Psychiatric Evaluations for Couples | Dubai, UAE | American Wellness Center

What are Psychiatric evaluations

Psychiatric evaluations for couples involve a thorough assessment by a mental health professional to understand the psychological dynamics within the relationship. This evaluation explores everyone's mental health, communication patterns, emotional responses, and behavioral interactions. The goal is to identify any psychological issues affecting the relationship, such as depression, anxiety, or personality disorders. It provides a basis for therapy or counseling, aiming to improve relationship dynamics, emotional understanding, and overall mental well-being of both partners.

How it works

Our Psychiatric services play a crucial role in helping couples regain harmony in their relationships. These services provide a safe and confidential environment where both partners can express their feelings, concerns, and expectations without judgment. At American Wellness Center our psychiatrist uses evidence-based strategies which can facilitate effective communication, helping couples understand each other's perspectives and emotions. This process fosters empathy, reduces misunderstandings, and strengthens the emotional bond between partners.

Why a couple might need Psychiatric evaluation

Couples might need a psychiatric evaluation for a variety of reasons, often stemming from difficulties they are unable to resolve on their own. These evaluations are particularly beneficial when issues go beyond typical relationship challenges and involve deeper psychological or psychiatric concerns.

Persistent Conflict and Communication Issues: When couples find themselves in constant conflict, unable to resolve disagreements, or struggling with communication breakdowns, a psychiatric evaluation can help identify underlying issues that might be contributing to these patterns.
Mental Health Disorders: If one or both partners have symptoms of a mental health disorder (such as depression, anxiety, bipolar disorder, etc.), it can significantly impact the relationship. A psychiatric evaluation can diagnose these conditions and recommend appropriate treatments, which can, in turn, improve relationship dynamics.
Trauma and Past Experiences: Couples dealing with the aftermath of traumatic experiences (like abuse, loss, or severe stress) might find that these past events are affecting their current relationship. A psychiatric evaluation can uncover the impact of these experiences and suggest ways to heal.
Substance Abuse: If either partner struggles with substance abuse, it can lead to many relationship problems. A psychiatric evaluation can address these issues and offer a path to recovery, which is crucial for the health of the relationship.
Life Transitions: Major life changes such as parenthood, career shifts, or relocation can strain a relationship. Couples might seek psychiatric evaluation to help navigate these transitions more smoothly.
Trust and Infidelity Issues: When trust is broken, through infidelity or other means, a psychiatric evaluation can help couples understand the root causes, rebuild trust, and work towards healing.
Family Dynamics: Issues with extended family, such as in-law conflicts or differing parenting styles, can also prompt couples to seek professional help.

When to Contact a psychiatrist:

When Issues Persist: If problems in the relationship persist despite efforts to resolve them, such as through communication or self-help strategies.
When Emotional Distress is High: If either partner is experiencing high levels of stress, anxiety, depression, or other emotional distress that impacts daily functioning.
When Recommended by a Professional: Sometimes, a general therapist or counselor might recommend a psychiatric evaluation if they observe symptoms or patterns that require more specialized attention.
When Physical Health is Affected: Chronic relationship stress can lead to physical health problems. If either partner notices a deterioration in physical health (like insomnia, weight changes, chronic pain) related to relationship stress, it's time to seek help.
When Quality of Life is Impacted: If relationship issues are significantly affecting quality of life, including work performance, social interactions, and overall happiness, a psychiatric evaluation can be a crucial step.
In Cases of Abuse or Violence: If there is any form of abuse (physical, emotional, sexual) or violence in the relationship, immediate psychiatric intervention is necessary for the safety and well-being of both partners.
When Children are Affected: If the couple has children, and they are showing signs of stress, anxiety, or behavioral changes due to the parents' relationship issues, this is a strong indicator that professional help is needed.
Lack of Progress in Therapy: If the couple is already in therapy but not making the desired progress, a psychiatric evaluation can provide a deeper understanding of the issues at hand.

What we offer: Step by step

At American Wellness Center Dubai, our qualified and well trained professionals offer Psychiatric evaluations for couples that involve a structured process designed to assess and address the unique psychological and relational dynamics within a relationship.

First Session - Joint Interview: The process begins when a couple reaches out to a psychiatrist for an evaluation. The psychiatrist will schedule an initial appointment, often providing pre-appointment questionnaires to gather basic information. The first session usually involves both partners. Our psychiatrist begins by establishing rapport and explaining confidentiality and the nature of the evaluation. The initial discussion often includes exploring the reasons for seeking the evaluation, understanding each partner’s perspective, and identifying specific concerns or issues within the relationship.
Individual Assessments: After the joint session, our psychiatrist may meet with each partner individually. This allows for a more private exploration of personal histories, mental health, individual perspectives on the relationship, and any personal issues contributing to relational dynamics.
History Gathering: The psychiatrist gathers detailed histories from both partners. This includes personal psychiatric history, family mental health history, medical history, and any relevant social or developmental history. Understanding past experiences, traumas, and family dynamics is crucial in contextualizing current relationship issues.
Observation of Interaction: In subsequent joint sessions, the psychiatrist observes the couple’s interaction. This can include communication styles, conflict resolution strategies, and emotional responses. The psychiatrist may use specific exercises or discussions to elicit these interactions.
Psychological Testing (if necessary): Based on need, in some cases, psychological tests or questionnaires may be administered to assess specific issues like depression, anxiety, or personality traits. These tools provide objective data that can supplement the psychiatrist’s clinical observations.
Treatment Recommendations: Based on the evaluation, our well-trained psychiatrist makes recommendations. This includes couples therapy, individual therapy for one or both partners, psychiatric medications (if needed for mental health conditions), or referrals to other specialists (like sex therapists or substance abuse counselors).
Follow-up and Ongoing Care: The couple may have follow-up sessions with the psychiatrist to monitor progress, adjust treatment plans, and provide ongoing support. The psychiatrist may also work in collaboration with other therapists or healthcare providers involved in the couple’s care.

Throughout the process, the psychiatrist adheres to ethical guidelines, ensuring confidentiality and respecting the boundaries of therapeutic relationship. At American Wellness center, our goal is to provide a roadmap for the couple to understand and address their issues more effectively, leading to a healthier, more supportive relationship.
Early intervention in relationship conflicts is vital. Addressing problems from the beginning prevents them from escalating into more significant issues that could severely impact relationship and family life. Unresolved conflicts can lead to resentment, communication breakdown, emotional distress, and can even affect the mental health of children in the family. By seeking psychiatric help early, couples can learn healthy ways to resolve conflicts, develop coping strategies, and build a more resilient and satisfying relationship. This proactive approach not only enhances the quality of the relationship but also contributes to the overall well-being of the family.