Confidential counselling · In-person & online
Counselling in Dubai
Warm, confidential, evidence-based counselling for individuals, couples, and families, in person across Dubai or online, wherever you are.
DHA & CDA Licensed Clinicians
Internationally Accredited Team
Individuals, Couples & Families
In-Person & Online Sessions
No Referral Needed, Book Direct
Counselling isn’t just for moments of crisis, it’s for anyone who wants to feel better, think more clearly, or navigate life with more ease.
At Thrive Wellbeing Centre, our counselling psychologists in Dubai offer a warm, confidential space where you can speak openly and work through whatever is weighing on you. Whether you’re dealing with stress, relationship difficulties, grief, or a major life change, we’re here to help. Get in touch on WhatsApp, no referral needed.
Who we help
Counselling in Dubai for every stage of life
Counselling isn’t just for people in crisis, it’s for anyone who wants to feel better, think more clearly, or navigate life’s challenges with more ease. Here’s who we work with at Thrive.
01
Individuals
Sometimes things feel harder than they should, and it’s difficult to know where to turn. Our counsellors work with individuals facing a wide range of personal challenges, from everyday stress and anxiety to deeper emotional difficulties. Whatever you’re carrying, our goal is to help you understand it, work through it, and find a way forward that feels right for you.
- ✓ Stress, burnout & work-related difficulties
- ✓ Anxiety and worry
- ✓ Depression and low mood
- ✓ Grief, loss & bereavement
- ✓ Low self-esteem & lack of confidence
- ✓ Life transitions, career, identity, major change
- ✓ Anger & emotional difficulties
- ✓ Trauma & difficult past experiences
02
Couples & Families
Relationships are at the heart of our wellbeing, and when they’re struggling, everything feels harder. Our counsellors work with couples and families to improve communication, rebuild trust, and navigate difficult transitions together. Whether you’re facing conflict, considering separation, or simply feeling disconnected, counselling can help you find a way through, together or apart.
- ✓ Communication breakdown & conflict
- ✓ Trust issues & infidelity
- ✓ Separation, divorce & co-parenting
- ✓ Parenting stress & family dynamics
- ✓ Pre-marital counselling
- ✓ Intimacy & relationship satisfaction
- ✓ Blended families & step-parenting challenges
03
Expats & Professionals
Living and working in Dubai brings unique pressures, the pace, the transience, the distance from home. Our counsellors understand what expat life actually involves and bring that context into the room. Whether you’re adjusting to a new culture, managing career pressure, or feeling isolated in a city that never stops moving, we’re here to help.
- ✓ Expat adjustment & culture shock
- ✓ Loneliness & social isolation in Dubai
- ✓ Career pressure, burnout & workplace stress
- ✓ Identity & belonging as an expat
- ✓ Relationship strain from relocation
- ✓ Counselling support for expat children & teens
What we help with
What our counselling can help with
Our counselling psychologists have experience across a wide range of difficulties. Whether you’re dealing with something specific or simply not feeling like yourself, the table gives a sense of what we work with, though it’s by no means exhaustive.
- ✓ Anxiety & Stress
- ✓ Relationship Difficulties
- ✓ Burnout & Work Stress
- ✓ Low Self-Esteem & Confidence
- ✓ Anger & Emotional Regulation
- ✓ Pre-marital & Relationship Counselling
- ✓ Depression & Low Mood
- ✓ Grief & Bereavement
- ✓ Trauma & Difficult Experiences
- ✓ Life Transitions & Identity
- ✓ Expat Adjustment & Isolation
- ✓ Addiction & Unhealthy Habits
Our services
Our counselling services in Dubai
Individual Counselling
One-to-one sessions with a counsellor who gets to know you properly, your history, your patterns, and what you want to change. Individual counselling gives you dedicated space to explore what’s going on and work toward lasting change, at a pace that suits you.
Couples Counselling
Whether you’re in crisis or simply drifting apart, couples counselling offers a structured space to communicate more honestly and rebuild your connection. Our counsellors draw on evidence-based approaches including the Gottman Method to help couples move through conflict and toward something better.
Family Counselling
Family dynamics are complex, and sometimes an outside perspective makes all the difference. Our family counsellors work with the whole unit, parents, children, and teens, helping families communicate better, resolve conflict, and support one another through change.
Online Counselling
All of our counsellors offer secure online sessions via HIPAA-compliant video, just as effective as in-person, and far more convenient if your schedule is demanding or you’re not based in JLT. Online counselling works for individuals, couples, and families.
Find our clinics
Two counselling clinics in Dubai
Visit us in JLT or Dubai Sports City, both easily accessible with parking on site. Prefer to meet online? All our counsellors offer secure video sessions too. 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 from counselling at Thrive
Here’s what the process looks like, from your first contact through to ongoing counselling.
1
Get in touch, no referral needed
Contact us by phone, WhatsApp, or online form. We’ll answer your questions and match you with the right counsellor.
2
Your first session
A warm, unhurried conversation. Your counsellor listens carefully and asks what’s brought you in and what you’d like to get from counselling.
3
A personalised plan
Your counsellor outlines what they recommend, how many sessions, which approach, and what to focus on together.
4
Ongoing sessions
Regular sessions, usually weekly or fortnightly, at a rhythm that fits your life, adapted as your needs change.
5
Flexibility around your life
Early morning, evening, and weekend appointments, plus secure online sessions whenever you need them.
Meet the team
Meet our counselling team
Our counselling team brings together internationally trained psychologists with experience across a wide range of personal, relational, and emotional challenges.
Senior Clinicians
Dr. Sarah Rasmi
Licensed PsychologistLanguages English Services Managing Director & Founder · Not taking new clients
Sonia Singhal, M.Ed., M.A.
Licensed Psychologist & Lead Assessment SpecialistLanguages English Services Individual, family & couples counselling; assessments
Dr. Kate Prozeller
Licensed PsychologistLanguages English Services Individual therapy (16+), couples therapy
Pashmi Khare
Licensed PsychologistLanguages English, Hindi, and Urdu Services Individual therapy (18+), couples therapy, family therapy
Maša Karleuša Valkanou
Licensed PsychologistLanguages English, Serbian, Croatian, Bosnian Services Individual therapy (10+) couples & family
Jessica Rosslee
Licensed PsychologistLanguages English, Afrikaans Services Individual therapy (16+), couples therapy, parental guidance
Dr. Chasity O'Connell
Licensed PsychologistLanguages English Services Individual therapy (18+), Couples therapy
Dr. Diana Cheaib Houry
Licensed PsychologistLanguages English, Arabic, French Services Individual therapy (21+)
Sofia Stigka
Licensed PsychologistLanguages English, Greek Services Individual therapy with children and adolescents, psychoeducational assessments
Dr. Cynthia Ghosn
Licensed PsychologistLanguages English, Arabic Services Anxiety, depression, burnout, life transitions, relationships
Joslin Gracias
Licensed PsychologistLanguages English, Hindi Services Individual therapy (16+), couples therapy
Corina Saramet
Licensed PsychologistLanguages English, Romanian, & Spanish Services Individual therapy (16+)
Dr. Dana Jammal
Licensed PsychologistLanguages English, Arabic Services Individual therapy (16+), couples therapy
Michelle Estekantchi
Licensed PsychologistLanguages English, Farsi (limited working proficiency) Services Individual therapy to children, adolescents, and adults
Christi Gadd
Licensed PsychologistLanguages English, Afrikaans Services Individual therapy (18+), couples therapy, sex therapy, family therapy
Valen Valentine, M.A.
Licensed PsychologistLanguages English, Arabic Services Anxiety, mood, relationships, self-esteem, children & teens
Dr. Manuela Paone
Licensed PsychologistLanguages English, Italian Services Individual therapy (21+)
Leticia Rullan
Licensed PsychologistLanguages English, Spanish Services Individual therapy (21+), Couples therapy, Family therapy
Dr. Jessica Rios-Habib
Licensed PsychologistLanguages English, Spanish Services Individual therapy (10+), couples therapy, parent/family therapy
Magdalena Karakehayova, M.Sc.
Licensed PsychologistLanguages English, Bulgarian Services Couples & family counselling, anxiety, depression, parenting
Dahlia Yamout
Licensed PsychologistLanguages English & Arabic Services Individual therapy for adults
Dina Shamlawi
Licensed PsychologistLanguages Arabic & English Services Individual therapy (18+), couples therapy
Mahnoor Zulfiqar, M.Sc.
Licensed PsychologistLanguages English, Urdu, Hindi Services Relationships, anxiety, phobias, self-esteem, stress
Halima Said, M.Sc.
Licensed Social Counsellor & Sex TherapistLanguages English, Arabic Services Trauma, anxiety, eating disorders, intimacy, sex therapy
Dr. Reem Abu Hweij
Licensed PsychologistLanguages English, Arabic Services Individual therapy (18+), couples therapy. Specializes in trauma, anxiety, depression, and personality disorders
Early Career Professionals
Reduced-fee therapy from a newly-trained psychotherapist working under the close supervision of one of our more seasoned psychologists.
Kriti Kothari, M.Sc.
Licensed Psychologist & Early Career ProfessionalLanguages English, Hindi, Gujarati Services Depression, anxiety, addictions
Horeya Khidr, M.Sc.
Licensed Psychologist & Early Career ProfessionalLanguages English, Arabic Services Emotional regulation, anxiety, stress
Natalie Maaitah
Licensed Psychologist & Early Career ProfessionalLanguages English, Arabic Services Individual therapy for adults, adolescents, and children. Specializes in ASD, ADHD, anxiety, emotion regulation, and behavioural challenges. ECP program, supervised by Dr. Chasity O'Connell.
FAQs
Questions, answered
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In practice, the terms are often used interchangeably. Both involve working with a trained professional to explore difficulties and find ways forward. At Thrive, our counsellors are licensed psychologists and psychotherapists, not life coaches, so the support you receive is clinically grounded regardless of what you call it.
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A counselling psychologist holds a postgraduate degree in psychology or counselling and is licensed to provide therapeutic support. At Thrive, all our counsellors hold either a DHA or CDA licence to practise in Dubai.
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No. You can contact us directly by phone, WhatsApp, or our online form and we’ll help you find the right counsellor for your needs.
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Our fees vary depending on the clinician and session type. Please get in touch and we’ll share our current fee structure.
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Yes. Research consistently shows that online counselling is as effective as in-person for most concerns. All our online sessions are conducted via a secure, HIPAA-compliant platform.
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This varies depending on what you’re working through. Some people find significant benefit in 6 to 8 sessions; others prefer longer-term support. Your counsellor will discuss a recommended approach after your first session.
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Yes. Our team offers counselling in Arabic, French, Spanish, Italian, Hindi, Urdu, Bulgarian, and more. Get in touch and we’ll match you with the right clinician.
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If your needs go beyond what counselling can address, for example, if medication might help, we’ll connect you with one of our in-house psychiatrists. We work as an integrated team, so you never have to start over.
Get in touch
