The Phoenix Psychotherapy Center

The Phoenix Psychotherapy Center is the private practice of Sarah Doublesin, a qualified and registered psychotherapist who works from a studio in San Ġwann, in the central-east part of Malta between Sliema and the Mater Dei area. Her work combines talking therapy with movement, creativity and body awareness, which gives clients more than one way into difficult feelings.

The practice is listed in our directory of psychologists and therapists in Malta. Malta is a small place where everybody seems to know somebody, so the promise of a non-judgemental and confidential setting carries real weight for many people, and it is one of the first things the practice stresses. For a broader introduction to the islands, read our about Malta overview.

Who the practice is for

Sarah Doublesin sees people who want self-improvement, who are going through life changes, or who are facing burnout, stress, anxiety or depression. Some clients come because of relationship difficulties or because they feel caught in toxic relationships. She is also open to working with people who live with chronic illness and pain, and with those dealing with trauma or personality disorders, which usually involves longer-term work.

The topics above describe the range of people she sees. They are not medical advice, and anyone unsure whether psychotherapy suits their situation should talk it over with a qualified professional.

If you have recently moved to the island and feel the strain of leaving friends and family behind, our Malta relocation guide explains the practical steps, while a therapist can give you space to deal with the emotional side of the move.

Training and way of working

Sarah Doublesin trained in Gestalt psychotherapy, psychodynamic-based movement therapy and somatic psychotherapy, and offers an integrated approach drawing on all three. Her studies include a Bachelor's degree in psychology completed in 2003, a Master's degree in Dance and Movement Therapy from the University of London, and a Master's degree in Gestalt Psychotherapy, taken after she returned to Malta. Her titles are given as B.Psy, MA Gest and MA DMT.

In the room she likes to use creative methods: expressive art, somatic experiencing, which focuses on body sensation and movement, mindfulness and meditation, and journaling. Her own experience of depression, anxiety, chronic illness and pain is what led her into this work, and she describes trying to live by what she teaches, staying present, authentic and kind to herself.

Her story also includes working in special needs, spending time in Poland and London, and practising as a dance therapist for three years in Britain before returning to Malta. For UK readers, that British training will feel familiar.

Services: psychotherapy, online therapy and dance therapy

The practice's own menu shows three main strands: psychotherapy, online therapy and dance therapy, plus a page for fees and policies. Psychotherapy sessions take place at the San Ġwann studio. Online therapy is useful for people who live elsewhere on the islands or who are back in the UK for part of the year and want to keep seeing the same therapist. Dance therapy uses movement as a way of expressing and exploring what is hard to put into words.

Fees, cancellation arrangements and other policies are not reproduced here, because they are set out on the practice's own fees page and may change. Ask about them when you send an enquiry.

Finding the studio and getting in touch

San Ġwann sits close to the coast road linking Sliema and St Julian's with the north. Visitors can pair a session with time on the coast: see our things to do in Malta for ideas, our guide to Malta's best beaches for time by the sea, or hotels in Sliema if you are choosing a base nearby. If you are travelling from Britain, our flights to Malta page lists the routes.

For wider planning, the Malta weather guide helps you pick a month, our Valletta city guide covers the capital, and the overview of Malta holidays gathers the main options. Start with the VisitMalta.co.uk enquiry form on this page, and we will pass your message to The Phoenix Psychotherapy Center.