What ages does Thrive work with?

Its child psychologist page covers children aged 3 to 17 (in bands of 3-7, 8-12 and 13-17); the child and adolescent therapy page says 3-20. Child psychiatry is for teenagers aged 14 and above.

Is my child seen on the first visit?

No. The first appointment is with parents only, to go over your child's history and your concerns. Your child joins from the second session, which starts with parent, child and therapist together.

Does Thrive do ADHD and autism assessments for children?

Yes. It offers ADHD and autism (ASC) assessments for children and teenagers, plus psychoeducational assessments such as the WISC-V and WIAT-III, with a written report and recommendations.

How much does a session cost?

Fees are not published; they vary by psychologist and appointment type. Ask the provider. Reduced-fee therapy with an Early Career Professional is available.

Do I need a referral?

No. You can book directly by phone, WhatsApp, email or the online form.

Can sessions be online?

Yes, many of the psychologists offer secure online sessions, which Thrive says suit older children, teenagers and parent sessions; for younger children and some assessments it usually recommends coming in person.

Thrive Wellbeing Centre by Dr. Sarah Rasmi — photo

Thrive Wellbeing Centre: play, art and talk therapy for children in JLT

Special NeedsCreative & Play Therapy

Checked Oct 2026Details checked October 2026

JLT

Thrive Wellbeing Centre by Dr. Sarah Rasmi is a psychology practice with a clinic in HDS Tower, Cluster F, JLT, and a second clinic at The Bridge in Dubai Sports City. Its child and adolescent team supports children from age 3 through the teenage years with anxiety and worry, big emotions, behaviour at home or school, school refusal, friendships, grief, trauma and low self-esteem. For younger children the work is often through play; the team also uses art therapy and cognitive behavioural therapy (CBT) adapted for children and teens. Alongside therapy, Thrive offers psychological and educational assessments, including ADHD and autism assessments with a written report, plus parental guidance and, with your consent, liaison with your child's school. It is licensed by the Dubai Health Authority and the Community Development Authority, and you can book directly with no referral. This is clinical support by appointment rather than a drop-in class, so it suits families who have a specific concern about how their child is feeling or coping.

thrive.ae

The activity

Creative & Play Therapy, explained

Play and art therapy are ways for children to work through feelings they can't yet put into words. Instead of sitting and talking, a child plays, draws, paints or builds with a trained therapist, and the play itself becomes the conversation. It is not an art class: the focus is on the process and what it reveals, not on a finished picture. Therapists use it to help children with worries, big emotions, changes at home or school, friendship troubles and difficult experiences, building emotional regulation, confidence and resilience. Play-based work usually suits younger children, from around three, while older children and teenagers often mix it with talking therapy such as CBT.

Who it's for

Children and teenagers: the child psychologist page covers ages 3 to 17 in three bands (3-7, 8-12 and 13-17), while the child and adolescent therapy page says the team works with ages 3-20. Parents are involved throughout, and parent-only guidance is available whether or not the child is in therapy. Child psychiatry (assessment and medication) is for teenagers aged 14 and above.

What to expect

You contact Thrive by phone, WhatsApp or the online form, with no referral needed, and the team matches your child with a psychologist for their age and needs. The first appointment is a parent-only intake, without your child, to go over history and concerns. At the next session the therapist meets parent and child together, explains confidentiality and its limits, and then usually sees the child alone while you wait in reception; for younger children parents are often more involved. Young children usually play, older ones have a relaxed conversation. Fees depend on the psychologist and appointment type, so ask the provider. Cancellations need 48 hours' notice for a full refund.

Highlights

Works with children from age 3 through the teenage years, in age bands 3-7, 8-12 and 13-17 (thrive.ae)
Play therapy, art therapy and CBT adapted for children and teens (thrive.ae)
ADHD and autism (ASC) assessments for children, with a written report (thrive.ae)
Parent-only first appointment, then regular progress reviews with the family (thrive.ae)
No referral needed; in-person sessions or secure online sessions (thrive.ae)
Licensed by the Dubai Health Authority and the Community Development Authority (thrive.ae)

Why parents rate it

What parents say on Google

Thrive holds 4.6 on Google from 101 reviews, with 91 of those at five stars and 8 at one star. On its own site, one parent of two children describes the environment as warm and friendly, and a mother of a teenage daughter mentions the therapist's warm personal approach and creative methods.

The facts

Ages: 3 to 17 on the child psychologist page (3-20 on the child and adolescent therapy page); child psychiatry 14+
Not published yet: Ask about prices and trials
Languages: English, Arabic, Greek, Italian
Where: Office 706-710, HDS Tower, Cluster F, Jumeirah Lakes Towers (JLT), Dubai
How to book: thrive.ae/contact · +971 56 895 2347 · +971 4 514 7386 · [email protected] · wa.me/971568952347
Opening hours: Mon–Fri9am–8pm
Sat10am–7pm
Sun9am–5pm

Questions parents ask

Good to know

Appointments only; there is no emergency service. For children and teens in an emergency, Thrive directs families to Al Jalila Hospital (thrive.ae)
The first session is with parents only, without the child (thrive.ae)
Cancellations: at least 48 hours' notice for a full refund; no refund within 24 hours of the appointment (thrive.ae)
Reduced-fee therapy is available with an Early Career Professional working under senior supervision (thrive.ae)
Child team profiles list English, Arabic, Greek and Italian among languages spoken (thrive.ae)
Wheelchair-accessible entrance, seating, toilet and car park (Google listing)