S04E03 - Calm, Clarity, and Connection: The ICAN Collective Approach - Laura Brennan

S04E03 - Calm, Clarity, and Connection: The ICAN Collective Approach - Laura Brennan

Author: MentalHealth AE March 14, 2026 Duration: 46:55

In this episode, Ali Khawaja is joined by Laura Brennan, a family wellbeing and behavior specialist and founder of the ICAN Collective, to discuss a systems-based approach to calm, clarity, and connection in children, families, and schools.


Laura shares her extensive international journey across education, therapeutic settings, and family environments in the UK, Japan, Australia, the US, and the UAE. Through this work, she observed a common global issue: children’s behavior is widely misunderstood, and responsibility is often misplaced on the child rather than on the environments surrounding them. Her experience working across education, therapy, movement, and family systems shaped her holistic perspective.


The conversation explores the structural challenges within education and mental health systems, including overdiagnosis, lack of communication between schools, families, and service providers, and the pressure placed on children to adapt to systems not designed for them. Laura emphasizes the importance of early intervention, environmental awareness, and consistent strategies across home, school, and community.


Ali and Laura discuss cultural dynamics in the UAE, the role of caregivers, stigma around mental health, and the risks of waiting until crisis points before seeking support. Laura introduces the ICAN Collective as a collaborative model that empowers parents, supports schools, and connects professionals to create aligned, child-centered solutions.


The episode concludes with a focus on connection, advocacy, and collective responsibility. Both speakers highlight that meaningful change requires shared language, early action, and collaboration across all stakeholders to build healthier systems for children and families.


#FamilyWellbeing #ChildMentalHealth #Neurodiversity #Inclusion #EducationReform #EarlyIntervention #ParentingSupport #MentalHealthAdvocacy #CommunityCare



Podcasters-

https://www.instagram.com/talktokhawaja/

https://www.instagram.com/ican.collective.family/


MHAE Website | https://www.mentalhealth.ae

MHAE Instagram | https://www.instagram.com/mentalhealthae



Tuning into Mental Health AE means entering a conversation grounded in the unique rhythms and realities of life in the United Arab Emirates. This isn't about abstract theories; it's a practical, compassionate dialogue focused on local well-being. Each episode stems from the initiative's core mission to build awareness and carve out a genuine safe space for listeners, offering tangible access to information and resources that resonate within this specific cultural context. You'll hear honest discussions that tackle the everyday stresses, societal pressures, and personal challenges people face here, all while navigating paths toward resilience and balance. The podcast serves as an audio extension of that supportive community, where topics range from managing anxiety and workplace burnout to fostering mindfulness and emotional health, always with a relatable, UAE-centric perspective. Hosted by the team behind MentalHealth AE, the episodes are designed to feel like a thoughtful chat with someone who gets it, providing both solace and actionable insights without judgment. It’s for anyone in the region looking to understand their own mind better or simply seeking a moment of grounded reflection amidst a fast-paced world.
Author: Language: en-us Episodes: 50

Mental Health AE
Podcast Episodes
6 of 6 - From Adolescence to Adulthood - The Show Must Go On [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 46:53
6 of 6 - From Adolescence to Adulthood - The Show Must Go On Tuesday Talks have taken a turn and we at Mental Health AE are doing something new with someone new. We are excited to introduce you to our podcast series: Fro…
5 of 6 - From Adolescence To Adulthood - Stayin’ Alive [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 43:15
5 of 6 - From Adolescence To Adulthood - Stayin’ Alive Tuesday Talks have taken a turn and we at Mental Health AE are doing something new with someone new. We are excited to introduce you to our podcast series: From Adol…
4 of 6 - From Adolescence to Adulthood - Tik Tok on the Clock [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 51:48
4 of 6 - From Adolescence to Adulthood - Tik Tok on the Clock Tuesday Talks have taken a turn and we at Mental Health AE are doing something new with someone new. We are excited to introduce you to our podcast series: Fr…
3 of 6 - From Adolescence to Adulthood - Small Step, Great Leap [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 49:32
3 of 6 - From Adolescence to Adulthood - Small Step, Great Leap Tuesday Talks have taken a turn and we at Mental Health AE are doing something new with someone new. We are excited to introduce you to our podcast series:…
2 of 6 - From Adolescence to Adulthood - Under Pressure [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 42:09
2 of 6 - From Adolescence to Adulthood - Under Pressure Tuesday Talks have taken a turn and we at Mental Health AE are doing something new with someone new. We are excited to introduce you to our podcast series: From Ado…
1 of 6 - From Adolescence to Adulthood - The Hormonal Salad [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 47:55
1 of 6 - From Adolescence to Adulthood - The Hormonal Salad Tuesday Talks have taken a turn and we at Mental Health AE are doing something new with someone new. We are excited to introduce you to our podcast series: From…
S02E05 - Amal Counselling for a Better Tomorrow - Nokhez and Naila [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 56:38
Naila Al Moosawi the founder of Amal-CFBT, started the initiative during the peak of COVID-19. Our goal is to spread positive well-being through care and education, while simultaneously creating awareness to foster a psy…
S02E04 - Breaking the Silence on Domestic Abuse - Anna Lopes [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 43:47
Anna is a survivor of and expert on violence against women, and certified mental health first aider. She is committed to raising awareness about violence against women and its impact on mental health. Anna opens up and s…
S02E03 - The Art of Living on Your Terms - Anastasia [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 37:34
Anastasia is a Harvard-certified Human Behaviosirst whose passion is to translate complex neuroscientific concepts into practical everyday self-development tools. Currently based in Dubai, she offers various services for…
S02E02 - ADHD - Q&A with Dr Emad - Anna [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 1:09:07
Dr. Farrag is a Consultant Child & Adolescent Psychiatrist at American Center for Psychiatry and Neurology. Dr. Farrag brings over ten years’ experience as subspecialist in child and adolescent psychiatry in the UK and m…