Marriage Counselling in Dubai

Our couples counsellors are here to help you in your relationship, whether you need to heal or want to thrive.

Get in touch to find out how we can help you repair or improve your relationship. Contact us however you feel most comfortable, for example Whatsapp message us, or feel free to call us on +971 56 895 2347. You can also email or simply send us a query via our online form. Instagram message, Facebook chat… whatever works best for you!

Our goal is to make you comfortable.

Frequently asked questions

What does a good marriage look like?

No two relationships are the same, and there is no one-size-fits-all approach to marriage. At the same time, there are some relationship qualities that are more adaptive than others. Decades of psychology research point to a few key ingredients of a healthy and strong marriage.

Good communication is a key aspect of healthy relationships. It’s important for couples to make time for one another, as well as themselves as individuals. This includes checking in and chatting about what is happening in their separate and shared lives. Many partners spend a lot of time talking about parenting and household tasks - which is understandable - but it’s good to talk about other things too.

At times, our conversation can shift towards a difficult or tense topic. Many partners become frustrated, which can lead them to speak in an aggressive way. The other partner, in turn, feels defensive and snaps back. This communication patterns often ends in conflict. It is important to remember that conflict is not always a bad thing. Rather, it is a sign that we need something in our relationship to change. Healthy couples approach in a gentle and positive way, rather than with anger and contempt.

Most of us have some routines to help us manage our day-to-day lives. At the same time, it’s important to keep things interesting. Many couples have regular date nights to catch up on each other’s news. It is important that date nights don’t become too routine - mixing it up with different activities is also a great way to reconnect and find something to talk about other than kids and errands!

In addition to good communication, constructive conflict management strategies, and shared activities, healthy couples are also intimate - whether that intimacy is emotional and/or physical. Many couples want to know how intimate they should be, especially when it comes to sexual intimacy, but there is no hard-and-fast rule. Satisfaction with our sexual relationship - whatever that may be - is more important than how regular it is.

How does marriage counselling work?

Couples therapy starts with an initial assessment session. At Thrive, these sessions are either 60 or 90 minutes depending on the therapist’s treatment method.

Both partners atted the first session. The purpose of the first session is to assess the pain points in your relationship from each partner’s perspective. We also look at the history of your relationship, including key milestones (e.g.,getting married, the transition to parenthood, international moves, infidelity, death in the family, etc.). Your therapist will gather this information while also helping you start to formulate your initial goals for couples therapy.

Many of our clinicians will meet individually with each partner to delve deeper into their own history, background, and personal perspectives on the relationship. Your couples therapist will advise you in the first session if this is part of their process. If so, it usually happens after the first session and before the next joint session.

Many of our marriage counselors are trained in the Gottman Method. These clinicians might administer a questionnaire to both partners to gather further data on both partners and the relationship overall. These data will be incorporated into the treatment plan.

Throughout the sessions, you will work on strategies that will help you deepen your bond and overcome the challenges that you are facing in your relationship. You will also learn and practice skills to have more positive communication, manage conflict more constructively, and (re)build emotional intimacy.

Many people think that couples therapy is about relationship advice. Your therapist's role is to help you reinforce your relationship strengths while also navigating challenges in your relationship. This involves helping you gain insight about your patterns and dynamics (including where they came from) and providing you with tools and techniques to change them.

Does couples therapy work?

Couples counseling can help you improve your relationship, but it requires both parties to be honest, open, and motivated. Many couples often take a reactive - rather than a proactive - approach and come in after they have experienced a crisis or fallen into a deep relational rut. We encourage you to reach out for support as early as possible. As we mentioned above, marriage counselling can be both preventative and healing.

When should we seek couples therapy?

It's never too early to start. Many people think of couples therapy as a last attempt to resolve issues in their relationship. In fact, research by the Gottman Institute has found that couples tend to seek marriage counseling six years too late.

We find that couples therapy can help any relationship - whether you are dating, engaged, married, or separated/divorced and navigating a co-parenting relationship. Couples counseling can be done proactively - before any issues arise - to identify the strengths and pain points in a relationship and build a plan to address them. Marriage counselling can also be done in crisis - for example, when there is a breach of trust like infidelity or a significant life change such as a death in the family. Our advice: You are ready for couples therapy if you are asking this question.

How much does couples therapy cost?

We have a few options for couples counseling at Thrive. Some of our clinicians offer 60 minute sessions, whereas others offer 90 minute sessions. The session length and fee depends on the clinician's modality. Get in touch with our reception team to learn more.

We also have a guided self-help resource to address relationship challenges. It is developed and delivered by Dr. Sarah and priced at AED 150 for lifetime access. You can see the course, as well as her other offerings, via Thrive in 5.

Thrive Couples Therapists & Marriage Counsellors in Dubai

Dr. Sarah Rasmi

Licensed Psychologist & Managing Director

Dr. Sarah Rasmi is a licensed Dubai psychologist. She has a Ph.D. from the University of Guelph in Canada, where she specialized in parenting and family relationships. Former Professor of Psychology at the American University of Sharjah, United Arab Emirates University, and the American University in Dubai

She has completed three couples therapy trainings via the Gottman Institute as well as the APA-accredited Humanistic Existential and Relational Therapy (HEART) training. She has also completed training in Mindfulness Based Stress Reduction through Bangor University in the UK.

Pashmi Khare, M.Sc.

Licensed Social Counselor

Pashmi Khare is a CDA-licensed psychologist with MSc in Counseling Psychology from Christ University, India and has been practicing for more than 8 years in India and UAE. She provides counseling for adults, adolescents, and couples in English, Hindi, and Urdu. She has a special interest in supporting individuals with fertility issues and PCOS.

Maša Karleuša Valkanou, M.Sc.

Licensed Psychologist

Maša Karleuša Valkanou is a CDA-licensed psychologist in Dubai. As a certified Systemic Family psychotherapist, she works with individual clients, adults or children. She is specialised in work with adolescents. She works with couples, parents or the whole family together. Her work covers various psychological difficulties and background including psychotic disorders, addictions, neurotic disorders (depression, anxiety, panic attacks etc.), psychological trauma, abuse, self-harm, suicidal thoughts and feelings, behavioural, emotional and problems in relationships or family problems.

Sonia Singhal, M.Ed., M.A., LMFT

Licensed Psychologist & Lead Assessment Specialist

Sonia Singhal is a CDA-Licensed Psychologist and a California Licensed Marriage & Family Counselor. She has a Masters of Education in Psychology from Columbia University in New York. Sonia specializes in psychological and educational assessments and she provides individual, family and couples therapy. She holds a special interest in attachment theory and family systems and is passionate about supporting teenagers and adults to overcome emotional and psychological difficulties.

Dr. Kate Prozeller

Licensed Psychologist

Dr. Kate Prozeller is a CDA-licensed psychologist. She holds her PsyD in Counseling Psychology from Saint Mary’s University in the United States. Dr. Kate provides individual therapy to adults, couples therapy, and English-language art, sand, and play therapy to children and adolescents. Prior to relocating to Dubai in 2019, she has worked as a psychologist in the United States, serving a variety of patient populations and across hospitals, private practice, and university settings.

Rita Figueiredo, M.Sc.

Licensed Psychologist

Rita Figueiredo (M.Sc.) is a Clinical and Health Psychologist with an M.Sc. from the University of Lisbon in Portugal. She is licensed by the DHA and CDA, and also holds a European Certificate in Psychology. Rita enriches her practice with four years of extensive experience. She is driven by a profound passion for understanding relationship dynamics. As a result, Rita pursued specialized training in Couples and Family Therapy. This expertise equips her with the necessary tools to assist clients in navigating complex relationship issues, guiding them towards achieving happiness and relational well-being.

Dr. Vassiliki Simoglou

Licensed Psychologist

Dr. Vassiliki Simoglou is a CDA-licensed psychologist. She completed all her studies in Psychology in France, and is a licensed psychologist in Greece and the European territory, and in Dubai by the CDA. Dr. Vassiliki holds a PhD in Psychoanalysis and Psychopathology from Sorbonne Paris Cité - Paris Diderot University in Paris, and a Bachelor’s and Master’s Degree in Clinical Psychology from the University Louis Pasteur of Strasbourg. She also holds a Master’s degree in Psychoanalytic Studies from the University of Essex in the UK. She has been working as a psychodynamically oriented psychotherapist for more than 14 years, in Dubai, Paris and Athens. She offers individual counseling and psychotherapy for adults and adolescents (15+), couples therapy, family therapy, and perinatal and infertility counseling - in French, English and Greek.

Judy Seoud, M.Ed., M.A.

Licensed Psychologist

Judy Seoud (M.Ed., M.A.) is a Licensed Psychologist and Sex Therapist with a double Master’s degree in Counseling Psychology from Columbia University (USA). Judy works with individuals facing issues related to anxiety, depression, anxiety, stressful life changes, communication, sex and intimacy, and social justice. She also helps couples improve their intimacy.

Tuna Bereket, M.A.

Allied Health Counsellor

Tuna Bereket (M.A.) is a DHA-licensed allied health counsellor. She obtained her B.A. degree in Psychology and her Master’s degree in Clinical Psychology at SWPS University in Poland. Tuna supports people who are struggling with depression, anxiety, trauma, relationship issues, personality disorders, and bereavement.

Joslin Gracias, M.A.

Licensed Psychologist

Joslin Gracias (M.A.) is a CDA-licensed psychologist. She holds an M.A. in Clinical Psychology from S.N.D.T. University in India. Joslin works with adolescents, adults, and couples who are experiencing depression, anxiety, relationship difficulties, trauma, and burnout/stress.

Jessica Rosslee, M.A.

Licensed Psychologist

Jessica Rosslee (M.A.) is a DHA-licensed Clinical Psychologist. She obtained her Master’s degree in Clinical Psychology at the University of the Free State, South Africa, in 2011. Jessica’s clinical interests and extensive expertise cover a broad range of mental health conditions or problematic concerns.

Dr. Dana Jammal

Licensed Psychologist

Dr. Dana Jammal is a UK-trained HCPC registered Counselling Psychologist who completed her doctorate training at City, University of London. She also holds a Master of Science degree in Mental Health Studies from the Institute of Psychiatry, Psychology and Neuroscience at King’s College London and a Bachelor of Science Honors degree in Psychology from McGill University in Canada. Dana has over 10 years experience working with individuals facing a range of mental health difficulties and challenges.