About Stillmind – StillMind

Dr. Sharyn & James Kennedy are Western-trained therapists from New Zealand specialising in cognitive behavioural therapy and attachment therapy for individuals and couples.

Dr. Sharyn Kennedy

Dr. Sharyn Kennedy studied at Massey University (Albany, New Zealand). She holds a Master’s Degree in Educational Psychology and a PhD in Cognitive Psychology.

Before moving to Abu Dhabi, she worked in New Zealand as a psychologist in a rehabilitative traumatic brain injury unit, a cognitive behaviour therapy clinic and a recruitment organisation interpreting psychometric testing for corporate clients.

She also volunteered for YouthLine, an Auckland-based telephone counselling service for youth who need psychological support.

Sharyn conducts both individual and couples therapy sessions and, among other things, can help you:

Cope with depression, anxiety or panic attacks
Work through trauma or loss
Build your confidence and self-esteem
Manage stress at work or in a relationship

What people say

Dr. Sharyn is amazing at her job. She listens to what you say and gives you the strategies you need to be a happier you. She goes through the strategies to ensure you know how to use them. She explains how these strategies work in the brain too. What I liked the most was, there was no focus on labelling what your issue was. You discuss why you feel and act in a certain way and what is happening in your body and brain when this happens. Dr Sharyn gives you techniques you need to change your way of thinking in a positive way.

– A.A., ABU DHABI, UAE

About James Kennedy

James Kennedy

James Kennedy is an experience-driven therapist who specializes in bringing back joy into relationships. He believes that everyone has a right to feel happy. And if you don’t feel safe and loved in your relationship, it has to be addressed.

Common topics that you can discuss with James alone or together with your partner include:

Joys and pitfalls of a marriage
Intimacy/sexual challenges
Romance and its importance in relationships
Should you stay or leave?
What makes a successful relationship
How to restore a broken relationship

What people say

It was because of James that I was able to recognise what was going on in my marriage, take action as well as begin the healing process. He was compassionate with his advice, thoughtful with his suggestions, and kind with his support. He never pushed me to make a particular decision, but instead he guided me through my thought process which empowered me to my own conclusions and create my action plan. For this I am very grateful.

– L.C., ABU DHABI, UAE

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I ever go back to being normal?

Even if you don’t feel like it right now, the chances are good that you can feel like your happy self again. But this will only happen if you take the first (and most difficult) step to start your therapy. Therapy will help you understand and cope with your negative thoughts and feelings and will offer you a new, unbiased perspective and effective tools that you can use to feel better every day.

Do you offer remote sessions?

Yes, we do. For now, due to the coronavirus threat, we offer only remote sessions, via email or audio/video call. You can learn more about how it works by visiting the “Therapy via email” or “Therapy via audio or video call” page.

Do you accept insurance?

We don’t take insurance but can provide receipts so that you can claim the costs on your insurance later. If you aren’t sure whether your insurance will cover such claims, please double check with them before your first session with us.

How many sessions would I need?

The number of sessions you’d need to see positive changes in your life depends on your specific situation. Here’s what we know from our experience: One to two sessions are enough to solve a small problem, for example learning brain-based tips and strategies to manage anxious brains or understanding more about negative thoughts and feelings. A solution-focused approach can bring about significant changes in as few as four sessions, even if your problems are more complex. In case of deep-rooted issues, like childhood trauma, depression or addiction, you’d likely need more than four sessions to feel long-lasting positive results. You don’t have to commit to multiple sessions at once and can decide if you need or don’t need another session on the spot.