Art isn’t just for galleries it’s for healing too. Nevine Zaki, a certified Art Therapy Practitioner based in the UAE, is proving exactly that. With her peaceful energy and creative heart, she’s helped countless people turn emotional pain into strength through the power of art. But her story didn’t begin in a studio it began in the world of IT.
Today, Nevine is an inspiring figure in the UAE’s wellness scene. Her journey speaks of bravery, transformation, and the healing potential of self-expression.
From Tech Expert to Healing Artist
Before becoming an art therapy coach, Nevine worked in the tech industry. She had a well-paying job and a career that many would admire. But something felt off. Even with success, she felt disconnected from her true purpose.
It was during this time that Nevine began exploring alternative healing methods. She became curious about mindfulness and personal growth. This curiosity led her to discover the world of Art Therapy a practice that blends psychology, creativity, and deep emotional healing.
Soon, art therapy became her calling. She took the leap, left the tech world, and followed her passion. Nevine trained, studied, and earned her certification as an Art Therapy Practitioner. That decision changed her life and has since changed the lives of many others.
The Art of Healing: Nevine Zakis’ Transformational Approach to Art Therapy
In a world where stress and emotional overwhelm have become common companions, art therapy offers a creative lifeline. Nevine Zakis, a Certified Art Therapy Practitioner based in the UAE, is one of the region’s most passionate advocates for healing through creativity. With over years of experience in emotional wellness and self-expression, she is helping people reconnect with their inner world — one brushstroke at a time.
What Is Art Therapy?
Art therapy is not about creating perfect paintings. It’s about expressing emotions that words can’t always explain. Through painting, drawing, and other creative tools, people can release what they’ve been holding inside fear, sadness, anger, anxiety, or stress.
A Personal Journey to Healing
What many don’t see is that Nevine’s path into art therapy was born not only from professional interest but also personal transformation. After the loss of her father, she experienced a period of deep clinical depression. While traditional therapy supported her in the early stages of grief, it was through art, movement, and writing that she began to reconnect with herself on a deeper level. These modalities became lifelines — helping her find healing, and ultimately, shaping her philosophy.
In addition to emotional recovery, Nevine has also navigated chronic autoimmune illness, which further refined her approach to care. “These experiences deepened my empathy,” she says. “They taught me that healing is possible, even in the darkest moments.”
Nevine creates a space where people feel safe and heard. Her sessions are not like regular therapy appointments. They’re warm, creative, and deeply personal. People from all walks of life students, parents, professionals, and even seniors come to her looking for relief and emotional freedom.
According to Nevine, “You don’t need to be an artist to heal through art. You just need to be open.”
Over 100 Lives Touched Through Art
Nevine has guided over a hundred individuals on their path to emotional healing. Many of her clients arrive overwhelmed, anxious, or unsure of themselves. But through consistent sessions and her gentle coaching, they discover a new version of themselves more confident, calm, and connected.
One of her clients shared, “I came in with stress and left feeling like I had just exhaled after holding my breath for years.”
For Nevine, these moments are her true reward. Helping others transform their pain into peace is her mission and she’s doing it with grace and heart.
Teaching the Next Generation of Healers
Nevine’s impact goes beyond individual sessions. She also teaches at The Holistic Academy UAE, where she helps future wellness professionals learn the art and science of emotional healing. Her role as an educator allows her to share what she’s learned through her own life experience.
Expanding the Language of Therapy
Nevine’s sessions combine a variety of art-based modalities including painting, sculpting, storytelling, writing, music, drama therapy, and dance/movement. Recently, she also pioneered the first Sandplay Therapy Practitioner Course in the UAE, offering fellow therapists a powerful tool to support emotional healing.
Her approach is rooted in the belief that every person has an inner creative force, even those who feel disconnected from artistic expression. “It’s not about creating art that looks good — it’s about giving shape to what we feel inside,” she explains.
Through her teaching, she encourages students to listen deeply not just to others, but to themselves. Her classes are known to be inspiring, practical, and heart-centered. For many students, she is more than a teacher she’s a mentor and guide.
Giving Back Through Service
Nevine is deeply committed to giving back to the community through her ongoing volunteer work in the UAE. As part of these efforts, she offers free consultations to individuals who are exploring art therapy for the first time. These sessions are not just promotional — they are a meaningful extension of her service, allowing people to access emotional support without financial barriers.
Her volunteer contributions include:
- Accredited Humanitarian Ambassador | Omniyat World — Recognized for her emotional support and creative therapy sessions offered to people of determination and their caregivers.
- Ambassador of Two Visions | Omniyat World — Honored for her participation in the Human Vision Art Exhibition, promoting emotional expression through art.
- Innovative Volunteer | Al Amal Center for Rehabilitation — Acknowledged for her creative and therapeutic contributions to the center’s community.
Through these roles, Nevine continues to use her skills and compassion to serve a wider audience. Her volunteer work and free consultations reflect her belief that healing should be accessible to all — and that everyone deserves the chance to begin their journey without judgment or pressure.
A Story That Inspires Change
What makes Nevine’s journey so powerful is that it speaks to anyone feeling stuck in their current path. Whether it’s a job that doesn’t align with their values or a life that feels out of balance, her story reminds us that it’s never too late to change.
She didn’t ignore that inner voice calling her to do more meaningful work. Instead, she followed it, even when it meant walking away from comfort and stability. And in doing so, she found her purpose and is now helping others find theirs.
Nevine often shares her journey openly, including the struggles, the doubts, and the breakthroughs. Her honesty makes her relatable, and her success proves that passion and healing can go hand in hand.
A Free First Step Toward Healing
Nevine is also known for offering free consultations to those curious about art therapy. Whether you’re new to wellness or just looking for a different kind of support, she believes everyone deserves the chance to heal.
These free sessions offer a glimpse into how art can gently bring emotions to the surface and create space for growth. For many, it’s the beginning of a deeper journey.
Her message is simple: healing is possible, and it doesn’t need to be complicated. Sometimes, all it takes is a brush, some color, and the courage to begin.
A Voice for Mental Wellness in the Middle East
Nevine’s work has earned media recognition across the UAE. She has been featured in psychological health interviews on Fujairah TV and published in Sayidaty Magazine and BlinX Lifestyle, discussing the impact of art therapy on mental well-being and quality of life.
The Power of Expression
For Nevine, art therapy is more than a profession — it’s a movement. A movement toward softness, toward expression, and ultimately, toward healing. She continues to inspire individuals and communities to embrace creativity not just as an outlet, but as a path to emotional freedom.
A Bright Future for Art Therapy in UAE
As more people in the UAE explore wellness and mental health, art therapy is gaining the attention it deserves. Nevine is one of the key voices making this healing method accessible and respected in the region.
Her work is not just about individual healing it’s about building a more emotionally aware and expressive society. Through creativity, she’s showing that vulnerability is a strength, and healing is an art in itself. Do follow her on Instagram.
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