Team Profiles
Sitra Panirsheeluam
Chief Operating Officer (COO)
Sitra Panirsheeluam is a pioneering behavioural psychologist recognised for her work in mainstreaming autistic individuals into everyday environments. She has played a significant role in integrating neurodiverse individuals into schools, communities, and general social settings, advocating inclusion long before it became widely recognised in Malaysia.
All of Sitra’s academic training was completed in the United Kingdom, grounding her in strong evidence-based and person-centred clinical models. Drawing from UK advancements, she consistently thinks outside the box when designing interventions, adapting global best practices to improve mental health care in Malaysia.
She has extensive experience working with rare neurological and neurodevelopmental conditions. Notably, Sitra became the first professional in Malaysia to successfully coach an individual with Stiff Person Syndrome, resulting in the elimination of panic attacks and repeated hospitalisations. She has also served as a judge evaluating essays by individuals living with Multiple Sclerosis, recognising cognitive resilience and lived experience.
Sitra has a strong clinical interest and experience in co-occurring mental health conditions, particularly Autism Spectrum Disorder with OCD, and other complex mental health presentations. Through her work with children, adolescents, and adults, she is skilled in recognising early warning signs of psychosis, enabling timely referral and early intervention in close collaboration with psychiatrists.
She has working knowledge of neurological disorders and neuro-rehabilitation principles and is knowledgeable in psychotropic medications, working closely with psychiatrists to ensure coordinated, holistic care. In Malaysia, she received direct clinical training and mentorship under a senior and highly respected psychiatrist.
Beyond clinical work, Sitra has contributed at a systems and community level through involvement in Standard Operating Procedures (SOPs) and collaboration with PDRM, supporting safer engagement with autistic individuals. Most recently, she has been a pioneer in training community members to deliver community-based mental health support, strengthening access to care at the grassroots level.
Sitra has a strong clinical interest and experience in co-occurring mental health conditions, particularly Autism Spectrum Disorder with OCD, and other complex mental health presentations. Through her work with children, adolescents, and adults, she is skilled in recognising early warning signs of psychosis, enabling timely referral and early intervention in close collaboration with psychiatrists.
She has working knowledge of neurological disorders and neuro-rehabilitation principles and is knowledgeable in psychotropic medications, working closely with psychiatrists to ensure coordinated, holistic care. In Malaysia, she received direct clinical training and mentorship under a senior and highly respected psychiatrist.
Beyond clinical work, Sitra has contributed at a systems and community level through involvement in Standard Operating Procedures (SOPs) and collaboration with PDRM, supporting safer engagement with autistic individuals. Most recently, she has been a pioneer in training community members to deliver community-based mental health support, strengthening access to care at the grassroots level.