Book Appointment 800 2923

Psychology

Child and Adolescent Psychologist

American Wellness Center in Dubai Healthcare City is one of UAE’s premier medical centers, is home to leading specialty providers in psychology and behavioral health care. We are proud of our long history of providing compassionate care with each patient's personal needs in mind, and we maintain a firm commitment to putting our patients first.

Who is a Child Psychologist?

A child psychologist has professional training and clinical skills to evaluate and treat the mental, emotional, social and behavioral health of infants, toddlers, children and adolescents. Child psychologists have a thorough understanding of the basic psychological needs of children and adolescents and how their family and other social contexts influence their behavior:

  • Social and emotional adjustment.
  • Developmental processes.
  • Behavioral adaptation.

Child psychologists also have expert knowledge of mental and behavioral conditions that affect children and focuses on the mental health needs of infants, toddlers and teenagers. AWC Dubai has the most qualfied child psychologists.

What conditions can child psychologists help with?

The conditions and situations include:
  • Abuse sequelae (including physical, emotional and sexual abuse, child neglect).
  • Anger issues
  • Coping with a new diagnosis or living with a chronic illness
  • Coping with divorce or other family issues
  • Developmental and learning difficulties: (attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder (ADHD), intellectual disability, autism spectrum disorder, dyslexia and communication disorders).
  • Disruptive behavior disorders (conduct disorder, oppositional defiant disorder).
  • Eating disorders (anorexia, bulimia  binge eating disorder)
  • Grief and loss ASSIGN HYPERLINK TO GREIF PAGE CHILD
  • Identity and self-esteem issues
  • Including body dysmorphic disorder, gender dysphoria.
  • Mental health conditions such as, depression, anxiety, phobias, obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD),  post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD).
  • Problems in social contexts including separation anxiety
  • Sleep disorders - insomnia, nightmares, sleep anxiety
  • Stress related to big life changes.

What are the signs that your child or teen needs to see a child psychologist?

Here are a few general situations and behaviors to look out for that can help you decide if and when your child could benefit from seeing a child psychologist:
  • Your child is dealing with a big change or a stressful situation, such as bullying, a health condition, divorce or a move to a new city or school.
  • Your child’s mental, emotional and/or behavioral problems seem to be getting worse over time instead of better.
  • Your child or family has experienced a trauma, such as a death, an accident or abuse.
  • You notice big personality and/or behavioral changes in your child.
  • It’s difficult for your child to make and keep friends.
  • Your child’s grades are dropping or they’re often having trouble with their behavior in school

How can we help?

Our team of psychologists use a wide range of procedures and skills when working with children and adolescents, including:
  • Assessing psychological, intellectual, cognitive, and behavioral issues with testing and evaluation.
  • Using interventions such as psychotherapy (talk therapy) and behavior management.
  • Developing prevention programs, such as preventing bullying, teen pregnancy etc.
  • Consulting with other professionals and healthcare providers who work with children.

Our team of psychologists, therapists and counselors offer comprehensive care for children with medical problems. For example, they may help children with sleep difficulties or chronic pain or those coping with a chronic illness.

The emotional, mental and behavioral conditions that affect children are often treated differently from adults due to differences in age, cognitive levels and maturity hence child psychologists are well trained and qualified to use different types of therapy techniques based on your child’s age and unique situation.

What do we do?

Depending on the age and needs of your child, child psychologists may work solely with you (or guardians) to help with parenting skills or how to best address your child’s behavior needs. These therapies include:

Contact us at American Wellness Center based in Dubai Healthcare City if you’d like to explore the science of the mind to see if there’s a solution which help improve your life.

Our Clinicians

Dr. Cynthia Roukoz

Clinical Psychologist, Neuropsychology

Clinical Psychologists, Clinical Neuropsychologists PhD Psychology, Emphasis Child Neuropsychology, University of Angers, France

Mrs. Nancy Hage

Psychology, Counseling

BA, M.A, , LMFT, PhD candidate (USA) - California Board of Behavioural Sciences

Dr. Mostefa Stefane Kabene

Clinical Psychologist

BSc, MS, PhD (Canada) - American, French and canadian Psychological Associations

Dr. Jessica Rios-Habib

Clinical Psychologist

BS, MSEd, PhD (US) - University of Miami Miller School of Medicine Fellowship, University of Toronto Sick Kids Hospital Fellowship
Load More

Related Articles

FAQs

Child and adolescent psychology focuses on understanding and addressing the emotional, cognitive, and behavioral development of young people. This branch of psychology helps children and teens in Dubai cope with a range of issues, from emotional difficulties and behavioral problems to developmental delays. At the American Wellness Center, our psychologists specialize in supporting young individuals through personalized therapy, fostering mental well-being and healthy development.

Our psychologists work with children and teens dealing with:

  • Emotional challenges: Including anxiety, depression, and mood disorders.
  • Behavioral problems: Such as defiance, aggression, or ADHD.
  • Developmental concerns: Including autism spectrum disorders.
  • Learning and attention difficulties: Such as learning disabilities and attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder (ADHD).
  • Social difficulties: Including social anxiety, bullying, and friendship challenges.
  • Life transitions: Such as coping with parental divorce, relocation, or loss of a loved one.
Our child and adolescent psychology services cater to young individuals from early childhood through adolescence, typically up to age 18. Each therapy approach is carefully tailored to the child’s developmental stage, individual needs, and family dynamics, ensuring the most effective support.
Therapy can help children and adolescents develop skills to manage emotions, cope with stress, and handle social situations. Additionally, therapy improves self-confidence, fosters resilience, and enhances family relationships. Early psychological support can have a lasting impact, helping young people in Dubai grow into emotionally healthy adults.
At the American Wellness Center, we provide a range of evidence-based therapies, including:
  • Play therapy: Engages younger children through play to help them express and process emotions.
  • Cognitive-behavioral therapy (CBT): Helps older children and teens manage thoughts and emotions, particularly effective for anxiety and depression.
  • Family therapy: Involves family members in the treatment process to improve dynamics and support the child.
  • Social skills training: Helps children develop effective communication and interaction skills.
Parents play a crucial role in supporting their child’s journey. This includes:
  • Open communication: Encouraging children to share their feelings in a safe and supportive environment at home.
  • Following the therapist’s recommendations: Practicing recommended strategies and reinforcing positive behaviors.
  • Staying engaged in therapy sessions: When recommended, parents can participate in sessions to support the child’s progress and apply techniques learned in therapy.

The first session generally involves an initial assessment, where the therapist gathers information from both the child and parent(s) about the child’s background, current challenges, and goals for therapy. The therapist may use age-appropriate activities and questions to help the child feel comfortable. This assessment helps create a customized treatment plan tailored to the child’s needs.
The duration of therapy varies based on the child’s needs, the complexity of issues, and their progress. Some children benefit from short-term therapy, while others may require longer-term support. Our psychologists in Dubai regularly assess the child’s development and adjust the treatment plan as necessary to achieve the best outcomes.
Signs that your child may benefit from therapy include:
  • Persistent sadness, anxiety, or irritability.
  • Changes in sleep, eating habits, or academic performance.
  • Withdrawal from family, friends, or activities they once enjoyed.
  • Behavioral outbursts or difficulty managing anger.
  • Trouble concentrating or staying focused. If you notice any of these signs, consulting a child psychologist may help identify and address the underlying issues.
When explaining therapy to your child, use simple, age-appropriate language. Emphasize that therapy is a safe space where they can talk about their feelings and work through challenges with someone who understands. Let them know that the psychologist is there to help them feel better and that therapy can be an enjoyable and positive experience.
Yes, with parental consent, our therapists can collaborate with teachers or school counselors to support your child’s progress. Involving the school can help create a consistent approach to addressing your child’s needs, especially if challenges are impacting their academic or social experiences. Communication between school and therapy can ensure your child receives the support they need both at school and home.
Yes, confidentiality is a key principle of therapy. Our psychologists respect the child’s privacy and only share information with parents or guardians as necessary for the child’s well-being. The therapist will discuss confidentiality with both the child and parents to build a trusting environment. However, confidentiality may be broken if there is a risk of harm to the child or others, as required by law.
Therapy approaches are adjusted to meet the child’s developmental level and needs. Younger children may engage in play therapy or creative activities that allow them to express themselves in a way that feels natural, while older children and teens might benefit from talk therapy, cognitive-behavioral techniques, or goal-setting exercises. Our therapists in Dubai ensure that each child’s therapy is age-appropriate and relevant to their specific challenges.
To schedule an appointment, please visit our Contact Us page. Our team is ready to assist you in booking an appointment with one of our child and adolescent psychologists, answer any additional questions, and provide guidance on how to prepare for your child’s first session.

Reach Us

Want to Schedule an Appointment please select the Clinician and fill up the form we will be in touch shortly.

8002923 Email
Book an Appointment
×