A warm welcome to
Road to Recovery
My name is Dr. Amirah Shah. I am a counsellor and psychotherapist specializing in grief, trauma and transculturalism. Often the effects of trauma and grief pose challenges that disrupt the balance of our body, our mind, our relationships, and our spirit.
You may experience flashbacks, intrusive thoughts and images, stumble upon triggers that hijack your nervous system and send you spiralling into dark places, difficulty regulating your emotions, feeling stuck, losing meaning in life, inability to find any joy in life, sadness, shock, disbelief, injustice, shame, hopelessness, helplessness, misplaced or overwhelming anger, exhaustion, unexplainable aches and pains, feelings incredible aloneness... the list goes on.
For some, it's easy to talk about these tragedies, while for others, it's unbearably difficult and almost never been spoken of. A story trapped inside. Occasionally, some of these painful memories were not even available until later in life, and it's difficult to believe them or know what to do with them.
To top it off, all of these challenges become inextricably more difficult to navigate when there are complex cultural layers to consider, and important relationships at stake.​
As one of Australia's leading experts in this area, I invite you to take that pivotal step towards healing your emotional wounds and re-building your ideal self. My work is grounded in eclectic and holistic approaches to help you regulate, process, recreate meaning from your trauma and grief, and ultimately, attain posttraumatic growth.
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Growth and resolution are best attained holistically, and I hope to be able to create a safe environment with you.
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If any of this resonates with you, simply click on the button below for a free 15-minute consultation to share your concerns, learn techniques to regulate, and receive a customized treatment plan.
How does trauma effect someone?
When stressed or threatened, your body release cortisol and adrenaline, preparing you for danger with responses like freezing, flopping, fighting, fleeing, or fawning. These reactions can persist long after the trauma ends, affecting your thoughts, emotions, and behaviors, especially during difficult recovery. Psychological effects you may experience include self-blame, low self-esteem, relationship breakdowns, hyper vigilance, panic attacks, shame, irritability, anger, anxiety, confusion, dissociation, numbness, nightmares, and suicidal thoughts. Physiological effects you may experience encompass autoimmune diseases or outbreaks, poor immunity, sleep disturbances, severe appetite and weight changes, changes in substance use, insulin issues, headaches, body aches, dizziness, nausea, increased heart rate, excessive sweating, and cardiovascular problems.
How can therapy help with trauma?
Knowledge is power. Understanding how your specific trauma affects you and your brain, is empowering. Trauma therapy initially often involves psychoeducation and collaboration with your therapist to connect the dots and help you understand the why’s and how’s. Trauma therapy is aimed at reducing or, ideally, eliminating (re)traumatization. The next goal is breaking through the avoidance by safely acknowledging and exploring the traumatic incident(s). Trauma therapy allows you to revisit these experiences, uncover your strengths, and discover coping strategies that are suitable for you. Trauma therapy takes time and is not linear. Successful trauma therapy is experienced when you no longer experience distress when intrusive memories and thoughts arise nor will they negatively impact you as much in your daily lives.
How I can help?
A registered Level 4 ACA Counsellor and Supervisor with 10 years of experience, a Master in Counselling, and a PhD, I am not only a qualified trauma therapist, but also a trauma survivor. My experience working with trauma encompasses various human landscapes such as human displacement, torture, sexual abuse, end-of-life care, disabilities, intergenerational trauma, medical, correctional and institutionalisation trauma, racism, neurodivergence, domestic violence, and traumatic grief. I adopt a holistic and humanistic approach to trauma therapy. I draw from various trauma modalities to best suit your personality and your needs. I also encourage my clients to explore various practices of mindfulness, exercise, being in nature, connecting with trusted loved ones, meditation, art, music, literature, trauma-informed yoga and martial arts. Trauma recovery is far more sustainable when we engage our whole selves.
Get in touch with me now to embark on your road to trauma recovery.
Online or In-Person
90 minutes • $220/ session
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For sessions 7-9am, 6-8pm​
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90 minutes • $235 session
Customized approach for clients/ participants' needs
60 minutes • $NDIS rates
