Dear Friends

Today 14th November is Children's Day - the future pillars of our Society. On this memorable day Women Vision brings to you Dr. Marissa Lobo Bidappa, a leading psychologist who is  closely connected with Child welfare and has touched the lives of many children and teenagers - those facing emotional, mental, pyscological problems and especially those who are challenged.

Marisa says,“Don’t let life discourage you; everyone who got to where he is had to begin where he was.”

Her main goal in life is to bring a smile to those children faced with challenges by helping them to overcome  these challenges and face the world with an optimistic approach to life.

Marisa is daughter of late S.P. Lobo (Bunnu) a leading criminal lawyer of Mangalore and late Mrs. Lula Lobo, ( nee Nazareth), and  is currently  residing in Dubai, UAE. Her siblings are Patricia Noronha, Dr. Denzil Lobo, Assumpta Desai, Neville Lobo and Ninette Fernandes. She is married to Ajit Biddappa and has a son Dhyan who is currently the Head Boy of Dubai Gem Pvt. School.

She has a Master’s degree in Clinical Psychology from Mysore University, followed by an MPhil. in Medical and Social Psychology from NIMHANS (National Institute for Mental Health and Neuro Sciences) Bangalore. During this period she modified a test which is currently used at NIMHANS to measure Thought Disorders in Schizophrenics and Manics. Thereafter, she worked as a Clinical Psychologist at the Child and Adolescent Psychiatry Unit at NIMHANS. She is also a member of the British Psychological Society and Emirates Medical Association. She is a licensed Clinical Psychologist having obtained her license from the Department of Health, Dubai.

Marisa has a blazing academic record and has been a First Rank holder and Gold Medalist in her Masters and Bachelor degrees and secured two distinctions in her MPhil. She has also taken part in interschool and intercollegiate elocution, drama and debates. She has been a School Leader and has served in the College Cabinet of St. Agnes College, Mangalore.  She was one of 8 selected to represent  South Kanara at The International Scouts and Guides Jamboree in Faridabad near Delhi.

Her training has been in the diagnosis and treatment of various psychological disorders. Her expertise lies in the diagnosis and intervention of various disorders of childhood and adolescence including Emotional Disorders, Phobias, Learning Disabilities, Attention Deficit Disorders, Autistic Spectrum Disorders, Adjustment Disorders in adolescence, etc. She also does assessment of Developmental functioning, IQ, Academic Achievement, Specific Learning Disabilities including Dyslexia, Aptitude, fears and conflicts.

She has been in Dubai for the last 13 years and has worked as a Consultant Clinical Psychologist at Schools, in a Clinic and at The Dubai Autism Center. She also runs workshops and gives talks for children, teenagers, parents, teachers and doctors on various issues. Marisa has been helping parents come to terms with having a child suffering from life long problems like Autism or being Intellectually Challenged, resolving their conflicts and teaching them to work constructively towards the betterment of their child. She trains parents to help their child use their limited potential to learn important skills of daily living. She also helps parents deal with behavioural issues in children and teenagers, and improve their communication and interaction with their children. She helps children and teenagers overcome their conflicts and fears through different kinds of therapy like Play therapy and Cognitive Behaviour therapy, improve their study strategies and build their confidence and self-esteem.

She feels a great sense of gratification when she is able to bring a smile to a child, a teen or a