Fiona Yassin

Fiona Yassin, MSEd

International Program Director at The Wave

Expertise Psychology, Child Psychology, Personality, Research, Trauma, Eating Disorders

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

Children eats ice cream in entertainment center

Early Onset Eating Disorders

6 September 2023 No Comments

Eating disorders usually begin during adolescence, often at the start of a young person’s teenage years. However, in some cases, eating disorders can begin earlier in children as young as 8, 9 or 10. Known as early-onset eating disorders, young children’s eating problems are often similar to those experienced by older adolescents, underpinned by concerns about shape and weight and attempts to cope with difficult emotions.

The girl hides her face behind a white balloon heart. Monochrome colors

Exploring Identity in Young Adulthood

30 August 2023 No Comments

Young adulthood is also a time of self-discovery. During their adolescent years, young people often explore questions of identity, such as gender identity, religion, culture, and sexuality. Young people start to build a picture of who they are, where they come from, what they want, and where they are heading.

School children on the street running up the stairs

Moving From School to Further Education: a Parent’s Guide to Support

23 August 2023 No Comments

Moving on to further education can feel exciting, but it can also be very different from their school years. Young people may experience a range of emotions, including nervousness, excitement, and worry.

Low angle of 3 children hugging together in circle and smiling to camera

What is the Relationship Between Childhood Trauma and Empathy?

21 August 2023 No Comments

Childhood trauma can have a big impact on the emotional and social development of a young person. During childhood, young people are growing both psychologically and biologically. When distressing events happen in this time, the consequences can be far-reaching, staying with a young person into their adult life.

Student teenager girl travels alone, nostalgia, sadness loneliness, loss, depression

Summer Pattern Sad: Understanding Seasonal Depression In Young People

15 August 2023 No Comments

It’s normal for young people to experience some mood and behavioural changes in winter and summer. Young people may cope with feelings of sadness during the colder, darker months, or find it harder to sleep in the summer.

The child presented a puzzle card to his friend with an autism spectrum disorder. Care , support and assistance to children with disabilities

Developing Social Skills With Autistic Young People

14 August 2023 No Comments

Many people think that autistic children and adolescents aren’t interested in making friends or spending time with others. However, for a lot of young people in the autism community, this isn’t true. Autistic people often want to be close to others and seek companionship, but lack the social skills to make friendships a reality.

Group of young friends having picnic, eating watermelon, enjoy summer party. Summer vacation concept

Staying Well in the Summer Holidays

9 August 2023 No Comments

Some young people look forward to the summer holidays, waiting for the chance to take a break from work, spend time with friends, and enjoy fun activities. However, this isn’t the case for everyone. Many teenagers and adolescents struggle with a lack of routine and distance from their usual support systems while others have to navigate difficult environments at home.

A color puzzle made of elements in the hands of a child suffering from autism syndrome. Brainteasers for the development and education of children

Recognising Autism in Girls

7 August 2023 No Comments

In the past, people thought that many more boys than girls were autistic. Diagnoses of autism spectrum disorder among girls and women were very rare and diagnostic criteria for autism tended to reflect the traits presented by men and boys. However, we now know that there are many non-binary people, girls, and women on the autistic spectrum.

Three girls friends pre-teenage are sitting on the waterfront using mobile phone, watching videos, photos. Three teenagers on the outdoors in urban cityscape background

Exploring Anime and Adolescent Mental Health

4 August 2023 No Comments

Film, animation, and other types of media can have a big impact on the thoughts and feelings of young people and the social norms that shape society. Through its portrayal of different characters, anime may have both positive and negative effects on how young people perceive themselves and others around them.

Girl sits on a bench in the city while wearing a face mask- coronavirus pandemic

How Has the Covid-19 Pandemic Affected the Mental Health of Young People in Hong Kong?

2 August 2023 No Comments

Young people living in Hong Kong experienced many changes during the pandemic. Schools were closed for several months at a time, physical activities were restricted, and opportunities to spend time with friends were limited. As well as these changes, young people shared worries and anxieties that they, family members or other people close to them would become ill.

Close up of teenage girl crying in therapy session with psychologist supporting

Teenage Drug Use in the UAE: How the Landscape for Parents, Young People, and Schools is Changing

18 September 2025

Despite the prevalence of teen drug use in the UAE, widespread prevention strategies are still lacking. Both adolescents and experts highlight the need for school-based prevention programs and parental support to help young people stay safe and identify and support young people who may be using substances harmfully.

cropped-shot-of-a-man-having-a-therapeutic-session

Working with Children Affected by Sex Addiction

16 September 2025

In this blog, we offer some information about the impact of compulsive sexual behaviours on children and the family system as a whole. We outline The Wave Clinic’s pioneering family and child intensives that offer unique and valuable support for young people affected by sex addiction.

teenage girl explaining her problem to counselor during a mental health therapy session

DBT Residential Treatment for Teens: Borderline Personality Disorder and Beyond

10 September 2025

Dialectical behavioural therapy is a type of talking therapy originally designed for adults with borderline personality disorder. Since then, it has been adapted for treatment among adolescents and offered for a wide range of mental health concerns, including eating disorders, self-harm, and emotional dysregulation. Usually delivered in outpatient settings, studies have shown that DBT is highly effective in improving young people’s mental health symptoms and quality of life.