Prathna works as a Child and Adolescent Clinical Psychologist at Vivamus. She is a South African trained Clinical Psychologist who specialises in therapy with children and teenagers. She has over 10 years of clinical experience and has worked internationally with children, teenagers and families across different settings. In her approach, she focuses on building a strong relationship with young people to help them achieve their goals and overcome challenges within an appropriate time frame.
Prathna holds a Masters in Clinical Psychology degree, awarded with distinction. Having worked in the United Arab Emirates, the United Kingdom and South Africa, she is registered as a Clinical Psychologist with the Dubai Health Authority (DHA), the Health and Care Professions Council (HCPC) in the United Kingdom, as well as the Health Professionals Council of South Africa (HPCSA).
In addition to working in hospitals, outpatient clinics and community mental health settings, her clinical skills and expertise have also been applied in higher education. She has played an instrumental role in the development of a Student Wellbeing and Counselling department on the Dubai campus of a prestigious international university, ensuring the provision of quality care and support to university students experiencing mental health challenges.
Prathna is highly skilled in working with children, teenagers and families. When engaging with young people, she draws on interventions that are informed and supported by research and evidence. Her approach to therapy is collaborative, person-centred and compassion focused, geared towards identifying solutions to improve and enhance psychological wellbeing.
Prathna offers the following at Vivamus:
Talk therapies with children and teenagers. These therapies are informed by approaches such Cognitive Behaviour Therapy (CBT), Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT), Compassion-Focused Therapy (CFT), Interpersonal Therapy (IPT) and Motivational Interviewing (MI).
Evidence-based, solution oriented parenting interventions, where support and guidance are offered to parents/caregivers and families.
Play-based therapeutic approaches and creative techniques with younger children, used alongside active collaboration with parents and caregivers.
Prathna is an EMDR Therapist and is trained in using EMDR with children and adolescents.
Prathna is also an accredited Paediatric Autism Communication Therapy (PACT) therapist/practitioner and can help adults learn how to better connect with children on the autism spectrum.
Prathna can help your child or teenager overcome challenges related to:
- Anger
- Anxiety and fears
- Autism spectrum-related difficulties
- Bullying
- Changes in mood
- Depression/Low Mood
- Emotion regulation difficulties, such as tantrums and meltdowns
- Grief and loss
- Interpersonal and relationship difficulties, such as family conflict and challenges with friendships
- Low self-esteem
- Separation and divorce of parents
- Social skills training and development
- Transitions and adjustment challenges, such as those related to being a ‘third culture kid’ in the UAE.
- Trauma and Post Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD).
Core Qualifications
- Master of Arts (Clinical Psychology), Cum Laude (South Africa)
Bachelor of Honours (Psychology), Summa Cum Laude (South Africa) - Bachelor of Arts (Psychology), Summa Cum Laude (South Africa)
Additional Relevant Qualifications
- British Psychological Society accredited postgraduate
- Certificate in Cognitive Behaviour Therapy with Children and Adolescents.
- Paediatric Autism and Communication Therapy (PACT) accredited practitioner.