Saima Durrani, ACA - Therapist in Australia

Stress and anxiety
Relationship support
Sleep and rest

About Saima

Saima Durrani is an ACA counsellor based in Australia who focuses on practical support for stress, anxiety, relationships and sleep concerns. She approaches sessions with straightforward listening and collaborative problem-solving. Saima speaks English, Punjabi, Pushto, and Urdu which helps people from diverse backgrounds feel understood.

Saima helps people break problems into small steps they can manage. She draws on cognitive behavioural ideas to spot unhelpful thoughts and on acceptance and commitment strategies to clarify values and next actions. Sessions are conversational and focused, with activities and exercises to practise between meetings.

She also works with people facing grief, parenting strain, anger and addiction-related worries. Relationship issues and communication problems are a common focus, and she uses elements of the Gottman Method to support clearer dialogue and repair. Saima pays attention to how sleep and rest affect mood and coping, and she looks for simple changes that can improve daily routines.

With three years of experience, Saima aims to create a calm, steady space for people to sort through painful moments. She encourages small experiments in behaviour and thinking, then reviews what works. Her approach balances empathy with practical tools so people leave sessions with clear next steps.

If someone wants to begin, they select the Start Therapy button, complete a short matching questionnaire, and schedule according to therapist availability. She does not accept international clients.

How Saima's approaches translate to online work

Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT) encourages people to notice difficult thoughts and feelings and choose actions that match their values. This approach often helps with anxiety, stress and life changes by focusing on small steps toward what matters. Cognitive Behavioural Therapy (CBT) breaks problems into thoughts, feelings and behaviours and teaches practical skills to change unhelpful patterns. It can be useful for sleep issues, anxiety and low mood. The Gottman Method emphasises clear communication and repairing conflict, which can help people wanting to improve relationship interactions.

Finding the right approach is part of the process. The therapist works collaboratively to choose techniques that fit a person's needs, goals and preferences. Sessions often mix methods so each person gets practical tools alongside supportive listening.

Please confirm the current session formats before booking since no specific formats are stated in the biography. Online work can make it easier to fit therapy into busy days, reduce travel time and allow shorter check-ins when needed. It can also enable quieter conversations without needing long commutes and help people practise sleep and routine changes in their everyday environment.

Areas of expertise

Primary focus

Stress, AnxietyRelationship issuesGriefParenting issuesAnger management

Also works with

AddictionsFamily conflictsTrauma and abuseEating disordersSleeping disordersSelf esteemCareer difficultiesCoping with life changesCoachingCompassion fatigueADHD

Additional focus areas

AbandonmentAttachment issuesBody imageCodependencyCommitment issuesCommunication problemsControl issuesDependent personalityDivorce and separationEating and food-related issuesFamily problemsForgivenessGuilt and shame Isolation / lonelinessJealousyLife purpose Midlife crisisMood disordersMulticultural concernsObsessions, compulsions, and OCDPanic disorder and panic attacksPersonality disordersPhobiasPostpartum depressionPregnancy and childbirthSeasonal Affective Disorder (SAD)Self-loveSocial anxiety and phobiaVisually impairedWomen's issuesWorkplace issuesYoung adult issues

Therapeutic approaches

Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT)Client-Centered TherapyCognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT)Dialectical Behavior Therapy (DBT)Gottman MethodMindfulness TherapyMotivational InterviewingNarrative TherapySolution-Focused TherapyTrauma-Focused Therapy

Experience

3+ years

Credentials

Australia

Languages

English, Punjabi, Pushto, Urdu

Frequently asked questions

What concerns does Saima commonly work with?

She supports people with stress, anxiety, relationship difficulties, grief, parenting strain, anger, addictions and sleep problems among other concerns.

What is Saima's therapeutic style like?

Her style is collaborative and practical, using conversational sessions, exercises and step-by-step plans to address problems.

How much clinical experience does she have?

Saima has three years of professional experience working with diverse clients in Australia.

What credentials and location are listed?

She is an ACA counsellor practising in Australia.

Which languages are supported during sessions?

Sessions are offered in English, Punjabi, Pushto and Urdu.

Can people outside Australia work with her?

She does not accept international clients at this time.

How are costs handled for sessions?

Costs vary with location and therapist availability; sessions use a subscription that can be cancelled at any time.

How do I start if I want to book with Saima?

Select the Start Therapy button, complete a short matching questionnaire, and schedule according to the therapist's availability.