Psychotherapy
People with a wide variety of mental illnesses and emotional difficulties can benefit from psychotherapy or talk therapy. In addition to improving well-being and healing, psychotherapy can help eliminate or control troubling symptoms.
Psychotherapy is a collaborative therapeutic approach that can help with everyday problems, trauma and medical illnesses, loss, such as losing a loved one, and specific mental disorders, such as depression and anxiety. Some types of psychotherapy can be more effective than others depending on the issues or problems being treated. Psychotherapy may be used in conjunction with medication or other therapies.
What conditions or challenges does psychotherapy help manage?
Psychotherapy can help with a number of issues, including but not limited to:
- Difficulties in coping with daily life or medical conditions
- Lifestyle changes like acculturation, adjustment, relocation
- Stress
- Anger
- Trauma (physical or emotional)
- The death of a loved one and grief
- Marital or relationship issues
- Work-related or family issues
- Specific mental health conditions, such as depression, anxiety, bipolar disorder, post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD), eating disorders, personality disorders and more.
- Difficulties with losing weight or quitting smoking
- Coping with acute or chronic illness, such as multiple sclerosis, cancer, stroke, chronic pain or an autoimmune disease
- Behavioral conditions, such as attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder (ADHD), oppositional defiant disorder (ODD), conduct disorder and more.
How does it work?
The goal of psychotherapy is to treat mental health issues through an evidence-based approach that is grounded in theory and skill-based dialogue. The therapist expects you to be actively involved in your sessions and be honest and open at all times, as this will benefit you and help in reframing your thoughts, feelings, and/or behaviour. The therapist/specialist may question your thoughts, assumptions, and perceptions or propose an alternate way of looking at or handling situations that can be different from yours and make you upset or disappointed. You can discuss your feeling with him/her in this case.
Each therapist generally draws on various psychological approaches depending on the problem and an evaluation of what will be beneficial to you. These include, but are not limited to, client-centred, psychodynamic, gestalt, cognitive-behavioural, schema therapy, dialectical behaviour therapy, eye movement desensitisation and reprocessing, art therapy, or psychoeducational. The psychologist/therapist’s scope of practice does not include medication. This will be availed as part of the services of a psychiatrist where deemed required.
What types of therapy and services are offered?
- Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT)
- Bereavement and grief counselling
- Brainspotting
- Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT)
- Couples therapy and pre-marital counselling
- Dialectical Behavior Therapy (DBT)
- Eclectic therapy
- Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing (EMDR)
- Mindfulness-based stress reduction
- Motivational interviewing
- Schema therapy
- Somatic therapy
Bhavna is an embodiment of expression in Hindi, and what better way to convey her feelings than through the art of dance and movement. From the tender age of 5, she has dedicated her life to learning, practicing, and performing various dance forms from around the world. Dance has been her refuge, helping her navigate through pain, hurt, and worries, ultimately leading her to the path of sharing this wisdom through rhythm and movement therapy. With over 22 years of teaching experience, Bhavna has transformed numerous students, spanning kids, adults, and children with autism, using movement as a medium for both enjoyment and meditation. She firmly believes that movement serves as a non-verbal language that connects body, mind, and soul, enabling individuals to express their inner selves. As a Visharad in Indian classical dance and holding certifications in yoga, Pilates, fitness, and a diploma in special needs education, Bhavna is well-equipped to guide others on their transformative journey through dance and movement.
In her professional capacity as the Director at the Child Development Center (CDC) for Special Needs, Kamila’s role involves supervising the provision of multi-disciplinary therapy services for children with autism and related developmental disorders. Kamila strongly believes in the provision of trauma-informed, empathetic, and child- and parent-centered therapy, which includes approaches such as music therapy, play-based ABA therapy, speech therapy, feeding therapy and occupational therapy. Kamila is a Board Certified Behavior Analyst (BCBA), who holds a Masters degree in Disability and Rehabilitation Studies, and is currently completing her doctorate in Education with a special focus on mental health and wellbeing of mothers of children with autism. At CDC, Kamila has incorporated approaches such as mindfulness and music therapy for reducing anxiety, stress, and enhancing emotional regulation and overall mental wellbeing among children and parents of children with autism disabilities and therapists.
A pioneer and coach, she is the founder of the be.fit180o team and the QAthletics Academy. She is the first Qatari coach targeting age groups from 4 to 14 years old for running and jumping since 2019. She holds a diploma in sports club and sports institution management and is a Level 3 running and fitness coach.
Iain Tulley spent 35 years in UK Healthcare, 15 years as Chief Executive.
Moses is a Physical Literacy and Physical Activity Champion, with vast experience, of over 18 years in youth empowerment, community development, project planning, project implementation, networking, resource mobilization, and working at different levels from grassroots, national, and international levels. He has extensive experience working with diverse groups of individuals in both local and global capacities.
Amna AlMuhannadi is a certified Ayurvedic lifestyle instructor and a psychological and social counselor with over a decade of experience in the field of health and wellness. She is recognized as an influencer in promoting healthy living and wellness tourism.
Dr. Mohammed Jaham Al-Kuwari boasts a remarkable career as both a General and bariatric Surgeon and a prominent figure in the world of sports administration.
Dr. Ghuloum is a Senior Consultant Psychiatrist at Hamad Medical Corporation, Professor at Doha Institute for Graduate Studies, and an Associate Professor of clinical psychiatry at Weill Cornell Medicine, Qatar.
Joanna, a wife and mom of three boys, spent over a decade calling Qatar home. Transitioning from the corporate world, she recently embarked on a new journey, becoming a business owner specializing in digital marketing. Beyond her professional pursuits, Joanna is a passionate advocate for mental health, emphasizing the significance of work-life balance and prioritizing self-care for mothers, readily sharing her experiences through her blog, “Mama in Transit”.
Shefa, with over 15 years of corporate experience, is a leading figure in coaching and motivation in Qatar. Her background in corporate communications and her roles as a Life & Business Coach, Motivational Speaker, and Wellness Advocate have made her a sought-after expert. She divides her time between consulting, coaching, workshops, and delivering keynotes for various organizations. Shefa is also a prolific writer and editor, contributing to publications like The Conversation by Amanda de Cadenet and a weekly column in Gulf Times, a prominent newspaper in Qatar. Her diverse client base includes organizations across multiple industries.
Dr. Nelli El-Ghazal holds a Ph.D. in School Psychology from the Pennsylvania State University and serves as a Child and Adolescent Psychologist in the Department of Psychiatry, with an instructional role at Weill Cornell Medical College. Her extensive background encompasses experience in the U.S. school system and private practice. Since joining Sidra in 2017, her clinical focus has revolved around addressing school-related emotional and behavioral challenges, as well as devising solutions for diverse learning and psychological needs. Dr. El-Ghazal actively collaborates with local schools to establish mental health support programs and frequently conducts training for parents, students, and faculty at educational institutions. She has also contributed as a guest lecturer at HMC and the Doha Institute of Graduate Studies, and she holds an associate editor position with an international school psychology journal.
French adventurer and endurance athlete, living in Doha for the past 15 years.
Former Qatar athletic and Coach.