Best Psychologists in Dubai Marina Walk - دبي مارينا - دبي - United Arab Emirates

Dr. Girish Banwari is an experienced psychiatrist. He has over 15 years of clinical experience in both government & private settings in specialised psychiatry clinics as well as tertiary care, multi-speciality hospitals. In addition, he has worked as Assistant Professor of Psychiatry at reputed medical colleges in India. He is a passionate educator and has previously been extensively involved in teaching undergraduate medical students along with being a faculty member of the postgraduate psychiatry training program.

Dr. Banwari is active in research and his academic inclination has seen him present scientific papers & conduct symposia in numerous conferences & seminars, with many “Best Paper Awards” to his credit. In addition, he has many publications in indexed journals. He has served as a peer reviewer in international medical journals such as Sexual Health (Australia), BMJ Case Reports (UK), East Asian Archives of Psychiatry (Hong Kong), & Journal of Child & Adolescent Mental Health (South Africa).

Dr. Banwari has a special interest in Psychopharmacology and treats numerous mental health conditions including schizophrenia, bipolar disorder, anxiety, depression and personality disorders amongst others. He treats patients of all ages with a focus on adults & the elderly.

Reine has made it her priority in life to serve the community. She established Talking Brains Center FZE in DSO, Dubai. She has over 19 years of experience in the Speech Therapy and Neuropsychology professions, while holding several degrees including Masters in Neuropsychology (Clinical psychologist) from Angers University in France, Graduate Diploma in School Psychology from the Lebanese University, Master in Speech Therapy from the Lebanese University, and French Baccalauréat (Biology) from Notre Dame de Jamhour in Lebanon. She took part in numerous internship hours in Toulouse and Albi in France.

Reine has extensive clinical experience as a Trilingual Speech Therapist (Arabic, French and English) and as Neuropsychologist. She gained this experience by working for distinguished organizations such as Medcare Medical center in Dubai, School of Notre Dame Jamhour in Lebanon, School of Saint Gregoire Achrafieh in Lebanon, Geriatric and Rehabilitation Center of Notre Dame Hadeth in Lebanon, The Lebanese Army Medical Hospital, Lebanon, and her own private clinic in Lebanon.

Reine’s clinical experience includes Dyslexia, Dyscalculia, Attention Deficit Disorder, Stuttering and the evaluation of cognitive functions (language, memory attention, agnosia, apraxia), the planning and the administration of therapies to patients from all ages suffering from CVA, aphasia, brain injuries, swallowing disorders, speech and language delay, dyslexia, dyscalculia, stuttering etc.

She has attended many seminars and conducted several trainings in the following areas: Rehabilitation in Neurological Dysarthria, Dyslexia, Dyscalculia, Stuttering, Swallowing Disorders, Autism, Cognitive Education and logical reasoning.

Reine is dedicated to continuing education which includes:

·      Lee Silverman Voice Treatment (LSVT) for neurological Dysarthria treatment 

·      It Takes Two to Talk - The Hanen Program certificate to address families of children with language delays

·      More Than Words - children with social communication difficulties

·      Autism Talkability Program- program to develop the Theory of Mind

·      Makaton - An alternative way to communicate and stimulate language using gestural communication (sign language)

Reine is a co-founder of the Emirates SLP Society and a member of the Lebanese SLP Association (ALO).

Andria Calicchio graduated with a Bachelor of Arts Honours in Speech-Language Pathology and Audiology from the University of Witwatersrand in South Africa, in 2008. Soon after graduating, she worked for a government hospital in South Africa as part of her community service, where she set up both a NICU feeding clinic and audiology out-patient clinic.  

After working within a private practice in South Africa for 2 years, where she saw both paediatric and adult patients, she decided to move to Dubai. Andria worked at a private medical centre in Dubai for 4 years, focusing on paediatrics and school-based therapy. She has provided one to one sessions, group sessions as well as multi-disciplinary sessions, and classroom-based activities. She has experience in oral-motor therapy, stuttering therapy, auditory processing therapy, visual-auditory based therapy for hearing impaired, and language therapy. She is also certified in interactive metronome and completed levels 1 – 3 of the Orton Gillingham dyslexia program.

Andria’s main focus and passion are on early intervention therapy and inclusion of children with learning difficulties and developmental disorders within mainstream schools. She previously held a position of Head of Schools in which she oversaw all therapy-based interventions within schools, assisted schools with the training of staff and helped develop therapy within mainstream schools within Dubai. Andria’s focus was also on training both teachers and parents in childhood disorders, as well as provided workshops where needed.

Andria bases all therapy and intervention within the importance of the patient’s triad within their life: school/work/environment, family and therapy. She strongly feels that all aspects need to work together in order to fully assist any patient. With a passion for inclusion, Andria is currently completing her masters in inclusive education in Dubai schools, focusing on early years and hearing-impaired learners.

Lydia Miller is a UK qualified Psychotherapist specialising in Cognitive Behavioural Therapy (CBT) and Emotion Focused Therapy. After qualifying Lydia worked with a wide range of difficulties while working with the NHS using CBT and CFT. She has centred her practice around improving the wellbeing of her patients, by creating a supportive environment for them to break down their problems. She sees private patients at the Psychiatry and Therapy Centre.

Lydia gained her BSc in Psychology at Sheffield Hallam University and went on to gain her MSc in Psychology, specialising in CBT. After qualifying, Lydia treated a wide range of patients while working in the NHS, using CBT and Compassion Focussed Therapy (CFT) and Commitment therapy (ACT).

Dr. Ummesalma Bobadia (Tambawala) is a professional and passionate Occupational Therapist with two years of experience in areas like neurological conditions, pediatrics, and mental health. She had completed her bachelor’s degree in Occupational Therapy from Maharashtra University of Health Sciences (MUHS), India in 2018. During her course, she was awarded a gold medal in her third year for securing the highest marks.

Dr. Ummesalma Bobadia (Tambawala) had gained expertise in handling neurological conditions at Epilepsy Foundation, Mumbai. She was also a part of the Early Intervention Rehabilitation Center, Thane where she worked as a pediatrician. Later in 2020, Dr. Ummesalma Bobadia (Tambawala) worked at Don Bosco Youth Counseling Services in Mumbai. She is also known for attending 12 webinars conducted by World Federation for Neurorehabilitation.

She uses a holistic approach and implements knowledge of ergonomics and accessibility to make a positive difference in the life of clients. Furthermore, Dr. Ummesalma Bobadia (Tambawala) knows numerous languages including Arabic (read and write).

CERTIFICATION:

• Ergonomics: Office, Hospital & School Module 1 & Module 2
• Clinical Reasoning in Cognitive Rehabilitation (Part-1)
• Workshop on ‘NeuroRehabilitation’ at TNMC & BYL Nair Ch. Hospital, Parel
• Workshop on ‘Proactive Modification of Challenging Behavior’ COTE on “Industrial Health & Occupational Therapy” (Environment, Ergonomics, Safety and Wellness at Workplace), Nagpur
• CME on Breast Cancer Management & Updates of Occupational Therapy Practice at Tata Memorial Hospital, Parel.
• CME on Autism Spectrum Disorders ‘Principles & Practices’
• Training session on Basic CPR at Kokilaben Dhirubhai Ambani Hospital.

RESEARCH & PROJECTS:

• Conducted an online presentation on ‘Exploring the route to an Accessible society: An Ergonomic approach’ as a part of The Ergonomics Club.
• Compèred the 5th, 6th & 7th Educational Program in Honor of Late Aruna P Tole, Ex HOD Occupational Therapy, Tata Memorial Hospital, Mumbai.
• Conducted a dissertation study on ‘To measure Accessibility at Bhau Daji Lad Museum for Persons with Disabilities’, during the internship term.
• Participated in Case Presentation competition at 5th Educational Program, Tata Memorial Hospital, Parel on 15th December 2017
• Topic: Occupational Therapy for a patient diagnosed with Tuberculous Meningitis with Spinal Tuberculosis with Ischaemic Heart Disease through a Comprehensive Management.
• Participated in UG Occupational Therapy Poster Presentation competition at TRINITY 2017, An All-India Students’ Medical Conference in March 2017
• Topic: ‘Wheelchair: Providing Freedom of Mobility’
• Conducted a presentation on Promotion of Occupational Therapy and areas like Stress, Back pain and Accessibility addressed, in a Dawoodi Bohra Community gathering on 3rd December 2016.
• Participated in the UG Physiotherapy & Occupational Therapy Poster presentation competition at TRINITY 2016, An All-India Student’s Medical Conference in Affiliation with MUHS on 13th Feb 2016 and secured FIRST position.
• Topic: ‘Healing Healthcare Professionals through Ergonomics’

Zoe moved to Dubai in 2015 and provides clinic-based applied behaviour analysis (ABA) therapy to children with developmental delays. Since then, Zoe has gone on to supervise home-based and school-based ABA therapy, for children aged 2-14, and run a behaviour analytic centre in a GEMS school. She has also supervised candidates for RBT, BCaBA and BCBA board certification.

Zoe is highly specialised in teaching language, communication and pre-academic skills to children, using Skinner’s analysis of verbal behaviour. Using the evidence-based and data-driven methods of Applied Behaviour Analysis, Zoe conducts assessments, and designs, evaluates and supervises individualised teaching programmes to best support the children. Zoe assesses language and communication skills, pre-learning skills, play skills, school readiness skills, functional living skills, independent living skills, social skills and some academics. She provides training and supervision to the team of Registered Behaviour Technicians (RBT), who deliver ABA therapy. Zoe can also train parents, teachers and paraprofessionals how to teach communication, play and leisure skills, social skills, self-help skills and daily living skills.

Laurence Moriette is a UK trained Psychotherapist and works both in French and in English. She has more than 20 years of experience in the field, the last 11 in Dubai.   

She is trained in Existential Phenomenological Psychotherapy and Systemic therapy, working both long and short term. She works with teenagers, adults and couples. Her approach to couple work is based on Emotion-Focused therapy as well as The Gottman’s Method.  

Her therapeutic work focuses both on the past- upbringing, family patterns and dynamics, traumatic events- and on the present- the management of symptoms, and the implementation of changes.  

Laurence Moriette has extensive experience working with a wide variety of issues (post-natal depression, anxiety, relationship breakdown, compulsive disorders, addictions, grief, existential crisis) and is dedicated to help her patients gain insight into their struggles and to support them in making the changes they long for.

She holds an MA in integrative Psychotherapy (City University, London), a post-diploma in Existential Therapy and is a member of the United Kingdom Council of Psychotherapy whose ethical guidelines she follows.

Dr Rachel Emma Phillips is a Consultant Counselling Psychologist who specialises in Cognitive Behavioural Therapy (CBT) and Psychodynamic approaches. She is based at the Psychiatry and Therapy Centre, Dubai. Dr Phillips centres her approach around compassionate understanding of her patients problems, in order to establish appropriate coping mechanisms.

Dr Phillips gained her Master's in Psychology at Kingston University of London and went on to gained her Doctorate in Psychology. She practiced as a Counsellor in the UK NHS for 6 years, supporting patients with a wide range of presentations, before coming to Dubai. Dr Phillips also has extensive experience in the management of eating disorders.

Aamnah Ejaz Husain is an American trained Psychologist with over a decade of experience in providing Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing trauma therapy, Cognitive Behavioural Therapy, Mindfulness-Based Therapy, Acceptance, and Commitment Therapy, and Emotionally Focused Couples Therapy to a wide range of patient clientele. 

Aaminah earned her M.A and M.Ed. in Counseling Psychology at Columbia University, after which she gained experience and expertise in treating chemical dependency and mental disorders at Mount Sinai Hospital New York. She then went on to lead the outpatient services department at Walden House San Francisco. Aaminah then went on to train in Domestic Violence Counselling during her time in California, in addition to training in EMDR therapy and Mindfulness Methodology. Since completing her training, Aaminah has centred her approach around helping her patients uncover insights about their motivations, values, and strengths while being their ally and helping them to learn from their past to improve their present.

Dr Spencer Jefferies is a Clinical Psychologist with much experience in using psychotherapy in both group and individual settings to provide the most appropriate care for his clients. He sees clients at the Psychiatry and Therapy centre, Dubai.

Dr Jefferies gained his qualifications at the Widener University in Pennsylvania, renowned for its intensive doctoral program in clinical psychology. Since earning his degree, Dr Jefferies has cultivated important, compassionate client relationships and focuses his practice on establishing appropriate solutions to the challenges his clients may face. This includes Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT), Cognitive Behavioural Therapy (CBT), Solution-Focused Therapy, Cognitive Processing Therapy (CPT), and Mindfulness.