Jude Abudawood
Social Counselor CDA-PLA-0001596
I am a licensed Marriage and Family Counsellor who works with individuals, couples, and families who are looking for greater understanding, connection, and emotional well-being. I believe therapy should feel like a safe and respectful space where you can speak openly, reflect on your experiences, and begin to make sense of the challenges you may be facing.
My approach to therapy is collaborative and compassionate. Rather than seeing you as a problem to fix, I see you as a whole person with a unique story, shaped by your relationships, family, culture, and life experiences. Together, we gently explore the patterns and experiences that may be affecting your well-being and relationships, while working toward greater clarity, balance, and emotional connection.
My work is grounded in a systemic and trauma-informed perspective. This means I pay attention not only to what you are going through, but also to the broader context of your life, including family dynamics, cultural values, and personal history. I believe that healing often happens when we feel truly seen, understood, and supported.
I have a special interest in couples and relationship therapy. Many couples come to therapy feeling stuck in cycles of conflict, distance, or misunderstanding. My goal is to help partners slow down, listen to one another more deeply, and develop new ways of communicating that allow for greater empathy, accountability, and respect.
As someone who is fluent in Arabic and English, and who has roots in Saudi Arabia, Syria, and the United States, I bring cultural awareness and sensitivity to my work. I understand that culture, family expectations, identity, and faith can play an important role in how we experience relationships and emotional challenges. I strive to create a space where clients from diverse backgrounds feel welcomed, respected, and understood.
Reaching out for therapy can feel like a big step, especially when you have been carrying things on your own. Therapy offers a place to slow down, reflect, and begin exploring new ways of understanding yourself and your relationships.
My hope is to provide a supportive and nonjudgmental environment where you can process difficult experiences, strengthen your relationships, and move toward a greater sense of stability, peace, and emotional well-being.
A Compassionate, Evidence-Based Approach
Dedicated to culturally responsive, client-centered, collaborative care. I believe successful therapy honors each client's uniqueness and combines genuine presence and the mastery of a wide range of therapeutic skills.
Collaborative Practice
Committed to a multidisciplinary approach, working alongside other professionals to ensure comprehensive, holistic care for every client's unique journey.
Ethical Standards
Upholding the highest ethical standards in all therapeutic relationships, ensuring absolute safety, confidentiality, and unwavering professional integrity.
Specialized Therapy Services
Comprehensive, structured care tailored to your unique relational and individual needs.
EMDR & Trauma Therapy
EMDR therapy to help process trauma, reduce distressing memories, and support emotional healing and reslience.
Couples Therapy
Supporting couples in rebuilding trust, improving communication, and creating more secure and respectful relationships.
Family Therapy
Supporting families in improving communication, navigating conflict, and strengthening healthier relational patterns.
Individual Therapy
Personalized guidance for personal growth, goal achievement, and overall well-being. A supportive space to explore personal challenges, understand relational patterns, and develop healthier ways with yourself and others.
Professional Background
Years of dedicated clinical practice and academic rigor across the UAE, KSA, and USA.
Marriage and Family Therapist
Jude's Couples & Family Counseling
Marriage and Family Therapist
HRIC Dubai
Marriage and Family Therapist
Liberty Resources , Syracuse N.Y
Marriage and Family Therapist
Couple and Family Therapy Center , Syracuse N.Y
M.A in Marriage & Family Therapy- Trauma-Informed Focus
Syracuse University (2020-2022)
Graduate clinical training and academic excellence in systemic therapy approaches, establishing a strong framework for clinical practice.
PH. D. in Marriage and Family Therapy
National University (2022-2025)
Focused on advancing systemic and relational therapy through research, clinical training, and scholarly inquiry.
M.A. in Transition Special Education
George Washington University (2009-2011)
Focused on emotional and behavioral disorders and supporting individuals with complex emotional and learning needs.
B.A. in Family Studies & Child Development
Arizona State University (1998-2003)
Focused on family dynamics and child development, this program explored how relationships, envirnments, and social systems shape individual growth abnd well-being.
Clinical Isues & Areas of Support
Extensively trained in leading therapeutic modalities by global institutes.
Clinical Certifications
Extensively trained in leading therapeutic modalities by global institutes.