ABOUT US
Bright Shift is an online space that facilitates healing, transformation, and expansion of consciousness. Throughout this journey, we use online therapy, healing and meditation sessions as well as different psychology and psychospiritual workshops. Being the first online therapy platform in the United Arab Emirates and the GCC region, we take pride in having been able to make high-quality therapy services more accessible to the people of the region. Bright Shift provides a vast range of therapeutic and healing modalities from highly-skilled and licensed mental health professionals. Our team of psychologists and psychotherapists are all licensed practitioners educated and trained in the UK and Canada with years of experience and are from different cultural backgrounds, which enables them to connect with people from all walks of life. We are a conscious company which both our service providers’ and clients’ well-being and satisfaction are of utmost importance to us. We have a multicultural team that provides therapy in more than ten languages, including English and Arabic. In addition to our psychological well-being related services, we are also deeply passionate about providing services that are offered at the intersection of psychology and spirituality. We also aim at introducing more progressive forms of therapy and healing to our clients. Some of those therapeutic modules have been offered in the Middle East for the first time via our platform. In short, if you are looking for a reliable, high-quality online therapy service, Bright Shift is the right platform for you.
What you need to know about us:
We have a different approach to online therapy compared to how online therapy is usually offered. At Bright Shift the clients’ well-being is prioritized over financial profit and our service providers are paid fairly for their services. We know and understand the principles of an ethical and compassionate therapy practice and integrate the same principles which are applied by high-standard jurisdictions in face-to-face therapy rooms into our online therapy practice. We are also aware that online therapy requires a different set of skills and level of care. Therefore, our service providers facilitate their sessions based on the necessary requirements for online sessions. Each client at Bright Shift is treated with utmost care and compassion. Moreover, we are not a fan of turning a therapy practice into the marketplace. We attach more importance to the quality of our therapists as opposed to their numbers. We only work with psychologists and psychotherapists who are licensed and are under regular supervision.
MEET OUR TEAM
LEILA ESTIFAIE QUINN
FOUNDER
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Leila has been enthusiastically learning about human psychology from different angles/ schools of thought for many years. She holds a Master’s degree in Strategic Marketing from the University of Wollongong in Dubai and a Bachelor’s degree in Psychological Counseling And Guidance, from Eastern Mediterranean University located in Northern Cyprus. She has been determined to create a platform which could help create change in people’s lives, hence Bright Shift was born. In a way, Bright Shift came about from our faith and belief in the ability of humans to shift, change and evolve towards a brighter direction in life. We have developed this platform because we believe it doesn’t really matter where you were, or where you are right now, there is always room for improvement in life regardless. Sometimes it is a slim possibility and sometimes it’s vast. What matters is, we as humans have the ability to evolve and flourish. We believe Bright Shift can be of great help to actualize the possibility of change and self-discovery. What we are the proudest of, is, of course, our highly qualified and most importantly “compassionate therapists”. We are extremely glad to have such a great team collaborating with us on this platform.
NAWAR SURIJ
INTEGRATIVE PSYCHOTHERAPIST
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Nawar is a UKCP (UK Council for Psychotherapy) registered, licensed psychotherapist. She has been working with a diverse range of people of all backgrounds, vulnerable individuals, and ethnic minorities of all ages. Nawar lives in Birmingham, UK and she holds a Master’s degree in Integrative Psychotherapy from Birmingham City university as well as a Bachelor’s degree in Neuroscience from Leeds university. She is also an NLP, Hypnosis and Time Line Therapy Practitioner. Nawar views therapy as a healing relationship between therapist and client. She supports her clients to figure how their early experiences has lead them to their current situation and she can help them change it.
She provides her clients with a safe, non judgmental space where clients can explore the root cause of their deepest fears and worries that are holding them back from becoming the best possible version of themselves.
Her extensive experience in psychotherapy allows her to help her clients to reach their full potential in life. Nawar speaks English and Arabic fluently.
MAHITA EL BACHA URIETA
PSYCHOLOGIST, THERAPIST & COACH
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Mahita is a psychologist, a therapist and a coach, educated and trained in the UK at the Middlesex University in London and the Institute of Psychosynthesis.
She is a registered member of the British Association for Counsellers and Psychotherapists in the UK.
She also has a Diploma in Psychotherapeutic Counselling, and Diploma in Life Coaching both from the Institute of Psychosynthesis in London.
Mahita offers psychotherapeutic counselling as well as life coaching sessions.
She specializes in supporting adults with a variety of challenges, including: stress, anxiety and depression, childhood trauma, narcissistic wounding, family and relationships. Mahita’s other area of expertise are as follows: work-related difficulties, loss, bereavement and grief, mid-life crisis, spiritual and existential crisis, managing chronic health problems emotionally and psychologically, terminal illnesses, working with artists dealing with creativity-related challenges, managing difficulties posed by cultural differences and integrating into a new cultural context.
Mahita’s approach is based on Psychosynthesis Psychology.
Psychosynthesis includes elements from psychodynamics, CBT, somatic experiencing, and mindfulness among many others.
Psychosynthesis is the psychology of hope, with its eye not only on individuals’ history, but also on envisioning a purposeful future, to reorient their lives in the direction of meaning and values.
Mahita’s approach is integrative and holistic, with a transpersonal perspective, rooted in Psychosynthesis Psychology. In addition to talk-based work, She uses other complementary approaches such as: art, movement, role-play, writing, journaling, breath work, guided meditation, inner dialogue, dream-work, somatic experiencing, shadow work, chakra opening and balancing and Reiki among others.
Her sessions are 60 minutes long and she offers therapy in English, French, Spanish and Arabic.
SARA SALIH
COUNSELLING PSYCHOLOGIST
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Mariam El Saadani is a licensed Psychotherapist by the Ordre des Psychologues du Québec in Canada. She has completed a Master’s degree in Counselling and Educational Psychology from McGill University (Montreal, Canada). She then completed a three- year Post-Master’s training program in Psychodynamic Psychotherapy. Mariam has also completed certificates in Traumatic Stress Studies; Loss Bereavement and Life Transitions and several Cognitive Behavioral Therapy trainings for Depression, Anxiety and Eating Disorders.
Mariam has over 15 years of experience in the mental health field in Egypt and Montreal. Throughout her years of work, she has had the honor of helping people from all walks of life.
Mariam works with individuals 17 years of age and older. Her training allows her to work with any presenting issues, especially trauma. A few of the presenting problems she is able to work with are loss, grief, immigration, relationship difficulties, career uncertainty, personality disorders, anxiety disorders, mood disorders, life transitions and adjustments, identity issues and trauma; acute, chronic or complex trauma.
Mariam’s practice is based on Psychodynamic theory, which she utilizes to develop an understanding of her clients and their presenting issues. Psychodynamic theory operates on the premise that the unconscious part of the mind influences thoughts, emotions and behavior.
Through this lens, Mariam is then able to devise a treatment plan for the therapeutic process to address the root of the presenting problem(s). Oftentimes, the work done in sessions with Mariam is focused on developing insights and emotional awareness to develop the skills you need to be able to resolve and work through difficulties as they present themselves to you throughout your life.
Mariam’s sessions run for 50 minutes and can be conducted in English or Arabic.
JULIANNA A.PUSZTAI
PSYCHOTHERAPIST
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Julianna is a psychoanalytically oriented psychodynamic psychotherapist and a psychosocial thinker. She holds a Master’s degree in Psychodynamic Psychotherapy and Counselling and a Bachelor’s degree in Psychosocial Studies from Birkbeck, University of London. She is a registered member of the British Association for Counsellors and Psychotherapists in the UK. (BACP) She is a Doctoral Researcher in psychosocial and psychoanalytic studies at FREEPSY, University of Essex.
She offers support to adults who experience difficulties in life such as depression, anxiety, addiction, sex difficulties, trauma, PTSD, physical illness, loss of creativity, bereavement, low self-confidence, cultural and religious conflicts, immigration, family issues, anger management, academic and performance anxiety, panic attacks, work-related stress, affairs, separation and relationship problems, body dysmorphia, eating disorder and who are on the neurodiverse spectrum (Autism, ADHD, learning difficulties).
Julianna’s therapeutic engagement follows psychoanalytic theory, which offers a rich texture to investigate the impacts of everything around us and before us. She provides a dedicated space to discover the interweaves of past and present, impulses and behaviours, wishes and conflicts.
Julianna has a professional background in social care and mental health, where she worked in community mental health settings, higher education, primary and secondary care in the last decade.
Her sessions are 50 minutes long. Julianna speaks fluent English and Hungarian and is providing therapy in both languages.
ANA MESINEZI
PSYCHOTHERAPIST
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Ana Mesinezi is an Integrative Psychotherapist as well as a qualified CBT Therapist.
Ane holds a Master’s degree in Mental Health and Wellbeing from the University of Wolverhampton, United Kingdom. She is an Accredited Member of British Association of Counselling and Psychotherapy(BACP).
She provides a non-judgmental space, helping the clients to navigate difficult emotions and life’s ups and downs. Having worked in various environments, she has a good understanding of working with different modalities and depth. In her approach she uses Attachment-based, Cognitive Behavioural Therapy (CBT), Trauma Focused and Integrative Psychotherapy. Ana works with clients who need support in different areas including: Co-dependency, Eating Disorders, Pregnancy, Prenatal, Postpartum, Anxiety, Depression, relationship issues, marital issues , relationship problems Asperger’s Syndrome, Autism, Behavioural Issues,Bereavement,Mood Disorders,Narcissistic Personality (NPD),Obsessive-Compulsive (OCD),Relationship Issues,Self Esteem,Stress,Trauma and PTSD and Women’s Issues.
Ana works with adults, teenagers and elders (65+). Her sessions are 50 minutes long for individuals and 70 minutes for couples. Ana offers therapy in English, Bulgarian, German, Greek, Italian.
MARIAM EL SAADANI
PSYCHOTHERAPIST
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Mariam El Saadani is a licensed Psychotherapist by the Ordre des Psychologues du Québec in Canada. She has completed a Master’s degree in Counselling and Educational Psychology from McGill University (Montreal, Canada). She then completed a three- year Post-Master’s training program in Psychodynamic Psychotherapy. Mariam has also completed certificates in Traumatic Stress Studies; Loss Bereavement and Life Transitions and several Cognitive Behavioral Therapy trainings for Depression, Anxiety and Eating Disorders.
Mariam has over 15 years of experience in the mental health field in Egypt and Montreal. Throughout her years of work, she has had the honor of helping people from all walks of life.
Mariam works with individuals 17 years of age and older. Her training allows her to work with any presenting issues, especially trauma. A few of the presenting problems she is able to work with are loss, grief, immigration, relationship difficulties, career uncertainty, personality disorders, anxiety disorders, mood disorders, life transitions and adjustments, identity issues and trauma; acute, chronic or complex trauma.
Mariam’s practice is based on Psychodynamic theory, which she utilizes to develop an understanding of her clients and their presenting issues. Psychodynamic theory operates on the premise that the unconscious part of the mind influences thoughts, emotions and behavior.
Through this lens, Mariam is then able to devise a treatment plan for the therapeutic process to address the root of the presenting problem(s). Oftentimes, the work done in sessions with Mariam is focused on developing insights and emotional awareness to develop the skills you need to be able to resolve and work through difficulties as they present themselves to you throughout your life.
Mariam’s sessions run for 50 minutes and can be conducted in English or Arabic.
SONAL KADCHHA
THERAPEUTIC COUNSELLOR
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Sonal Kadchha is a licensed therapeutic counsellor trained in Psychosynthesis, which is known as the “Psychology of Hope”. Whether you’re hoping to make a change in yourself, life, career or relationships; or to manage change in these areas – she is here to help. Sonal is a registered member of the British Association for Counselling and Psychotherapy (BACP). Member of the European Psychosynthesis Association (EPA). She holds a Post Graduate Diploma in Psychosynthesis Psychology from the Institute of Psychosynthesis in the UK, Masters in Psychosynthesis Psychology (Thesis in progress) from the Institute of Psychosynthesis in affiliation with Middlesex University, in the UK. Bereavement Support Foundation. Foundations of Jungian Analytical Psychology.
Sonal gives you the space to explore what is really going on, process difficult emotions, develop healthy coping strategies and restore your mental well-being – so that you aren’t just surviving, but thriving in the world.
Sonal works analytically to help you step behind your thoughts and gain new insights into your inner world. At the same time, she provides a safe and non-judgmental space for you to process your emotions. As we gain new insights on why you do the things you do and learn to sit with difficult emotions – they gradually stop having such a strong hold. She also works with you to “connect the dots” to clearly see the bigger picture and themes emerging in your life – giving you direction on where you want to go to next – through inspired action. By growing in self-awareness, learning to pause before reacting and making different choices – you’ll start to feel more inner freedom. It’s these small consistent changes which compound into huge shifts over time and create meaningful changes in your life.
As well as working as a counsellor, Sonal is founder of a charity that empowers young women in East Africa called ETC. Previous to this, she held a number of leadership positions in the Financial Services industry, as well as the start-up world. Her first degree was in Chemical Engineering from Cambridge University. Having lived in India, Singapore, Hong Kong, Uganda and the UK – she adept at working with individuals from diverse backgrounds. She has an interest in Buddhist psychology and psychedelic psychotherapy (which is the basis of her Thesis).
HELEN LOGAN
PSYCHOTHERAPIST
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Helen is a psychotherapist with over 30 years of counselling and psychotherapy experience. She is an integrative therapist which means that she is trained in, and uses, a variety of different psychotherapeutic models depending on who she is working with and their presenting issues.
She holds a Masters degree in Counselling and Psychotherapy from Regents College, London and is an Accredited member of the British Association of Counselling. Helen has had an extremely varied career, working in a variety of settings including healthcare services, media organisations, charitable agencies and private practice. She also provides training and workshops on various psychotherapeutic topics both to other therapists and interested organisations.
Helen has a breadth of experience including the following: abuse, addiction, anxiety disorders, bereavement, depression, domestic violence, eating disorders, family issues, lack of meaning in life, low self esteem or worth, relationship difficulties, sexual issues, trauma, an work difficulties. She has a particular issue in addiction, anxiety and/or trauma related issues.
Helen works with individuals: teenagers from the age of 14 upwards and adults. Her sessions are 50 minutes.
DR.KATY JACKSON
PSYCHOTHERAPIST
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Dr.Katy Jackson is a fully qualified chartered health psychologist, psychotherapist and trauma specialist with 25 years’ clinical experience helping people overcome a wide range of physical and emotional problems.
Dr.Katy has extensive training and experience using a wide range of therapeutic approaches, including trauma-focussed counselling, somatic therapy, psychodynamic, cognitive-behavioural therapy (CBT), EMDR, holistic therapy and mindfulness-based interventions. She draws on these approaches and adapts each session to suit the individual needs of the client.
Her sessions are interactive and collaborative, with the aim of facilitating a deeper understanding of the client’s experiences and behaviour as well as exploring practical and achievable strategies for change. Sessions last 50 minutes.
Dr.Katy’s specialities include work-related stress, anxiety disorders (including phobias and panic attacks), trauma (PTSD, childhood trauma and domestic violence), acute and chronic illness, functional medicine, women’s health (including menopause and fertility), depression, neurodiversity, self-esteem and identity issues, and bereavement.
Dr.Jackson works with adults (over 18 years). She is a senior member of the British Psychological Society (BPS) and Health andCare Professions Council (HCPC), the British Association for Counselling and Psychotherapy(BACP) and EMDR Association UK . She endeavours to apply these standards of practice to her work.
Dr. Katy holds a Doctorate in Health Psychology, from City University of London, a Postgraduate Diploma in Counselling, from Goldsmiths University,Certificate in Humanistic and Psychodynamic Counselling, Goldsmiths University, Master’s degreein Health Psychology from City University of London and Bachelor of Psychology, from University of Birmingham.
RANA KHALAF
PSYCHOTHERAPIST
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Rana Khalaf is a psychodynamic psychotherapist who is a registered member of the British Association for Counselling and Psychotherapy (BACP). She holds a Master’s degree in Psychoanalytic Studies and a Master’s of Science in Psychodynamic Psychotherapy.
Grounded in psychoanalytic and psychodynamic principles, Rana’s approach aims to explore and uncover the subjective internal conflicts of each individual, often residing beneath conscious awareness. Rana views therapy as a transformative journey, guiding clients toward a sense of peace and understanding amid their struggles.
With an academic background in philosophy, Rana has an understanding of the existential crises we face and examines them through a psychoanalytic lens. Rana works with clients from various backgrounds and is attuned to the role culture plays in the development and manifestation of psychical intricacies. She offers sessions in both English and Arabic and her sessions are 50 minutes long.
Rana brings a wealth of experience, specialising in assisting individuals facing a diverse range of emotional challenges—from depression, anxiety, and trauma to ADHD, eating disorders, and psychosexual difficulties. If you are seeking a guide for your therapeutic journey, Rana is here to provide support, creating a space for introspection and making sense of life’s complexities.
YASMINE SHIRAZI SOMMERS
PSYCHOTHERAPIST
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Yasmine Shirazi Sommers is an integrative psychotherapist educated and trained in the UK at Regent University of London. She holds a Master’s degree in psychotherapy and counseling and is a licensed, registered member of the British Association for Counsellers and Psychotherapists in the UK. She also has a Post Graduate diploma (PGDip) Psychotherapy & Counselling as well as the Transitions Certification- Re-vision: Counselling & Psychology with a soulful perspective.
As an integrative psychotherapist, she combines various therapeutic tools and approaches to serve the needs and goals of her clients, and helps them identify their core emotional difficulties. Her approach is tailor-made for each client as she tunes into their unique lived experience.
Her practice is grounded in her commitment to creating a safe, confidential, secure and non-judgemental environment where her clients can freely explore their thoughts, feelings, and behaviours at a pace that feels right for them.
Additionally, she has a background in the financial and creative artistic industries, thus she has an in-depth understanding of the specific challenges faced by individuals working in those fields.
Yasmina works with adults, individuals and couples, in short or long-term therapy who are experiencing relationship issues,stress and trauma, anxiety, depression and low self-esteem.Her sessions are 50 minutes long and she provides therapy in English.