Online Counseling Services in the UAE: The Clients and Counselors’ Dimensional Perspectives on Counseling Services

The present chapter focused on the attempt to establish an online counseling platform in the United Arab Emirates (UAE) by hosting licensed counselors and promoting their services to clients. The chapter employed mixed-method research to explore potential clients and counselors’ demands, acceptance, willingness, and opinions toward an online counseling platform. One of the main themes derived from the interview is the importance of service providers in the marketplace’s success and dealing with them as the primary customers. The quantitative findings from the survey research with a sample of potential clients indicated the popularity of the online counseling model in the UAE regardless of respondents’ demographics. It is concluded that the online counseling platform in the UAE is a feasible start-up, primarily due to the positive results of research findings. Also, findings from market analysis, marketing mix, operational detail, and financial details suggest a positive outlook for this type of business to succeed and improve overall mental well-being for UAE residents.