• Check now if I can
    support you.

    • University Diploma in Psychology (equivalent Master’s Degree) and Cognitive Behavioral Therapist.
    • Appointments that work with your schedule.
    • Confidentiality is guaranteed.

    Psychological Questionnaire

    Step 1 of 13

    What’s bothering you most at the moment?

    This questionnaire is intended to serve as a personal orientation for you. Your answers remain confidential and will not be stored – they are meant to help you better assess your current situation.

  • Online Psychologist Sally Schulze

    Psychological Psychotherapist (CBT) Sally Schulze

html
Psychologin Sally Schulze

Sally Schulze

Psychologist & Consultant

Welcome to our page dedicated to providing psychological support for English speakers in Abu Dhabi. We understand that living in this fascinating metropolis of contrasts – where modern skyscrapers meet desert landscapes – presents unique challenges. As an expat in the United Arab Emirates, you're likely experiencing an exciting mix of cultural richness and fundamentally different ways of life. But amidst the luxury shopping malls and impressive architecture, it's also easy to feel caught between worlds, not truly at home anywhere. We are here to help.

As an online psychologist, I understand the specific challenges you face as an English speaker in Abu Dhabi. It's not just the unfamiliar environment or the distance from home – it's the subtle cultural differences, the implicit rules of interaction, and sometimes the feeling of living in a bubble, separated from the local reality. This can lead to a deep sense of rootlessness. We want you to know that your feelings are valid and you're not alone.

On this page, I want to show you both local options in Abu Dhabi and introduce my online counseling, which is specifically tailored to the needs of English speakers abroad. Especially in a region where psychological care in English can be scarce, a compassionate and understanding contact person can be invaluable.

  • I am Sally Schulze

    I am Sally Schulze

    As someone who has lived abroad myself, I know the unique challenges of expat life firsthand. As a speaker, expert, and entrepreneur, I am passionate about mental health – especially for people living between cultures.

    Self-care is particularly important to me. Because only those who take good care of themselves can thrive in a foreign environment. In addition to my work at MentalStark, my TED Talks, and podcasts, I recharge by relaxing by the water, in cozy cafés, or snowboarding. Finding this balance is crucial, especially in the hectic expat life in Abu Dhabi.



    More about me
  • Über Mich
  • Über Mich
Bild 1
Psychologist
Bild 2
Entrepreneur
Bild 3
Podcaster

My Professional Background

As an experienced psychologist and certified consultant, I bring more than 3,000 hours of experience in online counseling. With a special focus on intercultural psychology, I understand the unique challenges of living between two worlds. My approach is based on appreciation and understanding – I create a safe space where you can express yourself authentically.

In our collaboration, it is important to me to consider your specific experiences as an English speaker in an Arab country. Living in Abu Dhabi, with its cultural norms, religious influences, and different behavioral expectations, requires special adaptation, which can often be associated with emotional stress.

English-Speaking Psychologists in Abu Dhabi

Unfortunately, there are currently no practicing English-speaking psychologists in Abu Dhabi. The search for native-language psychological support in the United Arab Emirates can be particularly challenging, especially when struggling with feelings of loneliness, cultural shock, or loss of identity.

English-Speaking Psychiatrists in Abu Dhabi

Dr. Hussein Omar
Psychiatrist (Englischsprachig)
Street No. 10, Khalifa Bin Shakhbout
Villa No. 253
Abu Dhabi, UAE

Online Counseling for English Speakers in Abu Dhabi

As a psychologist with intercultural experience, I offer you empathetic psychological online counseling. I understand how challenging life in Abu Dhabi can be – the heat, the cultural differences, the expatriate bubble, and sometimes the feeling of living in a golden cage. The discrepancy between external luxury and inner emptiness can be particularly confusing.

In my online counseling, we create a protected space in which you can talk about all these feelings in your native language. Whether you are struggling with the cultural pressure to adapt, feel stuck in a professional dead end, or your relationship is suffering from expat life – together we will find ways for you to not only survive in Abu Dhabi, but to lead a fulfilling life.

Especially for couples, life in the UAE can bring special challenges, for example, when one partner is thriving professionally while the other feels restricted. My couples counseling offers a space to understand these specific dynamics and find new ways together.

About Your Appointment with the Online Psychologist

The 20-minute introductory meeting with me is free of charge. Check completely without obligation whether the chemistry is right and ask your open questions. Despite the time difference between Germany and the UAE, we are guaranteed to find a suitable appointment for you. I look forward to getting to know you and finding a way together for you to not only function in Abu Dhabi, but to really flourish.

Start

Time

Details

Choose one of the four options now:










  • Curious to learn more? 😊

    Curious to learn more? 😊

    You can easily book your free introductory session through my online calendar.

    • Free initial assessment – without any pressure
    • Ask all the questions that are on your mind
    • Find out if I’m the right counselor for you
  • Book an appointment with psychologist Sally Schulze

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ) from Expats in Abu Dhabi

How can I cope with culture shock in Abu Dhabi?

Culture shock is a normal reaction to living in a fundamentally different society. In psychological counseling, we work to understand and productively navigate the various phases of culture shock. We develop strategies to help you navigate the differences between your home culture and Emirati culture without giving up your own identity. It is particularly important to respect certain local norms while preserving your own values.

How can I find social connections as an expat in Abu Dhabi?

Loneliness and isolation are common challenges for expats in Abu Dhabi, despite the large international community. In our sessions, we develop tailored strategies for building a supportive network – from expat groups to possible intercultural friendships. We work to find the balance between the comfort of the "expat bubble" and a real connection to the local culture.

How do I manage the particular stressors of living in the UAE?

Living in Abu Dhabi brings specific stressors – from extreme heat to bureaucratic hurdles to cultural misunderstandings. In psychological counseling, we develop strategies for dealing with these stresses. We identify your personal stressors and develop coping strategies that are practical in the Emirati environment. We also consider how the expectations of luxury and perfection in Abu Dhabi can create additional pressure.

How can I find a healthy work-life balance as an expat in Abu Dhabi?

The work culture in Abu Dhabi can differ significantly from your home country, with different expectations regarding working hours, communication styles, and hierarchical structures. In our counseling, I support you in finding a healthy balance between professional success and personal well-being. We work on boundary setting, self-care strategies, and creating space for recreation, which is often neglected in the hectic expat world.

How do I deal with the legal situation and cultural restrictions in the UAE?

As an expat in Abu Dhabi, you have to deal with different legal and cultural norms that can sometimes conflict with accustomed freedoms. In psychological counseling, I help you deal with these restrictions and find creative ways to stay authentic without violating local sensibilities. We develop strategies on how you can live your values while respecting local rules.

How do I preserve my cultural identity while integrating into Abu Dhabi?

The question of one's own identity is often renegotiated in Abu Dhabi. In our psychological counseling, I support you in finding a healthy balance between preserving your roots and opening up to new cultural influences. We work on how you can give space to traditions from your home country while appreciating the special features of the Emirati culture. The goal is an enriched cultural identity that combines the best of both worlds.

How do I deal with homesickness and the feeling of "not belonging"?

Homesickness and the feeling of not really belonging anywhere are common companions of expat life in Abu Dhabi. In psychological counseling, we jointly develop strategies to deal with these feelings. We work on how you can maintain meaningful connections to your home country while rooting yourself in the here and now of Abu Dhabi. By understanding these natural processes of adaptation, these feelings can be more easily accepted and integrated.



Updated on: March 30, 2025


Psychologists Worldwide


You might also be interested in:

Individual Psychological Counseling Online

Couples Counseling Online - Convenient from Home

Coaching for Self-Employed and Expats Abroad

Self-Test: Do I Need Help?

Self-Test: Am I Suffering from Depression?

All Our Psychological Self-Tests




You’re still unsure if online counseling is right for you? E-mail me with your questions and I’ll help you to find out:

info@sallyschulze.com

Contact Me

Schedule a free 20-minute consultation:

WhatsApp
Send message via WhatsApp
SMS/iMessage
Send message via SMS