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Get to Know Me

A licensed professional here to help

Dr. Lavina Ahuja, is licensed psychologist at Dubai Health Care City. She is a Chartered member of the British Psychological Society (BPS), having done her Doctorate in Counselling Psychology and her training at Relate Institute from the UK.

Lavina is an Indian national and a Dubai-ite, being born and brought up in Dubai. For over a decade she has lived and worked in different cities in the world, having studied and worked in Canada, in the UK and here in Dubai. She is fluent in and offers consulting in English, Hindi, Urdu and Sindhi.

She has worked with individuals, couples and families with a wide range of mental health or relationship issues. In the UK, Lavina worked for several years in a primary health-care set-up, which means short-term cognitive-behavioral therapy (CBT) for issues like anxiety, depression, relationship issues, self-esteem and self-worth issues.  She also worked with couples, at Relate UK, using Systemic Therapy and Transactional Analysis models. She has trained in using and teaching mindfulness techniques, especially mindfulness-based cognitive behavioral therapy (MBCT).

Here in Dubai, in her past work experience at LifeWorks, Lavina has gained considerable experience at working with individuals and couples with a wide variety of issues. In her work with individuals she has worked extensively with individuals with anxiety and relationship issues; while in her work with couples, she worked extensively with couples from a similar cultural background as she has insight and knowledge of cultural norms and values. She has also worked with communication and conflict resolution issues, helping couples learn how to effectively connect and communicate with each other, especially when in crisis, like infidelity.  

In her work with individual clients, Lavina has specialized in dealing with anxiety issues and Obsessive Compulsive Disorder (OCD). With couple clients, Lavina has worked extensively with relationship issues like communication, conflict, cross-cultural issues and infidelity. 

Additionally, Lavina has worked with individuals and couples with the following issues:

  • Stress and Anxiety

  • Depression and low mood

  • Negative thinking

  • Self-esteem and self-worth issues

  • Anger Management

  • Relationship issues

  • Communication issues

  • Cross-cultural issues

  • Healing from infidelity

  • Grief and loss

  • Commitment issues

  • Bipolar Disorder


Lavina says:

“Personally, I think everyone could benefit with some profession support and guidance at some point in time! We could all do with some support, someone we could talk to, someone who will truly listen, especially when we are stressed or having a difficult time. Talking to a professional can help you gain self-awareness and feel supported, so you can overcome most ongoing issues.

I believe in a supportive, open and non-judgemental therapeutic environment in which we can learn, uncover and explore issues and move towards resolution and personal growth.

My practice comprises of an integrative therapeutic model, with a core philosophy of Client-Centred Therapy, which means, I believe that provided the right environment and a good therapeutic relationship, we can overcome most issues and grow. My core philosophy is integrated with psychodynamic models and other models, like Cognitive-Behavioural Therapy (CBT), Solution-Focused therapy, Transactional Analysis, Systemic Therapy, Mindfulness and Mindfulness-based Cognitive Therapy (MBCT). My knowledge and experience in a number of different approaches has allowed me the flexibility and skill to tailor therapeutic interventions to help clients to learn and grow, while keeping in mind their individual needs.”

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