A single high school careers test bent the arc of a life, nudging Renad from architecture toward psychology, and eventually into a therapy room where time, trust, and cultural nuance matter more than titles. We open up about false starts in university, the pressure to pursue medicine, and the unexpected detours through research that led to a published paper and a deeper respect for evidence-based care.
From there, the conversation moves into the heart of Renad’s practice: supporting children of divorce. We talk about why kids interpret adult conflict through a “me lens,” how early therapeutic tools protect self-esteem, and why respectful co-parenting often beats a home full of tension. You’ll hear practical language for reframing blame, building resilience, and modelling calm when families shift under everyone’s feet.We also take on stigma and community pressure in Arab culture, where therapy is changing from crisis-only to a proactive choice, yet shame still lingers around reputation and marriageability.
Renad offers a grounded view of collectivist values: the village can heal when reciprocity is real, and boundaries can coexist with respect. We challenge the myth of the instant “spark,” explore how option overload short-circuits good matches, and make the case for community matchmaking as a safer, values-aligned path. The question that stays with us: are you choosing a partner, or the future parent of your children? That lens transforms standards, priorities, and the everyday work of love.If you care about mental health, cultural context, and raising confident kids, this conversation will give you language, perspective, and practical steps.
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