Stillmind | Rewire Your Brain, Reclaim Your Life

Even if you don’t feel like it right now, the chances are that you can feel like your happy self again. But this will only happen if you take the first (and most difficult) step to start your therapy. Therapy will help you understand and cope with your negative thoughts and feelings and will offer you a new, unbiased perspective and effective tools that you can use to feel better every day.

We don’t take insurance but can provide receipts so that you can claim the costs on your insurance later. If you aren’t sure whether your insurance will cover such claims, please double-check with them before your first session with us.

The number of sessions you’d need to see positive changes in your life depends on your specific situation. Here’s what we know from our experience: One to two sessions are enough to solve a small problem, for example, learning brain-based tips and strategies to manage anxious brains or understanding more about negative thoughts and feelings. A solution-focused approach can bring about significant changes in as few as four sessions, even if your problems are more complex. In case of deep-rooted issues, like childhood trauma, depression or addiction, you’d likely need more than four sessions to feel long-lasting positive results. You don’t have to commit to multiple sessions at once and can decide if you need or don’t need another session on the spot.

Yes, Stillmind is the evolved identity of what was formerly CBT AbuDhabi. This rebrand better reflects the comprehensive nature of my practice, which still centers on cognitive behavioral therapy but now integrates additional neuroscience, mindfulness, and evidence-based techniques. If you previously knew me as CBT AbuDhabi, you're in the right place—same expertise, now with an enhanced approach.

Cognitive Behavioral Therapy is an evidence-based approach that connects your thoughts, feelings, and behaviors. Unlike traditional therapy focused on the past, CBT gives you practical skills for the present. We identify unhelpful thought patterns triggering negative emotions, then develop strategies to change them. You'll learn to recognize patterns, test assumptions, and rewire neural pathways, all within a structured framework with measurable outcomes.

Many clients feel hope and clarity after just a few sessions. My 5-session Fundamentals program provides a comprehensive framework that creates significant improvements for most people. What sets CBT apart is that you'll begin implementing practical tools immediately, rather than waiting months for insight. The skills you learn become yours for life, continuing to strengthen long after our sessions end.

Not at all. While effective for clinical conditions, CBT is equally valuable for anyone wanting to understand themselves better or improve specific areas of life. Many clients are high-functioning professionals who simply feel stuck, want better relationships, or seek greater clarity. Think of it as mental fitness—optimizing your psychological wellbeing and developing skills that enhance every area of life.

My approach combines scientific understanding with practical strategies that make immediate sense in daily life. Rather than just relieving symptoms, I focus on helping you understand why your brain does what it does. My background in brain injury rehabilitation gives me unique insight into neuroplasticity, and I blend traditional CBT with mindfulness and neuroscience. I demystify therapy by giving you the tools to eventually become your own therapist.

The Stillmind approach is distinctly solution-focused and skills-based—you'll leave each session with actionable strategies, not just insights. My programs have clear progression with measurable outcomes, rather than open-ended sessions that can feel directionless. Many clients finally understand why previous attempts at change weren't successful. If you're willing to actively engage, this evidence-based approach offers a fundamentally different experience.

Readiness comes down to willingness to see your thoughts and feelings in a new way and practice new skills, even when uncomfortable. The most successful clients aren't those with the "biggest" problems—they're simply open to change and willing to practice. If you've reached a point where staying the same feels more painful than the uncertainty of change, that's often the perfect time to begin.

Our first session focuses on understanding your unique situation and establishing a clear direction. We'll discuss what brings you to therapy, how these challenges impact your life, and your goals. I'll ask targeted questions to understand patterns at play, fitting your experiences into a psychological framework. By the end, you'll have a clearer understanding of what's happening in your brain and a preliminary roadmap for change.

I offer both in-person sessions in Abu Dhabi and secure video sessions worldwide. The effectiveness of CBT is well-documented in both formats. Online sessions don't compromise quality—we'll use screen sharing for worksheets and exercises just as we would in person. The most important factor isn't where we meet, but your commitment to the process between sessions.