Dr Jelena Lubenko is a clinical and counselling psychologist licensed in Latvia (EU) and Dubai with more than 15 years of practical experience in clinical practice and academic environment.

Prior to joining Openminds Psychiatry, Counseling and Neuroscience Center, Dr Jelena worked in government entities (National Armed Forces of Latvia, State Probation Service of Latvia), various educational institutions (Preschool, Secondary school, Riga Stradins University) and as a self-employed psychologist at private practice in Latvia. Since 2013 apart from her clinical practice Dr Jelena is also involved in the training of future psychologists and doctors as an Assistant Professor and a Senior Researcher at Riga Stradins University

Jelena has received her Doctoral Degree in Clinical Psychology from the University of Latvia in 2013, as well as the qualification of Gestalt psychotherapist at Riga Gestalt Institute in 2015. She is licensed locally by the Dubai Health Authority (DHA), as well as by the Certification Board of Psychologists in Latvia in two fields of professional practice: Clinical and Health Psychology and Counselling Psychology.

The main areas of her expertise are interpersonal relationship and parenting, motivation and self-efficacy, eating behavior, coping with crisis and life transitions, anxiety, depression and other mental health challenges. Dr Jelena is experienced in working with adults, adolescents and couples using an integration of various evidence-based approaches including Gestalt therapy, Acceptance and Commitment therapy, Cognitive Behavioral therapy. Having a strong background in psychological assessment, Dr Jelena also works with various psychometric evaluation instruments to ensure that the offered therapy targets not only current acute difficulties but is also tailored to broader characteristics of personality, aiming to achieve a client’s lifelong wellbeing.   

She truly believes in the power of genuine contact with self and others, the power of acceptance and support, the power of a choice and a committed action in order to live a more meaningful life.