You don’t have to figure this out alone.
MEET KAREN
trauma therapist in dubai, uae
Perhaps you've spent years wondering why life feels harder for you than it seems to for everyone else.
You know what you should be doing, but you can't seem to make lasting changes. You overthink everything, struggle to switch off, or feel overwhelmed by emotions. You might turn to alcohol, food, social media, gambling, work, or other coping behaviours just to get through the day. Maybe you're constantly chasing the next achievement, yet never quite feel good enough.
If this sounds familiar, you're not broken, and you don't need more willpower. Often, these patterns have a deeper story. Whether they're rooted in trauma, ADHD, perfectionism, or coping strategies that once helped you survive, they can be understood.
My role is to help you make sense of those patterns, process what's keeping you stuck, and build a life that feels calmer, more balanced, and more authentically yours.
you don’t need fixing. you need understanding
Maybe you've spent years believing that something about you needs to be fixed?
Maybe you've been told you're too sensitive, too emotional, too distracted, too intense, or that you just need to try harder.
Perhaps you've learned to hide the parts of yourself that feel difficult, while constantly pushing yourself to achieve more, do more, and be better.
But what if these struggles aren't signs that you're failing?
What if there's a reason behind them?
Therapy can help you understand the patterns that have shaped you - from the impact of trauma, ADHD, perfectionism, or coping strategies you've developed to survive difficult emotions.
My Approach
I believe therapy should be a space where you feel understood, not judged.
Many of the people I work with have spent years trying to overcome their struggles through willpower alone - pushing themselves harder, setting higher expectations, and wondering why they can't seem to change. My approach is about moving away from self-blame and towards understanding.
Together, we explore the experiences, beliefs, and patterns that have shaped the way you think, feel, and cope. We look beyond the behaviours themselves to understand what is driving them, whether that’s trauma, ADHD, emotional overwhelm, perfectionism, or coping strategies that were once helpful but no longer serve you.
My approach is warm, collaborative, and tailored to you. I draw from evidence-based therapies including EMDR, Cognitive Behavioural Therapy (CBT), and Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT), adapting our work based on your individual needs and goals.
Therapy isn't about changing who you are or becoming a different version of yourself. It's about developing a deeper understanding of yourself, building healthier ways to cope, and creating the confidence to move through life with greater clarity, self-compassion, and resilience.
experience & SPECIALISMS
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My journey into psychotherapy has been shaped by a deep interest in understanding why people struggle, the patterns they repeat, and the experiences that influence how they see themselves and the world around them.
Before moving to Dubai, I worked across the NHS, charitable organisations, private practice, and specialist addiction services in the UK, supporting individuals through a range of mental health challenges. This experience has given me a particular understanding of trauma, addiction, emotional regulation, and the ways people often develop coping strategies to manage overwhelming experiences.
I now work with adults and adolescents in Dubai, providing therapy that is compassionate, evidence-based, and tailored to each person's individual story. Alongside my clinical work, I also deliver mental health training and workshops for organisations, schools, universities, and healthcare professionals, helping to create greater understanding and reduce stigma around mental health.
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I specialise in working with individuals who feel stuck in patterns they cannot seem to change, despite knowing they want something different.
My areas of focus include:
ADHD
Helping individuals understand their brain, improve emotional regulation, build strategies that work for them, and move away from years of self-criticism and feeling like they are "not trying hard enough."Trauma & EMDR
Supporting individuals to process painful experiences, reduce the emotional impact of the past, and develop a stronger sense of safety, self-worth, and control in the present.Addiction & Coping Behaviours
Working with people who use alcohol, gambling, food, social media, work, or other behaviours to cope with difficult emotions, helping them understand the underlying drivers and develop healthier ways of responding.Perfectionism & Self-Worth
Supporting individuals who achieve a lot but still feel they are never enough, helping them challenge harsh self-criticism, unrealistic expectations, and the constant pressure to do more. -
MSc Counselling and Psychotherapy, UK
Registered Member of the British Association for Counselling and Psychotherapy
CDA Licensed
Ready to Take the First Step?
Reaching out for therapy can feel daunting, especially if you've spent a long time trying to manage things on your own. You don't need to have everything figured out before you begin - you simply need to take the first step.
Whether you're looking to better understand yourself, process past experiences, break free from patterns that no longer serve you, or explore whether therapy or an ADHD assessment is right for you, I'm here to help.
I offer a free 15-minute consultation where we can talk about what brings you to therapy, answer any questions you may have, and see whether we feel like the right fit to work together.
You don't have to keep navigating this alone.
Book your free 15-minute consultation today.