Shirin Rad , ACA, APS

Shirin Rad is an ACA and APS member counsellor who helps people manage stress, anxiety, relationship strain, trauma, depression and ADHD-related challenges. She speaks English and Persian and has a strong interest in women's issues within the context of migration and cultural transition. Her approach aims to be warm, practical and respectful of each person's background.

Her style is client-centred and strengths-based. Shirin starts by listening to what matters most to the person in front of her. She helps people identify small, workable steps they can try between sessions. Sessions focus on concrete strategies alongside discussion of feelings and history.

Shirin has around 10 years of experience working with people from diverse cultural backgrounds, including migrants and Farsi-speaking clients. She has supported people facing adjustment and isolation after moving countries, and those facing anxiety, trauma or mood difficulties. She draws on Acceptance and Commitment Therapy and Cognitive Behavioral Therapy to guide practical change.

In sessions she pays attention to attachment and abandonment concerns, problems with concentration, and the impact of major life events such as separation, illness or caregiving stress. She also works with people affected by obsessive or compulsive patterns, panic, phobias and pregnancy-related emotional challenges.

Shirin aims to create a calm, non-judgemental space for people to explore their goals. She encourages collaborative planning so that therapy fits daily life and cultural needs. People can expect clear steps, gentle challenge, and ongoing review of progress.

Online approaches that suit busy lives

Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT) helps people notice unhelpful thoughts and focus on the values that matter to them. It uses simple exercises to build willingness to act toward a meaningful life even when feelings are difficult. Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT) looks at how thoughts, feelings and behaviours interact and offers practical techniques to reduce anxiety, lift mood and manage panic or obsessive patterns.

Finding the right approach is a collaborative process. The therapist will discuss your goals, preferences and what has or hasn’t helped before. Together you can try ACT, CBT or a mix of strategies and adjust the plan as you learn what works best for you.

Online therapy offers practical flexibility. Video calls allow face-to-face conversation when visual cues matter. Phone sessions suit people with limited bandwidth or those who prefer not to be on camera. Live chat and text-based messaging can provide shorter check-ins or ongoing written support between longer sessions. These options make it easier to fit therapy around work, caregiving or study commitments.