Dr. Paul Gelston (BSc PgDip DClinPsy) is an Irish Clinical Psychologist with more than 10 years of experience in mental health services. He has lived and practiced in Dubai for the last four years. He completed his Doctorate in Clinical Psychology at University College London (UCL) and a Postgraduate Diploma in Cognitive Behaviour Therapy (CBT) from the Institute of Psychiatry, Psychology and Neuroscience at King’s College London (KCL). This included extensive training and experience within the UK National Health Service (NHS). Dr.Paul specialises in the assessment and diagnosis of developmental difficulties in children (Autism Spectrum Disorder, ADHD, Specific Learning Disorders), as well as the treatment of mental health difficulties in children, adolescents and adults. Since moving to the UAE, Dr. Paul has also qualified as a Clinical Director within the Special Olympics Healthy Athletes initiative, providing voluntary services to People of Determination within the UAE.

Dr. Paul has a passion for improving people’s access to psychological therapy and reducing the stigma of mental illness, developmental disorders and receiving psychological support. He is registered with the Dubai Health Authority (DHA) and the Health and Care Professions Council (HCPC) in the UK.

Assessment and Diagnosis

Dr. Paul specialises in the assessment and diagnosis of the following disorders:

• Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD)
• Attention Deficit/Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD)
• Specific Learning Disorders (Dyslexia, Dysgraphia, Dyscalculia)
• Oppositional Defiant Disorder (ODD)
• Intellectual Disability / Learning Disability
• Social (Pragmatic) Communication Disorder
• Academic Skills and Difficulties (Psychoeducational Assessment)
• Executive Function, Memory and Attention difficulties.

Psychological Therapy (Adults, Children & Adolescents)

Dr. Paul’s main treatment approaches include Psychodynamic Psychotherapy and Cognitive Behaviour Therapy (CBT). He specialises in the treatment of the following:

• Anxiety
• Low Mood / Depression
• Anger Management / Emotion Regulation difficulties
• Obsessive Compulsive Disorder (OCD)
• Panic Disorder and Panic Attacks
• Social Anxiety
• Phobias
• Health Anxiety
• Generalised Anxiety Disorder (GAD)
• Selective Mutism
• Perfectionism
• Exam / School Stress
• Behaviour Regulation difficulties
• School Refusal
• Relationship Difficulties