Shirin Aghakhani, Ph.D.

Psychological Associate

Dr. Aghakhani works with preschool and school-age children and their parents. She is passionate about helping children and families feel understood, supported, and confident as they navigate challenges together. Her approach is collaborative, strengths-based, and tailored to each child’s unique needs, integrating evidence-based practices such as cognitive behavioral therapy, mindfulness, and play therapy. She believes in meeting children where they are at developmentally, while creating a space where they feel comfortable being themselves.

Dr. Aghakhani earned her Bachelor’s degree in Psychology and Social Action, her Master’s degree in Clinical Psychology, and her Ph.D. in Clinical Psychology with an emphasis in Pediatric Behavioral Health from Palo Alto University. Her clinical experiences have taken place within outpatient clinics, intensive outpatient programs, and school-based settings, where she has worked with children, adolescents, young adults, and families with a wide range of emotional, behavioral, social, and developmental needs. She has extensive experience collaborating with caregivers, educators, outside agencies, and other members of a child’s support system. These experiences have shaped her appreciation for understanding children within the context of their families, schools, relationships, and everyday environments.

While she enjoys working with youth across developmental stages, Dr. Aghakhani has a particular passion for working with young children and their families. Her clinical interests include behavioral and emotional concerns, autism spectrum disorder and neurodiversity, emotion regulation, and helping children build social and coping skills. She enjoys bringing creativity and playfulness into her work, using games, activities, and the child’s interests to help them learn and practice new skills in ways that are engaging and fun. Shirin also values working closely with caregivers throughout the therapy process, empowering them to feel more confident in supporting their child outside of the therapy room.