Dr. Alaa Ahmed, MD

Media Releases

Get to know Psychiatrist Dr. Alaa Ahmed, who serves patients in Carbondale, Illinois.

A prominent psychiatrist, Dr. Ahmed is affiliated with SIH Medical Group at Center for Medical Arts in Carbondale, Illinois. 

The people of Southern Illinois Healthcare, a not-for-profit health care system, are dedicated to promoting the health and well being of all of the people in the communities they serve. Their mission is guided by their values: compassion, collaboration, quality, stewardship, integrity, accountability and respect.

Throughout her academic career, Dr. Ahmed graduated with her medical degree from Alexandria University Faculty of Medicine in Egypt. Upon graduation, she started working in the biggest psychiatric governmental hospital in her hometown Alexandria,Egypt for 3 years before she decides to pursue more training to better serve her patients, this ambition lead her to Hamad Medical Corporation in Qatar, the only tertiary teaching hospital in the area and it is affiliated with Weill Cornell Qatar, there she served this community and learnt how culture affects psychiatric conditions and how different yet universal a human experience can be.Dr.Ahmed has a passion for psychotherapy and that passion drove her to relocate once again this time to the United States  where she completed her residency in psychiatry at the Albert Einstein Medical Center,trained in psychodynamic psychotherapy in the psychoanalytic Center of Philadelphia and became a member of it,she was also trained in DBT (Dialectical behavioral therapy) and CBT (Cognitive Behavioral Therapy) as well as motivational interview techniques.

She is medically trained to work with kids, adolescents, adult and geriatric patients as well as special populations like people struggling with addiction. Dr. Ahmed’s believes in a holistic approach when it comes to mental health.She listens to her patients and guides them through their journey.She conducts  thorough psychiatric evaluations to diagnose different psychiatric and mental illnesses and maladaptive behaviors, develops a personalized treatment plan including medications and therapy and evaluates treatment results. She is a strong advocate for mental health and works actively to improve the stigma attached to it.

Dr. Ahmed speaks Arabic, French and English fluently. In addition, she enjoys spending time with her dog.

Dr. Ahmed is a live example of a persistent, hard working and a compassionate female physician who overcame multiple life challenges to make her dream of being a highly trained psychiatrist to help her patients attain their fullest potentials.

Recommended Articles

• Separation Anxiety in Children: Symptoms, Causes, Diagnosis and More

  It’s normal for young children to feel anxious when they're separated from a loved one. However, when this fear occurs in a child above six years of age, is intense, and persists for more than four weeks, the child may have separation anxiety disorder.What is Separation Anxiety Disorder?Separation...

• What Is Antisocial Personality Disorder?

  Antisocial Personality DisorderAntisocial personality disorder, also called sociopathy, is a type of personality disorder that is characterized by irresponsible, criminal, and impulsive behavior. A person with antisocial personality disorder is often reckless, dishonest, and manipulative with no...

• 5 Tips on Living with ADHD

  People suffering from ADHD (attention deficit hyperactivity disorder) experience a lot of challenges. The symptoms associated with this condition can really be detrimental to an individual’s quality of life. However, being conversant with some useful tips on the management of such symptoms can be...

• Depression Medications and Their Side Effects

  Regardless of the importance of non-medical treatment options for depression like talk therapy and physical exercise, none of them can be as quick and effective as medication. The primary form of medication for depression is antidepressants which help boost brain activity and alleviate depression...

• Understanding Clinical Depression

  Clinical depression is a serious medical illness that negatively affects how an individual feels, thinks, and how he or she acts. Depression varies from mild to severe, and in certain instances the individual can experience temporary episodes of sadness.Clinical depression is also known as major...

• Can Kava Relieve Anxiety? Learn the Truth About this Herbal Remedy

  Many people suffering from anxiety disorders often turn to prescription drugs to ease their pain. While medications prescribed by your physician can be helpful, it is also useful to explore homeopathic remedies.  Kava, also known as kava-kava, is a plant-based relaxant that has been used by Pacific...