Therapy is an active process for both client and therapist. The most important predictor of success in therapy is the establishment of a solid working relationship that offers you the freedom and safety to talk about your experiences and beliefs which may have been previously avoided, unresolved, or considered uncomfortable as topic to discuss with friends, partners, or family. As psychologists, we are dedicated to create an empathic, safe, and highly confidential “holding environment”. This offers you an opportunity to work on reducing emotional distress and make better personal choices. 

We use a blend of multiple modalities of therapy tailored to your individual needs. The truth is that no single orientation is the “the best”. The benefit of our diversified training is that we are able to cater our interventions to meet your unique and specified needs.

As psychologists, we focus on personality qualities, internalized images, habits and beliefs that promote resilience. We pay very close attention to using personal strength to compensate for vulnerabilities, and help clients to position themselves in a way that maximizes opportunities for growth and self-actualization.

Among the common issues we offer psychometric testing for is autism spectrum disorder, depression, anxiety, ADHD and dyslexia. Psychometric assessments measure psychological characteristics, including personality traits, behavioural styles, cognitive abilities, and motivations. They can support a range of conditions and allow effective treatment to be delivered.

Following your assessment, we can offer both verbal feedback and a written report for you to use. Whether you simply want a psychometric test completing for personal insight, to support medico legal purposes, or for educational issues, we will select the correct test to suit your needs. 

Among the psychometric tests we routinely offer are:

IQ and Cognitive Tests

We use best in industry tests to measure IQ and cognition. Helping us to identify a range of learning disabilities and other issues, the tests were developed to cover five primary index scores – verbal comprehension, visual spatial, fluid reasoning, working memory, and processing speed. We offer two different tests, the WISC for children aged between six and sixteen and the WAIS for those aged 16 and above.

Personality testing

We offer many different types of personality tests. Personality tests have multiple applications in our practice, the most common ones are:

• In cases where we may wish to lessen the time needed to elicit information through therapy 
• In complex cases where certain testing may help us with the diagnostic process or treatment plan
• In couples counselling in order to better understand how to work with the individuality of each partner and the complex interplay between their personalities 
• As a part of companies’ hiring process, particularly companies that hire personnel in sensitive positions or in positions where they wish to have low turnover

Emotional / Behavioural / Academic Problems in Children

This branch of testing is used for school aged children with academic, social, and behavioural difficulties. 

Dyslexia 

We have access to a range of psychometric tests that are designed to identify dyslexia depending on age and circumstances.

Autism Spectrum Disorder

Autism spectrum disorder can be a condition difficult to manage but with the right treatment and support children can continue to develop. We use a range of psychometric tests for children aged from 3 years of age to adults to estimate and assess the severity of the disorder, allowing us to assess which treatment will best meet their needs.

ADD/ADHD

We offer multiple psychometric tests for attention deficit disorder (ADD) and attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD), allowing children and adults with this condition to be diagnosed and receive the additional help and understanding they need. We also address additional disorders, such as oppositional defiant disorder or conduct disorder.

Emotional Support Animal Assessments 

We are able to access individuals who rely on an emotional support animal to help with psychological difficulties such as anxiety, depression or other issues and can provide a report stating the reason the animal is needed as service animal and how the pet helps with emotional support.

Child and Adolescent Mental Health 

Through a comprehensive assessment, spending time talking to you and your child, the psychologist will work to understand the problem, what might be contributing to the difficulties and think with you about the most appropriate package of support. This support may involve individual sessions with your child, sessions with the whole family, and/or working in collaboration with schools and other services in your child’s network. Life Element Medical Center has partnered with many schools in the Kingdom of Bahrain as their first point of referral for any student-related issues that cannot be managed by school counsellors and staff.

In addition, our therapists can also provide school observations, home visits, or specialist cognitive assessments as part of a larger assessment process. We are able to draw on a range of therapeutic models such as Cognitive Behavioural Therapy,  Narrative Therapy, Systemic Therapy and Psychodynamic Therapy, whilst incorporating creativity in the therapeutic process.

We offer support to children, young people and their families for a range of difficulties including:

• Low mood
• School-Related Problems such as bullying and academic problems 
• Anxiety and Panic
• Stress
• Family and relationship difficulties
• Obsessive Compulsive Disorder
• Behavioural difficulties
• Medically unexplained symptoms
• Difficulties relating to Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder
• Difficulties relating to Autism Spectrum Disorder

Couples therapy is a type of psychotherapy in which a psychologist with clinical experience working with couples, helps two people involved in a romantic relationship gain insight into their relationship, resolve conflict and improve relationship satisfaction utilizing a variety of therapeutic interventions. 

Couples therapy will usually begin with some standard interview questions regarding the history of the relationship as well as some exploration into each partner’s family-of-origin, values and cultural background. The therapist might use the initial sessions for crisis intervention if necessary.

The psychologist will then assist the couple in identifying the issue that will be the focus of treatment, establishing treatment goals and planning a structure for treatment.

During the treatment phase, the psychologist will help the couple gain insight into the relational dynamics maintaining the problem, while helping both partners understand each of their roles in the dysfunctional interactions. This will help them change the way they perceive the relationship and each other.

Although gaining insight is important, another crucial aspect of couples therapy involves actually changing behaviors and ways of interacting with each other. We may sometimes assign partners homework to apply the skills they have learned in therapy to their day-to-day interactions.

Most couples can come away from couples therapy having gained insight into relational patterns, increased emotional expression and developed the skills necessary to communicate and problem-solve with their partners more effectively.

Couples therapy can resolve a current problem, prevent an exacerbation of problems or simply provide a “check-up” for a happy couple that is experiencing a period of transition or increased stress. Common areas of concern addressed in couples therapy include issues with money, parenting, intimacy, infidelity, in-laws, chronic health issues, infertility, gambling, substance use, emotional distance and frequent conflict.

Premarital Counselling

Recently engaged couples might find premarital counseling an invaluable opportunity to address relationship expectations prior to getting married. Another couple, together 25 years, might discover couples therapy is an effective way for them to regain a sense of excitement and romance in their relationship.