A Safe Space to Begin Your Healing Journey
Trauma-Informed Therapy and Treatment in Dubai
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What is Trauma?
Trauma is a severe emotional and physiological response to a terrible event, or series of events, that overwhelms a person’s ability to cope. Scientifically, trauma alters how the brain processes danger, memory, and emotion, causing the nervous system to remain locked in a state of high alert. It is deeply painful, but with specialised trauma-informed care, the nervous system can heal.
Signs & Symptoms
Your symptoms are your brain’s attempt to protect you from future harm. They are a normal reaction to an abnormal situation. Trauma reactions can be delayed and deeply confusing. You might notice:
- Flashbacks, nightmares, or intrusive memories of the event
- Hypervigilance (always feeling on guard or startling easily)
- Emotional numbness, detachment, or severe dissociation (feeling disconnected from reality)
- Avoiding people, places, or conversations that remind you of the event
- Unexplained physical pain, exhaustion, or sudden panic attacks
What Causes It?
Trauma is defined not just by the event, but by how your system experienced it. It can stem from:
- Singular events, such as car accidents, natural disasters, or violent assaults
- Complex trauma, involving prolonged exposure to stress (like childhood abuse or domestic violence)
- Medical trauma from severe illness, invasive procedures, or difficult childbirth
- Systemic trauma, such as enduring severe discrimination or living in poverty
- Ambiguous loss or sudden, shocking bereavement
How It’s Diagnosed
A trauma diagnosis must be approached with the utmost care so as not to re-traumatise:
- A trauma-informed professional will guide a gentle assessment, focusing on your current symptoms rather than forcing you to recount every detail of the event.
- Screening for Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD) or Complex PTSD using standardised, evidence-based tools.
- A joint discussion to validate your experiences and outline a safe, paced treatment plan.
Treatment & Support Options
Healing trauma at The Psychiatry and Therapy Centre requires therapies that address both the brain and the body:
- EMDR (Eye Movement Desensitisation and Reprocessing): Helps the brain reprocess traumatic memories so they are no longer emotionally charged.
- Trauma-Focused CBT: Helps untangle negative beliefs associated with the trauma.
- Somatic Experiencing: Focuses on releasing the trauma “trapped” in the physical body through nervous system regulation.
- Medication, if needed, to help calm severe anxiety or improve sleep while doing the therapeutic work.
Living With Trauma
Healing from trauma is difficult work, but it is profoundly transformative. Recovery doesn’t mean the event didn’t happen; it means it no longer controls your life. Through trauma-informed care, you can rewire your nervous system to feel safe again. Over time, survivors often reclaim their sense of self, rebuild trust, and experience post-traumatic growth, stepping into lives filled with deep resilience and peace.
What exactly is trauma, and how is it different from just a really bad experience?
Trauma is more than just a bad experience; it’s a deeply distressing or disturbing event that overwhelms an individual’s ability to cope, causing lasting psychological harm. While a bad experience might be upsetting, trauma fundamentally changes how your brain and body respond to the world, often leading to persistent feelings of fear, helplessness, or horror. It’s a profound injury to your sense of safety and self.
I've experienced something very difficult, and now I feel constantly on edge or numb. Are these common reactions to trauma?
Yes, absolutely. Reactions to trauma can vary widely, but feeling constantly on edge (hypervigilance), easily startled, or, conversely, feeling numb, detached, or emotionally flat are very common. You might also experience flashbacks, nightmares, difficulty sleeping, or avoidance of anything that reminds you of the event. These are your body and mind trying to protect you, but they can be incredibly distressing.
What causes trauma, and is it always related to a single, dramatic event?
Trauma can stem from a single, dramatic event like an accident, assault, or natural disaster. However, it can also result from prolonged or repeated exposure to distressing situations, such as chronic abuse, neglect, or ongoing high-stress environments. It’s not about the event itself, but how your nervous system processes and stores that experience. Trauma is a deeply personal response.
I want to heal from my trauma, but I'm scared to revisit the past. What kind of treatment can help?
It’s completely understandable to be apprehensive about revisiting painful memories. Healing from trauma is a courageous journey, and our approach is always gentle, safe, and tailored to your pace. Effective treatments often include trauma-informed therapies like Eye Movement Desensitisation and Reprocessing (EMDR), Cognitive Behavioural Therapy (CBT), or Somatic Experiencing, which help process the memories and regulate your nervous system without overwhelming you. The goal is to help you integrate the experience and reclaim your life.
Trauma Experts at The Psychiatry and Therapy Centre
English, Hindi, Urdu
Aamnah Husain (Counsellor)
A US-trained Counsellor and Psychotherapist with over 15 years of experience, specializing in cross-cultural therapy and emotional well-being.
• Masters in Education, Columbia University, New York
• Dubai Health Authority (DHA) Licensed Counsellor
• US Trained and Certified Psychologist, Experienced in CBT, EFT, EMDR,
Trauma
English, Urdu
Dr Asad Sadiq (Consultant Psychiatrist)
A UK-trained Consultant Psychiatrist with over 20 years’ experience, formerly a Lead Consultant and Clinical Director in the NHS, before relocating to Dubai in 2016.
• MBChB Medical degree, University of Edinburgh, UK
• Specialist register of General Medical Council, UK (Consultant Psychiatrist)
• Member of the Royal College of Physicians (MRCP)
English
Dr Rachael Emma Phillips (Allied – Psychologist)
An HCPC-registered Clinical Psychologist and Autism Assessment Lead with extensive experience in the UK and UAE, specialising in neurodiversity.
• DPsych- Professional Doctorate in Counselling
Psychology, University of East London, UK
• Qualified Autism Assessor, Autism Assessment Lead
• Expert in Eating Disorders
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A Safe Space to Begin Your Healing
We understand that reaching out can feel like a daunting step, and you don’t have to have all the answers right now. At The Psychiatry & Therapy Centre, your comfort and peace of mind are our absolute priorities. You don’t have to carry the weight of what you’re going through alone.
When you’re ready, we’re here to listen at your pace and on your terms. You can reach out to our compassionate team in whichever way feels most secure and comfortable for you: