Shirin Rad, ACA, APS

Shirin Rad is a registered counsellor in Australia who holds ACA and APS credentials - memberships in recognized Australian professional associations for counselling and psychology. She provides culturally sensitive therapy to people from diverse backgrounds, with particular experience supporting migrants and Farsi-speaking clients. Her clinical work addresses a range of concerns including stress, anxiety, relationship difficulties, trauma and abuse, depression, and problems with concentration and memory.

Shirin has a strong interest in migration-related issues, offering support for adjustment, isolation, and the cultural transitions that often accompany relocation. Her practice emphasizes practical strategies and emotional processing to help clients regain balance and strengthen coping skills during periods of change.

Working from a client-centered, strengths-based perspective, Shirin regards each person as the expert on their own life and helps them draw on existing resources while developing new approaches to reach meaningful goals. She cultivates a supportive, non-judgmental environment where people can explore their experiences, clarify priorities, and work collaboratively toward positive change. Therapy is offered in English and Persian to better meet the needs of bilingual and Farsi-speaking clients.

Therapeutic Approaches and Online Care with Shirin Rad

Shirin draws on Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT) and Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT) to guide online work. ACT encourages clients to notice and accept difficult thoughts and feelings while clarifying personal values and taking committed action toward what matters most - a practical way to address anxiety, stress, and life transitions. CBT focuses on identifying unhelpful thinking and behavior patterns and teaching concrete skills to manage mood, anxiety, panic, and compulsive responses.

Finding the right therapeutic approach is part of the collaborative work. Shirin partners with each person to explore which methods fit their needs, goals, and preferences, adapting techniques and pace to suit cultural background and individual circumstances.

Online sessions by video, phone, live chat, or text-based messaging offer flexible access to therapy and make it easier to fit sessions into busy lives. These options allow clients to choose the communication style that feels most comfortable, support continuity of care across locations within Australia, and provide more scheduling choices to help maintain momentum in therapy.