Clarice Mendonca

Dubai

Clinical Psychologist,Neuropsychologist

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ABOUT ME/BIO

I am a US-trained, Dubai-based Clinical Psychologist and Clinical Neuropsychologist, practicing at The MapleTree Center and serving as Chair of the Neuropsychological Society UAE. Born and raised in Dubai, my work is informed by a deep understanding of cultural diversity, high-performance environments, and the psychological demands of life in the UAE.

I provide specialized assessment and psychotherapy services for adolescents and adults, with particular expertise in working with corporate leaders and professionals, high-potential and gifted adolescents, and women across the reproductive and professional lifespan (including pregnancy, early motherhood, and work–life transitions).

As one of a small number of licensed neuropsychologists in the region, I offer comprehensive neuropsychological assessments completed within 7–10 days. The evaluations support diagnostic clarity, performance optimization, and academic or workplace accommodations in the context of neurological, psychiatric, medical, and high-performance conditions. My reports are detailed, clinically integrated, and tailored to real-world demands.

In psychotherapy, I take an integrative and relational approach, drawing from psychodynamic, attachment-based, DBT, mindfulness, trauma-informed, and EMDR frameworks. My work focuses on emotional regulation, identity, performance pressure, relational patterns, and sustainable functioning.

Often (when needed), I work closely with the client's "village", i.e. their families, caregivers, schools, and medical and allied health professionals across neurology, neurosurgery, psychiatry, sports medicine, and occupational health.

Alongside clinical practice, I provide psychological consultation for organizations, leadership teams, and professional groups, and contribute to the advancement of neuropsychological standards in the UAE through my role with the Neuropsychology Society UAE.

General information

CLINIC NAME

The MapleTree Psychotherapy Center

CLINIC ADDRESS

Office 401, Tameem House, Barsha Heights

COUNTRY

United Arab Emirates

WEBSITE

https://tmtcdubai.com/about-us/dubai-psychologists-team/dr-clarice-mendonca-psyd-usa/

LANGUAGES

EnglishHindiUrdu

INSURANCE

Pay and claim basis

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

IndividualsGroup

ASSESSMENT

AutismCognitiveDevelopmentalFunctionalNeurodiversityNeuropsychologicalOtherPersonalityPostsurgicalPresurgicalPsychoeducational

ADDITIONAL SERVICES

Supervision/ConsultationTeachingTrainingEducational WorkshopsCorporate TalksMedia Interview/Writing

YEARS OF EXPERIENCE

10 years

SPECIALIZATIONS

ADHDAgingAlzheimer'sAngerAnxietyAutismBody ImageChronic IllnessChronic PainDepressionDifficulties with Eating and FoodDissociationsDual DiagnosisDyslexiaEmotion RegulationFamily ConflictGiftednessGriefImpulse controlInfertilityInfidelityIntellectual DisabilityLearning DisabilitiesLearning DifficultiesLife crisisMen's IssuesMood SwingsNeurological conditionObesityObsessions and CompulsionsOncologyOppositional DefiancePanicParentingPersonality DisordersPhobiasPregnancy, Prenatal, PostpartumPresurgical EvaluationRelationship IssuesScoliosis SupportSelf EsteemSelf-HarmingSex AddictionSexual AbuseSexual IssuesSleep or InsomniaSpiritualitySports PerformanceStressSubstance UseSuicidal IdeationTicTourettesTrauma and PTSDTraumatic Brain InjuryVideo GamingWeightWomen's Issues

APPROACH

Acceptance and Commitment (ACT)BiofeedbackCognitive Behavioral (CBT)Dialectical (DBT)EclecticEMDRIntegrativeMindfulness-Based (MBCT)PsychodynamicSomatic

AGE GROUP

13 to 1516 to 1819 to 2122 to 6465+

WORK HOURS

Mondays through Fridays: 08:00am to 07:00pm, Saturdays: 09:00am to 4:00pm

APPOINTMENT WAIT TIME

Less than a week from time of contact

HOW I CAN HELP YOU

Through assessments, I can help you objectively identify accurate diagnoses (i.e., where your problems come from and what is sustaining them). The assessments I conduct pinpoint 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) and what may be affecting your functioning.

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. When needed, I work with parents, caregivers, and other involved in your care, both to support them as caregivers, and to facilitate continued support beyond your therapy hours.

WHY I AM SPECIALIZED IN THIS FIELD

I completed advanced and specialized training in neuropsychology and psychodynamic psychotherapy during my doctoral program.

My training in the US helped me think and work beyond the textbook; I am able to think critically and creatively, within a scientific and cultural framework, that helps every patient/client in the most effective way. My services are characterized by genuine personal encounters; my patients/clients often remark that they feel deeply seen, heard, and understood. It is this mutual connection that forms the bedrock of true, lasting healing.

My life experiences as a Dubai-born Indian expat give me the ability to work in a way that is adapted to the reality of everyone's experience. I frequently find myself building bridges across untouched gaps. This draws me to offer support in the form of supervision, research, and development to those who are wading through relatively uncharted waters similar to my own.

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). Some of the specific measures frequently used as part of my test battery include the most updated versions of the WAIS, WISC, WIAT, WASI, RBANS, MOCA, MMSE, NAB, DKEFS, WMS, CVLT, MINI, MMPI, PAI, Rorschach, WHOQOL-BREF, SDQ, etc.

SLIDING SCALE OR PRO-BONO

I provide reduced-fee services based on availability. Please reach out to me directly if you need this.