Professionals

ADRIAN

Adrian is a licensed psychologist with a strong educational background, having completed his studies at University College London. He brings a wealth of experience to his role, having previously worked as a Mathematics teacher in a London secondary school and as the Head of Special Educational Needs (SEN) at a GCC international school. 

With over 20 years of experience supporting children with special and additional needs, Adrian is dedicated to fostering inclusive practices in schools and organizations. He has collaborated with educational leaders to develop effective policies, systems, and interventions that enhance the learning environment for all students. 

Adrian specializes in assessing a wide range of complex cases, from early years to more sensitive evaluations of older children. His expertise spans diverse cultural and faith-based contexts, ensuring a comprehensive understanding of each child's unique situation. His assessments are characterized by rigor, creativity, compassion, and confidence. 

A strong advocate for every child, Adrian believes that with the right support from knowledgeable adults, all children can make meaningful progress relative to their starting points. 

AMY

The 2015 winner of the Princess Haya Award for Outstanding Clinical Psychologist, Amy has been with kidsFIRST Medical Center since 2011. She qualified with a Doctorate in Clinical Psychology from the University of Birmingham, UK in 2004 and worked in the UK until she moved to Dubai in 2011. She has significant experience in psychological assessment and treatment, including advising in child care proceedings as an expert witness for the UK court system.

Amy works across a wide range of psychological difficulties and offers an eclectic approach drawing on diverse psychological theories and practices. She holds specialist interest in attachment theory and trauma work. Amy is a certified practitioner of FRIENDS Resilience, the only anxiety prevention and resilience-building program recognized by the World Health Organization. She is also a practitioner of Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing (EMDR) for children and teens, a therapeutic approach endorsed by the World Health Organization (WHO) to reprocess trauma. She also offers supervision to school counselors within Dubai.

Amy helps children both individually and in groups, provides parental support, and works with the family as a whole. She also provides comprehensive assessments to children struggling at home or at school.

Amy is heavily involved in advancing psychological awareness and services within the UAE, including extensive media interaction, participation in regional government conferences and workshops, and was a chapter contributor to the book, Mental Health and Psychological Practice in the United Arab Emirates (2015).

ANA-PAULA

Ana-Paula has a Masters degree in Philosophy, specializing in teaching and learning, and a qualification in teaching and cognitive training. Originally from South Africa, she has lived and worked in Dubai since 2014. For over thirty years, she has been involved in various facets of education as a primary teacher, cognitive trainer, researcher, author of mathematics school books and pedagogic textbooks, art specialist teacher, and head of preschool.

Ana-Paula is committed to helping students to develop effective learning strategies to promote academic success. As a qualified cognitive trainer, Ana-Paula has extensive experience in establishing practical study skills. Using a reflective practice approach to learning and teaching, critical thinking and research-based problem solving techniques are at the heart of her practice.

MARYSE

Maryse is a clinical psychologist who specializes in child neuropsychology. Licensed since 2012, Maryse's experience before kidsFIRST included being a neuropsychologist at the American University of Beirut Medical Center (Lebanon) and at Al Jalila Children's Specialty Hospital (Dubai). She provides comprehensive assessments (neuropsychological, psychoeducational, cognitive, and developmental) for toddlers, preschoolers, school-aged children, adolescents, and young adults.   

Through a careful assessment of all cognitive domains such as intelligence, memory, attention, and executive functioning, along with academic and social-emotional development, Maryse can identify the young person’s strengths and areas of growth. She works regularly with the support network of parents, teachers, and other care providers to better serve the child by providing recommendations for intervention, environmental modifications, and helpful resources.   

Maryse has a particular interest in the assessment and the treatment of neurodevelopmental disorders including ADHD, LD, and ASD. 

Maryse supports children in English, Arabic and French. 

PRIYA

Priya is a qualified British social worker & mental health practitioner with 22 years post qualifying experience & over 30 years of experience working with children and families within a variety of settings, including education, social care, youth offending, mental health and counseling. She has lived in the UAE since 2013 working in schools and as an independent consultant. 

What is a Parent Coach? 

A parent coach is a professional who provides guidance, support, and advice to parents to help them navigate challenges and enhance their parenting skills. Parent coaching aims to empower parents, improve communication within the family, and address specific concerns or issues related to child development, behavior, and overall family dynamics. The ultimate goal of parent coaching is to promote a healthy and nurturing family environment for the well-being of both parents and children. 

SUZETTE

Suzette has been working as an educational psychologist in private practice and school environments since 2007, in addition to 16 years as a school teacher working mainly within special educational needs. She obtained her master’s and doctorate degrees in Educational Psychology at the University of Pretoria, South Africa. 

Suzette assesses, diagnoses, and treats learning and developmental barriers which can impair the psychological, social, and emotional wellbeing of children and young people. Suzette holds special interest in solution-focused family therapy, child-centered play therapy (CCPT), and cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT).

To ensure the best treatment outcomes, Suzette utilizes a multi-disciplinary approach by collaborating with parents, teachers, and other pediatric specialists. She also aims to promote resilience by guiding clients to utilize their personal strengths and assets, so that optimal development and learning can take place.