Which site fits your age
Young Valens lists teen and young adult services for anxiety and depression, academic pressure, self-esteem and body image, and transitions such as school, work and family dynamics. Timea Antal works there with children, adolescents and young adults. Her profile names anxiety, OCD, emotional regulation and self-worth.
Business Bay is the adult site. Haifa Ezzeddine sees adults from age 21 for anxiety, depression, grief, relationship difficulties, and adjustment and life transitions. Between 18 and 20 the pages leave room for either site, so ask the team which one suits you.
Hours may decide it. Business Bay closes at 4:30pm on weekdays and opens on Sunday from 9:00am to 6:00pm. Young Valens stays open until 7:00pm Monday to Thursday. If lectures or shifts fill your day, ask which slots your clinician has. The clinic also offers online therapy through secure video conferencing.
Which clinician to start with
The clinic’s FAQ on therapist fit puts the therapeutic relationship first. Many patients arrive with fixed ideas about a clinician’s age, religion, gender or background, the FAQ says, and such ideas do not always hold. Read profiles for your concern in plain words, then check the languages listed. The team as a whole covers English, Arabic, French, Russian, Italian and Urdu.
Two Business Bay profiles show the range. Dr Rudy Abi Habib lists self-esteem and life transitions among his areas of work, within a psychodynamic approach. Alison Kuit sees adolescents and adults for emotions, relationships and major life changes, and her profile mentions eating and body image concerns. Haifa Ezzeddine’s profile describes a non-judgemental space where clients can put words to experiences which may have been hard to share.
Who hears about your sessions
The clinic’s policy is short. Clinicians and staff do not communicate with anyone but the patient unless the patient authorises contact. Anyone includes a parent, a partner, a flatmate and a manager. One exception applies. In an immediate emergency, the clinician in charge of your care may break confidentiality, but only with the relevant parties and only with the strictly necessary information. If you are under 21, ask the team how consent works for your age.
What the first appointment can be
A first session usually covers current concerns, personal history and goals for therapy. The pace follows your comfort, not a fixed script. You need no preparation unless the clinic sends forms or questionnaires. In CBT you may get homework between sessions, which the clinic says matters as much as the session itself.
At the end, the clinician may schedule a follow-up, refer you to a colleague or make recommendations. A single appointment can end with recommendations and nothing more.
Paying when the policy is not yours
The clinic accepts insurance from most major UAE providers and offers self-pay options. If a parent or an employer holds your policy, ask the team how billing works before you book. The site does not describe the process, so ask early.
Email the team before you book
Email info@thevalensclinic.ae with your age, your main concern and the language you prefer. The team can help you find the right clinician, usually within one working day. The Valens Clinic operates under Dubai Health Authority (DHA) licensing, and its Jumeirah site holds Community Development Authority (CDA) approval.