Everyone goes through some sort of emotional dilemma at one point in time in their lifetime. Going through this difficult phase can become quite overbearing if not dealt with care, at the right time. Consulting a professional to overcome this issue is essential and the best way is to see a psychologist in Dubai.

Having said that, choosing the right psychologist is a challenge in itself. If you live in Dubai, you can find abundant psychologists offering their services. Therefore, one can easily become overwhelmed with the choices they have. To make things easy for you, we are going to share a comprehensive guide on how you can choose a psychologist in Dubai that suits your needs.

Before that, let’s take a look at what a psychologist is and how they can help you. 

What is a Psychologist & Psychotherapy?

Psychologists are medical professionals who specialise in psychological treatments. These professionals have expertise in human behavior, mental assessment, diagnosis and treatment of psychological issues as well as behaviour change.

A psychologist works with their patients to change their attitude, feelings and approach towards life. They help in developing healthier and more effective behaviour patterns that improve the overall quality of their life.

Psychologists make use of various scientific procedures for making people change their behaviours, emotions and thoughts. This collaborative effort between therapists and their patients is psychotherapy. Suffice it to say, psychotherapy helps in providing a supportive and confidential environment where patients can easily discuss their issues.   

Most Common Reasons Why People Need Psychological Therapy

Some of the most common reasons why people seek psychological help are:

• Mental Health Issues.
• Facing difficulty in their relationships.
• Have a constant feeling of being empty or directionless.
• Disturbed sleeping patterns or insomnia.
• To clear their mind.
• Because of some big traumatic or life-changing event.
• Have lingering feelings of sadness all the time.
• To regain their lost self-esteem.
• To overcome their issues and become a better person.
• Finding it difficult to carry out routine matters.
• Worry excessively.
• To get rid of addiction
• For treating personality disorders.
• Treatment of Speech Disorders

If you’re going through any of the above-mentioned issues, immediately seek help from a professional psychologist.

Things to Consider When Choosing a Psychologist in Dubai

As stated above, selecting the right therapist isn’t as easy as it may seem. To find the one that meets your needs as well as tick all other boxes can be quite difficult.

Take into account the following factors when you’re looking for a psychologist.

Level of Ease

One thing that you should never overlook is your comfort. Psychological problems are quite personal issues that we cannot discuss with anyone. As your therapist is the one with whom you have to discuss everything you’re going through, they should be someone you’re comfortable with. Therefore, it is always advised that one must look for a therapist they think suits their needs because a good match is essential for your treatment. If you don’t feel connected with the therapist, they won’t be able to help you. 

The relationship between the patient and the therapist is important for developing a strong ‘therapeutic alliance’. The therapeutic alliance is imperative to your treatment as it helps in reaching the set targets and goals of your treatment.

Reputation/Credentials

Another thing that you must check while selecting a therapist is their credentials. It will clearly tell you about that therapist’s expertise and hands-on experience. Using these accreditations, you can clearly see the qualifications as well as specializations of the therapist.

Other than that, make efforts to know about their behaviour with their patients. The reputation a therapist has can tell you a lot about them. Therefore, whenever you’re looking for a therapist, pick one who is well-reputed and accredited.    

Look into the Treatment Options they Offer

Similarly, when you’re looking for a therapist, ask about the treatments they offer. As there are numerous psychological schools of thought, the treatment ways also differ. Because of this reason, it is always a good idea to inquire about the treatment techniques they’ll be using to treat you. 

Furthermore, ask about their expertise. Some psychologists specialize in offering speech therapy, while some can be better in handling other issues. Make your pick accordingly. If your little one is facing issues while communicating, the best approach will be to take them to a speech therapy Dubai center, instead of a general psychologist. 

Availability

Another important thing you should also check when looking for a therapist is their timings and availability. Check whether their schedule is suitable for you or not? As within the UAE, most workplaces are closed on Saturday, it will be highly convenient for you if they offer their services during the weekend.

Similarly, you should also check whether their timings are suitable for you or not. Selecting a therapist who offers their services after routine work hours followed by most companies in Dubai will be a better idea.

Ease of Communication (is your psychologist reachable)

Another thing that you have to consider before finalizing any psychologist is their reachability. Mental issues are very serious matters that sometimes need immediate care. Even if the therapy isn’t possible, they should at least be able to give consultation through the phone. 

Location

Location plays a key role in choosing any therapist. You should always see a doctor or therapist that is near your place so you can easily visit them in the hour of need. Therefore, when you start searching for the best psychologist in Dubai, start by searching within your locality. Try a local clinic first and if it doesn’t satisfy you, look for other options. Choosing a therapist near your home can benefit you in many ways.

Affordable

Price is another factor that you have to consider. As therapy is not a one-time thing, you can’t just simply pay really high prices for it. Regardless of what others say, let’s be honest, price does play an important role in deciding how long you’ll be getting therapy. 

The prices of different psychologists in Dubai vary from 350AED to 1200AED per session. Therefore, look for a therapist that lies within your budget range. However, remember that reputable psychological clinics don’t come in cheap.  So, if you want to see the best therapist in the city, be ready to spend some cash.  

Are You Comfortable with Them?

Last but not least, the main deciding factor whether that therapist is for you or not is the comfort level. Are you comfortable talking with them? This is the main thing that determines if they are suitable for you or not. If you aren’t comfortable with your therapist, you won’t be able to open up in front of them and this will eventually affect your treatment. Therefore, to avoid such situations, it’s always a wise idea to choose a therapist you share a certain comfort level with.  

Also, you should choose your therapist as per your gender, religion and age preferences so you won’t face any issue later on.

Final Thoughts

We hope that our guide will help you in finding the right therapist in Dubai that suits your needs. However, one thing that you must keep in mind is that your therapist is also a person and in order for them to treat you properly, you’ve to talk with them. Thus, it is important that you open up with your therapist if you want to resolve your psychological issues.

As the saying goes, “It’s better late than never”. So, if you’re facing any psychological or mental health issues at the moment, don’t ignore them and seek medical help at your earliest. Timely help can greatly help you in overcoming your issues.