Dr. Mahdi Qasqas

Introduction Dr. Mahdi Qasqas is a Registered Psychologist and PhD holder in Social Work with over 20 years of experience in psychology, counselling, and social services. As the Founder of Qasqas & Associates Psychological Services in Edmonton, Alberta, Dr. Qasqas focuses on culturally responsive mental health services tailored to meet the unique needs of individuals and communities. His expertise extends to counselling, consultation, research, and clinical training. He is particularly renowned for his work on Islamic Counselling Psychology and the development of the Psycho-Spiritual First Aid® framework.

Academic Background Dr. Qasqas’s educational journey reflects his dedication to mastering the field of psychology and social work. He holds a PhD in Social Work from the University of Calgary and a Master of Counselling Psychology (MACP) from Athabasca University. His formal training in both psychology and social work allows him to blend the principles of evidence-based psychological interventions with the holistic approach found in Islamic counselling.

Professional Roles and Responsibilities Dr. Mahdi Qasqas wears multiple hats as a psychologist, consultant, researcher, and trainer. His primary roles include:

• Founder and Director of Qasqas & Associates Psychological Services: He leads a team of administrative staff, psychological assistants, and practicum students to offer mental health services in Edmonton, Alberta.
• Clinical and Counselling Psychologist: Dr. Qasqas provides personalized counselling services for individuals, couples, and families, focusing on mental well-being, interpersonal relationships, and psychological development.
• Consultant for Cultural Adaptation of Psychological Practices: He is often called upon by physicians, community leaders, and organizations to consult on culturally sensitive practices for mental health services.
• Trainer and Supervisor: He hosts practicum students from Athabasca University and Yorkville University’s Graduate Psychology programs, offering supervision and mentorship to aspiring psychologists.

Specializations and Key Areas of Expertise Dr. Mahdi Qasqas's wide-ranging expertise is centered on providing culturally sensitive mental health care. His key areas of specialization include:

• Islamic Counselling Psychology: Developing culturally sensitive counselling frameworks rooted in Islamic principles.
• Psycho-Spiritual First Aid®: The architecture and design of a unique mental health consultation framework that focuses on evidence-based, culturally adapted interventions.
• Supervision and Mentorship: Supervising future mental health professionals through clinical placements and training programs.
• Complex Mental Health Issues: Providing support for issues like trauma, stress, grief, anxiety, depression, and family conflict.
• Counselling for Culturally and Linguistically Diverse (CALD) Communities: Tailoring counselling and therapy to be culturally inclusive and linguistically accessible.

Psycho-Spiritual First Aid Framework One of Dr. Qasqas’s most notable contributions is the development of the Psycho-Spiritual First Aid® framework. This innovative framework facilitates the creation of practical tools that are evidence-based, culturally adapted, and localized to support health, well-being, and healing. This framework addresses mental health challenges faced by communities from diverse cultural and religious backgrounds. The methodology behind Psycho-Spiritual First Aid® is designed to increase the uptake of evidence-based practices while ensuring they remain culturally and spiritually relevant.

Research Contributions and Publications Dr. Qasqas has contributed significantly to the field of Islamic counselling psychology and mental health through his academic publications, journal articles, and book chapters. He has authored research on the intersection of Islam, psychology, and community well-being. Some of his most influential works include:

• “Radical Resilience: Islamophobia and the New Canadian Muslim Reality” (2018) – A book chapter on Islamophobia and resilience strategies for Canadian Muslims.
• “A Diverse Portrait of Islamic Religious Charities Across Canada” (2017) – A journal article co-authored with Dr. Turin Chowdhury on Islamic charities in Canada.
• “Counselling Canadian Muslims: A Culture-Infused Anti-Discriminatory Approach” – A prominent work on the challenges and solutions for counselling Canadian Muslim communities.
• “Partnering with Organizations Beyond Academia” – A strategic research paper on collaboration for mobilizing resources in immigrant and ethnic minority communities.

Selected Publications

1. “Content Analysis of Canadian Newspaper Articles and Readers' Comments Related to Schizophrenia” – International Journal of Culture and Mental Health (2017)
2. “Ramadan Fasting is Not Usually Associated with the Risk of Cardiovascular Events” – Journal of Family and Community Medicine (2016)
3. “Islam and Social Justice” – A book chapter co-authored with Nazir Khan and Amal Qutb

Memberships and Affiliations

• Member of the College of Alberta Psychologists
• Member of the Psychologists Association of Alberta
• ORCID Researcher ID: 0000-0002-7140-6011

Research Interests Dr. Qasqas’s research interests focus on the following questions:

• Who helps the helpers?
• Why do helpers do what they do?
• How do we support the supporters? These questions form the foundation of his research and his commitment to supporting mental health professionals through supervision, training, and guidance.

Services at Qasqas & Associates Psychological Services Qasqas & Associates provides a wide range of psychological services aimed at helping people help themselves. Their main service categories include:

• Counselling: Individual, couple, and family counselling services.
• Consultation: Cultural adaptation and localizing of mental health practices for communities, organizations, and healthcare providers.
• Research and Training: Offering clinical training and research guidance to mental health professionals and organizations.

Clinic Location and Contact Information

• Address: 376, 13220 St. Albert Trail, Edmonton, Alberta, T5L 4W1, Canada
• Phone: (780) 809-8668
• Fax: (587) 410-7078
• Email: info@qasqas.com
• Website: Qasqas & Associates Psychological Services
• Services by Appointment Only

Professional Philosophy Dr. Qasqas believes in culturally localized mental health support. By addressing mental health challenges using culturally relevant, evidence-based strategies, he aims to improve the mental well-being of individuals and communities. His work in Islamic Counselling Psychology promotes a holistic understanding of mental health, addressing not just the mind and body, but also the spiritual aspects of human well-being.