The Community Development Authority in Dubai has achieved an impressive 95% mediation success rate within its family counselling services during the first eight months of 2026. This notable result highlights the effectiveness of specialised family guidance and early intervention in supporting family stability and enhancing their ability to cope with early-stage challenges.
Significant Achievements in Family Counselling
From January to the end of August 2026, the Authority provided 456 family consultations through 2,280 advisory sessions, reaching resolution in 435 cases. These statistics underscore the positive impact of the service and its vital role in offering specialised support to families.
The programme’s success appears sustainable, with a recorded mediation rate of approximately 94% in 2025. This continuity suggests the ongoing effectiveness of support and family counselling services.
Focus on Prevention and Early Intervention
The family counselling service embodies the Community Development Authority’s commitment to building a more proactive social system that promotes prevention and early intervention. By providing targeted support in a timely manner, the service enhances families’ capabilities in managing challenges, thereby ensuring cohesion and stability.
This approach aligns with the Authority’s strategic plan for 2027–2031, which advocates for “proactive and sustainable development for a prosperous society.” The enhancement of family formation and stability, along with fortifying their resilience to face challenges, are among its strategic objectives. Additionally, it aims to establish an integrated system that addresses families’ diverse journeys through the various stages of their lives.
The family counselling service also supports the Dubai Family-Friendly Strategy, aiming to develop an all-encompassing framework that bolsters families throughout their various phases, thus enhancing stability and quality of life. This aligns with the goals of the Dubai Social Agenda 33, which places families at the centre of social development and promotes their cohesiveness, stability, and quality of life for individuals.
Emphasising the Importance of Timely Support
According to Hessa Bint Issa Bouhamid, the Director General of the Community Development Authority in Dubai, “We view family counselling as a preventive tool rather than merely a means of resolving disputes. Accessing timely specialised support enhances families’ capacity to understand and cope with challenges, contributing to their stability and cohesion.”
She added, “We strive to build an integrated system that accompanies families through various stages, reflecting the objectives of the Dubai Family-Friendly Strategy and the Dubai Social Agenda 33. We measure the success of our services by their lasting and positive impact on the lives of families and their ability to strengthen their connections and quality of life.”
Building a Comprehensive Support Journey
The Community Development Authority facilitates access to family counselling services through the “Dubai Now” app, customer happiness centres, and the dedicated contact centre at 8002121. These platforms offer individuals and families convenient channels to receive specialised support.
The service journey starts with the reception of the consultation request, followed by engagement with the client to understand their situation and needs. Subsequently, the most suitable guidance path is determined, whether through a single session or a series of sessions tailored to each case’s specific requirements.
Dr. Naama Al-Shamsi, Director of Family Development at the Community Development Authority, stated, “Family counselling focuses on understanding each case’s needs and providing tailored specialised support, aiding family members in enhancing dialogue and developing sustainable solutions that uphold their stability and cohesion.”
She added, “We work to promote the culture of family counselling as a conscious and preventive choice, encouraging families to benefit from timely specialised support, thereby strengthening their ability to handle challenges and maintain their quality of life.”
Addressing Core Family Issues
The service aims to strengthen family bonds and assist individuals and couples in navigating various challenges that may impact family stability and children’s welfare through guidance from qualified professionals in psychological and social fields. Key topics addressed by the service include couple communication, family responsibilities, child-rearing, financial aspects, and other issues related to family stability and overall quality of life.
The Community Development Authority asserts that fostering a culture of timely family counselling is integral to a proactive social strategy, providing families with the necessary tools and knowledge to enhance dialogue and understanding in managing challenges, ultimately supporting family stability and the quality of life for all its members.