Notes on Contributors
Sena Aycan
is a licensed clinical psychologist and serves as a Research & Content Development Fellow at the Khalil Center, where she integrates her expertise in psychology with a commitment to advancing Muslim mental health. She holds a master’s degree in clinical psychology, a bachelor’s degree in psychology, and is currently pursuing a bachelor’s in Comparative Islamic Studies at Usul Academy. Sena’s postgraduate research focused on developing an Islamically-integrated model of psychological well-being, and she continues to center her work on integrating Islamic perspectives into mental health paradigms. She has worked with disadvantaged and vulnerable populations as a clinical psychologist across various organizations. In addition to her role at the Khalil Center, Sena provides on-site and online psychotherapy for earthquake and trauma survivors in Türkiye.
Sena Akbay Safi
graduated with a degree in Psychology from Istanbul Sehir University in 2017 and earned a double major in Sociology in 2018 from the same institution. She completed her Master’s in Trauma and Disaster Mental Health program at Istanbul Bilgi University in 2021 and is currently pursuing a PhD in Psychology at Uskudar University, where she also teaches in the Psychology department. As a trauma therapist, she works with clients from diverse cultural backgrounds, providing therapy in Turkish, Arabic, and English. She specializes in Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT) and is a certified mental health trainer on several intervention programs from the World Health Organization. In addition, she serves as a supervisor for other therapists. With extensive experience in psychosocial support programs for vulnerable groups across multiple countries, she trains facilitators and implements individual and group therapy programs, which she continues to this day.
Munsif Mubarak
is a Hafidh of the Qurʾan and a licensed psychotherapist registered with the College of Registered Psychotherapists of Ontario. He earned a Bachelor of Science degree from the University of Toronto and has a strong background in Islamic studies, having devoted seven years to the Islamic sciences in al-Madinah al-Munawwarah. While there, he studied under various scholars at Masjid-un-Nabawi and other educational institutions, obtaining an associate degree in Arabic Language and a Bachelor of Arts in Classical Arabic Literature and Linguistics from the Islamic University of Medina. Munsif furthered his education by completing a Master of Psychospiritual Studies at the University of Toronto in 2021, which included certification in spiritual care and psychotherapy. Currently, Munsif holds several key positions at Khalil Center Toronto: Director of Community Relations, Clinical Supervisor, and Registered Psychotherapist. He is committed to connecting Islamic principles with modern psychological practice, offering essential support to those seeking mental wellness within the Muslim community. Munsif also actively delivers and facilitates psycho-spiritual education training across Canada and the USA.
Muhammed Furkan Cinisli
completed his undergraduate studies at Istanbul Şehir University, graduating from the Faculty of Islamic Studies in 2017 and obtaining a double major degree in Psychology from the same university in 2018. He went on to earn a master’s degree in Qurʾanic exegesis (tafsir al-Qurʾan) at 29 Mayıs University in 2019, followed by a master’s in Clinical Psychology at Ibn Haldun University in 2021. Currently, he is pursuing a doctorate in Clinical Psychology at Ibn Haldun University. His academic interests include exploring theoretical and practical sources of psychology within Islamic thought, and he conducts clinical research in the area of trauma. Muhammed Furkan is a member of the Association for Psychology and Psychotherapy Research and is proficient in Arabic and English. Additionally, he lectures on Islamic studies and psychology at various institutions.
Şuheda Ece Kaya
graduated from Kartal Anatolian Imam Hatip High School and later completed her bachelor’s degree in Guidance and Psychological Counseling at Boğaziçi University. During her undergraduate studies, she participated in the honor program at the EDEP Center, where she received training in Arabic and Islamic studies. Her academic and professional interests include a focus on Islamic psychology, which continues to influence her scholarly work and engagements.
Abdullah Ansari
is a student of the Islamic sciences currently pursuing his education at Darul Qasim College in Hoffman Estates, Illinois. He began his education in Cairo, Egypt where he studied the Arabic language, Qurʾānic recitation, and tajwīd. He is currently enrolled in the Intermediate Islamic Studies program at Darul Qasim College, studying Islamic law, theology, and their subsidiary sciences. Additionally, he holds a bachelor’s degree in Information technology (IT) and human resource management (HRM) from Rutgers University in New Brunswick, New Jersey.
Huzaifa Ansari
is currently a student and assistant researcher at Darul Qasim College in Illinois. After completing the intermediate Islamic studies program, Huzaifa is continuing his studies and is pursuing an Advanced Diploma in Islamic law and theology. His interests include Islamic legal methodology, theology, and Arabic.
Sana Mohiuddin
LPC, attained her bachelor’s from Texas A&M University majoring in History and Comparative Religious Studies. Sana went on to complete her graduate studies at Northeastern Illinois University in Counseling Education specializing in Marital and Family counseling. Along with her secular studies, Sana also has attained ijaazaat (permission to teach) in various Islamic studies including Jurisprudence (fiqh), Quranic exegesis (Tafseer), Arabic language, and Hadith studies. Sana is the founder and therapist at Sound Hearts Therapy.