Therapist Career Journeys in the GCC  

We interviewed some clinicians in the UAE and in another GCC country. These therapists have full schedules (20+ clients per week) and some are not accepting new clients. They answered a few questions related to their experiences in their career journey. We asked each of them questions related to their sources of referral, professional development, their special interests, and about supervision.

The answers are based on the therapists’ personal experiences and are not endorsed by Hoopfull with regards to how one “should” build their practice or career. Furthermore, this brief exploration is, of course, not a qualitative study. We hope, however, that the answers may be helpful to early career therapists who have recently joined the field in the GCC.  

'It’s been hard to establish myself here'

Nikita Barretto is a Hoopfull member and a clinical psychologist at a center that was established in the mid 90s in Dubai.

How long have you been practicing excluding graduate studies? 

This is my 11th year. It’s been hard to establish myself here in Dubai, especially being a person of color and without a Western degree, which somehow seems like a primary criteria. This difficulty was present right from the licensing procedure to building a client base and referral system over the years.

Who are your top three biggest sources of referral? How did they get to know you?

My referrals come from a few psychiatrists but primarily word of mouth of my clients. I got to know some of the psychiatrists when I worked with them. Others, I connected with because we worked with the same clients. The clients would mention me to their psychiatrist through which I then got new referrals. 

How much do you invest in continuing professional development? 

Approximately 1000 to 4000 AED a year.

Do you have one or two areas you are passionate about? And how did you come across these areas?

In terms of therapy CBT, DBT and the Gottman Method are the main areas of learning I focus on. I do try to learn new approaches to provide the client with a more holistic and eclectic approach. From the perspective of mental health conditions my main areas of interest are mood disorders and personality disorders.

Do you have mentors/supervisors?

Yes, I have a supervisor who I meet every month. At our clinic we also have case discussions every month. Additionally, we have a small peer group that supports cases on as-needed basis. 

Anything else you’d like to add?

For new therapist, learning is key. Ask for help, no question is a bad question. Most senior therapists are willing to assist. Don't be afraid of mistakes, the fact that you are trying means you are doing your best. Finally, to quote Maya Angelou, "When you know better, you do better." 

'I’m super passionate about all issues related to children'

Dr Nayla Daou owns a psychology counseling and assessment practice Clearminds Center in Dubai. This center is dedicated to working with children and parents.

How long have you been practicing excluding graduate studies?

 I’ve been practicing for 10 years after graduation. 

Who are your top sources of referral?

My most common referrals are from pediatricians, word of mouth (friends and families of clients), and from Google search. 

How much do you invest in continuing professional development?

I invest a lot of time and money in continuing education (every few months). I do workshops and trainings to further my skills and knowledge.  

Do you have one or two areas you are passionate about? And how did you come across these areas?

I’m super passionate about all issues related to children. I really love to work with parents because I see how quickly the changes, they make in their parenting impact their kids’ wellbeing. I am very passionate about EMDR (Eye Movement Desensitization and Processing) and IFS (Internal Family Systems) and incorporate it into my work with all my clients. 

All my continuing education credits are about EMDR and IFS. I came across EMDR when a training was running in 2017 through another center. I then did further training in EMDR with children. My EMDR supervisor at the time used IFS in her work with clients and taught me a lot about IFS.

Do you have mentors/supervisors?

I am in search of a (new) supervisor and most definitely value regular supervision. It’s essential in my work. I personally think it’s essential for new therapists to have a key interest and carve out a specialty and not have a restricted view on treatment. Also, it’s very important to do quality continuing education as trainings or workshops not just informal talks.

'I see a niche population'

Kristan Lloyd is a clinical director and clinical psychologist at Reverse Psychology.

How long have you been practicing excluding graduate studies?

I've been practicing for 12 years.

Who are your top three biggest sources of referral? How did they get to know you? 

My top referrals are doctors and schools that I have built up professional relationships with. I see a niche population and have connected with other professionals who also work with a similar demographic. Initially, they got to know me through word of mouth and working on the same cases. Once we were aware we were seeing the same clients, we would connect and establish a relationship. 

How much do you invest in continuing professional development?

Since beginning my clinical work I have always taken on new cases and then upskilled in order to provide the gold standard of evidence-based care. For instance, when I began practicing, I was seeing children younger than five. As such, I invested in filial therapy training. This has been a constant in my practice: taking on new referrals and constantly improving my knowledge base and skills set. 

Do you have one or two areas you are passionate about? And how did you come across these areas?

Absolutely! I am passionate about working with dysfunctional family systems and personality disorders. I came across these accidentally. It was through working with many different cases and referrals that I discovered and developed my niche. 

Do you have mentors/supervisors? 

Yes! I have had many mentors over the years. As I continuously expand my knowledge base and skills set, I seek out support from more experienced therapists in the various fields.

'I am interested in using elements of different approaches'

Toubia Farah works at a large mental health clinic with centers across various emirates with a multidisciplinary team. 

How long have you been practicing excluding graduate studies?

I have been practicing for over 10 years and have been in the UAE for 1.5 years. 

Who are your top sources of referral? 

My biggest sources of referral in the UAE are psychiatrists, as it is insurance based here. Of course, fellow therapists play a role in referring clients as well, especially family members of their own clients.

How much do you invest in continuing professional development?

I invested in a lot of CPD, I am interested in using elements of different approaches and I pick these areas depending on the specific things I face as a clinician.

Do you have mentors/supervisors? 

Yes, I have a supervisor, I see her once a month, sometimes twice a month depending on the situation. 

'I find that when someone is not a generalist, they tend to find more clients that click with them'

We also spoke to a clinician who works as part of a well-established center in GCC country who preferred to remain unnamed. 

How long have you been practicing excluding graduate studies? 

I've been working for 10 years.

What are your top sources of referral? How did they get to know you? 

The number one referral source has been word of mouth, as well as family doctors and psychiatrists. It’s a small community so it can be different from Dubai and UAE in general as there aren’t many qualified therapists. 40% of my practice is psychotherapy. 50-60% is doing disability evaluations for former US veterans who are on contract on a military base. 

I trained in the US in evaluating and treating PTSD. Other clinicians who have been seeing patients within the military community have been referring to me because they have seen the quality of my reports.

Let’s say someone goes to a family doctor or GP complaining about their physical pain and sleep issues and panic attacks they will then be referred to:

• An orthopedic specialist
• A sleep specialist to be evaluated e.g., for sleep apnea
• And, me, as a mental health specialist

Word of mouth has been a very big source of referral. By and large, a lot of psychiatrists have been hiring their own therapists and tend to refer to their own therapist. We don’t have a psychiatrist on staff in our center. 

How much do you invest in continuing professional development? Do you have one or two areas you are passionate about? 

 I invest quite a bit in CPD’s. I’m lucky enough to work in a clinic that provides a budget for professional development. I get the equivalent to 10,000 AED per year for professional development.

I have areas I am passionate about, that’s one of the reasons I have been saturated with my schedule. My top area of interest right now is personality disorders including but not limited to NPD and BPD. I also specialize in complex trauma/PTSD and traumatogenic disorders. More recently I have developed a passion for helping narcissistic abuse survivors and helping them, including the work of Dr. Ramani Durvasula. 

I invest the vast majority of my CPD hours in those areas, but I also try to diversify so as not to pigeonhole myself so I study polyvagal theory, tapping techniques, and things that I find would be adjacent and important for those areas of expertise. I find that when someone is not a generalist, they tend to find more of the client that clicks with them. Filling the schedule becomes a happy coincidence not the goal. I am very private and have no public presence or social media. I work very quietly, that’s perhaps why I’m also sought after because of the trust in privacy.

Do you have mentors/supervisors?

I speak to people who used to be my supervisors whose work I respect.  

'I work hard to not be a clinician in isolation'

Dr Sarah Sease is a clinical psychologist at a psychotherapy group practice in Dubai.

How long have you been practicing excluding graduate studies? 

I have been practicing since 2016 in the States and then in Dubai since 2019.

Who were your top three biggest sources of referral? How did they know you?

I get referrals from:

• OB/GYNS and other medical professionals
• Other therapists
• Word of mouth

For the medical professionals, I reached out and networked on my own to make and build those connections. Additionally, those doctors will make connections for me to other doctors. For other therapists, I just collaborating over joint or referred cases and then I become referred and also me referring out to other therapists. As to word of mouth, a number of my clients will refer me to other friends or colleagues. I have a few who will refer me on groups and social media posts (American moms of Dubai).

How much do you invest in continuing professional development? Do you have one or two areas you are passionate about? How did you come across these areas?

I have to do 40 credits per 2 years. So, I average about $2K in USD per year to do trainings and ongoing educations.

I am passionate about sexuality! It's a lust lifelong interest and passion and there’s such a need that it naturally cultivated this pathway. I am also interested in trauma. I've worked with military and trauma is very close. I come from a military family, so it makes sense. It’s a very underserved population. Additionally, traumas are very common amid sexuality difficulties.

Do you have mentors/supervisors?

I have two in the States. Both help support and hone my sexuality work. I have mentors and supports from my grad school classmates, so I routinely talk with them and so case consults. I also routinely consult with other therapists in Dubai.

Anything else you’d like to add?

I am a firm believer in therapist communities and supportive spaces. I work hard to not be a clinician in isolation and try to be holistic and mindful of a number of different approaches (medical, alternative supports, etc.) and build a network while also building my own knowledge and skills set. 

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