Child psychiatrist in Dubai

Child psychiatrist or child psychologist?

In short, a child psychiatrist is a doctor who can diagnose and prescribe, while a psychologist helps through talking therapy and assessments: see psychologist or psychiatrist?

At our clinic, both teams work side by side. So your family deals with one clinic, not two.

• Learning and thinking skills assessmentsare done by our psychologists.
• Talking therapyfor children and teenagers is with our child psychologists.
• Insurancefor therapy, insurers usually ask for a psychiatrist's referral letter. Our psychiatrists work in the same clinic, so we can arrange it.

What happens at your child's first appointment?

1. Beforeyou book a short free call with one of our specialists. They find out what you need. Then we match your child with the right psychiatrist and find a time.
2. Meeting togetheryou and your child meet the psychiatrist in a calm, private room. The psychiatrist talks with you both. They ask about home, school, friends, health and family life. They may also ask about your child's early years.
3. Sometimes more than one meetingsome assessments, such as for ADHD or autism, can take more than one appointment.
4. At the endthe psychiatrist explains what they found, in plain words. Then you agree a plan together, so you leave with a clear next step.

It's common for teenagers to spend part of an assessment on their own. For how we handle a teenager's privacy, and how to explain the visit to a younger child, see our child psychologist page.

What our child psychiatrists help with

• ADHD and autism: assessment, diagnosis and ongoing care
• anxiety and worry
• low mood and depression
• OCD
• learning difficulties
• behaviour difficulties, including defiant behaviour
• eating difficulties
• trauma, grief and loss
• big feelings that are hard to manage

How treatment works for children and teenagers

Parents are part of every decision. Our psychiatrists involve families when decisions are made. They look at each child as part of their family, school and friendships, and give parents practical ways to help at home.

A plan that fits your child. A plan may include therapy or support at school. Our psychologists offer family therapy and CBT in the same clinic. CBT is a talking therapy that looks at how thoughts, feelings and actions link.