Dr. Louise McDonnell , DCounsPsych (UK)

Counselling Psychologist (DHCC Branch)

Dr. Louise McDonnell

I understand that addressing pain and making changes is a difficult path to take, but is it more difficult than your current path? As a counselling psychologist, I fully believe that with the right support, humans have an undisputable ability to overcome adversity.

I am a chartered counselling psychologist with over 15 years of experience working in therapeutic environments. My commitment and passion for this role is driven by my clinical experience and expertise, academia, and a keen interest in continuous learning. Throughout my career, I have worked with individuals across a range of socio-economic and cultural backgrounds and with a variety of presenting issues. I work with clients across the lifespan, ranging from children aged 5 years old, to adults over the age of 80+ years.

As an integrative therapist, I draw on psychoanalytic, cognitive behavioural and person-centred theory. My approach in working with clients is one of collaboration and is guided by the belief that each individual holds within themselves the power to change and grow, and each is the expert on themself. My role is to companion individuals on their journey, helping to bring awareness and understanding to light from past experiences, in recognising repeating patterns of behaviour and emotions, relating to others, and exploring ways of redressing and rebalancing.

Works with Clients:
Children (8 yrs+), Adolescents, Adults (18 yrs+)

Languages:
English

Services Offered

  • Parent Intake

  • Individual Therapy

  • Parental Guidance

  • Psychometric Assessment

Treatment Approaches

  • Integrative Therapy
  • Cognitive Behavioural Therapy
  • EMDR
  • Psychodynamic Therapy
  • Acceptance & Commitment Therapy
  • Compassion Focussed Therapy 

Presenting Concerns

General Concerns: 

  • Stress

  • Anxiety

  • Panic attacks

  • Low mood or depression

  • Personal growth and self-improvement

  • Adjustment to recent life events or circumstances (Not trauma)


Specific Concerns: 

  • Obsessive, repetitive and ritualistic thinking and behaviour

  • Anger

  • Irritability, emotional outbursts and severe moodswings

  • Situation-specific fear and phobias

  • Unusual sensations, thoughts or beliefs not shared by others

  • Issues with body, weight, food, eating

  • Chronic illness, pain, lifethreatening or terminal illnesses, end-of-life

  • Sexuality and gender identity


Relationship Concerns: 

  • General dissatisfaction or improvement of romantic relationships

  • High conflict and aggression concerns in romantic relationship

  • Affairs, infidelity and intimacy-related concerns in romantic relationships

  • Divorce, separation and break-ups in romantic relationships

  • Non-romantic and non-familial relationship concerns

  • Family and family relationship concerns

  • Parenting and parental relationship concerns


Minors: 

  • Minor-related concerns (all minors)


Women's Wellbeing

  • Menopause and female life transitions

  • PMS, hormonal fluctuations and related concerns

  • Pregnancy, IVF, fertility and pre/post-natal concerns


Trauma

  • Trauma or traumatic events (past or historic)

  • Violence or abuse by another person (current or recent)

  • Sexual trauma, incidents or violence (recent)

Qualifications & Memberships

  • Doctorate in Counselling Psychology, Teesside University, UK, 2019
  • M.A. in Psychology Sunderland University, UK, 2013
  • BA (Hons) Counselling, Sunderland University, UK, 2011
  • EMDR for children, 2019
  • Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing (EMDR) - Levels 1, 2 & 3, 2016
  • Health and Care Professions Council (No. PYL36742)
  • Chartered member of British Psychological Society (No. 350066)
  • Registered with the Dubai Health Authority (DHA)

Services

Psychotherapy
Psychotherapy
Psychotherapy

Also known as talk therapy, psychotherapy is the general term for spending time with a…

Assessment
Assessment
Assessment

The purpose of an assessment is to build an accurate picture of an individual’s…

Psychotherapy (Children)
Psychotherapy (Children)
Psychotherapy (Children)

For children who can confidently express themselves, a therapist will choose the…

Assessment (Children)
Assessment (Children)
Assessment (Children)

The purpose of an assessment is to build an accurate picture of an individual’s…

Contact Us

Preferred contact time *

Please wait...