DubaiAbout Me/Bio
I am a UK-trained, Dubai-born Educational, Child, and Adolescent Psychologist with over 10 years of experience in Special Educational Needs and Inclusion. I am licensed to practice in the UK (HCPC registered Educational Psychologist) and within Dubai (DHA licensed).
At the moment, I specialise in providing in-depth psycho-educational assessments to children, teenagers, and adults, which includes identification (screening and/or diagnosis) of neurodevelopmental differences such as ADHD, Autism, Specific Learning Difficulties (dyslexia, dyscalculia, etc.) or clients with any other additional learning or behavioural needs.
In addition, I am trained and qualified to administer the gold-standard ADOS-2 assessment for the identification of Autism Spectrum Disorders across the lifespan.
I am a conservative assessor, which means that I only use assessments depending on the client’s profile and do not apply a standard battery of tests for every client. I also believe in the power of systemic/holistic working, which means that I appreciate opportunities to work closely with schools and families wherever possible.
I also work on a consultation-only basis if needed, supporting clients, parents, or families to explore neurodiversity, different diagnoses, and their impact on functioning, and also offering parenting support, in cases when assessment is not an option, or post the assessment process.
I am passionate about community outreach and continue to work with governmental institutions, schools, and private training providers in the UAE, Asia, and Europe to provide inclusion support through consultation and training for parents and teachers.
Prior to qualifying as an Educational Psychologist, I worked as a SEND Educator and job coach, specialising in promoting the independence of teenagers with SEND using a vocational outlook.
Currently, in addition to my clinical practice, I work as a (part-time) academic lecturer at a UK-based university in Dubai, where I teach and supervise both undergraduate and postgraduate students within the domains of Education and Psychology. I have also presented my research and national and international conferences and believe in the integration of evidence-based interventions into my clinical practice.
At the moment, I specialise in providing in-depth psycho-educational assessments to children, teenagers, and adults, which includes identification (screening and/or diagnosis) of neurodevelopmental differences such as ADHD, Autism, Specific Learning Difficulties (dyslexia, dyscalculia, etc.) or clients with any other additional learning or behavioural needs.
In addition, I am trained and qualified to administer the gold-standard ADOS-2 assessment for the identification of Autism Spectrum Disorders across the lifespan.
I am a conservative assessor, which means that I only use assessments depending on the client’s profile and do not apply a standard battery of tests for every client. I also believe in the power of systemic/holistic working, which means that I appreciate opportunities to work closely with schools and families wherever possible.
I also work on a consultation-only basis if needed, supporting clients, parents, or families to explore neurodiversity, different diagnoses, and their impact on functioning, and also offering parenting support, in cases when assessment is not an option, or post the assessment process.
I am passionate about community outreach and continue to work with governmental institutions, schools, and private training providers in the UAE, Asia, and Europe to provide inclusion support through consultation and training for parents and teachers.
Prior to qualifying as an Educational Psychologist, I worked as a SEND Educator and job coach, specialising in promoting the independence of teenagers with SEND using a vocational outlook.
Currently, in addition to my clinical practice, I work as a (part-time) academic lecturer at a UK-based university in Dubai, where I teach and supervise both undergraduate and postgraduate students within the domains of Education and Psychology. I have also presented my research and national and international conferences and believe in the integration of evidence-based interventions into my clinical practice.
GENERAL INFORMATION
Clinic Name
The Free Spirit Collective
Clinic Address
Ground Floor City Walk - Building 5 - Happiness St - Al Wasl - Dubai
Country
United Arab Emirates
Email Address
Work Phone Number
Languages
EnglishHindiSindhiUrdu
Insurance
Pay and Claim/Reimbursement
Practice
Both In-Person & Online
ABOUT Diksha Laungani
Profession
Educational PsychologistSchool Psychologist
Credentials
D.Ed.Psy, B.Sc (Hons)
Licensing Authority
DHA (Dubai), HCPC (UK)
Types of Services
Assessment
Assessment
AutismCognitiveDevelopmentalFunctionalNeurodiversityNeuropsychologicalOtherPsychoeducational
Additional Services
Supervision/ConsultationTeachingTrainingEducational WorkshopsCorporate TalksMedia Interview/Writing
Years of Experience
10
Specializations
ADHDAnxietyAutismDual DiagnosisEmotion RegulationImpulse controlIntellectual DisabilityLearning DisabilitiesParentingSelf Esteem
Approach
Acceptance and Commitment (ACT)Cognitive Behavioral (CBT)EclecticFamily SystemsHumanisticIntegrativeParent-Child Interaction (PCIT)PhenomenologicalPlay TherapySolution Focused Brief (SFBT)
Age Group
0 to 23 to 78 to 1213 to 1516 to 1819 to 2122 to 64
Sliding scale or pro-bono
I am able to offer reduced-cost assessments to clients/families, on a case-by-case basis, subject to approval from management. I recognise that testing services in the region are expensive and would like to be able to support them in any way possible. In the future, I hope that this becomes less of a barrier to accessing psychological services!
Work Hours
Thursdays and Fridays, including evenings
Appointment Wait Time
Less than a week from time of contact
Preferred Contact Method
Hoopfull Contact FormEmailOffice
How I can help you
Apart from psycho-educational assessments, a major part of my role involves using consultations. I can work on a consultation-only basis if needed, supporting clients, parents, or families to explore neurodiversity, different diagnoses, and their impact on functioning, and also offering parenting support, in cases when assessment is not an option, or post the assessment process.
What I say to people who feel nervous or have concerns about therapy/assessment
In my practice, I come across clients, young people, parents and/or families who may often feel indifferent or nervous about the ‘diagnostic’ part of assessments.
How I usually address this is by:
1. Acknowledging that it is completely okay to feel sceptical about diagnosis, or assessments
2. Start working with the client from where they are at. This could mean having a couple of consultations before assessment, or removing the diagnosis part from assessment for a while, or sharing my hypothesis right from the very beginning
3. Maintaining strict codes of confidentiality and ethics throughout the process
How I usually address this is by:
1. Acknowledging that it is completely okay to feel sceptical about diagnosis, or assessments
2. Start working with the client from where they are at. This could mean having a couple of consultations before assessment, or removing the diagnosis part from assessment for a while, or sharing my hypothesis right from the very beginning
3. Maintaining strict codes of confidentiality and ethics throughout the process
Sliding scale or pro-bono
I am able to offer reduced-cost assessments to clients/families, on a case-by-case basis, subject to approval from management. I recognise that testing services in the region are expensive and would like to be able to support them in any way possible. In the future, I hope that this becomes less of a barrier to accessing psychological services!