Child & adolescent psychiatry · Ages 14 to 17
Child Psychiatrist in Dubai
Specialist child and adolescent psychiatry, expert diagnosis, compassionate care, and evidence-based treatment for teenagers across Dubai.
DHA Licensed Child & Adolescent Psychiatrists
MRCPsych / Royal College Qualified
Ages 14 to 17, Teenagers
Assessment, Diagnosis & Medication Management
No Referral Needed, Book Direct
Expert psychiatric care for teenagers, from a team that understands the adolescent mind.
At Thrive Wellbeing Centre, our DHA-licensed child psychiatrists in Dubai provide specialist assessment, diagnosis, and medication management for teenagers navigating conditions such as ADHD, anxiety, depression, and OCD. Whether your teenager needs a first assessment, a specialist second opinion, or continuity of care after relocating, we offer thorough, compassionate, evidence-based treatment, with our psychology and counselling team alongside where helpful. Get in touch on WhatsApp, no referral needed.
Who we help
Child psychiatry in Dubai, specialist support for teenagers and their families
Our child psychiatrists see young people across adolescence. Here’s who typically benefits from a child psychiatric assessment or ongoing psychiatric support.
Ages 14–17
Teenagers
Adolescence is when many psychiatric conditions first emerge, and getting the right assessment early makes a real difference. Our child psychiatrists work directly and respectfully with teenagers, taking time to understand what’s going on and involving parents appropriately, to reach a clear diagnosis and a treatment plan that fits.
- ✓ ADHD in teenagers, reassessment, diagnosis & medication review
- ✓ Depression & persistent low mood
- ✓ Anxiety disorders, GAD, social anxiety, panic disorder
- ✓ OCD, assessment & management
- ✓ Eating disorders, ARFID, anorexia, bulimia (assessment & coordination)
- ✓ Self-harm, assessment, safety planning & treatment
- ✓ Psychosis & early intervention
- ✓ Bipolar disorder, early presentation in adolescence
- ✓ Substance use & co-occurring conditions
- ✓ Third-culture kid (TCK) identity & psychiatric presentations
Referrals
Families & Referring Professionals
Much of our psychiatric work begins with a question from someone who knows the young person well, a parent, a school, or another clinician. We welcome referrals and second-opinion requests, and provide clear, collaborative assessment and reporting to support everyone involved in the young person’s care.
- ✓ Parents seeking a specialist second opinion on a diagnosis
- ✓ Schools requesting a formal psychiatric assessment
- ✓ GPs & paediatricians referring for ADHD, autism, or mood disorders
- ✓ Psychologists seeking psychiatric consultation for a shared client
- ✓ Families relocating to Dubai needing continuity of care
- ✓ Ongoing DHA-licensed medication management for a diagnosis made abroad
What we help with
What our psychiatrist for teens can help with
Our child and adolescent psychiatrists assess and treat the full range of psychiatric conditions in teenagers, from ADHD and mood disorders to more complex presentations, always working closely with families and, where helpful, our psychology team.
- ✓ ADHD, Assessment, Diagnosis & Medication
- ✓ Depression in Children & Teenagers
- ✓ OCD, Obsessive Compulsive Disorder
- ✓ Self-Harm in Teenagers
- ✓ Psychosis & Early Intervention
- ✓ PTSD & Trauma in Children and Teens
- ✓ Sleep Disorders with Psychiatric Component
- ✓ Autism Spectrum Condition (ASC), Psychiatric Evaluation
- ✓ Anxiety Disorders, GAD, Social Anxiety, Panic
- ✓ Eating Disorders, ARFID, Anorexia, Bulimia
- ✓ Emotional & Behavioural Disorders
- ✓ Bipolar Disorder in Adolescents
- ✓ Tic Disorders & Tourette’s
- ✓ Medication Continuation from Overseas
Our services
Our psychiatric services for teens
Every teenager who comes to Thrive receives care built around them, their age, their needs, their family, and their wider circle of support. These are the core services our child psychiatrists provide in Dubai.
Psychiatric Assessment & Diagnosis
A thorough psychiatric evaluation of your teenager, using structured clinical tools and information from parents and, with consent, school. You receive a clear diagnosis where appropriate and a written report with recommendations.
ADHD Assessment & Medication
Specialist ADHD assessment, diagnosis, and medication management for teenagers, including review of a diagnosis made elsewhere, with careful monitoring and regular follow-up.
Medication Management
Where medication is recommended, it is introduced carefully, fully explained, and monitored closely, always as part of a wider plan and in partnership with your teenager and your family.
Second Opinions & Overseas Continuity
For families relocating to Dubai, or seeking a specialist second opinion, we review existing diagnoses and provide ongoing DHA-licensed medication management so care continues without disruption.
Integrated Care with Psychology
Medication is rarely the whole answer. Our psychiatrists work alongside Thrive’s psychologists and counsellors, so your teenager can access therapy and psychiatric care as one joined-up plan.
School Liaison & Coordination
With your consent, our psychiatrists coordinate with your teenager’s school, sharing findings and recommendations so support is consistent across home and classroom.
Referral Letters for Therapy
Where therapy is the right next step, our psychiatrists provide clear referral letters, to Thrive’s own psychologists and counsellors or to external providers, so your teenager can access the right support without delay.
Find our clinics
Two counselling clinics in Dubai
Visit us in JLT or Dubai Sports City, both easily accessible with parking on site. Our psychiatrists also offer secure video consultations. Contact us on WhatsApp →
Thrive JLT
Office 706-710, HDS Tower, Cluster F, JLT, Dubai
Monday to Friday 9am to 8pm, Saturday 10am to 7pm, Sunday 9am to 5pm
Thrive Sports City
Office 802, The Bridge, Al Hebiah Fourth, Dubai Sports City
Mon closed · Tue–Fri 11am–8pm · Sat–Sun 10am–7pm
The process
What to expect, child psychiatry at Thrive
A clear, reassuring path from your first message through to your teenager’s ongoing psychiatric care, with parents involved throughout.
1
Get in touch, no referral needed
Contact us by phone, WhatsApp, or online form. We’ll answer your questions, explain what a child psychiatric assessment involves, and help you decide whether it’s the right step.
2
Parent intake, before the assessment
For younger teenagers, the first appointment is usually a parent meeting without your child present, to gather history and understand your concerns.
3
Assessment appointment(s)
Your child’s psychiatrist spends dedicated time with your teenager, talking, observing, and using structured clinical tools where appropriate.
4
Feedback & written report
A thorough feedback session explaining the findings, any diagnosis, and the recommended treatment plan, in clear, jargon-free language.
5
Ongoing follow-up care
Where ongoing care is needed, medication management, psychiatric monitoring, or coordinated care with our psychology team, we agree a follow-up plan that works for your family.
Meet the team
Our child psychiatrists
Our child and adolescent psychiatrists are internationally trained, warm, and experienced in the specific needs of teenagers, and in supporting the families around them.
Senior Clinicians
Dr. Ash Shishodia
DHA Licensed Consultant Psychiatrist & Medical DirectorLanguages English Services Psychiatric consultations, medication review to adults and adolescents (17+)
Dr. Enrica Verrengia
DHA Specialist PsychiatristLanguages English, Italian, Spanish Services Psychiatric consultations, medication review to adults and adolescents (14+)
Looking for a child psychologist?
Our licensed child psychologists offer assessment and therapy for children and teenagers from age 3, working closely with our psychiatry team for fully integrated care.
FAQs
Questions, answered
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A psychiatrist is a medical doctor, so psychiatric input is most relevant when there’s a question of diagnosis or medication, for example ADHD, significant depression or anxiety, OCD, bipolar disorder, or psychosis. Psychologists and counsellors provide assessment and talking therapy. At Thrive the two work together, and if you’re unsure which is right, get in touch and we’ll help you decide.
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No. You can contact us directly by phone, WhatsApp, or our online form. We do welcome referrals from GPs, paediatricians, schools, and psychologists, but they aren’t required to book an appointment.
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We usually begin with a parent intake, then the psychiatrist spends dedicated time with your teenager, talking, observing, and using structured clinical tools where appropriate. Afterwards you receive a feedback session explaining the findings, any diagnosis, and a recommended treatment plan, followed by a written report.
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Not necessarily. Medication is only recommended when it’s clearly appropriate, and always as part of a wider plan. If it is suggested, your psychiatrist will explain why, discuss the options with you and your teenager, introduce it carefully, and monitor it closely.
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Yes. Our DHA-licensed psychiatrists can review a diagnosis made overseas and, where appropriate, continue medication management locally, so your teenager’s care isn’t disrupted by relocating. Please bring any existing reports and prescriptions to the first appointment.
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A child psychiatrist is a medical doctor who can diagnose and prescribe medication. A child psychologist provides assessment and therapy through talking and evidence-based approaches, and does not prescribe. At Thrive we have both, working closely together so your child gets joined-up care.
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Our child psychiatry service is for teenagers aged 14 to 17, who are minors, so a parent or guardian is involved, particularly at intake and around any treatment decisions. That said, we give teenagers space to speak confidentially and be heard directly. From 18, care moves to our adult psychiatry team.
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Fees depend on the type and length of appointment, for example an initial assessment versus a follow-up. Please get in touch and our team will talk you through the current fees and what to expect.
Get in touch
