Organisational psychologist and coach in Dubai.
I help leaders and professionals recover from burnout and repair the strain it puts on their relationships. I work one to one, and I speak to teams and organisations.
Private and confidential. I reply personally.
Worked with, and featured in
Burnout rarely stays at work. It follows you home, and the people you love usually feel it before you do.
01
One to one · Online or in Dubai
Together we work out what is draining you and what has to change before rest starts working again. Sessions draw on talking therapy, CBT and NLP, and you leave each one with something practical.
Talk to me about burnout →
02
One to one · Online or in Dubai
When stress comes home it shows up as distance, snapping or not talking at all. I help you see the pattern underneath and change what happens when you walk through the door.
Talk to me about relationships →
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Leaders · Teams · Organisations
How can we expect people to look after their wellbeing if their leaders aren’t setting the example? I coach executives and run workshops on burnout, wellbeing and culture for organisations such as Etihad, Oracle, GSK and MetLife.
Bring me to your organisation →
It was a Saturday afternoon in London. I was at the Trocadero with my kids, playing arcade games, when something felt off. My head hurt and I lost the peripheral vision on my left side. I knew something was wrong, so I went straight to the hospital.
An MRI showed I’d had two small strokes. I was 45. The loss of vision on my left side is permanent. Apart from that, I’m well.
I’d spent twenty years helping people stay well while doing demanding work. I still missed my own warning signs: sleepless nights, changes in my appetite, a dull ache in my head, and more migraines than usual, lasting longer each time. I put it all down to being busy.
I’m not saying stress caused my strokes on its own. It didn’t, and I won’t pretend it did. But chronic stress was part of the picture, and I’d been treating it as normal.
I’m not willing to carry that stress anymore, and I don’t think you should either. That’s why I do this work, and why I share this story.
If something feels wrong in your body, get it checked. If you have a sudden change in vision, speech or strength, or a sudden severe headache, call your local emergency services straight away.
Read the full story, including who cares for the carers →Most people who come to me have been ignoring the headaches and the Sunday dread for a long time.
For two decades I’ve worked with people and organisations on what it takes to stay well while doing demanding work. My career began in the NHS, planning and leading programmes to improve public health and community wellbeing. Since moving to Dubai in 2014, I’ve worked with executives, leadership teams and individuals at a point of change in their lives.
My job is to help you notice what your body and your relationships have been telling you, and to change what is causing it.
“If you are reading this to see whether you should speak with Tess, my recommendation is: do.”
Alexander RobertsonVice President Brand, Digital & Loyalty, Jumeirah Hotels“There are very few people that are able to impact the journey of others as much as Tess can.”
Mimi NicklinBestselling Author, Creative CEO & Founder, EmpathyEverywhere“You will walk away from each session with a feeling of achievement and fulfilled purpose.”
Nour HineidiDirector, Middle East Risk, DeloitteI speak to leadership teams, staff and students about what burnout costs people and organisations, and what can be done before people reach that point. Every talk is shaped around your people and ends with tools they can use the same day.
UAE StoriesThe psychologist turning pain into purpose↗
Cosmopolitan Middle EastUnconscious bias as a woman of colour↗
The Founder’s StoryHow Tess Pereira Coaching began↗
Gulf NewsNervous about stepping out into the world? Four steps for your anxiety↗
Gulf NewsAnxiety during Covid‑19: the rise of an emotional pandemic↗
If more than one of these sounds like you, it’s worth three minutes.
Take the three-minute check →You can be good at your job and still be drifting away from the people at home. Ten questions, about three minutes, and I’ll tell you how much strain is building.
Think about the last four weeks and go with your first honest answer.
Nothing you choose is saved or sent anywhere.
What stood out
Private and confidential. I reply personally.
This check is a starting point for reflection, not a diagnosis. If you are struggling to cope or feel unsafe, please speak to a doctor or a mental health professional, or contact local emergency services on 999.
Not ready for one‑to‑one work yet? Start with the 7-Day Reset. One short audio a day, guided by me, with a workbook to help you put work down when you get home. About 15 minutes a day.
See what’s inside →It takes less than a minute. Breathe in for four, out for six, and notice what changes.
Conversations I’ve had on podcasts and radio. Press play and carry on reading. The audio keeps going.
Leave your email and you’ll be among the first to hear when it’s out.
Coaching looks forward. It helps you set goals and change how you work and live. Therapy makes space for what feels heavy, such as anxiety, low mood or patterns you want to understand. Many people need a little of both, and I’m trained in both. If you’re unsure, the introductory call will help you decide.
It’s a relaxed conversation. You share what brings you here and what you hope will change, and I explain how the work could look for you. There’s no pressure to commit to anything.
Yes. What you tell me stays between us. The only exception is if I’m seriously worried about your safety or someone else’s, and I’ll explain that on our first call.
Yes. I see clients online wherever they are, and in person in Dubai.
It depends on you and what you want to achieve. Some people come for a focused number of sessions around one goal, others continue for longer. We agree a plan at the start and you can review it at any time.
Fees depend on the type of work and the format you choose. On your introductory call I’ll talk you through the options so you can decide what’s right for you.
Yes. I coach leaders and run talks and workshops for teams. The topics are listed under Speaking, and every talk is shaped around your people.
Tell me what’s going on, and we’ll work out together whether I’m the right person to help.
Private and confidential. I reply personally.
