Joelle Najm, an esteemed Child and Family Counselling Psychologist at The Developing Child Centre, holds a Master’s degree in Applied Psychology from the UK. She also holds a Master Practitioner Diploma in Cognitive Behavioural Therapy for children and adolescents, endorsed by the British Psychological Society. She is trained in Dialectical Behavioural Therapy (DBT) and is proficient in a variety of therapeutic modalities, including humanistic therapy and psychodynamic approaches. Joelle is a certified provider of the Autism Diagnostic Observation Schedule, Second Edition (ADOS-2).
With over a decade of experience in the mental health field, Joelle possesses an extensive background in counselling, education, and people management. Her career began in education, but she quickly recognised her innate empathy and strong commitment to providing guidance to individuals grappling with mental health and wellbeing issues.
Having served as a school counsellor for eight years, a key member of the inclusion team, and the Designated Safeguarding Lead for Child Protection, Joelle leverages a range of counselling approaches to assist families and young adults in overcoming significant emotional and psychological challenges. Her practice is defined by her commitment to helping clients develop greater self-awareness, her ability to build trusting relationships, and her flexibility in adapting her approach to individual needs.
Prior to working as a school counsellor and joining TDCC, Joelle practised as a family counsellor at Dubai Autism Center, where she worked closely with families and children and was also a key member of the assessment team.
Joelle’s therapy is client-centred, allowing her to tailor her therapeutic interventions to suit each client’s unique requirements. She skilfully integrates elements of Cognitive Behavioural Therapy (CBT), Compassion Focused Therapy (CFT), and psychodynamic approaches.
Her primary areas of focus encompass anxiety, depression, relationship difficulties, stress and anger management, panic attacks, unhealthy family dynamics, and parental support. Fluent in Arabic, English, and French, Joelle’s linguistic abilities enable her to connect with a diverse client base.
© 2026 The Developing Child Centre ● Privacy Policy
