Dubai-born Reema Baniabbasi is a USA-trained counselling psychologist from the United Arab Emirates. On this episode, Reema shares how she felt a "raw disintegration" after returning to her city of Dubai following 10 years abroad to find it dramatically changed. The therapist reflects on the ongoing developments within the mental health space in her country and reveals what some of the common issues her clients come to her with and how a 'narrative' form of therapy can help people better understand themselves and reclaim their life story.  Reema works at The Psychiatry & Therapy Centre in Dubai Healthcare City and is a consultant for Takalam⁠, the UAE based online counseling platform for mental well-being. After graduating from high school in Dubai, Reema left her birthplace for Massachusetts, USA, where she lived for a decade. She has a Bachelor’s in Psychology and a Master’s in Counseling Psychology, both from Northeastern University in Boston, and holds a Certificate of Advanced Graduate Studies in Counseling Psychology from Lesley University in Cambridge, Massachusetts. As well as her regular therapy practice in Dubai, Reema is a columnist at Sail magazine where she shares her thoughts on mental health. recommendations to learn more More about Reema Banibbasi Takalam Types of psychotherapy Retelling The Stories Of Our Lives: Everyday Narrative Therapy To Draw Inspiration And Transform Experience - David Denborough TED Talk: What is Imposter Syndrome - Elizabeth Cox   CultureAmp: An organization dedicated to improving the health of office cultures globally. Includes research, assessments and consultations. Dubai- and Abu Dhabi-based chapters can be found here The Samuel Center for Social Connectedness is an organization that focuses on tackling issues stemming from a lack of belonging and social isolation. Their research includes suggestions on policies to improve people's sense of belonging.