Connector chats to Lama Younis: psychologist, children’s rights activist and founder of Hissah Enrichment Centre.
What brought you to Dubai?
Dubai, being an international hub that is open to new ideas and entrepreneurial ventures, provides an ideal platform for entrepreneurs to explore new dimensions of business. Moreover, Dubai accepts the leadership role that women have to play in business and creates opportunities for women to grow in a safe environment, along with enjoying a great sense of freedom. Dubai has welcomed the world without compromising on its values and culture; a unique factor which sets it apart as a business hub from the rest of the world. These are some of the reasons I chose Dubai for my unique venture, Hissah Enrichment Centre.
Describe a typical day.
I am a Forensic Psychologist, Criminologist, Traumatologist and a children’s rights activist. Each day is different for me; some days, I provide people support to overcome situations they have been through, with creative therapeutic techniques such as art and play therapy. On other days, I attend meetings to develop and materialise ideas to try to create a significant change in the society. I believe the community needs education to respond in a timely manner to situations so that they are equipped to take appropriate measures to protect and save lives. So I involve myself in projects that will empower communities and create healthier, stronger societies. A healthy body leads to a healthy mind which helps you to stay focused and give your best. Therefore I give a lot of importance to exercise and I work out a few times a week, in addition to my passion for horse riding.
How did you get into this profession?
My aim in life has always been to create change in the world. One of the incidents that had influenced me early in my life was something I witnessed while visiting the local grocery store. I saw an annoyed mother scolding and mercilessly hitting her child with a wooden spatula. I realised that the form of punishment that the mother adopted only harmed the child and did not result in a corrective behaviour. I tried to approach security so as to seek some help to stop the mother from hurting her child but he said he had no authority to interfere in the personal matters between a mother and a child. Others were simply walking by like this was a normal scene they had witnessed before. I realised that people need to be educated on the aspects of discipline and how to distinguish between discipline, punishment and abuse.
In order to create awareness and educate parents and caregivers, I myself needed to be well equipped with tools and resources to counter abuse. This drive led me to pursue Psychology and I graduated in Counselling Psychology from Saudi Arabia’s Effat University. I then pursued my graduate studies in the UK and obtained a Masters Degree from Middlesex University in London where I double majored in Criminology and Forensic Psychology. This led me to be titled as the first female criminologist and forensic psychologist in the GCC. I worked in the field as a freelancer since 2007 and my professional skills and strong educational background helped me to travel across the entire Middle East region to provide qualified and expert consulting and educational services.
During this time I was also affiliated with Effat University where I taught Developmental Psychology and Communication Methods courses in their Department of Psychology. I was looking for further professional development and in 2008, I attended a post-graduate course at Harvard University entitled Delinquents, Criminals, Psychopaths, and Terrorists. In 2013 I completed a Level 7 Postgraduate Diploma in Traumatology and Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD) and this has helped me to guide and support individuals who have undergone traumatic experiences of abuse in their life. I have also served as guest speakers on different panels, one of them being in Psychiatry and Behavioral Science and Forensic Science in the Islamic Legal System. The topics discussed on this panel were “Discipline and Punishment of Children” as well as, “Child Abuse: A General Perspective in Saudi Arabia”. I also served as a panel member in the seminar “Role of Women in Family Business” which was held in support of the noble legislation undertaken by HH Sheikh Mohammed Bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Vice President and Prime Minister of UAE, Ruler of Dubai in 2012, to make it compulsory for companies and businesses to appoint women to their boards and senior managerial roles.
The education I have received, my years of experience working with abuse victims and research on topics related to abuse have helped me to understand the services and assistance that is required in the GCC to protect individuals and create safer communities. This is what led to the establishment of Hissah Enrichment Center which was built in response to the region’s growing need to provide education, training and consulting in areas related to coping with societal change and to strengthen personal and professional relationships in the workplace, the home and the community.
What is the best thing about your job?
The best part of my job is to be able to help and support people to transform their life into something meaningful. When I say transform, I don’t get to do it... I hold their hands, stand next to them and we do it together. Most often, people do not realise their own potential and get caught up in past experiences. I constantly remind people “There is no future in your past”. It hinders them from reaching their true potential and moving forward in their lives. It gives me happiness to guide these individuals and help educate them to be insightful about themselves.
aspect is to know that as an individual I am able to create a change and develop safer communities through different projects. I also organise events and workshops for people to come together and share their experiences. Recently we organised the first registered National Cancer Survivors Day in the GCC which brought together people from different walks of life. These events help you to reflect and be thankful for the enriching life that you have.
And the worst?
There is no worst part of my job, but there are definitely challenges. I believe you have to enjoy what you do in life, so work becomes a transforming experience and not tasks that you have to complete. I see the challenges that I face as learning experiences that help me think of alternative approaches to situations and move forward in an efficient manner.
What was a standout moment in your career?
The standout moments are when I see the happiness on children’s faces and the change that I see in my clients. It makes me feel that I have made a worthwhile difference in their lives. I believe it is these achievements that lead me to being recognised in the community. I have been listed as one of the “The 100 Most Powerful Arabs Under 40” by Arabian Business in April 2015 and “Middle East, 50 personalities you need to know” by the Italian news from the world website, SecoloNuovo. I was also featured in the Destination Riyadh magazine as one of “The Most Powerful Saudis Under 40”. In November 2014, I was awarded the “Woman in Business” title by the second Arabian Business StartUp Awards - all great blessings in less than two years since I opened HEC.
What advice would you have for any young person wanting to get into your field?
Believe in yourself and your potential. When you work towards your goal let it be for the common good of humanity and not for selfish needs. When you give selflessly to the world, God will reward you in abundance.
Your motto
Success is health.