ABOUT ME/BIO
I am a U.S.-trained bilingual psychotherapist fluent in Arabic and English, working with individuals, couples, and families ages 14+ with trauma, mood disorders, emotion regulation, identity and life transitions, neurodivergence, and relationship concerns using an integrative, trauma-informed approach drawing from ACT, CBT, DBT, EFT, and solution-focused therapy.
HOW I CAN HELP YOU
In our work together, you do not need to have everything figured out or know exactly what to say. We will start where you are. My approach is warm, collaborative, and grounded in trauma informed care, which means I move at your pace and stay attentive to what feels safe, overwhelming, or just right for you.
My main approach is Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT). In simple terms, this means helping you build more flexibility with your thoughts and emotions so they do not control your life as much, and helping you move toward the things that truly matter to you. Together, we will explore your values, the kind of person you want to be and the life you want to build, and work on taking meaningful steps in that direction even when things feel hard.
I also integrate Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT) to help you notice and shift unhelpful thought patterns, and I draw from Dialectical Behavior Therapy (DBT) skills to support emotional regulation, boundaries, and real life change. When it feels helpful, I incorporate mindfulness, meditation, grounding, and body based practices such as body scanning to support your nervous system and help you feel more present and connected.
I tend to be engaged and active in sessions. I will offer reflections, ask questions, and sometimes gently challenge you, always with care and respect. I often suggest simple practices or reflections to try between sessions, not as pressure, but as a way to help you bring what we work on into your daily life. My goal is to support you in feeling more grounded, more clear, and more connected to yourself and your life.
WHY I AM SPECIALIZED IN THIS FIELD
I was drawn to this field both personally and professionally after witnessing how much mental health, especially trauma and complex trauma, is still misunderstood, stigmatized, or simply not talked about enough in many communities. As an Arab woman, I felt a deep responsibility to help create more representation in this space and to offer care that is not only clinically grounded, but also culturally sensitive, especially in a diverse place like Dubai. I genuinely care about people and their inner worlds, and about creating spaces where their struggles are taken seriously and met with compassion.
My clinical training includes being a National Certified Counselor (NCC) in the U.S., completing a Certificate in Traumatic Stress Studies through the Trauma Research Foundation, and advanced clinical training in Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT) in Pennsylvania. Through this work, I was deeply influenced by the concept of psychological flexibility as developed by Steven Hayes, and I had the opportunity to learn within spaces shaped by leaders in trauma research, including work informed by Dr. Bessel van der Kolk (author of The Body Keeps the Score). These experiences profoundly enriched my understanding of trauma and the mind–body connection, and continue to shape the way I show up with my clients: with humility, curiosity, and deep respect for their resilience.
WHAT I SAY TO PEOPLE WHO FEEL NERVOUS OR HAVE CONCERNS ABOUT THERAPY/ASSESSMENT
If you’re new to therapy, it’s completely normal to feel nervous, unsure, or even a little embarrassed about starting. Many people worry about being judged, not knowing what to say, or feeling “too much” or “not enough.” I want you to know that none of that disqualifies you from starting your healing journey. Therapy isn’t about having the right words or being a certain kind of person. It’s simply a space to show up as you are. We’ll go at your pace, and you don’t have to share anything before you’re ready. My role isn’t to “fix” or judge you, but to walk alongside you with warmth, curiosity, and respect as we make sense of what’s been weighing on you together.
WHAT MEASURES I USE IN ASSESSMENTS
Biopsychosocials, PHQ-9, GAD-7, PCL-5, DAST, AUDIT, EDE-Q, MDQ, BPQ, and the ACEs Score.
SLIDING SCALE OR PRO-BONO
At our clinic, we offer a reduced rate for every session the client attends when needed and upon request. The patient can discuss this with me personally or with the front desk, and we can discuss what works for both the clinician and the patient. We can also provide a discount if the client pays ahead of time for a specific number of sessions.
