Shamini unnikrishnan

Shamini Unnikrishnan is a counsellor who works with children, adolescents and adults experiencing emotional, behavioural and life challenges. Her counselling style is warm, collaborative and purposeful, providing clients with a safe and non-judgemental space to explore their concerns, develop greater self-understanding and work towards meaningful change.

Drawing on Cognitive Behavioural Therapy (CBT) and Solution-Focused Brief Therapy (SFBT), Shamini helps clients understand the connections between their thoughts, emotions and behaviours. She works collaboratively with them to identify unhelpful patterns, recognise their strengths and resources, strengthen emotional regulation and coping skills, and develop practical strategies for managing their difficulties.

Shamini recognises that every client has different needs, experiences and goals. She therefore adapts the pace and focus of counselling to the individual rather than taking a one-size-fits-all approach. Her work is guided by empathy, curiosity and respect, with an emphasis on helping clients feel heard, understood and actively involved in the counselling process.

When supporting children and adolescents, Shamini considers their developmental needs as well as the relationships and environments surrounding them. She understands that a young person’s emotional well-being may be influenced by family relationships, school experiences, peer interactions and other life circumstances. Where appropriate, she works collaboratively with parents and caregivers to strengthen the support available to the child while respecting the child’s therapeutic needs and privacy.

Shamini brings a calm and attentive presence to her sessions. Her strengths include building rapport, listening carefully, communicating sensitively and helping clients discuss concerns that may initially feel difficult to express. She balances emotional support with practical direction, enabling clients to gain insight while also taking manageable steps towards their desired outcomes.

She holds a Postgraduate Diploma in Psychotherapy & Counselling (Children & Adolescents) from the School of Positive Psychology, Singapore. In addition to her training in CBT and SFBT, she has undertaken training in trauma-informed care and suicide risk assessment. She is committed to ethical practice, clinical supervision, reflective learning and continued professional development.

Before entering the counselling profession, Shamini spent more than two decades as a preschool principal, educator and private tutor. She previously served as Principal of Little Human Scholars Preschool and also taught at Rumah Kasih Orphanage. Her extensive experience working with children, adolescents, parents and educators strengthened her understanding of child development, family relationships and the challenges individuals may encounter across different stages of life.

Her background in education and leadership complements her counselling practice by enabling her to communicate clearly, understand concerns from multiple perspectives and establish trusting relationships with clients and families.

Shamini believes that individuals have the capacity to grow when they feel safe, understood and empowered. She aims to help clients build on their existing strengths, navigate challenges with greater confidence and take constructive steps towards improved well-being and a more fulfilling life.