adolescent mental health care and an important protector of young people’s rights. However, it’s not always clear – for both parents, young people, and clinicians – what collaborative treatment means in practice.
