A warm welcome to
Road to Recovery
“Until you make the unconscious conscious, it will direct your life and you will call it fate.” ~ Carl Jung
My name is Dr. Amirah Shah, counsellor and psychotherapist. I invite you to my counselling practice. Often the demands of day-to-day life pose challenges that disrupt the balance of our body, mind, and spirit.
The Enso Circle symbolises the imbalances and imperfections within the self, whilst recognising the impossibility of attaining perfection. Appreciating the beauty in this requires the art of letting go through recognising the circle of life, and the importance of connection within the self, as well as others. This pursuit is one of continuity, and one can only hope to strive for growth with strength and elegance.
By setting aside expectations, and working towards restoring your balance, together, we can explore your body, your mind, and your spirit.
Your body is a resource to your past and your current trials and your tribulations, and your emotions. Your mind is an archive of emotions and associated memories, as well as a ticket towards resolution. Your significant relationships play key roles in shaping who you are today. Your spirituality is the undercurrent motivation for you to strive towards a meaningful existence.
Growth and resolution are best attained holistically, and I hope to be able to create a safe environment with you.
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