Hi, my name is Anna and I am an Irish Cognitive Behavioural Therapist (CBT) based at Production City, in our new beautiful clinic. I am a Child and Adolescent Mental Health Nurse by background (studied at the University of Essex) and later achieved my Master’s degree in CBT Psychotherapy in 2020 from Goldsmiths, University of London. I relocated to Dubai in 2024 and have had the opportunity to support a varied and wonderful range of clients who have come through the doors at Insights ever since.
So… a little bit more about me and what I do here at Therapy By Insights. I enjoy working with children aged 12 and above, adolescents, and adults, supporting them to better understand their mental health and improve their quality of life. My work is varied and deeply rewarding, and it is grounded in a neuro-affirmative approach that values difference rather than seeing it as something to be “fixed”.
A core part of my role involves delivering CBT to individuals experiencing a range of difficulties that impact their quality of life. I especially enjoy supporting those with anxiety disorders, obsessive compulsive disorder (OCD), and phobias. This is because CBT offers practical, evidence-based tools that empower people to gradually face fears, challenge unhelpful thought patterns, and regain a sense of control over their lives. Seeing clients build confidence, reduce avoidance and safety behaviours, and begin to live more freely is one of the most fulfilling parts of my practice.
More recently, I have started my training in Eye Movement Desensitisation and Reprocessing (EMDR), which has been an exciting addition to my clinical skills. EMDR is a highly effective therapy, particularly for trauma and distressing experiences, and I have really enjoyed starting to integrate this approach into my practice. Expanding my skill set allows me to offer clients a wider range of therapeutic options and tailor interventions more closely to what works best for their individual presentation.
Alongside therapy, I also support with ADHD and Autism assessments in the clinic. This involves carrying out specific elements of the assessment process as part of a multidisciplinary team. This collaborative approach allows for a thorough and person-centred understanding of each individual and ensures that assessments are thoughtful, comprehensive, and followed by personalised recommendations going forwards. I often support clients post-assessment process in therapy — the goal in this case would be understanding and processing this new diagnosis and empowering them to embrace the multiple strengths associated with this part of their identity.
A highlight of my role that I am particularly passionate about is facilitating neuro-affirmative social groups for neurodivergent teenagers. I regularly host these groups throughout the academic year and co-ordinate the other groups that take place in the clinic also. These groups provide a safe, supportive space where neurodivergent young people can remove their mask, be authentically themselves, celebrate their differences and connect with others who can truly relate to them. It is incredibly special to see confidence growing, a sense of belonging developing and friendships forming — many of which continue after the groups finish.
Being neuro-affirmative is central to my practice. I work with many neurodivergent clients and really enjoy supporting individuals who think, feel and experience the world a bit differently. For me, a neuro-affirmative approach means recognising that neurodiversity is a natural and valuable part of human variation. Rather than viewing differences as deficits, I aim to understand each person’s unique strengths, needs and ways of navigating the world, and adapt my therapy accordingly.
To summarise, my role is about exploration, compassion and empowerment. Whether I am working one-to-one in therapy, contributing to assessments or facilitating group spaces, my aim is always the same: to support people to better understand themselves, to identify their strengths, to feel accepted for who they are, and to find the tools that help them to live a life that feels meaningful and fulfilling to them.
