Welcome to Ontario Psychotherapy

I’m Ava, a Dubai-based clinical psychologist licensed with the Dubai Health Authority and registered in Canada with the College of Psychologists of Ontario. I completed my Master’s and Doctorate in Clinical Psychology at Adler University in Chicago, followed by post-doctoral training in Toronto, Canada.

I have been practicing as a psychologist since 2009 and have worked across a range of clinical settings, including university counseling centers, community mental health services, and private practice in both North America and the Middle East. For over 10 years, I worked at Mapletree Psychotherapy Center in Dubai, where I had the privilege of supporting a diverse population of clients and collaborating with an exceptional team of clinicians. After a decade of meaningful clinical work there, I went on to found Ontario Psychotherapy Center in Dubai Media City, with the intention of creating a space grounded in depth, integrity, and high-quality psychological care.

In my clinical work, I provide psychotherapy to adults and specialize in trauma, anxiety, depression, relationship difficulties, identity concerns, and complex emotional patterns rooted in early life experiences. My approach is integrative and trauma-informed, drawing primarily from psychodynamic therapy, parts-based approaches, and Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing (EMDR). I am an EMDRIA-certified therapist and work carefully with the nervous system, attachment patterns, and the emotional meaning of symptoms rather than focusing solely on symptom management.

I have also completed specialized training in psychedelic-assisted and ketamine-assisted psychotherapy through the Synthesis Institute and the Polaris Insight Center, with a strong emphasis on preparation, ethical practice, and psychological integration. This training informs my work particularly with trauma, treatment-resistant symptoms, and meaning-making following non-ordinary states of consciousness, always within a grounded, clinical framework.

Alongside my clinical practice, I co-founded Hoopfull, a mental health platform created to make it easier for people in the GCC to find qualified, licensed therapists and access care. I am also actively involved in consultation and supervision, and I enjoy supporting early-career psychologists as they develop clinical confidence and depth.

My work has been featured across regional media, including Dubai Eye 103.8 radio, Gulf News, Campaign Middle East, and international podcasts, where I speak about mental health, relationships, trauma, and contemporary psychotherapy.

At Ontario Psychotherapy Center, I continue to offer in-person and online therapy, along with consultation and specialist trauma-informed care. My work is guided by the belief that meaningful psychological change comes not only from reducing symptoms, but from understanding oneself more deeply and creating lasting internal shifts that support a fuller, more meaningful life.