Dr. Marina Hakimian

Dr. Marina is a CDA-licensed psychologist who supports children,teenagers, families, and adults across their life journey. Of Armenian origin, she was born and raised in Lebanon, holds Canadian nationality, and has lived in the UAE for the past 12 years. Her multicultural background allows her to bring a diverse perspective to her practice, supported further by her fluency in English, Arabic, and Armenian. She is deeply committed to social justice, diversity, and fairness, with a mission to restore mental health for individuals from all walks of life through empathetic and individualized care.

Dr. Marina’s approach is rooted in empathy and compassion, integrating Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT), and incorporating techniques from Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT), Dialectical Behavior Therapy (DBT), and play therapy.

Additionally, she has recently acquired certifications in Solution Focused Therapy, Compassion Focused Therapy, Trauma-Focused CBT and Motivational Interviewing which continue to enrich her therapeutic approach. She works collaboratively with parents, emphasizing the role of both mothers and fathers, and focuses on strengthening family dynamics to support children’s emotional development. Dr. Marina helps adolescents navigate identity, relationships, and academic/career prospects, while also supporting adults with personal and professional challenges. She addresses a wide range of issues including anxiety, depression, emotional regulation, academic stress, body image, confidence and self esteem, family dynamics, friendships and relationships and men’s mental health, among others.

Dr. Marina holds a Bachelor’s in Social Sciences from the Lebanese University and a Master’s in Clinical Psychology from Haigazian University, in Lebanon. Her early work involved psychoeducational assessments and counseling for children with learning differences. Since moving to Dubai in 2013, she has continued these services while collaborating with schools to support diverse student needs. During the COVID-19 pandemic, she pursued a PhD in Industrial and Organizational Psychology, from Adler University in Chicago expanding her focus to include career-related support for adults. She has contributed to mental health awareness through published articles, radio appearances, and a podcast. Outside of work, she enjoys traveling, reading, and attending conferences.

Dr. Marina is an affiliate member of the American Psychological Association.