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About my 

Training & Experience

“Therapy is a delicate tapestry of art and science, where genuine empathy enfolds and nurtures another’s spirit.

As therapists, we walk a path of service, setting aside our own desires to focus on others’ growth. We find joy in their blossoming and the profound healing influence they spread to whomever they encounter.”

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- Amirah.

Dr. Amirah Shah 

I have always been curious of the world, namely from the inner workings of the mind, the nature of nurture, the interplay of philosophies in the world, and the dynamics of interaction amongst people in work, play, life, and love. Growing up, my mother would constantly echo that my favourite word was

 

“Why?”

 

Growing up as a Third Culture Kid, and having lived in South East Asia, the Middle East, Central Asia, and Australia, the “whys” became more frequent and developed layers of complexity embedded with science, culture, and philosophy.

 

To nobody’s surprise, l set forth to discover the "whys" of the world by studying Psychology in Australia.

 

My career in the field of psychology began in 2009, in Singapore, when I trained under Autism Partnership in Applied Behavioural Therapy (ABA), in order to work with individuals with autism and Aspergers’. 

 

I then worked in the social sector as a Caseworker, and a Counsellor in a juvenile home for boys. 

 

I was then employed as a trainer where I would develop and run mandated resilience-building programs for primary and secondary schools in Singapore. In addition to that, I had also trained various professionals in healthcare, education, and mental health. I did this in conjunction with known Australian children psychologists, and Restorative Practices pioneers. 

 

This encouraged me to pursue my training and further my education in the field whilst temporarily working as a teacher. During this time, I became a senior teacher and my role expanded to student and academic counselling. 

 

I then resumed my postgraduate studies, which led me to a 6-month placement in a primary school in Singapore as a School Counsellor, followed by another placement in a hospice, training in End-Of-Life counselling. 

 

In 2016, I developed Road to Recovery as an online counselling platform aiming to reach out to the wider population in need of support, such as those facing financial, sociocultural, and geographical barriers, without compromising on confidentiality and expertise.

 

In order to equip myself better, and up skill, I continued pursuing further education and training in professional counselling. This led me to another year long placement in the

University of Queensland as a Student Counsellor. 

 

After which, I spent 16 months working with refugees at Melaleuca Refugee Centre in Darwin. My role as a torture and trauma counsellor gave me the opportunity to work in a humanitarian space. I also had to the opportunity be trained in trauma-informed psychotherapy, as well as to train other professionals in social services and healthcare working with individuals inflicted by trauma. 

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Over the years, I have had the privilege of working with a diverse range of presentations, including trauma, grief and loss, bereavement, end-of-life spiritual care, depression, anxiety, body image, eating disorders, behavioral therapy, work-related matters, domestic violence, and more. In addition to my clinical practice, I have spent a few years lecturing and serving as a trainer and educator in counselling degrees and transcultural mental health. The blend of clinical experience and academia have enriched my understanding and ability to address these complex issues with depth and insight.

 

As my passion in this field has grown over the years, and I had also decided to spend four years as a researcher at the University of Queensland to better understand grief, traumatic loss, and the impacts on one's sense of culture and spirituality, in this unique transcultural tapestry of Australia. 

 

"It is this spiritual freedom—which cannot be taken away—that makes life meaningful and purposeful.”

 

- Viktor Frankl

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Training & Education

2023 •  Certificate of Attainment in Group and Individual Supervision​

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Clinical Counselling Centre

ACA College of Supervisors

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2019 - 2023 •  Doctor of Philosophy

 

The University of Queensland 

Brisbane, Australia

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2022 •  Certificate of Psychedelic Assisted Therapy

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Mind Medicine Institute

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2016 - 2018 •  Master of Counselling

 

The University of Queensland

Brisbane, Australia

 

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2014 - 2015 •  Graduate Diploma Professional Counselling

 

Swinburne University (ECTA)

 Melbourne, Australia

 

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2009 •  ABA Therapy

 

Autism Partnership, Singapore

 

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2006 - 2008 • BA. Psych & Management / Marketing

 

Monash University, Melbourne, Australia

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Professional Membership and Registration

 

I am registered with the Australian Counselling Association (ACA) as a counsellor and a supervisor.

I am bound by the ACA Code of Ethics and Practice.

Collaborated With & Presented For

Working with these organizations has been a privilege.

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