Ithraa Training Center

Our Story Ithraa Center was founded in 2008 in Amman, Jordan, by Sameer Petro, Mary Petro, and Aida Beiruty Ayoub with a mission to enrich lives and unlock human potential. Sameer Petro, CEO & Co-Founder, brought relational coaching methods from Austin, Texas, to the MENA region, while Mary Petro, Co-Founder and Head of Training, is an ICF-credentialed ACC coach. In 2014, the center expanded to Lebanon under the leadership of Dr. Chady Rahme, a clinical psychologist and IFS Co-Lead Trainer. In 2020, Ithraa launched its online platform to deliver training and coaching globally, and in 2024 it became the exclusive MENA partner for the IFS Institute, offering official IFS Level 1 and Level 2 trainings. With over 20 years of combined experience, more than 12,000 people trained, and a team of 40+ certified coaches, Ithraa serves individuals, organizations, and practitioners across 5+ countries from its offices in Amman and Beirut. The center partners with prominent regional and international organizations including USAID, GIZ, the Jordan Ministry of Health, and major financial and educational institutions. Programs & Trainings Life & Relational Coaching, One-on-one personalized sessions focused on understanding core relational needs, building self-awareness, and making sustainable changes in personal and professional relationships. Group Coaching, Collaborative sessions leveraging group dynamics for shared learning, mutual support, and deeper exploration of relational patterns. Self-Awareness & Personal Growth Coaching, Programs to discover personal values, understand the inner world, and align life with what matters most. Wellbeing & Resilience Coaching, Sessions designed to build resilience, find healthy balance, and develop tools for navigating life’s challenges with calm and clarity. Relational Needs Training, A course examining the key relational needs shared by all humans to build insight into personal and others' emotional needs. Relational Wellness Training, Group seminars and coaching designed to enhance self-awareness, humility, vulnerability, and compassion in relationships. Resilience Training, An introduction to bouncing back from adversity, covering cognitive variables, coping styles, social networks, brain mechanisms, and trainable resilience skills. Keeping Relationships Healthy for Couples, Skills-based training for couples covering communication, forgiveness, emotional presence, and awareness of relationship obstacles to help marriages thrive. Mindfulness Training, An introductory course combining lecture, practice, and discussion on meditation, present-moment awareness, and benefits for physical and mental health. Performance With Purpose, Action-oriented business training covering personality theory, motivation, and management skills such as delegation and goal-setting for professionals and teams. Leadership & Team Development, Customized programs for corporations, NGOs, and government agencies covering leadership development, emotional intelligence, communication skills, team building, and organizational development. Strategic Planning Retreats, Facilitated off-site sessions to align teams on vision, strategy, and actionable next steps. Board Retreats, Professional facilitation for board-level strategic discussions and governance reviews. Team Alignment Retreats, Experiences designed to improve team dynamics, resolve conflicts, and build shared commitment. Wellness Retreats, Holistic retreat experiences combining professional development with wellbeing practices. IFS Level 1 Training, Comprehensive foundational training introducing the Internal Family Systems model, designed for therapists, psychologists, counselors, and social workers; available in hybrid and online formats. IFS Level 2 Training, Advanced training for therapists working with trauma, attachment issues, displacement, denial of basic needs, and cultural or legacy burdens; requires completion of IFS Level 1. IFS Workshops, Professional workshops for practitioners seeking to deepen their understanding and application of the IFS model. Custom Training Programs, Tailor-made programs delivered at Ithraa’s offices, on-site at client locations, online via Zoom, or through pre-recorded courses on the center’s platform. Specialties Social-emotional health and resilience building Internal Family Systems (IFS), exclusive MENA partner for IFS Institute trainings Relational needs and couples wellness Leadership development and organizational capacity building Strategic retreat facilitation and team alignment Evidence-based coaching and therapeutic education Trauma-informed practice and conflict transformation Mindfulness and wellbeing Methods & Approach Ithraa’s work is grounded in Internal Family Systems (IFS), an evidence-based model by Dr. Richard Schwartz that views the mind as an inner system of parts, each with positive intentions, led by the Self, a natural state of calm, curiosity, compassion, and clarity. The approach is non-pathologizing and culturally sensitive, combining the latest psychological science, including relational neuroscience and positive psychology, with warmth, humility, and genuine care. Coaching is delivered by ICF-credentialed professionals. Programs are designed to create safe relational containers where sustainable change emerges from within rather than forced externally. Sessions and trainings are offered in-person at their Amman and Beirut offices, on-site at organizational locations, and online via Zoom and a dedicated learning platform. Who It's For Individuals seeking personal growth, deeper relationships, emotional wellbeing, and resilience through one-on-one or group coaching. Couples looking to strengthen communication and relational health. Organizations including corporations, NGOs, schools, and government institutions needing leadership training, team development, or strategic retreats. Mental health practitioners, therapists, psychologists, counselors, social workers, coaches, and facilitators, seeking official IFS Level 1 and Level 2 certification in the MENA region. Programs accommodate beginners in personal development as well as advanced clinicians pursuing specialized trauma training. Facilities & Practical Info Training and coaching are delivered at Ithraa’s offices in Park Plaza, Sweifieh, Amman (capacity of 50 participants), and at their Beirut, Lebanon location. Additional formats include on-site delivery at client organizations, live online sessions via Zoom, and pre-recorded courses through the center’s online platform launched in 2020. The website is available in English and Arabic. Regional and international participants are welcomed, with hybrid and online options available for IFS trainings. Location Address: Salah Al-Shemat St., Park Plaza, 7th Floor, Sweifieh, Amman, Jordan; and Al Samrani St., Al Samrani Tower, Block B, 5th Floor, Beirut, Lebanon Hours: See website for schedule The "+" Exclusive official MENA partner of the IFS Institute for Level 1 and Level 2 trainings, bringing world-class, trauma-informed education to the region. Over 20 years of experience with 12,000+ people trained and 40+ certified coaches, supported by a 4.9-star rating from 96 Google reviews. Evidence-based, non-pathologizing methodology that integrates relational neuroscience and positive psychology within a warm, culturally sensitive environment. Regional presence with established offices in both Jordan and Lebanon, serving 5+ countries and trusted by organizations such as USAID, GIZ, and the Jordan Ministry of Health.