Clinical and Counselling Psychology

Dr Dina Bedair

Dr Dina is a client-led therapist that specialises in working with Autistic clients and their families. She uses a flexible range of evidence-based approaches including Cognitive Behaviour Therapy (CBT), Family Therapy and Play Therapy at our clinic in JLT, Dubai. Dina is also an EMDR Therapist and is trained in using EMDR with across the lifespan.

In addition to therapeutic work with clients and their families, Dr Dina is trained and experienced in conducting Neuro-Developmental Assessments including assessments of Autism and ADHD across the life span. 

In addition to her clinical work at Insights, Dr Dina is also a lecturer at the University of East Anglia and a major contributor to the British Psychological Society guidelines on depression.

Follow Dr Dina on Instagram at: @dr.dina_psychologist

Dr Claire Lewis

As a practitioner with over 20 years experience, Dr Claire works respectfully and collaboratively with you to help you achieve your own unique therapeutic goals. She has extensive experience assisting people with a range of difficulties including Anxiety, Depression, Abuse, and Trauma as well as addressing difficult family relationships. She has a particular professional interest in supporting neurodiverse clients and their families.

She draws on a range of evidence-based therapy approaches that include Cognitive Behavioural Therapy (CBT), Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT), Solution Focused Based Therapy and Eye Movement Desensitisation and Reprocessing (EMDR) Therapy  to meet the unique needs and goals of each client, whilst providing a safe and nurturing space to supports them throughout the process of change and growth. She has also completed Gottman training for working with couples.

Dr Samir Pathan

In addition to his neurodevelopmental expertise, Samir is passionate about providing high quality, evidence based psychological therapies to clients across the lifespan. Samir utilises an integrative, person-centred approach to therapy, working alongside clients to tailor interventions that are in line with their personal values and goals.

Samir offers short and long-term psychological interventions utilising therapeutic modalities such as Acceptance and Commitment Therapy, Compassion Focussed Therapy and Cognitive-Behavioural Therapy. Samir is an EMDR Therapist and is trained in using EMDR with across the lifespan. Samir’s clinical practice is underpinned by robust, collaboratively developed formulations that are created with clients at their own pace. Psychological therapy is built on rapport and trust, and Samir provides a judgement free and safe space for clients to explore their difficulties.

Samir values working with people involved in a client’s life when appropriate. He has previously worked within family therapy clinics and is open to family and network participation in sessions. Samir is also experienced in providing consultations to other professionals and organisations.

Samir provides support for a range of presentations such as:

• Autism post-diagnosis support (for individuals, couples, families, care providers and other professionals)
• Anxiety Disorders
• Depression
• Stress and burnout
• Trauma
• Emotion regulation difficulties
• Psychosis
• PTSD
• Obsessive Compulsive Disorder
• Relationship and interpersonal difficulties
• Personality Disorder
• Self-harm
• Phobias
• Formal diagnostic assessment for Autism

Leyli Afsari

When working with clients, she uses a Person-Centred approach to offer a warm, compassionate, and confidential space for people to explore their experiences without judgment. This promotes acceptance, respect, and individuality. It also enables clients to build self-understanding and awareness, thereby helping them develop healthier relationships and a better sense of self. She also draws from other approaches, such as: Cognitive-Behavioral Therapy, Child-Centred Play Therapy, Circle of Security (Parenting), EMDR and Internal Family Systems.

At Insights Leyli often sees clients that consider themselves as Neurodivergent. She works affirmatively and systematically to support Autistic people, ADHDers, and people that experience other differences. She has training in concepts such as Executive Function Difficulties, Working with Hard-to-Reach Children, and Working with Autistic Adults. She has additional training and experience in working with individuals with trauma, abuse, anxiety, and other mental health needs.

When working with young people, Leyli uses a strengths-based approach, and she prefers to include parents and school professionals in the therapeutic process to help the child thrive. Through the counselling relationship, she hopes clients can discover their inner strength to be able to manage life’s challenges and reach their full potential.

Lindi Nhlapo

Lindi's interests including working with clients that present with mental health needs, including, but not limited to, the following presentations:

• Anxiety and Stress
• Depression and Low Mood
• Emotional Regulation Needs
• Obsessional Thoughts
• Trauma
• Grief
• Challenges with self-esteem, self-confidence and executive function skills

Lindi is trained in Smart Choice Parenting, a course that has proved effective in addressing parent-child relationships. She has an interest in facilitating communication skills between parents and their children with an aim of equipping them with necessary parental skills to improve their relationship.

Lindi is experienced in working with adolescents and adults that consider themselves neurodiverse, in supporting their mental health needs. 

Jacqui Lawson

With over 20 years professional experience in the UAE, Jacqui has worked in a variety of settings including private clinics, schools and hospitals. She has helped clients of all ages, backgrounds and nationalities and particularly enjoys working with neurodivergent individuals.

Although Jacqui mainly conducts assessments and counselling online, she also leads multi-disciplinary teams for face-to-face assessments. She specializes in neurodevelopmental assessments (ADHD, Autism and Specific Learning Difficulties) for adults and adolescents and uses tools such as the WAIS-4, MIGDAS, WISC-5, DIVA-5, SRS-2, BASC-3, CAARS, CAT-Q, and WIAT-3/4. 

When counselling, Jacqui recognizes the individuality of each client and their unique needs. She therefore tailors interventions to suit each client, and uses an integrative approach combining elements of different modalities, including Humanistic Therapy, Cognitive Behaviour Therapy (CBT), Dialectical Behaviour Therapy (DBT), Psychodynamic Therapy, Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT) and Mindfulness.

Jacqui works collaboratively with her clients to address areas such as post diagnostic support for Autism and ADHD, Anxiety, Panic Attacks, Depression, Trauma, Anger Management, Relationships, and Grief. Jacqui believes in working with clients holistically to help them discover their strengths and move towards self-acceptance.

In addition to assessment and counselling Jacqui has offered staff training on a variety of mental health topics and how to support neurodivergence in the workplace. Examples of training conducted include: Assessing ADHD in adults; Anxiety and Stress Management; Resilience, Growth Mindset and Post Traumatic Growth; Improving Executive Functioning Skills and Understanding and Managing Behavioural, Social and Emotional Difficulties. As a mother of two, Jacqui also enjoys delivering workshops to parents and teachers, such as teaching children coping skills, self - regulation strategies and mindfulness.

Jacqui’s ultimate goal is to help her clients gain insight and to be authentic. She aims to equip them with practical and necessary tools, to feel empowered to make their own choices and positive changes.