Resha Erheim’s journey into psychology began with a natural curiosity about human behavior and a desire to support others. Originally Iraqi, her family fled Kuwait during the Gulf War and resettled in Jordan before moving to Canada, where she was raised for over 20 years. Growing up as an immigrant, she navigated the challenges of adjusting to new cultures and environments. These experiences helped her develop empathy and resilience, qualities that would later shape her career.
Even as a child, she gravitated toward supportive roles, whether within her family or at school. This early passion laid the foundation for a career dedicated to helping people thrive emotionally, mentally, and socially.
Over the years, Resha’s career took her across continents, allowing her to gain diverse experiences. She worked in Canada, then in Kuwait, and finally in Dubai, where she has spent the past decade building her professional expertise. Her journey has not only been about personal growth but also about understanding how different cultural, social, and regulatory environments shape people’s experiences with mental health.
Navigating Cultural Transitions in Kuwait
Resha’s professional journey took a major turn in 2012 when she moved to Kuwait to join a rehabilitation center’s psychology department. Relocating alone, she faced the dual challenge of adjusting to a new culture while navigating a workplace environment with different regulations and practices.
The culture shock was intense, and the professional landscape was unlike anything she had experienced in Canada. Initially, Resha had hoped to settle in Dubai, close to her family. However, her qualifications did not meet the licensing requirements in the UAE at that time. Undeterred, she chose to embrace the opportunity in Kuwait, using it as a learning experience to understand regional nuances in mental health practices.
This period honed her adaptability, cultural sensitivity, and problem-solving skills—qualities that would later become integral to her leadership style. She also overcame her fear of public speaking during this time, challenging herself through multiple TV and radio appearances in Kuwait, corporate workshops, conference presentations, and features in media publications. These experiences not only helped her build confidence but also prepared her for future leadership roles.
Return to Dubai and the Birth of a Vision
Four years later, Resha finally relocated to Dubai once her credentials aligned with the licensing requirements of the Community Development Authority (CDA). Here, she began to turn her long-held vision into reality. She recognized the gap in accessible, comprehensive mental health and wellness services in the region.
More than just therapy, she wanted to create a center that embraced meditation, executive coaching, professional development, and community engagement—all under one roof. In 2024, Resha founded Journey Wellness Center.
The center reflects her dedication to authenticity, compassion, and holistic care. It is not just a space for therapy; it is a place where individuals can explore personal growth, develop resilience, and build a supportive network. By combining her clinical expertise with a broader wellness philosophy, Resha has positioned the center as one of the UAE’s leading wellness hubs.
A Transformative Postpartum Realization
The birth of her daughter became a turning point in Resha’s life. During her postpartum period, she reflected deeply on her professional path and realized she no longer wanted the limitations of a traditional job. While she loved her work as a psychologist, she longed for more flexibility and autonomy.
She wanted to be present for her daughter while continuing to do meaningful work that aligned with her values. This period of self-reflection inspired Resha to imagine a new kind of professional life—one that allowed her to merge her expertise with her desire for personal freedom. She envisioned creating a space where she could provide compassionate care, lead authentically, and design her work around her life, rather than letting work dictate her lifestyle.
Balancing Motherhood and Professional Ambitions
For Resha, balancing motherhood with a thriving career has been both a challenge and a source of inspiration. Becoming a mom reshaped her priorities, influencing her desire for a flexible and autonomous career.
She believes that being present for her daughter does not mean compromising professional growth. Instead, it has inspired innovative ways to integrate her personal values with her professional goals.
This philosophy underpins the culture at Journey Wellness Center. Staff are encouraged to maintain work-life balance, and the services offered often address parenting, family dynamics, and postpartum mental health. Resha’s own experiences make her particularly attuned to the struggles and joys of balancing family with career ambitions, which informs the compassionate care her clients receive.
Embracing Leadership with Authenticity
Throughout her career, Resha has learned that leadership is about more than titles or authority—it is about empathy, guidance, and integrity. Having worked under a variety of managers, both inspiring and challenging, she observed firsthand the impact leadership can have on workplace culture and client outcomes.
Her own professional path has included work in university settings, corporate environments, and private practice, giving her a well-rounded perspective on leadership and organizational culture.
At Journey Wellness Center, she has embraced the leadership style she wished she had experienced earlier in her career: supportive, transparent, and empowering. She leads with compassion, encourages collaboration, and ensures that both clients and staff feel valued.
Her approach reflects her belief that effective leadership requires listening, learning, and creating an environment where people can thrive.
Building a Supportive Community
Resha Erheim is not only committed to her clients but also to her professional community. Recognizing the need for connection and guidance among mental health practitioners, she established a local psychologist community in 2018.
This network provides mentorship, collaboration opportunities, and professional support for psychologists navigating the challenges of practicing in the UAE. The community has steadily grown, bridging gaps that Resha herself experienced when she first arrived in Dubai. By fostering a culture of support rather than competition, she is helping to elevate the mental health profession in the region.
Her efforts reflect her broader mission: to create not just a wellness center, but a movement that strengthens both professionals and the people they serve.
Specialized Expertise: Couples Therapy
One of Resha’s unique strengths lies in her specialization as a bilingual couples therapist. Half of her clientele consists of couples, and she provides therapy in both English and Arabic. This allows her to support diverse families navigating communication challenges, cultural differences, and relationship transitions with sensitivity and care.
Her ability to bridge language and cultural contexts has made her a trusted therapist for couples seeking deeper understanding and stronger connections.
A Legacy of Compassionate Care
Resha hopes to be remembered as someone who genuinely cares about people’s mental health. Her vision goes beyond clinical success; she wants to make a tangible difference in people’s lives. She aims to be a guide, a cheerleader, and a mentor for her clients and colleagues alike, creating a positive ripple effect throughout the community.
Her ultimate goal is to be a name synonymous with compassionate care, authenticity, and professional support. Through her work, she hopes to inspire both her clients and other professionals to prioritize mental wellness, embrace challenges, and trust their instincts.
Guiding Principles for Aspiring Professionals
Resha’s career offers valuable lessons for anyone entering the mental health field or pursuing a purpose-driven career. She advises:
- Trust your instincts: Listen to your gut—it often knows what’s best.
- Align with your values: Work within environments that reflect your ethics and principles.
- Embrace challenges: Don’t shy away from difficult opportunities; growth often comes from discomfort.
- Start early: Begin your wellness journey as soon as possible to build long-term resilience.
- Support others: Be a mentor and create communities of collaboration and care.
These principles reflect her belief that professional success is intertwined with personal authenticity, resilience, and compassion.
Vision for the Future
Looking ahead, Resha envisions expanding Journey Wellness Center to reach a broader population, making mental health services more accessible across the UAE. She hopes to continue growing the psychologist community she founded, creating a network where professionals can support each other while delivering high-quality care.
For Resha, success is not measured by accolades or numbers—it is measured by the lives she touches, the positive changes she inspires, and the sense of community she cultivates. Her story reminds us that leadership, compassion, and innovation can go hand in hand to create meaningful impact.
Conclusion
Resha Erheim’s journey is a compelling narrative of personal transformation, professional dedication, and unwavering commitment to mental health. From navigating immigrant challenges after fleeing the Gulf War to creating a wellness hub in Dubai, she has consistently demonstrated courage, empathy, and vision. Journey Wellness Center stands as a testament to her passion for helping others, building community, and redefining what it means to lead with authenticity.
Her story serves as an inspiration for anyone looking to align career with purpose, embrace challenges, and make a difference in the world. Resha Erheim shows that with resilience, compassion, and vision, one can create lasting change—both for themselves and for the community they serve.
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