In recent years, the United Arab Emirates (UAE) has placed mental health and wellbeing at the forefront of its national priorities, recognizing that a healthy society begins with emotionally resilient individuals.
Zayed University’s Master of Science in Counselling Psychology stands out as a graduate program designed to prepare future counsellors who combine scientific knowledge with empathy and cultural understanding. Through its emphasis on evidence-based interventions, the program empowers graduate students to address adult mental health challenges effectively and contribute to the nation’s broader vision for holistic wellbeing.
A recent interview with Dr Mustafa Aydogan, Assistant Professor, Department of Psychology, College of Natural and Health Sciences at Zayed University provided valuable insights into Zayed University’s Master of Science in Counselling Psychology program. Dr Aydogan addresses key themes such as the program’s alignment with UAE national priorities, the importance of evidence-based interventions, their impact on adult mental health, professional outcomes, and the program’s unique strengths. While the interview offered a comprehensive overview, this blog aims to delve deeper into these critical topics, exploring how the program not only equips students with cutting-edge skills and knowledge, but also contributes meaningfully to mental health care and wellbeing in the UAE and beyond.
Alignment with UAE National Priorities
Pursuing a Master of Science in Counselling Psychology focused on adult mental health closely aligns with the UAE’s ongoing commitment to strengthening mental health and wellbeing. National initiatives such as the National Strategy for Wellbeing 2031 and the National Policy for the Promotion of Mental Health highlight the government’s focus on improving access to psychological care, reducing stigma, and embedding mental wellness into everyday life. Aligned with UAE Vision 2031, which aspires to create “a society that enjoys the highest levels of wellbeing, security, and quality of life,” this growing emphasis underscores the importance of developing a skilled mental health workforce. The demand for professionals who can deliver effective therapy, intervention, and support to adults facing psychological challenges has never been greater, reflecting the country’s broader goal of ensuring both physical and emotional health for all residents.
Zayed University’s Master of Science in Counselling Psychology plays a vital role in advancing these national objectives. The program prepares graduate students to provide ethical, research-informed, and culturally responsive mental health services, equipping them to work in hospitals, clinics, and community organizations. Graduate students gain the tools to address increasingly common issues such as stress, anxiety, depression, and burnout — challenges that accompany modern, fast-paced lifestyles. Moreover, the program fosters locally trained specialists who understand the UAE’s multicultural landscape, ensuring that interventions are both globally informed and culturally grounded. By integrating international best practices with the UAE’s unique social and developmental context, Zayed University is cultivating a new generation of counsellors ready to shape the nation’s mental health landscape and contribute to its vision for a healthier, more resilient society.
Evidence-Based Interventions: A Foundation for Effective Counselling
Evidence-based interventions refer to counselling techniques and therapeutic methods that are proven through scientific research to produce measurable, positive outcomes. These are not theoretical concepts or trial-and-error approaches. Instead, they are based on decades of empirical studies, clinical trials, and validated outcomes in psychology. In counselling psychology, evidence-based interventions might include:
What distinguishes these interventions from traditional approaches is the integration of data, professional expertise, and client feedback. Counsellors trained in evidence-based practice use outcome measures and structured evaluation tools to assess progress and adjust treatment accordingly. This ensures that interventions remain dynamic, client-centered, and results-driven. Grounding counselling psychology in evidence-based practice is crucial because it upholds the highest standards of care and accountability. Clients benefit from interventions that have been tested and refined for effectiveness, while practitioners build confidence in their ability to achieve meaningful outcomes. In a rapidly developing country like the UAE, where mental health services are expanding across both public and private sectors, the demand for scientifically trained counsellors is stronger than ever.
Impact on Adult Mental Health and Wellbeing
Adults face complex emotional, social, and professional pressures — from workplace stress and relationship challenges to life transitions, grief, and chronic health conditions. These pressures can manifest as chronic stress, emotional exhaustion, or feelings of disconnection. Counselling adults requires flexibility, empathy, and the ability to apply strategies that resonate with different life stages and experiences. Evidence-based counselling helps address these realities through targeted, outcome-oriented strategies. For example:
The impact of these interventions is not merely theoretical. Studies have shown that adult clients who engage in evidence-based counselling experience improvements in mood, productivity, and quality of life, as well as reduced relapse rates and higher treatment satisfaction. Zayed University’s graduate students learn to track and measure these outcomes during their internship placements within, i.e., community clinics, and workplace wellbeing programs, using standardized tools such as symptom checklists, wellbeing and resilience scales, and client feedback questionnaires. By systematically evaluating client progress—whether in reduced anxiety through cognitive restructuring, improved focus through mindfulness practice, or enhanced emotional stability following regulation training—students gain firsthand experience in linking therapeutic techniques to measurable outcomes. This practical, data-informed approach ensures that they are not only versed in theory but also skilled in transforming evidence-based methods into meaningful, results-driven practice.
Professional Outcomes and Career Opportunities
A master’s degree program grounded in evidence-based strategies produces clear professional benefits. Graduate students demonstrate competency in assessment, intervention, and ethical practice — skills that employers seek across hospitals, government organizations, corporates, NGOs, and private practice. As the curriculum integrates applied practicum with theory and measurable outcomes, students are prepared for licensure, professional certification, and roles that require data-driven decision making.
Graduates of the Master of Science in Counselling Psychology program are well-prepared for a variety of professional pathways in the UAE. Career opportunities include:
The Program’s Unique Edge at Zayed University
Several distinctive qualities make Zayed University uniquely positioned to deliver this graduate program:
Conclusion: Shaping Compassionate Innovators for Mental Health and National Wellbeing
Zayed University’s Master of Science in Counselling Psychology represents a forward-thinking approach to mental health education — one that bridges science, culture, and compassion. By grounding its training in evidence-based interventions, the program ensures that graduates are equipped to respond effectively to the unique psychological needs of adults while contributing to the UAE’s broader goals for wellbeing and resilience. These counsellors emerge not just as practitioners but as innovators — individuals capable of turning research into impact, theory into action, and care into measurable progress for both individuals and the nation.
The College of Natural and Health Sciences welcomes applications from qualified candidates eager to contribute to the field of counselling psychology and the wellbeing of our community. Prospective graduate students with a bachelor’s degree in psychology are encouraged to apply early to secure their place as seats are limited. Contact +971-2-599-3605 / dgs.recruitment@zu.ac.ae