Dr. Shireen Stephen (PhD)

I took up counselling a year after discovering my wife’s infidelity. I was absolutely devastated on finding out her indiscretions. My whole world had turned upside down.

For about a year, I just relied on online forums to get me through a very bad phase in my life. I was very reluctant to take up counselling. I did not believe in it. Reading online helped only upto a certain extent. Nothing I tried would help me. It was only then that I decided to try out individual counselling as a last resort. It was one of the best decisions of my life!

I was very skeptical talking about a sensitive topic, let alone opening up to a stranger about the most embarrassing aspect (at that time) of my life. But, Shireen made me feel comfortable right from the beginning. I could talk about anything and everything to her.

I just started off by telling her my whole story and whatever came to my head without filtering it. The way she responded to me, I felt more comfortable and never felt the fear of her judging me. I would keep on talking in the initial sessions and she would listen. Gradually, talking about the whole thing started coming naturally. Most of it was small details, my feelings, my fears, my insecurities, my frustrations, the whole inconvenient truth of my life, embarrassing things I was not comfortable with about sharing with anyone else. It felt cathartic. I started feeling better.

Then, we established what we want to achieve from the counselling. One by one, she took up the various emotions and issues that I was going through and tackled them head on. She guided me on how to handle the whole crisis at a much deeper level. She explained me the different emotions I was going through and told also explained to me the methods that she was using to help me. I would tell her every small thing bothering me. She helped me look at things objectively and spoke to me at length about the small things bothering me.

She did an excellent job of keeping me focused on my recovery and at the same time not getting carried away by the progress. She would talk to me positively about the impending divorce and life after it. She also made sure that I do not close myself to future relationships and spoke to me about having healthy relationships in the future.

One thing to remember is that counselling is a 2-way process and not a magic pill. I had to work hard to identify my issues and then talk to her about it. There were times when I had a different line of thinking than her. We would talk more about it until we found a solution that works for me. It is a process where she would help me look at the different aspects of a particular situation and I needed to take what works for me. I would evaluate what she said and keep talking about it until I was satisfied that I understood it. Once we spoke about a small thing bothering me for a whole session!

After nearly a year of counselling, I can say that I have got my mojo back. My self-confidence and self-esteem is much better than ever before. I can safely say that I have recovered from the trauma I was going through a year back and am much more positive about life. Thanks in large part to having a wonderful counsellor.

– Anonymous

I started visiting Dr Shireen a year ago. I was depressed, having troubles with my relationship, feeling distant from my friends and wanted improvements in my social life. In a matter of a few months I was felling much better, progressed towards forming a strong and intimate connection with my partner. I overcame my reluctance and fear of meeting new people and trying new things to improve my social life.

I highly recommend anyone having trouble leading a happy life to visit Dr Shireen and try a few counselling sessions with her. She is very professional and also very friendly. She has a unique way of explaining, such that you find it easy to relate with her.

I didn't have any specific mental health issue, but realised that I can do much better with some professional help, and so I did. I learnt healthy way to cope adult life issues and learnt practical solutions to deal with stress. I still keep in touch with Dr Shireen and she has become my go to person for professional guidance.

I have attended Dr. Shireen's counseling sessions for about 5 months. Admittedly, I was under a cloud in my life and circumstances when I initiated myself into these sessions. However, I did eventually worked my way through it and at the end of it came out with significant clarity. Probably, this is what I needed.

Her method of counseling suited me, as I could weed out a lot of self doubt that had crept in, through deliberate questioning and recalibrating thinking patterns that at some point had started wearing me out.

Along the way, Dr. Shireen's intervention, support and guidance has been excellent. Her obvious expertise shines through and was reassuring, in that, the sessions were fruitful and on a meaningful track. She always made sure of this, even when I would lose focus and fumble.

In the end, I can only thank her for the professional she is!

She is a great doctor and I got a lot of perspective from my meeting with her. In addition she did me a huge favor by sending me transcripts of my meeting with her a whole 3 years later which I was in dire need of. I'll forever be grateful for her help

Dr. Shireen is very calm and professional. She has lot of patience and is a great listener which is important for counselors. She never uses phone during conversation. If she says one hour time, she gives you full time. Her way to making you understand situations and see things is good. I truly recommend her.

Dr. Shireen is extremely patient and listens without judgement. She explains everything logically and methodically, and demystifies behavioral habits to clear any anxieties and misconceptions about mental health. Her treatment has been extremely helpful.

Dr. Shireen has a way about how she goes about helping you in your problems. She listens to you intently and *** * ***** ** identify things or pointers which are otherwise oblivious to you. Combined with this her suggestions based on her experience is sure shot to work in your favour. Highly recommend her.

I avoided going to a psychologist for nearly a year until I realised it was affecting me and my family. I found Doctor Shireen on practo and went to her. My sessions with her were good. I started feeling better with each session. I liked the way she explained what I was going through at the end of each session. She explained it in a way that was very easy to understand. That’s what I loved. I was very comfortable sharing stuff with her that I’ve probably not shared with anyone. I’m so glad I found her. Thank you doctor for making me better.

First of all she is very friendly. When I started speaking to her I have realised I am in good hands. Further more she gives ample amount of time to listen to whatever we want to tell. She was so attentive during the sessions, she would quote certain points from our conversation after few months. Subsequently she gave suggestions and guidance in a way I was able to accept which needed special skills, understanding and patience. She was not jumping in to conclusions and impose her ideas on me. It was a perfectly tailor made sessions I had.

Finally after the last sessions she was consistently checkimg with me how I was progressing. This is unheard of in this industry.

I will recommend my family and friends for Dr Shireen. She makes the patient feel very comfortable which helps one to open up. She tries to explain the situation with lot egs which help one to relate better. She has always been very patient and caring which has helped me to recover faster. She is one whom you look up to not only as a doctor but as a person too. Highly recommended for any facing any challenges in any phase of their lives.