Therapy for anxiety, panic and constant worry, in English or French, in person in Dubai or online.
“I know there's nothing to be scared of. My body just doesn't agree.”
If you feel on edge most of the time, can't switch your mind off at night, or find yourself bracing for something that never comes, you're in the right place. Anxiety is not a sign that you're weak or doing something wrong. It's your nervous system trying to keep you safe, a little too hard and a little too often.
What anxiety looks like in my office
What I see is people who look calm and capable from the outside. They're often the organized ones, the ones who plan for everything. Inside, their mind is running through every possible scenario, and their body is reacting as if something is about to go wrong.
What I see is someone who went to the emergency room after a first panic attack, convinced it was their heart. Someone who has been anxious for as long as they can remember and thinks it's simply who they are. And someone who was managing fine until life got heavier: a move, a new job, a baby, a loss, too many things at once.
Is this you?
You worry about things other people don't seem to think twice about
Your mind won't slow down, especially at night
You feel tension in your chest, stomach, jaw or shoulders most days
You avoid situations because of how they might make you feel
You've had panic attacks, or you're afraid of having one
You need to check, reread or replay things to feel settled
You're tired from being “on” all the time
Where anxiety comes from
People often ask me why they feel anxious when others seem to cope just fine. In my experience, anxiety usually comes from one of two places.
Sometimes it's linked to the past. Painful or traumatic experiences, or long periods of stress, were never fully completed or resolved. Your nervous system is still holding them, and it stays on alert as if the danger hasn't quite passed.
Other times, it's about what you're living right now. Your current circumstances ask more of you than your system can handle. They push you outside your window of tolerance, the zone where you can feel stress and still think clearly, and your body shifts into a state of anxiety.
Often it's a bit of both. Either way, the starting point is the same: understanding what state your nervous system is in.
Why “just relax” doesn't work
If calming down were a matter of deciding to, you would have done it a long time ago. Anxiety doesn't live only in your thoughts. It lives in your body: your breathing, your heart rate, your muscles, your gut. Your mind may know you're safe, but your body hasn't caught up yet.
That's why breathing apps and positive thinking can help for a moment and then stop working. They try to override the body instead of listening to it. When we fight anxiety, it tends to fight back. When we understand what the body is doing and why, it can start to settle.
How I work with anxiety
We start by getting to know your anxiety: when it shows up, where you feel it in your body, and what your nervous system is trying to protect you from. From there, I tailor the work to you.
Your body first. Somatic work helps you notice what happens in your body and learn simple ways to ground and settle, so your system learns it can come back to calm.
The anxious part of you. With Internal Family Systems (IFS), we get curious about the part of you that worries instead of fighting it. It usually has a good reason for working so hard.
EMDR, when the roots go deeper. When anxiety is tied to past experiences, EMDR helps your brain finish processing them so they stop setting off alarms in the present. It also helps with phobias and intrusive thoughts.
Practical tools. With CBT, we look at the thoughts and habits that keep anxiety going, and gradually face what you've been avoiding, at a pace that feels manageable.
The goal isn't to never feel anxious again. Some anxiety is part of being human. The goal is to get you out of survival mode, working alongside your body instead of against it, and building habits and ways of responding that actually serve you.
Sessions
I see clients in person in Dubai and online, for people in Dubai and around the world, in English or French. Sessions usually last 50 minutes and are weekly at first, then spaced out as things improve. Insurance is accepted; please check your coverage with your insurer before booking.
Questions people often ask
Is it anxiety or just stress?
Stress is usually a response to something specific, and it eases once that has passed. Anxiety tends to stay even when nothing is wrong, or it shows up out of proportion to what is happening. If it is affecting your sleep, your body, your relationships or your choices, it is worth talking about.
How long does therapy for anxiety take?
It depends on what sits underneath. Some people feel a real difference within a few months. When anxiety is linked to older experiences, the work can take longer. We look at how things are going together along the way.
Will I need medication?
Not necessarily. Many people work through anxiety with therapy alone. If medication could help, we can talk about it, and I can work alongside your doctor or psychiatrist.
Can I do therapy for anxiety online?
Yes. Online sessions work well for anxiety, including body-based work. Many clients find it easier to start from the comfort of home.
Do you offer therapy in French?
Yes, all my sessions are available in English and in French.
Taking the first step
Reaching out when you're anxious can feel like a big step in itself. You don't need to have the right words. A free 20-minute call, in English or in French, is the simplest way to see whether we're a good fit. You can reach me by WhatsApp or by email, whichever feels easier.
This page is for information only and is not a substitute for therapy. If you are in crisis or thinking of harming yourself, please contact your local emergency services right away (in the UAE, call 999) or go to the nearest emergency department.