Dr. Rania Awaad
Co-Founder, President
About Maristan
Healing mind, body, & soul.
Inspired by tradition, informed by research.
You deserve mental health care that understands your story. Maristan blends the healing wisdom of historic Islamic Bimaristans with today's evidence-based psychology — so you don't have to choose between faith, culture, and therapy.
The challenge
What people are struggling with.
When many people seek help they may feel:
Misunderstood by mainstream therapy.
Silenced by stigma in their own communities.
No access to culturally and religiously congruent care.
The result: people suffer quietly — not because they don't want help, but because they haven't found care that feels safe.
Our approach
Tradition meets science.
We don't replicate history — we revive its spirit using modern tools and clinical standards.
What we provide
An ecosystem of care: clinic, education, research.
Maristan Clinic
Professional, culturally sensitive therapy for individuals, couples, families, youth, and refugees — with treatment that honors identity and lived experience.
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Education & Training
Research-backed programs for professionals, religious leaders, and community advocates — so they can respond effectively to mental health needs.
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Research & Publications
In partnership with Stanford and other institutions, we contribute to Islamic psychology and culturally rooted models of care for modern practice.
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Our vision
Reviving the maristan legacy.
Historically, bimaristans treated psychological distress with compassion, dignity, and advanced medicine. Today, we carry that legacy forward by shaping the future of mental health through clinical excellence, cultural intelligence, and spiritual openness.
Our dream
A world where mental health care feels human, culturally aware, and accessible for everyone.
Trusted, credible, and accountable.
Research affiliations
Active research collaborations with Stanford University.
Clinical standards
Licensed clinicians, ethical supervision, and trauma-sensitive care.
Community trust
Built through real partnerships with mosques, clinics, and institutions.
Centuries of tradition
Inspired by historic healing practice, grounded in today's science.
Our Staff and Board
The people behind Maristan
Clinicians, educators, and staff working across our clinic, programs, and community teams.
Lena Abuelroos Kamal, Esq.
Board Secretary
Zaheed Kajani, JD
Board Treasurer
Guzelya Marisova
Board Advisor
Reema Abu-Ghezaleh
Executive Director
Ronny Kabbani
Operations Manager
Sahra Sherdil
Clinic Coordinator
Amnah Abed
Associate Clinical Social Worker (ACSW)
Dania Azzawi
Associate Marriage and Family Therapist, Associate Professional Clinical Counselor
Malak Awwad
Associate Marriage and Family Therapist
Taymaz Tabrizi, Ph.D.
Clinical Therapist, Trauma & Couples Therapy Specialist
Zainab Khan
Associate Professional Clinical Counselor
Saha Jamshed
Licensed Clinical Social Worker, Clinical Supervisor
Nuzhath Quadri
Licensed Marriage and Family Therapist, Clinical Supervisor
Mariam Kaakati
Program Manager
Ariana Aini
Program Coordinator
Dr. Masoud Ghafoer
Licensed Marriage and Family Therapist
Nilofar Sami, PhD
Clinical Consultant
Wajma Nasir
Licensed Marriage and Family Therapist
Suzane Derani
Chaplain
Lena
Outreach & Development Manager
Yusuf Rafiuddin
Outreach Coordinator
Nura Behgoman
Marketing & Communications Manager
Hamida Mitha
Senior Marketing Coordinator
Mustafa Ebrahimi
Marketing Specialist
Salma Bora
Graphic Designer
Sarah Ismail
Digital Marketing Coordinator
You don't have to carry it alone.
Healing is possible. We'll meet you where you are.
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