DubaiAbout Me/Bio
I am a doctoral-level Clinical Neuropsychologist, licensed in the US (by Washington State Department of Health) and the UAE (by the Dubai Health Authority). I am currently based in Dubai, UAE. I provide comprehensive neuropsychological and psychological assessments to clarify diagnoses and recommend evidence-based treatments for the following cases: head injuries, neurodegenerative diseases (dementias, Parkinson’s disease), functional/psychosomatic disorders, epilepsy/seizures, multiple sclerosis, pre-surgical evaluations, ADHD, and psychiatric disorders. I offer psychotherapy services for the following difficulties using a patient-specific integration of psychodynamic, dialectical behavior therapy, and trauma-informed approaches: trauma and abuse, dissociative disorders, psychosomatic and chronic illnesses, personality disorders, and mood problems. I also offer psychoeducation (workshops, seminars, media support) and academic and clinical supervision for aspiring psychologists and early-career psychotherapists.
GENERAL INFORMATION
Clinic Name
The Brain Matters Center
Clinic Address
Unit 201, 48 Burj Gate
Country
United Arab Emirates
Work Phone Number
Languages
EnglishHindi
Practice
Both In-Person & Online
ABOUT Clarice Mendonca
Profession
Clinical PsychologistNeuropsychologist
Credentials
Doctor of Clinical Psychology (PsyD)
Licensing Authority
Dubai Health Authority, Washington State Department of Health
Types of Services
TherapyAssessment
Therapy
IndividualsChildrenGroup
Assessment
AutismCareerCognitiveDevelopmentalFunctionalNeurodiversityNeuropsychologicalOtherPersonalityPostsurgicalPresurgicalPsychoeducational
Additional Services
Supervision/ConsultationTrainingEducational WorkshopsCorporate TalksMedia Interview/Writing
Years of Experience
4 years
Specializations
AgingADHDAlzheimer'sAngerAnxietyAutismBody ImageChronic IllnessChronic PainDepressionDissociationsDual DiagnosisDifficulties with Eating and FoodEmotion RegulationFamily ConflictGriefInfertilityInfidelityIntellectual DisabilityLearning DisabilitiesLife crisisMen's IssuesMood SwingsNarcissistic traitsNeurological conditionObesityObsessions and CompulsionsOppositional DefianceOncologyPanicParentingPhobiasPregnancy, Prenatal, PostpartumPresurgical EvaluationRacial IdentityRelationship IssuesSelf EsteemSelf-HarmingSexual AbuseSleep or InsomniaSpiritualitySports PerformanceStressSuicidal IdeationTicTourettesTrauma and PTSDTraumatic Brain InjuryVideo GamingWeight
Approach
Acceptance and Commitment (ACT)BiofeedbackCognitive Behavioral (CBT)Dialectical (DBT)EclecticExposure Response PreventionIntegrativeMindfulness-Based (MBCT)Play TherapyPsychoanalyticPsychodynamic
Age Group
0 to 23 to 78 to 1213 to 1516 to 1819 to 2122 to 6465+
Work Hours
Mondays, Tuesdays, Fridays: 10:00am to 06:00pm, Wednesdays and Thursdays: 10:00am to 7:00pm
Appointment Wait Time
Less than a week from time of contact
Preferred Contact Method
Hoopfull Contact FormEmailOffice
Preferred Booking Method
Office
How I can help you
Through assessments, I can help you objectively identify your diagnosis (where your problems come from and what is sustaining them). The assessments I conduct also help pinpoint your strengths and weaknesses that can then be used to decide what intervention(s) would be best suited for you. For this, I first establish your “cognitive baseline” (what your brain is capable of doing) and then run tests to understand how you function (how you are able to use your resources). In psychotherapy, I offer an evidence-based approach that is best suited to what you present with (your problems, limitations, strengths, support systems, etc.). I draw from trauma-informed, psychodynamic, and dialectical behavioral approaches. Psychotherapy with me is usually a long term commitment, though I also offer briefer courses that are more practical and skills-focused. With children and teenagers, I work with the parents as well, both to support their own parenting needs, and so that the child experiences continued support beyond the weekly therapy hour.
Why I am specialized in this field
Neuropsychology; Dissociation and trauma; Supervision
What I say to people who feel nervous or have concerns about therapy/assessment
Of course! If you check that box that says “I am not a robot” then you will most likely feel some sort of not-so-comfortable feeling(s) every time you decide to give therapy /assessments a shot. I encourage my new patients to acknowledge those feelings. Especially because therapy is a collaborative therapist-patient process, being open and honest about them helps me adjust my approach to make you feel safe. I encourage my patients (and remind myself) to use that therapy/assessment-related anxiety as the guiding light so that we can discern what is needed and genuinely change.
What measures I use in assessments
Premorbid estimate/cognitive screeners, neuropsychological screeners, attention, memory, visual spatial functions, language, psychomotor functions, executive functions, personality/emotional and behavioral functioning (self-report and projective tests).