Considering moving to Dubai?

Written By Brown Therapist

Me and my family took the decision to move to Dubai in January 2023. We had spent the previous year in Doha, Qatar as my husband had taken the opportunity to work for FIFA for the 2022 World Cup.

The Middle East is a great place to live as a family, sunshine all year around and it is very safe. It wasn’t a difficult decision to take the plunge and move from Doha to Dubai once our time had ended after the world cup. This year I had to be more proactive about setting up my career in Dubai and I knew that in order to be recognised as a professional, I needed to get my licence as a Clinical Psychologist.

In the Middle East mental health therapy is an important field that is gaining recognition to helps individuals cope with a range of mental health issues, from anxiety and depression to more severe conditions like bipolar disorder and schizophrenia. In Dubai, the demand for mental health therapists is on the rise as the government and private institutions place greater emphasis on the importance of mental wellbeing, just look on Linkedin to see the amount of conversation circulating on mental health. For me it was a no brainer, I need to get my licence to get employers to consider me and recognise my qualifications. And so I began the process of applying for my licence.

If you're a mental health therapist looking to practice in Dubai, it's important to understand the licensing process. In this article, I will provide an overview of the steps you need to take to become licensed in Dubai.

First thing to note is that there are more than one licencing authorities in the United Arab Emirates. Note: Depending on WHERE you work will dictate who you need to get a licence from.

Within Dubai

  • Dubai Health Authority (DHA): The DHA is responsible for licensing healthcare professionals, including mental health professionals, in the emirate of Dubai. They provide licence to the following professionals:

    Addiction, Child, Clinical, Counseling, Educational, Forensic, Health, Family and Marriage, Neuropsychology, Occupational psychologists. Applied Behavioral Analyst, Clinical Social Worker, Occupational Therapist, Genetic Counselor. This licence will grant you to work across Dubai (including DHCC).

  • Dubai Healthcare City (DHCC) is a Free zone within Dubai that is home to a number of medical organisations. If you will be working within this zone, with an employer based here then it will be required for you to obtain a licence from this authority. However the DHA will process the licence and will provide a specialised licence for you to practice within the freezone. Therefore if you have a DHCC only licence, you can only practice within that region.

  • Community Development Authority (CDA) : The CDA provides licensing for the following mental health professionals

    1. • Social worker

      • Social therapist

      • Behavior Analyst

      • Behavioral analyst assistant

      • Psychologist

      • Assistant Psychologist

      • Social guide

      • Special Education

      • Special Education Teacher

      • Learning Support Assistant

      This licence is aimed at mental health professionals that may not ‘fit’ the criteria of DHA for example psychotherapists or counsellors.

      Beyond Dubai

  • Department of Health – Abu Dhabi: The Department of Health in Abu Dhabi is responsible for licensing healthcare professionals, including mental health professionals, in the emirate of Abu Dhabi.

  • Ministry of Health and Prevention (MOHAP): The MOHAP is responsible for licensing healthcare professionals, including mental health professionals, in the other emirates of the UAE, including Sharjah, Ajman, Umm Al Quwain, Fujairah, and Ras Al Khaimah.

Step 1: Obtain a Relevant Degree

To become a licensed mental health therapist in Dubai, you ideally need to have a degree in psychology. The degree must be from an accredited university and on the Dubai Health Authority website, they want you to be enrolled on a Bachelors course for 4 years. I know, not all bachelor degrees are 4 years, most in fact in the UK are 3 years full time. Now if you fall into this category (like me) you will need to submit your transcript and degree details to the Dubai Health Authority for clarification. This can be found in the Self assessment tool

In addition to a degree, some licensing authorities in Dubai may require applicants to have completed a certain number of supervised clinical hours before they can apply for a license.

Step 2: Meet the Licensing Requirements

The licensing requirements for mental health therapists in Dubai vary depending on the licensing authority. The Dubai Health Authority (DHA) is the primary licensing authority for healthcare professionals in Dubai, and they have specific requirements for mental health therapists. Some of the requirements include:

  • A degree in psychology or a related field from an accredited university

  • Completion of a minimum of 1,500 supervised clinical hours

  • Passing the DHA licensing exam

  • Providing proof of liability insurance

  • Providing a certificate of good standing from previous licensing authorities

Other licensing authorities in Dubai may have different requirements, so it's important to research the specific requirements for the authority you plan to apply to. As I am a Clinical Psychologist, it was an easy decision for me as I wanted to keep my title and therefore I applied to the DHA. However, if you fall under the title of psychotherapist or counsellor, then I would suggest checking out the CDA website to see if you can practice as a ‘therapist’.

Step 3: Apply for a License

Once you've met the licensing requirements, you can apply for a license to practice as a mental health therapist in Dubai. The application process may involve submitting documents such as your degree, clinical hours, and licensing exam (which for Clinical Psychologist’s is a computerised multiple choice exam), as well as paying a licensing fee.

It's important to follow the application instructions carefully and provide all required documents to avoid any delays in the licensing process. Be patient and start the process early, depending on holidays etc on average the whole process can take three months. Check out the map which details the DHA process here to give you an idea of the steps a Clinical Psychologist needs to take.

Step 4: Renew Your License

Mental health therapist licenses in Dubai are typically valid for one year and must be renewed annually. To renew your license, you'll need to provide proof of continuing education credits and may need to complete additional training or exams. Renewal fees may also apply.

In Conclusion

Becoming a licensed mental health therapist or psychologist in Dubai involves obtaining a relevant degree, meeting licensing requirements, applying for a license, and renewing the license annually. By following these steps, you can become licensed to practice as a mental health therapist in Dubai and help individuals in the region cope with a range of mental health issues. If you have any questions about the licensing process or need assistance, it's recommended to consult with a licensing specialist or legal professional to ensure you meet all requirements and have a smooth licensing experience.

sources

https://www.cda.gov.ae/en/SocialRegulatoryAndLicensing/LicensingProfessionals/Pages/NewLicensingProfessionals.aspx

https://www.dhcc.ae/gallery/Licensure%20Requirements%20for%20Allied%20Health%20Professionals%20Guidance%20for%20Applicants.pdf

https://www.dha.gov.ae/en/services/details?id=245&segment=professional_services

Brown Therapist https://www.browntherapistnetwork.com
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