Dure Najaf

Dure Najaf, MAP

I am an Australian Clinical Psychologist who has a passion in working with adolescents (14 years onwards) and adults who often find themselves in patterns of behavior/ thoughts that aren’t helpful. I support people who feel stuck to explore their hidden and deeper tendencies and uncover ways to truly break free of what holds them back. For this I draw on a range of modalities such as Psychodynamic Therapy, Schema Therapy,  EMDR, CBT, ACT, and DBT (Dialectical Behavior Therapy).

My work often weaves through themes of shame, self-compassion, inner child healing, and transference. At times, therapy may take a more structured, skills-based approach when that feels most helpful. The heart of my practice lies in finding the right balance for each person—supporting you to uncover your strengths, nurture compassion, and build resilience.

My specific areas of interest is trauma (in all shapes and forms), eating disorders, addiction, and working with people that have a strong sense of “something's not right” and open to exploring all possibilities.

Over the years, I have also facilitated group therapy for individuals navigating mood difficulties, young adults facing suicidal ideation or risk, parents needing behavior management support, and children with ADHD. My work is trauma-informed, culturally responsive, and outcome-driven, with an emphasis on safety, trust, and a strong therapeutic alliance.

In addition to therapy, I offer comprehensive assessments for children, adolescents, and adults.  For many families, having answers brings relief and clarity—it transforms confusion into understanding and opens the door to targeted support.

I conduct psychoeducational evaluations to explore cognitive strengths, learning styles, and identify possible learning difficulties, such as:

  • Dyslexia (challenges with reading and language processing)

  • Dyscalculia (difficulties with math and number-related concepts)

  • Dysgraphia (struggles with writing, spelling, and written expression)

I also provide ADHD assessments across all ages, helping children, teens, and adults understand attention-related challenges that may have been overlooked or misunderstood.

My Philosophy

I have a particular interest working with people struggling with understanding where their distress is coming from and wanting to explore deeper, more meaningful ways to engage in therapy. I find it powerful to guide people in connecting the dots between their past, present and future, and use that as a resource to better understand what they are going through. This is the first step to healing. My work is not about putting Band-Aids to reduce the pain, but to help in healing the wounds causing the pain.

As a schema therapist, I help people explore their particular patterns of thinking, which can help transform how they see themselves and the world around them. This can be helpful for adults who want to understand their personality patterns and to understand and heal from how their their attachment styles and unmet needs as children impact their emotional state today. 

Additionally, I integrate the powerful tool, EMDR,  into my work, particularly with clients experiencing PTSD, complex trauma, or grief.

Background

Educational Qualifications

  • BA in Psychology and Business from Monash University, Australia
  • Graduate Diploma in Psychology from Deakin University, Melbourne, Australia
  • Masters in Applied Psychology (Clinical Psychology) from Victoria University, Melbourne, Australia.

Licenses and Certifications

  • Dubai Health Authority (DHA licensed)
  • Australian Health Practitioner Regulation Agency – Clinical Psychologist

SPECIALTIES

In my psychotherapy practice, I work with adolescents and adults who are struggling with a wide range of issues, including:

  • Sexual trauma/abuse
  • Alcohol or drug dependence
  • Grief and life transitions
  • Identity and cultural conflict
  • Adjustment issues and stress
  • Anxiety
  • ADHD/ ASD
  • Coping with major life changes (marriage, separation, career shifts, etc.)
  • Depression and other mood disorders
  • OCD, phobias
  • Neurological disorders- FND, chronic pain, fibromyalgia
  • Borderline personality Disorder
  • Suicidal idea/ self-harm
  • Shame and self-esteem issues
  • Relational difficulties
  • PTSD/ Complex trauma
  • Eating disorders

In terms of assessments, I specialize in psychoeducational assessments and ADHD assessments, across all ages.