Introduction

CHMC (Clinic for Health and Medical Care) is German Clinic for Psychiatry and Psychotherapy located in Dubai. We offer psychiatric, psychological, and family medicine treatment for the entire spectrum of psychiatric disorders. The clinic consists of two branches operating in Dubai Healthcare City (DHCC) and in Jumeirah Lake Towers (JLT).

The clinic is directed by Dr. Kowal, German Board-certified Consultant in Psychiatry, Psychotherapy and Family Medicine. The Head Psychologist is Dr. Schonder, an American Board-certified psychologist, hypnotherapist and marriage counsellor.

Our Western qualified psychiatrist and psychologists treat all psychiatric disorders including depression, anxiety problems, ADHD, OCD, PTSD, bipolar disorder, phobias, sleeplessness, dependencies, somatoform disorders, as well as the entire spectrum of family medicine disorders. We offer short, middle and long-term assistance to patients from Dubai and the neighbouring emirates in the UAE.

Our psychologists also provide guidance and support services for general life challenges and changes (new parent, newlywed, divorced etc.), crises, family issues, work related problems, grief, sexual disorders, general personal development … and more.

Psychiatric treatment in Dubai

Several clinics in Dubai employ rotating or visiting doctors. However high quality psychiatric and psychological care requires a constant presence of the specialists. You will see on every visit the same psychiatrist and psychologist to form an enduring therapeutic relationship in which you will feel understood, valued and supported. Psychiatric treatment requires regular monitoring by the psychiatrist in Dubai. In the initial phase, a higher frequency of the visits, usually once in 2 weeks, is necessary. After the patient’s presenting symptoms have been suppressed, visits to the psychiatrist can be reduced to one time per month. In this phase of the treatment, the focus shifts to the psychological part of the treatment (called psychotherapy or counselling) provided by our psychologists in Dubai.

Assessment and therapy plan

The treatment evolves along a therapy plan which will be created during the initial, profound assessment. This initial investigation consists of psychiatric and/or psychological evaluation as well as diagnostic measures, all of them performed in our clinic.

When individuals reach out to us for mental health services, we do not just diagnose disorders and discuss symptoms, but we build a trusting relationship to treat our patients holistically. The center of our therapeutic work is built around our patients’ moral concepts, hopes, doubts, misgivings, fears, and other problems of life. As humans we have an innate need to strive for a meaningful life. In therapy our main objective is to support our patients by deepening their inward insight and opening the way to a meaningful and fulfilled life. This path to the self is also the way out of their crisis.

Diagnostic procedure

Dr. Gregor Kowal is detailed and methodical in his work, as is evidenced by his patient care and treatment planning. His initial assessment consists of in-depth psychiatric, somatic, and psychological evaluation, physical and neurological examination, and evaluation of the diagnostic measures performed in our clinic. The diagnostic procedures vary depending on the diagnosis. Usually an Electrocardiogram (ECG) and a set of laboratory investigations are necessary. In some case other diagnostic measures, such as an Electroencephalogram (EEG), and imaging investigations such as Magnetic Resonance Imaging (MRI) and Computer Tomography (CT) could be necessary. We carry out all of the diagnostic measures in our clinic, or by our partners in the same building. The physical investigation including diagnostic measures are necessary to exclude any underlying physical illnesses and to serve as a benchmark for future monitoring. Such treatment procedure complies with the international standard of the treatment of psychiatric disorders.

Our clinic possesses sophisticated equipment including a digital ECG (electrocardiogram), a digital EEG (electroencephalography) with video recorded brain mapping, a 24-hour blood pressure monitor, a spirometer to measure lung function and audiometer to assess hearing. We collect the blood sample on site and send it to our partner laboratory for a state-of-the-art analysis.

Required Diagnostics

An accurate diagnosis (medical outcome) takes place prior to treating the patient. This includes:

• Survey of psychiatric, psychological and somatic case history
• General physical examination
• Neurological examination
• Laboratory examination
• ECG (Electrocardiogram)
• EEG (Electroencephalogram), if required
• MRT, CT scan, and other imaging procedures on demand (done in partner clinic located in the same building), if required
• Psychological testing (if required)

Therapy

To offer the best possible psychiatric, psychological, and family medicine care, our clinicians are present and accessible year around in Dubai. Mental healthcare is a very personal and delicate service and patients benefit from having an enduring relationship with their providers.

Our closely interlinked team assesses the patient’s mental healthcare status and provides the treatment based on a holistic concept combining the best possible psychiatric and psychological treatment in Dubai.

To create a calm, therapeutic environment in which our patients have time to express themselves and to “be heard,” our psychiatrist spends 30 minutes for each follow-up visit.  Our psychologists have 60-minute sessions.

Therapeutic methods used:

• Differentiated pharmacotherapy (medication)
• Depth- and behavioral psychological counselling in the form of individual therapy as well as couples counselling
• Regular psychiatric and psychological monitoring
• Psycho-educative training including counselling for relatives
• Relaxation techniques

Internal clinic organization

The internal clinic organization follows the German healthcare standard. Our strength lies in the methodical, standardized evaluation procedures, treatment plan development and – last but not least – continuation of the treatment by the same doctor/psychotherapist. This enables us to conduct complex evaluations and create treatment plans in around 1.5 hours. During the first evaluation we discuss the treatment plan, frequency of visits and the approximate total time of treatment. Throughout the process, we collaborate with our patients considering their personal and illness related needs. We integrate different methods and therapeutic techniques to optimize treatment outcomes. With a view to the patients’ return to their everyday life, we assist in preparing them for the time after the end of therapy.

Documentation and diagnostic system

We conduct the documentation digitally handling all patient data with utmost discretion. We hand over the doctor’s letter at the end of the treatment, which is available in digital or paper form.

The Diagnostic coding system is based on the International Statistical Classification of Diseases and Related Health Problems (ICD 10).

Quality Standards

Our clinic complies with the standards set by the Centre for Healthcare Planning Quality (CPQ), Dubai, UAE, the regulatory body of Dubai Healthcare City (DHCC). All areas of our work are subject to this certification. This includes the qualification of the staff and the parameters of offered services, organization, ergonomics, hygiene- and safety standards of the rooms and the medical apparatus used herein.

Our mission and vision

Our multi-professional-team works constructively and with dedication. We are open-minded and respect each other’s opinions, viewpoints and performance. The best therapeutic results can only be achieved in a harmonious work atmosphere. That’s why CHMC supports continuing education and ongoing staff training, and embraces and respects Dubai’s national, cultural and religious diversity.

CHMC continuously strives to provide the highest quality of clinical care through our expertise and professionalism, as well as our respect and devotion to our patients. We consistently promote mental and physical wellbeing with balanced psychiatric and psychotherapeutic techniques that meet our patients’ unique, therapeutic needs. We cherish and honor the trust our patients put in us.