College Counselling - ISL Qatar, Doha | International School Qatar

At ISL Qatar, Counselling supports the well-being and growth of all students across the IB continuum, guided by our school values of Belonging, Integrity, Grit, and Kindness.

Early Years: Focus is on building emotional awareness, social skills, and a sense of security through play-based and age-appropriate approaches.

PYP: Counselling helps students develop communication, self-management, and empathy while building positive relationships in a caring learning environment.

MYP: Students are supported in managing change, setting goals, and developing resilience with counselling integrated into both academic and emotional guidance.

DP: Counsellors guide students through the demands of the programme, providing support for well-being, time management, university and career pathways.

Meet our counselling team and discover how we support student well-being every step of the way.

PYP-Early Years and Primary School (EC- Grade 5)

Lone Petersen (EC - Grade 3)

Lone Petersen holds an MSocSc in Counselling (distinction) from the University of Hong Kong, and an MSocSc in Psychology (distinction) from Hong Kong Shue Yan University. She also holds a BA in German Language and Literature from the University of Aarhus in Denmark, and an MA in German Studies from the University of Connecticut, USA.

Lone was awarded the 2019 Simon Kvan Prize in counselling from the University of Hong Kong, and twice received the annual Outstanding Teaching Award from the Chinese University of Hong Kong. For her counselling work, she has completed additional training in Sandplay Therapy and Mentalization-Based Therapy with Children and Families.

She is from Denmark, but has lived, studied and worked in several different countries including China, Hong Kong, USA, Switzerland and Germany. She speaks Danish, German, English and basic Cantonese. She is currently working as a counsellor with the youngest students and loves her work at ISL.

In her free time, she enjoys spending time with her husband Kit and their son Luka.

Arta Bajqinca (Grade 4 - Grade 5)

Arta Bajqinca holds a Bachelor of Science in Social Work from Sweden and brings ten years of professional experience in the field. For the past three years, she has worked as a School Counselor in Sweden, focusing on enhancing students’ mental health and well‑being through counseling and collaborative support.

She is passionate about fostering a supportive school environment and working closely with students, families, and colleagues to promote positive outcomes. In her free time, she enjoys traveling, photography, and staying active through working out. She is excited to be joining the ISL Qatar community.

MYP- Middle School (Grade 6-8)

Nadine Alaloul

Nadine Alaloul holds a BA Honors Specialization in Criminology and Sociology from Western University in Canada. She is currently working as a district counsellor in schools in Ontario. She has worked with a diverse population over the years, including refugees, newcomers, and international students and families.

She is a world traveler and has been to 23 countries. She is a spoken word artist and writer who loves delving into the creative world. She is passionate about wellness and enjoys yoga, hiking, and meditation. She also enjoys facilitating healing and wellness workshops in her free time to support people on their journey.

MYP/DP- High School (Grade 9-12)

Eiman Obeid (Comprehensive Counselling)

Eiman Obeid holds a BA Honours in Psychology from the University of Nebraska at Omaha and an MA in Psychology from The New School in New York City. She has taught in many different countries, including Kuwait, where she worked as a counsellor for the past two years.

She is currently working as a High School Comprehensive Counsellor and spends most of her free time reading, doing yoga, or going to the gym. She also loves swimming and travelling to new countries to explore different cultures.

Darlene Urena (Comprehensive Counselling)

Darlene Urena was born and raised in the busy city of New York and has had the privilege of working as a school counselor for over 5 years across elementary, middle, and high school levels. Her journey has taken her from the classrooms of New York to international schools in Kuwait and Albania, allowing her to support diverse student populations and collaborate with educators around the world.

Outside of work, she enjoys traveling—having explored more than 20 countries—cooking, and spending quality time with her family.

At the heart of her work is a passion for advocating for students. Whether it's guiding them through academic decisions, supporting their social-emotional growth, or helping them navigate life transitions, she is committed to ensuring every child feels seen, heard, and empowered.

She is excited to be joining ISLQ and looks forward to working closely with parents and students to support them in their academic and social-emotional journeys.