On 22 May 2025, the Curtin Psychology Students Association (CPSA) successfully hosted “Psychology Spectrum” – an event to educate prospective psychologists and enthusiasts about the diverse career paths within the field of Psychology.
As a broad field filled with endless possibilities, each branch of Pscyhological Sciences is filled with discovery, creation, and innovation. The event included discussions surrounding forensic, sports, clinical, organizational, and psychomotor psychology with over a hundred attendees, ranging from high school and university students, to professionals around the UAE.
Speakers included:
Najah Musthafa, co-founder & executive director of the Middle East and North Africa Trauma Association and Art Psychotherapist affiliated with Monarch Health Centers.
Oran O’Kelly, director of Mental Performance ME at MindFrame Performance and previous competitor in high-level Rally-Raid Motorsport, including the Dakar Rally and World Championship events.
Sakshi Khurana, UK-trained Psychology Trainer & Psychotherapist affiliated with Open Minds Clinic, with experience working with top organizations like Etihad and Emaar.
Nowsheen Yaqoob, master NLP practitioner, corporate training expert, and the founder and director of Auracious Global Consulting.
Liliane Kantar, psychomotor therapist supporting individuals from infancy to old age, addressing various disabilities and neurodevelopmental conditions at Aman Lil Afia Clinic.
And last but not least, Anusuya Subramanian, forensic psychologist and licensed professional counsellor in Illinois, USA and lecturer of criminology at Murdoch University.
The featured panel “Spectrum of careers in the field of psychology” discussed dealing with workplace burnout and conflict, how working with the body can unravel what’s going on in the mind, athlete resistance to psychological support, trends in mental health that students should keep a lookout for, and further promotion of mental health beyond clinical practice.
The event was filled with curious young minds and a knowledge-filled environment, as speakers shared advice with aspiring psychologists about the types of characteristics and skills required for several fields of psychology. Students reported how beneficial they found the Psychology Spectrum Day to be regarding career direction and clearance, which is something Curtin constantly strives to achieve.
This commitment to advancing mental health efforts extends beyond standalone events. Recently, Curtin University Dubai’s School of Psychology collaborated with Indian innovators to pilot ReliefXR, a virtual-reality mental-health support software, in the UAE. The initiative underscores Curtin’s dedication to integrating innovative technology into psychological support services and opens doors for students to engage in groundbreaking mental-health solutions.
Initially, CPSA was founded in October 2024 by five student co-founders under the mentorship and guidance of Professor Anitha Menon, Head of School – Psychological Sciences at Curtin Dubai. The association aims to promote mental health around the university and the UAE, aid psychology students’ career development, and host wellness workshops and educational events open to the general public leaving room for growth, networking, and collaboration.
The founding members of the association are Lara Elsalamouny, Eslam Yaser, Jude Omar, Rida Zehra, Sakina Malik, and Harishma Kumar. Their dedication to their roles in the association represents the passion psychology students at Curtin Dubai bring. At Curtin, students are given the space to grow and become innovators. This event was a pure representation of the innovative projects our students lead.
Written by Lara Elsalamouny, Co-founder and President of Communications in the Curtin Psychology Students Association, Class of 2026.
