Layaly Hamayel

I have over 6 years of experience in mental health including working as a counselor in a clinical setting, implementing community programs for children and youth, and working in an international school in Dubai. I earned an MS in child and adolescent development from the U.S. and have 5 peer-reviewed quantitative and qualitative studies. In addition to academia, I have extensive experience as a Monitoring and Evaluation Specialist in the Non-profit sector working on mental health and international development.

For the past year, I have been working as a Research Lead and a School Counselor at an international school in Dubai catering mainly to Emirati students. For three years prior to that, I worked in a mental health NGO in Palestine during which I was an M&E Specialist and was involved in the design, implementation and evaluation of programs and projects in the field of mental health, child protection and women empowerment. Prior to completing my Master's degree, I worked as a Psychosocial Counselor for 3 years in a clinical setting.

At the same time, I was working as a Research Assistant in a Public Health research center at Birzeit University on studies focusing on Reproductive and Mental Health.

I completed an MS in development from Illinois State University after being awarded the Fulbright Scholarship. I have an in-depth understanding of child and adolescent development. Through my degree, I also received training on diversity and gained valuable qualitative and quantitative research skills.