The 10 Best Therapists for Marriage Counseling in Dubai

No marriage is perfect. Couples have their ups and downs, and specific advice can help them get through the struggles. 

Marriage counseling can help couples overcome challenges and equip them with the right skills to communicate effectively.

That’s why we’re sharing our top therapists for marriage counseling in Dubai. We also included our criteria in choosing them and answered some FAQs about marriage counseling.

How much does marriage counseling cost in Dubai?

The cost of marriage counseling sessions can vary depending on where you’re located, what provider you choose, and the type of marriage counseling you need.

The average cost of marriage counseling can range from AED180 to AED750 per hour.

The Best Therapists for Marriage Counseling in Dubai

Before we get right into our choices of top therapists for marriage counseling in Dubai, here are the criteria we followed as we chose our entries for this list:

Education & training – We considered each therapist’s educational background and specialized training because this dictates their approach to guiding couples in working through their struggles.

Experience – This pertains to how long have they been a practicing therapist, as well as their life experience that shapes their views on relationships and on marriage.

Methods – We also considered each therapist’s strategies and approaches to tackling couples’ challenges and the effectiveness of these based on studies and clients’ testimonies.

1. Positive Living UAE

Criteria	Ratings
Education & Training	★★★★★ (5/5)
Experience	★★★★★ (5/5)
Methods	★★★★★ (5/5)

My name is Luz Maria Villagras Surco, I am from South America and I am a Certified Holistic Couple Therapist, using the approach called “Imago Approach” from the two creators, Clinical Psychologists Ph.D. Hedrick Harville and Ph.D. Hellen Lakelly (USA) – authors of the book “Getting the Love You Want” (Published Book in 1988)

Among the many degrees Mrs Surco has are, Clinical Hypnotherapy Treatments (RTT Method – Marisa Peer), Master in Neuro-Linguistic Programming (NLP – Richard Bandler), Conscious Parenting (CPMC – Dr. Ph.D. Shefali Tsabary and Compassionate Inquiry (CI Psychotherapy Counselling – Dr. Gabor Mate’s School).  These Psychological methods aim to kick start a transformative journey with Mrs.Surco. 

Luz blends & integrates all these qualifications to deliver the best couple therapy sessions in one program, assisting her clients to heal their relationship challenges.

In sessions with Mrs. Luz, will not only focus on the romantic relationship’s needs but also beyond the couple’s challenges, into other areas such as childhood traumas, conscious parenting, career performance, and a more fullfilling social life. Mrs Luz ‘s count on the expertise to complement all areas of the couple’s life. Every session with Mrs Luz will impact you positively, not only to the couple but the whole family. 

In sessions with me, topics such as childhood traumas, emotional blocks, irrational fears, past negative experiences, and various limiting beliefs will be tackled, as well.

The focus of the couple therapy is learning the best ways to tacke the dynamic of human connections. For Mrs. Luz Maria, the main characteristic of a successful long-lasting healthy relationship is deep connection, assertive communication, healthy intimacy including physical thouch.

According to Mrs Luz Maria, LOVE is not enough to maintain a healthy relationship, other important elements such as, strong trust, consistent joy, clear boundaries, and mutual devotion to serve each other basic’s needs is imperative. 

Ten Characteristics of a “Conscious Committed Relationship”

1. Recognize the deep purpose of your relationship: which is to heal each other’s past emotional wounds and together build a safer connection and space for each other.

2. View your partner with empathy, and understanding, they too carry emotional scars and hence they might perceive the world differently (from the parental, social, and environmental factors they carry from childhood experience)

3. Take on the responsibility to communicate your needs in a way that your partner understands, with empathy and non-violent communication, instead of fostering open dialogue.

4. Be purposeful and use positive language in your conversations, striving to eliminate any negativity.

5. Continue to place high value and respect on your partner’s needs and desires, treating them as important as your own (create solid boundaries)

6. Acknowledge and accept your own imperfections and darker aspects, committing to personal growth.

7. Refrain from projecting your unmet needs onto your partner and instead, clearly request actions that fulfill your core needs.

8. Dedicate yourself to continuous self-improvement, both personally and professionally, to keep growing together.

9. Choose to live vibrantly with your partner, sharing positive energy and steering clear of negativity.

10. Embrace your partner’s uniqueness as an opportunity for growth, maintaining a balance between your perspectives and theirs for a safe, intimate connection.

Let me ASSIST YOU TO ELEVATE & HEAL YOUR RELATIONSHIP.

Book a session now on the link below:

https://calendly.com/positiveliving_with_luzmaria/conscious-couple-therapy-discovery-call

Customer Reviews

Luz is amazing! I went to see her for RTT and general holistic treatment. I had four sessions with Luz at her very comfortable and welcoming office. Luz is always punctual, professional, sympathetic, empathetic, and caring. I was able to very easily open up to Luz and share my concerns without any barriers. Luz understood the need to work with my family as a whole and offered sessions with my spouse and also my eldest son. Both my wife and son benefitted greatly from sessions with Luz and as a family we keen in touch with Luz and count on her impeccable advice and counsel.
I would recommend Luz to anyone who wants a real holistic therapist. I am truly indebted to Luz for changing my mindset, my emotional disposition and purpose in life.
Thank you Luz!

Mr. Murtaza Khaleed

Luz provided a therapy experience that enabled my husband and I to uncover and heal our traumas. That has meant we now see each other with gentleness and compassion and are now stronger as a couple than we have ever been!

Mrs. Sarah Babiker

2. HealingWithSree

Criteria	Ratings
Education & Training	★★★★★ (5/5)
Experience	★★★★★ (5/5)
Methods	★★★★★ (5/5)

Sreemanti Gijare, the visionary behind HealingWithSree, brings forth a unique blend of expertise, seamlessly transitioning from a successful tenure in the oil and gas industry to a dedicated guide in the realm of hypnotherapy. Her journey is not just a narrative of personal evolution but a synthesis of corporate acumen and scientific background, making her a compelling choice for marriage counseling therapy.

With a foundation rooted in geophysics and extensive corporate experience, Sree’s approach to healing is enriched by a diverse background. This blend offers clients a fresh and insightful perspective on life challenges, particularly within the complex landscape of marriage.

The hallmark of Sree’s methodology lies in a holistic transformation, intricately weaving subconscious and conscious-level techniques into a tapestry of comprehensive healing. This nuanced approach is designed to offer couples not just counseling but a profound and enduring transformative experience.

Sree’s specialization in aiding individuals on their journey to recovery from trauma and healing from narcissistic abuse positions her as an expert capable of navigating the complexities inherent in marriages and relationships.

What sets HealingWithSree apart is the unwavering commitment to embracing unconventional methods and boldly tapping into the power of the subconscious. This commitment resonates with those seeking innovative and non-traditional therapeutic approaches.

The essence of HealingWithSree is further amplified by the real-life success stories of her clients. These stories serve as testaments to the transformative power of her unique approach, making her not just a guide but a catalyst for tangible and lasting change.

The mission at the heart of HealingWithSree is to guide individuals in reclaiming their lives, dismantling fears, and triumphing over self-doubt. This narrative of empowerment becomes a beacon, especially for couples looking not only to resolve conflicts but also to embark on a journey of individual and collective growth. HealingWithSree stands as a testament to the transformative power of embracing the uncharted territories of healing, where empowerment is not just a goal but a way of life.

Customer Reviews

Testimonial from Alex and Emma:
“Our journey with Sree at Healingwithsree has been truly transformative. We were on the verge of giving up, but Sree’s compassionate and insightful guidance helped us rediscover the love and understanding that initially brought us together. The sessions provided a safe space for open communication, and the tools we gained have been invaluable in navigating the complexities of our marriage. We are forever grateful for the healing journey Sree facilitated for us.”

Testimonial from Ryan and Maya:
“Sree’s marriage counseling sessions were a lifeline for our relationship. Her empathetic and skilled approach helped us unravel deep-seated issues and work towards resolution. The emphasis on effective communication and understanding each other’s perspectives has been a game-changer for us. Our marriage is stronger, and we now face challenges as a united team. Thank you, Sree, for guiding us towards a healthier and happier marriage.”

Testimonial from Daniel and Sophia:
“Healingwithsree’s marriage counseling exceeded our expectations. Sree’s commitment to our well-being was evident from the start. Her tailored strategies and exercises not only addressed our immediate concerns but also equipped us with long-term relationship skills. The counseling sessions were a safe space for vulnerability, and Sree’s ability to guide us through difficult conversations fostered a deeper connection. We highly recommend Healingwithsree to any couple seeking guidance on their marital journey.”

3. Dr. Kennon Rider

Criteria	Ratings
Education & Training	★★★★☆ (4/5)
Experience	★★★★★ (5/5)
Methods	★★★★☆ (4/5)

Dr.Kennon Rider is an expert in guiding couples through many issues. He has 25 years’ worth of experience working with these kinds of people.

Trained in the United States, this licensed Marriage and Family Therapist has received both his Master of Science Degree and his Doctorate in Human Development and Family Studies from Texas Tech University.

And while Texas Tech University isn’t especially recognized for its Family Relations program, we think it’s still impressive for a therapist like Dr. Rider to see through his academic achievements in his career.

And it pays off because his educational attainment and 25 years of experience make him a great choice for older couples who may share the certain mindset you get when you’re in his age range.

Jack and Kate, a couple in their mid-50s, wholeheartedly agree with this sentiment. Dr. Rider was able to help them address the issues that started to arise when all of their children moved out of their house.

Dr. Rider’s own experience with having to deal with repressed issues that we’re put aside to care for his own children helped them understand many things about themselves as a couple and as individuals.

His age doesn’t limit him, either. Dr. Rider teaches as a professor at the Zayed University in Dubai.  

His classes have included courses like Children and Families in Crisis, Family Relations, and many more.

This means that he gets to interact with younger people every day, sharing and learning from each other about how young couples operate in modern times.

As for his methods, Jack and Kate shared with us that his primary strategy would be to get couples to join seminars and workshops that he holds.

These group sessions train couples to face issues such as grief, crisis management, anxiety, communication, and many more.

And while these are effective and simple solutions to complicated problems, we believe that not everyone may be comfortable with a group setup.

Airing out dirty laundry in front of strangers may not be effective for many, but it can give a sense of community that some couples may be looking for.

All in all, Dr. Kennon Rider’s multi-decade experience and exceptional educational background make him a formidable choice for marriage counseling.

He’s tried and tested many approaches throughout his career and continues to expand his perspectives by teaching and learning from students, something that is extremely valuable for therapists.

4. Sailaja Menon

Criteria	Ratings
Education & Training	★★★★★ (5/5)
Experience	★★★★★ (5/5)
Methods	★★★★☆ (4/5)

For 25 years, Sailaja Menon has been helping married couples work through their issues within the confines of their culture, beliefs, and perspectives in life.

She graduated as a psychologist with a post-master degree (CAGS) specializing in multicultural counseling from the world-renowned and prestigious Johns Hopkins University in the United States.

Sailaja’s training has equipped her to be a great therapist for both individuals and couples alike, and her exceptional educational background really adds great credibility to her approaches to counseling individuals, couples, and families.

Ahmed and Natasha are a young couple who have been struggling to reconcile their different beliefs and religious upbringing. They came to Sailaja because of her multicultural background.

American of Indian origin, Sailaja was born in Malaysia and spent her childhood there before moving to India for her formative years.

She has been working in Dubai as a psychologist for the last 10 years but has also worked in the US, India, and Singapore. 

Her multicultural background allows her to be empathetic to the struggles and challenges that many cultures bring to a married couple.

It also allows her to reconcile multi-cultural differences and harmonize different beliefs that are mostly the root of many issues in relationships.

We think this is especially important in a diverse city like Dubai, where different ethnicities, cultures, and religions co-exist with each other. Her multicultural experience also plays an important role in her methods. 

We love that Sailaja follows the belief that in therapy, what a client requires is not necessarily a brilliant mind that speaks but a patient heart that listens.

She has an eclectic approach and often integrates other models of therapy such as cognitive behavioral therapy, solution-focused compassion-based therapy, mindfulness-based therapy, emotion-focused therapy, and acceptance and commitment therapy.

This is because she firmly believes that no approach fits all couples and that she addresses unique issues with different approaches.

And while we agree that it’s important for therapists to have an array of approaches to suit the clients, we also think that the unpredictability of it all may seem daunting to first-timers.

She also focuses on adapting her techniques to best suit the client’s cultural background, ethnic identity, level of acculturation, and unique life experiences and situations. 

The only problem that Ahmed and Natasha really expressed to us is that it’s so hard to get an appointment with her because she is the top choice for expat couples, considering she fits a niche within that multi-cultural community.

All in all, Sailaja Menon backs up her amazing knowledge with her multicultural background as means to really understand the root of every couple’s issues.

Her belief that a patient and open heart comes first before having a brilliant mind is what makes her so empathetic and driven to help solve marital problems.

5. Naya Clinic

Criteria	Ratings
Education & Training	★★★★☆ (4/5)
Experience	★★★★★ (5/5)
Methods	★★★★☆ (4/5)

Sam Nabil founded positive existential therapy and Naya Clinic which is a facility that is founded and also operated by one of the best therapists in Dubai Sam Nabil. Comprised of a team of highly qualified and trained therapists, they have since then been delivering USA-standard coaching and therapy services.

Pioneering the Existential Therapy approach, they have since then been giving their clients different and versatile approaches to better help them know which one works best for their condition and situation.

Furthermore, with convenient online schedulers and offices that accommodate the time difference of their clients to better both online and in-person sessions, we find their services highly flexible to the needs of the client as well.

Note though that some of their services are only limited to online sessions, so clients who are intending to have physical sessions may need to inquire further with them.

Overall, with their personalized approaches for each client when it comes to their therapies, highly amicable therapists, and comprehensive sessions, we recommend them to clients looking for professional marriage counseling to check them out.

6. Nicola Beer

Criteria	Ratings
Education & Training	★★★☆☆ (3/5)
Experience	★★★★★ (5/5)
Methods	★★★★☆ (4/5)

World-renowned expert in relationship psychology, Nicola Beer, has proven to the whole world that her eccentric approach to marriage counseling gets the job done.

Luna and John, a couple who has been through several marriage counselors, finally found the perfect partner to help them get through their issues with Nicola.

They shared with us that Nicola’s formulated program that guides couples through the healing process has done miracles for both of them.

They also shared that once you get past the feeling of skepticism and ridiculousness, you’ll find that her practices really change you.

We love that Nicola has become a trailblazer in the industry by introducing a new approach to fixing relationships. She believes that the reason why marriage counselors only enjoy a success rate of 20% is that their techniques are more than likely outdated. 

And while it was hard for us to believe that traditional practices that therapists have been using don’t work as well as they should, the results pushed us to believe her even more.

While marriage counselors only have around a 20% success rate, Nicola is known for having 90% of her clients reconcile with each other.

Perhaps her lack of a large and prestigious educational background has become more of a strength rather than a weakness. By not being confined within the traditional perspectives of therapy and psychology, she can think outside the box. 

Nicola’s limited educational background includes a bachelor of science in Sociology with Psychology Modules. Most of her background comes from specialized training in anxiety treatment and hypnotherapy, spiritual coaching, and grief and loss recovery.

Most of her credentials are not at all prestigious, but she has shown great results. She’s impressively an Amazon best-selling author of four books and has an award for Middle East Women in Leadership.

Where she lacks in credentials she makes up for in her life experience. At age 14, her parents divorced after a volatile marriage. She considers it a deep loss as a young adult, and she ended up feeling lonely, depressed, and confused.

This sense of disappointment pushed her to find answers and spend years researching, interviewing, and learning from happily married couples about what really works.

All in all, Nicola Beer proves to be one of the best in the world because of her unorthodox approach and life experience pushing her to sincerely help couples.

7. Sarah Rasmi

Criteria	Ratings
Education & Training	★★★★★ (4/5)
Experience	★★★☆☆ (3/5)
Methods	★★★★☆ (4/5)

The managing director and the highly-demanded therapist of Dubai’s Thrive Wellbeing Centre, Sarah Rasmi has been helping guide married couples through rough patches for many years now.

She holds an M.A. and Ph.D. in Psychology from the University of Guelph in Canada and has completed couples therapy training via the Gottman Institute, as well as the Humanistic Existential and Relational Therapy (HEART) training.

On top of that, she has also received training in therapy services from the Behman Psychiatric Hospital in Egypt and United Arab Emirates University.

We love that she has received international education from world-renowned institutions. But at the same time, she manages to learn the culture of the middle east by training under middle eastern institutions, perfectly melding global standards with the local cultural context.

Clara and Asanga, who have recently gone through a rocky phase in their relationship after some financial troubles, found solace in opening up their issues to Sarah. 

The couple shared with us how easy it was to tell her everything wrong in the relationship because of her warmth and gentleness.

We love that Sarah’s approach also follows the center’s belief in the power of science and evidence-based treatment options. But on top of that, she’s also very aware that nobody knows the client as much as the client does.

With this in mind, she combines the latest research and best practice within the context of the cultural and moral aspects of the client to provide them with the best tools and skills to help couples get through their struggles.

And being the managing director of Thrive, Sarah is exposed to many learnings and experiences on a day-to-day basis.

Whether it’s from the things she hears from her patients, or from the findings that her team shares with each other, her experience in counseling is built on the foundation of constant learning from work and personal life.

Though, other than that, there really isn’t any other background experience that makes Sarah an impeccable marriage counselor.

All in all, while Sarah’s approach to marriage counseling can be seen as very conventional, it’s hard to deny that these work.

Her amazing educational background and training, paired with the constant learning on working with colleagues and clients regularly make her a knowledgable choice for couples.

8. Marie Byrne

Criteria	Ratings
Education & Training	★★★★☆ (4/5)
Experience	★★★★☆ (4/5)
Methods	★★★☆☆ (3/5)

With a career in therapy for more than 20 years, Marie Byrne has founded a successful practice both in the UK and the UAE.

Throughout those years, she has managed to publish a self-help book based on the results of the study she did during her doctorate program. It was about self-actualization using Maslow’s Hierarchy of Needs.

Besides that, she also has an advanced diploma in Mindfulness and Cognitive Behavioural Therapy. And she is a certified life coach and personal development facilitator.

So while her educational background seems limited and pretty much straightforward, it’s also important to note that Marie has accomplished significant milestones in a therapist’s life.

Other than that, her career and her personal experiences have led her to believe that you have the answers within yourself and you need a safe space and enough time to really explore the significance of past events. 

Both her experiences and studies have shaped her perspective on therapy in the sense that the individual has the solutions to their problems. It has also shaped the way she approaches marriage counseling.

Anna and Hugh, a couple from the UK who struggled with moving on from the death of their youngest child, shared with us that Marie implements these Discovery Courses.

It helps couples learn how their past contributes to their current difficulties and the choices they’ve made. It also emphasizes a lot on inheriting our parents’ behavior and bringing that into our current relationships which could cause problems.

And by untangling and releasing all these negative emotions between the couples, she can help free themselves of the pain and suffering they have both caused each other.

Through this, Anna and Hugh were both able to target habits and defensive tactics that were the root of their conflicts and were able to reconcile with each other on the death of their child.

We think that this approach is multi-faceted and can really be effective towards more than just the marriage, but to the growth of the individuals as well.

All in all, Marie’s approach to helping couples is by targeting each individual and addressing their past and the issues that come with it.

By doing so, both individuals will be able to find peace within themselves and with each other.

9. Dr. Lavina Ahuja

Criteria	Ratings
Education & Training	★★★★★ (5/5)
Experience	★★★★★ (5/5)
Methods	★★★★☆ (4/5)

Dr. Lavina Ahuja is a Dubai-based counseling psychologist. We were immediately impressed by her over ten years of experience in the UAE, the United Kingdom, and Canada, which we believe establishes her expertise.

We found her fluency in multiple languages, including English, Hindi, Urdu, and Sindhi, to be impressive. In our opinion, this allows her to serve a wide range of clients.

Another thing that drew our attention was her extensive experience integrating various approaches to therapy, which we thought made her more adaptable and capable of tailoring her therapeutic sessions.

Now, Dr. Lavina Ahuja specializes in working with clients who suffer from anxiety and those who require couples therapy. 

We found it noteworthy that she has comprehensive experience with many relationship issues, allowing her to handle simple to complex cases.

She also provides a supportive and open therapeutic environment by uncovering and exploring issues, which we found comforting.

We thought this was an excellent way to reach a resolution and a good way for couples to discuss their problems.

Overall, we believe Dr. Lavina Ahuja is one of the best marriage therapists in Dubai. She has extensive experience with various relationship issues and uses customized therapy techniques to help couples get back on track.

10. CBTDubai

Criteria	Ratings
Education & Training	★★★★★ (5/5)
Experience	★★★★☆ (4.5/5)
Methods	★★★★☆ (4/5)

CBTDubai offers a range of counseling services for individuals experiencing various personal and professional challenges. The center’s Cognitive Behavioral Therapy, from the school of Aaron T. Beck, is effective in the long term and teaches patients skills and tools to use in the future. Furthermore, the center offers affordable prices to ensure accessibility to all who may need counseling.

Johanna Richmond Psy.D. leads the center with over 20 years of experience as a counselor and psychotherapist, and is trained in various therapies. Richmond creates a relaxed and private environment for clients and guides them towards the most suitable form of therapy. The center offers therapy for both men and women, and specializes in various conditions including depressive and anxiety disorders, stress management, grief counseling, and more.

CBTDubai’s self-esteem and confidence-building course helps clients accept themselves fully and build on their strengths, while recognizing their limitations. The Responsible Assertion Training transforms the meek and passive into confident and strong individuals who can handle interpersonal conflicts while preserving good relations. Additionally, the center offers anger management and grief counseling.

Overall, CBTDubai offers authentic, effective, and affordable counseling services for individuals seeking to live a more contented and mentally healthy life, and to have fulfilling relationships with themselves and those around them. With the guidance of Johanna Richmond and the center’s various therapies, clients can work towards a better life experience and achieve their goals.

FAQs about Marriage Counseling in Dubai

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Relationships have their challenges and marriage counseling can help overcome that. If you’re looking for other therapies and wellness solutions, then check out these articles:

• The Best Life Coaches in Dubai
• Best Speech Therapists in Dubai
• Best Massages in Dubai

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