ANANTA PSYCHOLOGY
"Nothing is more desirable than to be released from an affliction, but nothing is more frightening than to be divested of a crutch."
James Baldwin
DR. SHIREEN MAHTANI
(she/her)
Clinical Psychologist & Certified Schema Therapist
Psychology Board of Australia Approved Supervisor
DPsych (Clin), BSc (Hons), MISST, MEMDRAA
Hello and a very warm welcome to Ananta Psychology.
I'm Shireen, an AHPRA-endorsed clinical psychologist, a certified schema therapist, accredited by the International Society of Schema Therapy, a board-approved supervisor (Psychology Board of Australia) and founder of Ananta Psychology. I come with a combined 14 years of clinical, case management and research experience with children, youth, adults and families, both in Singapore and Australia. I am also a published peer-reviewed research author on the topics of self-injurious behaviours, shame and parenting interventions for adolesent anxiety and depression, and am passionate about translating knowledge into practice.
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Treatment areas
Clients who I typically work with are adolescents (15+) and adults who often come to see me for the following:
- Long-standing symptoms of depression and anxiety
- Complex trauma
- Relationship difficulties
- Debilitating shame and feelings of inadequacy
- Low self-esteem
- A strong sense of alienation and isolation
- Grief and loss
- Meaninglessness
- Compassion fatigue
- Burnout and stress
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I am also eligible to see clients under a non-directive pregnancy support counselling referral from their GP if they are currently pregnant or have been pregnant in the previous 12 months and are seeking support around pregnancy-related issues. Pregnancy and creating or expanding a family can often blindside us with unexpected feelings and memories from our own earlier experiences, and I would be happy to discuss with you if this is something I can support you with, alongside the above.
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Treatment approaches
My treatment approach is one that is creative, flexible and highly personalised for each client, taking into account their unique complexities and circumstances. I frequently use the following interventions and frameworks, sometimes combining a number of these where indicated:
- Schema therapy
- Eye movement desensitisation and reprocessing (EMDR) therapy
- Cognitive-behavioural therapy
- Acceptance and commitment therapy
- Mindfulness
- Dialectical behaviour therapy
- Existential psychotherapy
- Play therapy
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I greatly value the diversity that each person encompasses and honour this in my work. I am committed towards providing a collaborative, compassionate, safe, respectful and trustworthy therapeutic space for clients to express themselves and experience healing and growth. Each client's voice is important to me and feedback is always welcome and valued. I believe that it is important for all my clients to ultimately gain empowerment and mastery in their own lives, and this is at the forefront of my work with them.
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Commitment to professional and personal growth
Learning (and unlearning, as you will experience with me) never stops for me, true to the spirit of Ananta. I regularly attend my own supervision and training, keeping up-to-date with the most evidence-based assessments and treatments. Being a psychologist does not exempt me from being human. I, too, can trip over myself at times. For this reason, I engage in my own regular self-reflection and therapy, and ensure that I take those breaks to breathe, play and do absolutely nothing sometimes!
Qualifications and memberships
- Doctor of Psychology in Clinical Psychology, Monash University
- Honours Degree of Bachelor of Science (Psychology), Monash University
- Certified Schema Therapist, International Society of Schema Therapy
- Full Member, International Society of Schema Therapy (ISST)
- Full Member, EMDR Association of Australia (EMDRAA)
- Member, Australian Association of Psychologists Inc (AAPi)
- Board-Approved Supervisor, Psychology Board of Australia
- Approved Clinical Psychology Registrar Program Principal Supervisor, Psychology Board of Australia
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My availability (click here for times)
In person at Wheelers Hill, Victoria, Australia: Thursday, Friday
Telehealth (video or phone): Monday, Thursday, Friday
(Telehealth sessions may also be possible at other times - please enquire within)
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Where you can find me
Suite 9 (G.09), Ground Floor,
202 Jells Rd, Wheelers Hill, VIC, 3150, Australia
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