Is Therapy Right for Me?

By Sarah El Nabulsi, M.Sc., M.A., M.A.

Licensed Clinical Psychologist – Dubai, U.A.E.

You’re functioning well — but something feels off.

Maybe you’re still meeting deadlines and showing up for others, but inside, you feel depleted. Your thoughts loop endlessly. You’re easily irritated or emotionally numb. You’re doing everything “right” — yet something doesn’t feel right.

If this resonates, you may be wondering:“Do I really need therapy?”

You’re not alone — and the answer might surprise you.

Therapy Isn’t Just for Crises

One of the most common misconceptions I hear is:“I’m not broken. I don’t need therapy.”

But therapy isn’t just for people in deep crisis or emotional collapse. It’s also for people who are:

• High-functioning, but emotionally drained

• Successful, but disconnected from joy

• Caught in subtle but persistent patterns of overthinking, avoidance, or inner criticism

• Asking big questions — about identity, purpose, or their relationships

Therapy is not a last resort. It’s a powerful way to prevent burnout, deepen insight, and create meaningful change.

Burnout in Dubai: A Hidden Epidemic

Recent research suggests that burnout is significantly underreported in the UAE, particularly among professionals. A 2023 survey found that 67% of UAE-based employees report moderate to high stress, with many admitting to pushing through exhaustion without seeking support (Khaleej Times, 2023).

In my clinical practice, I often see high-achieving individuals who function well on the outside — yet suffer quietly under the pressure of perfectionism, performance anxiety, and self-doubt.

The Invisible Filters That Hold People Back

Many people delay therapy because of unconscious mental filters like:

• Minimization: “Other people have it worse.”

• Perfectionism: “If I need help, it means I’ve failed.”

• Emotional suppression: “I don’t even know how I feel — so what’s the point?”

• Cultural conditioning: “Talking about emotions is weakness.”

These filters distort your sense of what’s "normal" and quietly block growth. Therapy gently helps you notice and dissolve these patterns — not by labeling them as wrong, but by showing you what’s underneath.

Therapy is not for crises only

Who I Work With

I specialize in psychotherapy for adults and couples, including those experiencing anxiety, trauma, depression, obsessive-compulsive patterns, burnout, and emotional fatigue.

Many of my clients are professionals — high achievers who are used to managing everything, often at the expense of their own well-being.

With over 15 years of experience and a background in both evidence-based psychology and integrative healing methods, I work in a way that is structured, insightful, and culturally sensitive. Being based in the UAE, I’ve worked with clients from more than 20 cultural backgrounds and understand the unique challenges of life here.

The First Step is Clarity

You don’t need to have it all figured out before you begin therapy. You simply need a space to pause, reflect, and be met with empathy, curiosity, and clinical clarity.

The questions you're holding — “Is it really that bad?” “Do I just need a break?” “Shouldn’t I be able to handle this?” — are valid. But they’re also signals that something deeper might be asking for your attention.

Final Thought

Therapy is not about being broken. It’s about being honest — and giving yourself the chance to live with more clarity, connection, and ease.

If that sounds like something you’re ready for, I invite you to begin.

Hope this was helpful!

Sarah El Nabulsi

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