Meet our team
Dr Jerry Zhi
Registered Social Worker (AASW, NDIS and WorkCover) / PhD in Social work, Researcher and Lecturer, Griffith University
Dr Queenie Wu
Language
English/Mandarin/Japanese
About me
Dr Queenie Wu (she/her/hers) is passionate about her work as a psychologist and truly believes in the value of therapy not only for reducing symptoms, and improving mental health but also for creating a more fulfilling and meaningful life.
Background & expertise
Dr Queenie Wu is a highly qualified clinical psychologist with extensive experience in the field of psychology. She received her Doctor of Philosophy degree in Clinical Psychology from Deakin University, specializing in Schema theory and Eating Disorders. In addition to her academic work, Queenie is a highly regarded mentor and teacher to young psychology students, helping to train the next generation of mental health practitioners. She has served as a sessional lecturer and examiner for the Psychology postgraduate program at Deakin University from 2014 to 2021, and is an AHPRA-approved clinical psychology endorsement and higher education supervisor.
With experience working in various settings, including private and public health services, forensic services, onshore and offshore immigration detention centres, as well as community clinics and private practice, Queenie has developed a deep understanding of the diverse needs of her clients. She has over seven years of experience working with Australian youth (12-25 years old), where she gained invaluable skills in developmental psychology. She understands the importance of connecting the individual, family, school, and community and believes that a collaborative working alliance is crucial for any meaningful therapeutic work.
As an international student arriving in Melbourne at 19, Queenie appreciates the city’s cultural diversity and has become an experienced practitioner working with clients from diverse cultural backgrounds. Her passion for making a positive impact on society is reflected in her media contributions, where she provides insights and commentary on various topics such as cross-cultural psychology, international students’ mental health, and racism. She has been featured on Television networks such as ABC and radio networks such as SBS Radio.
Associations and memberships
Member of Australian Psychological Society (APS)
Fellow of the APS College of Clinical Psychologists
Principle & Secondary Supervisor approved by Australian Health Practitioner Regulation Board (AHPRA) Board of Psychology (PSY0001129037)
Cathy Yang
MANAGING PARTNER / HEAD OF MARKETING
Language
English/Mandarin/Japanese
About me
Cathy Yang (she/they) is an experienced consultancy expert with interdisciplinary training and experience in clinical and organisational psychology and marketing communications.
Background & expertise
Cathy started her professional career with the Dentsu Aegis Network providing branding and marketing consultancy to Forbes 500 clients. She later served as the Director for MyTherapist, China’s largest psychology service provider with 800+ counsellors. Cathy joined Mindspace Consulting in 2019 and provided group training workshops for corporate EAP clients, empowering professionals to strive for work efficacy, effective communications and leadership. Cathy now teaches Master’s candidates at the University of Melbourne and is also a guest advisor for UK’s leading consulting agency ThirdBridge.
Cathy has a BA from Peking University, a Postgrad Cert in Psychology from the University of Liverpool and an MA from the University of Melbourne.
Cathy is available for appointments on professional career support/guidance consultation.
Associations and memberships
Certified Mental Health Counsellor (China)
Dr Ross King
Clinical Psychologist / Board-Approved Supervisor
Language
English
About me
Dr Ross King is a clinical psychologist with 35 years of experience in public mental health and private practice. Over 28 years he has taught over 500 trainee psychologists. During that time, he has been the Course Chair of the Master of Psychology (Clinical) course at Deakin University and, more recently, the Deputy Chair of Deakin’s Master of Professional Psychology.
Background & expertise
Dr Ross King has spent decades working with people who suffer from eating disorders, as well as their carers, and has run and researched a UK-developed intervention to help parents with caring skills.
For years, Dr Ross King has been the key presenter for AHPRA Psychology Supervisor training workshops. He has been invited to deliver seminars and workshops on identifying and dealing with people with Narcissist Personality Disorder.
Associations and memberships
- AHPRA Endorsed Clinical Psychologist
- AHPRA board-approved clinical supervisor
- Fellow of APS College of Clinical Psychologists
NanNan (Beryl) LI
General Psychologist (PSY0002313437) Educational/Developmental Psychologist/ Supervisor
Language
English/Mandarin
About me
Beryl (she/her/hers) is qualified for psychological counselling in China and Australia. Beryl worked as a psychology teacher and counsellor at Jinan University (China) for ten years, counselled more than 500 university students and staff, and with more than 3000 hours of professional counselling experience. She’s specialized in personal development, emotional regulation, children and adolescence developmental psychology, parent-child relationship, and cross-cultural family/relationship/marriage counselling.
Background & expertise
Beryl was awarded a Master of Educational Psychology degree from Monash University (AUS) in 2021, and registered with AHPRA psychology board of Australia as a General Psychologist.
Beryl’s native in Chinese and fluent in English. LGBTQ+ friendly.
Associations and memberships
- Registered Psychotherapist of Chinese Psychological Society
- General Psychologist – AHPRA Psychology Board of Australia
Jasmine Zhang
SENIOR COUNSELLOR/BUPA REGISTERED
Language
English/Mandarin
About me
Jasmine is an empathetic counsellor dedicated to providing safe and warm support and companionship to her clients. With a background in medicine, Jasmine has gained extensive clinical experience as a physician in China. After relocating to Australia, she redirected her focus to psychology and counselling, earning a Graduate Diploma in Psychology and a Master’s in Counselling from Monash University. Now a registered counsellor with the Australian Counselling Association, Jasmine combines her rich clinical knowledge with her passion for helping others. Alongside her counselling work, she has also contributed significantly to education, serving for many years as a VCE course coordinator and teaching administrator in educational institutions.
Throughout her ten-year career, Jasmine has continually expanded her professional skills, gaining diverse experience in hospital settings (emergency, paediatrics, internal medicine), the education sector, aged care, and counselling. In her counselling practice, Jasmine aims to be an active listener and compassionate partner, guiding her clients through life’s challenges. She believes psychological support goes beyond professional intervention—it is about walking alongside her clients through their darkest moments and helping them find the light at the end of the tunnel.
Specialisations
Jasmine specialises in providing psychological support to children (6-12 years old), adults and couples, focusing on anxiety, depression, stress management, and trauma-related issues. She embraces a person-centred counselling philosophy, skillfully integrating Cognitive Behavioural Therapy (CBT), Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT), Mindfulness, Schema Therapy, and Gottman’s Couple Therapy to offer a wide range of tailored support to her clients.
Jasmine’s counselling approach is warm and empathetic, honouring each client’s pace while working towards key therapeutic goals. By flexibly applying various theoretical approaches, she creates personalised counselling plans that empower clients to find their inner strength and navigate their psychological challenges with resilience.
Education
- Master of Counselling, Monash University, VIC, Australia
- Graduate Diploma of Psychology Advanced, Monash University, VIC, Australia
Registrations
- Member of Australia Counselling Association (No. 19829)
- BUPA Provider Number: J002111
Reeneie Wang
Registered Counsellor/BUPA REGISTERED
Language
English/Mandarin
About me
Reenie Wang is an empathetic counsellor with a wealth of diverse life experience and professional counselling skills. Reenie came to Australia at the age of 17 and has spent half of her life in China and half of her life in Australia, this rich cross-cultural experience has given her a unique understanding of cross-cultural adaptation and diverse upbringing. With a strong background in both Eastern and Western cultures, an undergraduate degree in International Relations Studies and a Masters in Counselling, she is able to deeply understand the complexity of psychological issues in a multicultural context and build genuine and in-depth counselling relationships with clients from different cultural backgrounds.
In terms of her career, Reenie has had a varied background, having worked in hospitality, engineering and construction for 17 years. This diverse career experience broadened her horizons and she ultimately decided to pursue a career in counselling, obtaining a Master’s degree and becoming a registered counsellor. She has gained a wealth of experience in her career exploration, as well as ongoing voluntary work in counselling and psycho-education, including hosting psychology lectures and workshops, book clubs, and seminars on personal debelopment topics in Adelaide.
Reenie believes that every individual has their own unique and wonderful qualities. Empowering children, adolescents, adults and couples/families, Reenie believes that behind the clutter of our thoughts and struggles, everyone has the most sincere desires, strength and resilience. She specialises in post-modern approaches to counselling, helping clients explore their inner strengths and resources, heal trauma, find clarity and gain the strength and courage to live the life they truly desire.
Reenie believes that counselling is not just about solving problems, but also a journey of self-discovery and growth. In this process, she will accompany clients to discover their inner strengths and resources and work together towards a healthier and more fulfilling life.
Specialisations
She specialises in anxiety and depression, stress management, relationships, trauma, coping with life’s turning points, self-exploration and growth, international students’ psychological issues, cross-cultural adjustment, career counselling, pre-marital counselling, couple and family counselling, as well as integrative counselling on faith and mental health.
Reenie specialises in using post-modern counselling techniques such as Emotionally Focused Therapy, Solution-focused Therapy, Narrative Therapy and other therapies that emphasise respect for difference, autonomy, and the integration of inner resource and strengths in dialogue, in conjunction with complementary combinations of Cognitive and Behavioural Therapy, and Acceptance and Commitment Therapy, to provide an integrated and client-centred approach.
Education
- Master of Counselling, Tabor College Adelaide
- Bachelor of Arts in International Politics, University of Adelaide
Registrations
- Registered Counsellor, Australian Counsellors Association (ACA) (No. 28740)
- BUPA Provider Number: J002969
- ARHG: AC28740T
Dr Jerry Zhi
Registered Social Worker (AASW) / NDIS and WorkCover Registered Social Worker / Researcher and Lecturer, Griffith University
Language
English/Mandarin Chinese
About me
Dr. Jerry Xulong Zhi has 15 years of extensive academic research and clinical experience in the field of social work and counselling.
Dr. Zhi obtained his PhD from Griffith University, where his research explored the social work learning experiences of young Chinese students in China and Australia. Dr Zhi has taught Bachelor of Social Work and Bachelor of Community Services at different universities in Australia. In addition to his academic work, he has gained experience in integrating psychological and social work-related interventions and clinical practice in a variety of areas, including psychosocial counselling for youth and adolescents, children with special needs, and individuals with disabilities and assisting individuals with psychosocial disabilities in obtaining ongoing support from the National Disability Insurance Scheme (NDIS).
Dr. Jerry Zhi views his years of social work and counselling as a profound self-exploration. During his tertiary studies, he also experienced mental health challenges firsthand, an experience that has had a profound impact on his approach to social work and mental health counselling. Through overcoming these challenges, he has come to understand the importance of resilience, strength and hope, as well as a deep belief in the potential of the human brain and tapping into its inner resources, and it’s possible to cultivate mental resilience and flexibility for everyone.
Through years of continuing professional education, research and practice, Dr. Jerry Zhi has accumulated a deep understanding of the complexity of the human experience and has made continuous progress in his personal growth. This has enabled him to provide quality counselling to people facing a wide range of mental health challenges. His goal is to promote positive change and mental resilience in the lives of his clients, contributing to their health and well-being.
Specialisations
Dr. Jerry Zhi specialises in providing psychologically and socially integrated counselling interventions in the areas of NDIS psycho-social capacity building, early adulthood and adolescent mental health, and complex psychological disorders including schizophrenia, dissociative identity disorder, autism spectrum disorder, and brain injury. He also provide psycho-social function capacity assessment and report services and can assist in the application for NDIS.
In terms of counselling techniques, Dr. Zhi integrates various evidence-based approaches and specialises in CBT (cognitive behaviour therapy), DBT (dialectical behavioural therapy), ACT (acceptance and commitment therapy), motivational interviewing, as well as strengths-based approach and systemic theories to provide comprehensive support to clients.
Education
PhD in Social Work, Researcher and Lecturer, Griffith University.
Registrations
Registered Social Worker (AASW), Registered Social Worker with the National Disability Insurance Scheme (NDIS), and Registered Social Worker with WorkCover Australia.
Yvonne Shih
Pediatric Mental Health and Early Intervention Specialist
Language
English/Mandarin /Hokkien
About me
Yvonne is an experienced child psychotherapist with over 20 years of professional experience in education, specialising in early childhood psychology and development. Yvonne loves being a child psychotherapist and believes that person-centred and interests-based meaningful therapeutic play is able to motivate and enhance young children and adults’ mental health, learning and well-being – enhancing children’s development and mental health through music, nature and creative play.
Yvonne has a rich professional background, with training and qualifications in various areas of education and psychology, including a Bachelor of Teaching in Pre-school Education (majoring in music), a Postgraduate Diploma in Psychology, a Postgraduate Diploma in Counselling, and a Master of Education. Currently, she is pursuing a Master of Mental Health Sciences at Monash University, specialising in child psychotherapy with a focus on child psychoanalytic psychotherapy.
Throughout her decades-long career, Yvonne has held key positions in a number of education-related fields. From 2005 to 2021, she was a Qualified Education Leader and pre-school teacher at the Early Learning Centre, Whitehorse City Council, Melbourne, where she integrated music and psychotherapeutic skills into Early Childhood Intervention/Inclusion and School Readiness Programs, particularly for children with developmental delays and special needs. She has also worked as a mentor for international students at Deakin University’s Masters in Early Childhood Education program and as a placement supervisor for students on the Box Hill TAFE Diploma in Early Childhood program.
Since 2019, Yvonne worked as a Child psychotherapist/counsellor at Mindspace and as an Early Intervention Specialist in an OT clinic. She created her own studio in 2019 to specialise in working with young children who need support with self-regulation, emotional/social skills development and learning difficulties through the mediums of music and play therapy.
Yvonne believes that every child has unique emotions and experiences, and through therapeutic play interactions, she helps children express and process their emotions and experiences to enhance their physical and emotional development. Her goal is to help each child find their inner strength and grow into healthier, happier individuals.
Specialisations
Children aged 0-8 years old who are experiencing difficulties include early attachment, separation anxiety, emotional regulation, life skills, social skills, toilet training, selective mutism, traumatised developmental delay, psychosomatic stutter and sleep issues, ASD and ADHD-related emotional, social, and learning issues. In addition, she provides School Readiness Assessment for English as a Second Language (ESL) children, especially those from immigrant backgrounds, to help them better adapt to the school environment before starting school.
Yvonne’s professional training and further education include ABA Therapist (Autism Behavioural Intervention Association), Theraplay and Marschak Interactive Methods (Theraplay Institute), Cognitive Behavioural Therapy (CBT Australia), Severe Emotional and Behavioural Disorder in Young Children for Early Identification, Diagnosis and Management (CBT Australia), Including Children on the Autism spectrum in the early years (Victoria State Government), Stress Management (Institute for Advanced Changework), and Pass Life Regression (Brian L.Weiss, M.D.) and Accreditation of Australian National Council of Orff Schulwerk.
Education
- Master of Mental Health Science in Child Psychotherapy, Monash University (current)
- Master of Education, Monash University
- Graduate Diploma in Psychology, Monash University
- Graduate Diploma in Coaching and Counselling, Deakin University
- Bachelor of Teaching Early Childhood (Music Major), Monash University
Registrations
- Member of Early Childhood Intervention Australia (ECIA)
- Member of the Australian Child Life Therapists Association (ACLTA)
- Registered Teacher of Preschool and Primary Schools, Victorian Institute of Education (VIT)
- Victorian Music Teachers’ Association (VMTA) Registered Music and Piano Teacher
- NDIS Claimable Early Childhood Counsellor（self or agency managing NDIS funding)
Lily Luo
SENIOR COUNSELLOR
Language
English/Cantonese/ Mandarin
About me
Lily (she/her/hers) is a counsellor with adequate knowledge of mental health concerns across different ages. She is experienced in providing a range of counselling support services in both group and one-on-one settings. She has worked with a range of people who have experienced trauma, substance use, anxiety, depression, interpersonal difficulties, and other hardships. She is passionate about using a holistic and intuitive approach when supporting individuals in developing a deeper awareness and understanding of themselves.
Background & expertise
Apart from working as a counsellor, she is also working as a specialist family violence practitioner, supporting individuals and families in crisis.
Qualifications
- Master of Counselling
- Graduate Diploma of Psychological Science
- Bachelor of Arts (majored in psychology)
Associations and memberships
- Australian Counselling Association (ACA) (No.12099)
Tony Zhu
social worker
Language
English/Mandarin
About me
Tony (he/him/his) is an Australian Registered Social Worker with over ten years of professional experience in mental health, disability services, and elderly services. He obtained his Master of Social Work degree from the Queensland University of Technology (QUT). Since 2014, Tony has been dedicated to community mental health, working primarily at the Queensland Health Community Mental Health Service Center. His role involves providing rehabilitation treatment and follow-up care for patients after discharge, focusing on enhancing their well-being and integration into the community.
Tony has a strong track record of helping mental health patients successfully apply for National Disability Insurance Scheme (NDIS) service eligibility, significantly improving their quality of life. Beyond his direct work with clients, Tony is actively involved in education and supervision, having guided more than a dozen social work students from Queensland University of Technology (QUT) and Australian Catholic University (ACU) through their professional practice. His supervision has helped students achieve outstanding results during their internships. Tony has accumulated more than 3000 hours of clinical counselling and over 300 hours of professional social work supervision.
Tony adopts a person-centred approach, empowering clients to enhance their mental resilience by tapping into their inner resources.
Specialisations
Tony specialises in treating depression, anxiety, trauma, and schizophrenia. He integrates various evidence-based therapies, including Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT), Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT), Dialectical Behavioral Therapy (DBT), Narrative Therapy, and Compassion-Focused Therapy, to support clients in navigating life’s challenges and promoting psychological growth.
Education
Master of Social Work, Queensland University of Technology, QLD Australia
Registrations
Member of the Australian Association of Social Workers (AASW)
Ariana Fu
SENIOR Counsellor / Speech Pathologist
Session: Telehealth/Face to Face (Adelaide)
Language
Mandarin/English/Hokkien
About me
As a daily practitioner of mindfulness, Ariana has participated in various meditation training such as Mindfulness-Based Stress Reduction, the Power of Mindfulness, Mindful Self Compassion and Mindfulness Retreats, and has completed over 1000 hours of mindfulness practice.
Background & expertise
Ariana has graduated from long-term professional training in Hakomi mindfulness-based somatic psychotherapy from the Hakomi Institute of California in the United States. Ariana
serves as a teaching assistant in the China region for the Hakomi Institute of California, USA, and regularly receives individual and group supervision.
In 2013, Ariana was diagnosed with leukemia and underwent chemotherapy and transplantation, which enabled her to deeply empathize with patients and their families facing serious illnesses. After immigrating to Australia, Ariana pursued a Master’s degree in Speech Pathology which provided her with richer experiences in understanding the psychological characteristics of cross-linguistic and cross-cultural populations. While providing services at the Women’s and Children’s Hospital in Adelaide and Flinders Medical Centre in Australia, Ariana consistently centred the patients and their family members. With her warmth, stability, empathy and professionalism, combined with evidence-based assessment and intervention, Ariana has helped many patients alleviate their mental distress, rediscover inner strength and achieve their goals.
As a counsellor, Ariana skillfully employs mindfulness-based somatic psychotherapy techniques in her work with clients. She creates a safe, nurturing, non-judgmental space for them, accompanying them on an inner journey of exploration. Ariana’s teaching experience in psychotherapy has enabled her to effectively help clients learn how to deal with emotions, cultivate self-compassion and self-care, and enhance personal well-being.
As a speech pathologist, Ariana particularly focuses on the mental health of individuals with communication disorders. Ariana is skilled in helping adolescents and adults who stutter to reduce the severity of stuttering, increase self-acceptance, achieve comfortable communication, and improve their quality of life. On International Stuttering Awareness Day in 2022, as one of the professionals, Ariana introduced the importance of psychotherapeutic intervention in adolescents and adults who stutter in the Chinese stuttering community.
Ariana specialises in supporting cross-cultural groups in better adapting to society, managing interpersonal relationships, and handling emotional stress. Ariana has accompanied numerous international students and immigrant groups through their internal struggles and challenges, helping them discover inner strength and overcome obstacles. Ariana is also committed to providing high-quality psychological counselling services to critically ill patients and their families. Her focus areas include counselling in grief and loss, disease and death-related anxiety and depression. She has supported many patients and their families in confronting significant life losses, successfully transforming pain into resilience.
Qualifications
- Master of Speech Pathology, Flinders University, Adelaide, SA, Australia
- Master of Law, East China University of Political Science and Law, Shanghai, China
- Graduate of Hakomi mindfulness-based psychotherapy, Hakomi Institute of California, USA
Associations and memberships
- Teaching assistant of China region of Hakomi Institute of California
- Member of Speech Pathology Australia
- Member of Palliative Care South Australia
Bloom Nipawan
REGISTERED COUNSELLOR
Language
Thai/English
About me
Bloom offers individual therapy to people who may experience a range of difficulties such as anxiety, depression, low self-esteem and relationship issues. She strives to help individuals gain an in-depth understanding of themselves and their experiences with the ultimate goal of alleviation of their difficulties.
Bloom will meet clients wherever they are on their wellness journey. She offers a calming and supportive space, where clients are free to express themselves and dig deeper to understand their challenges better. She combines therapeutic approaches based on individual client needs so that therapy is personalised and relevant.
Background & expertise
Bloom completed a Master of Counselling from Monash University. The degree has equipped her with experiences in working with clients from different backgrounds. Apart from working as a counsellor, Bloom works as a Youth Mentor, providing support for young carers in Melbourne.
Qualifications
- Master of Counselling, Monash University
Associations and memberships
- Member of Australian Counselling Association (No. 19375)
Eva Huang
Registered Counsellor/BUPA REGISTERED
Language
English/Mandarin/Japanese
About me
Eva Huang is an empathetic and passionate counsellor with a strong academic background and extensive clinical experience. She holds a Master’s degree in Counselling from Monash University and a Bachelor of Psychology (Honours) from the University of Melbourne. Her honours research, titled “How do people schedule multiple tasks? Optimality of Human Scheduling in Typing Task” highlights her deep understanding of and interest in behavioural-cognitive psychology. Eva has continued to advance her academic pursuits through hands-on practice and research, sharpening her insights into complex psychological phenomena.
Eva is actively engaged in various forms of clinical work, including emotion management, relationship issues, self-exploration, and personal growth for adolescents and adults. She has led numerous mental health workshops on mindfulness practice, emotion regulation, and cognitive emotion management at universities and during her time at Mindspace Consulting. Eva specialises in providing practical psychological support to adolescents, adults, students, and individuals from multicultural backgrounds.
Eva views every counselling session as an opportunity to help others and to grow alongside them. She has a strong interest and experience in working with both young people and elders, believing that life wisdom and growth can emerge from adversity. Eva is dedicated to being a supportive presence and witness to her clients’ journeys, helping them navigate their lives with professional counselling and genuine companionship.
Eva helps her clients build resilience and find hope, believing that change begins the moment you decide to seek help.
Specialisations
Eva specialises in supporting adolescents and adults in areas such as emotion management (depression, anxiety etc), relationship improvement, trauma healing, self-exploration, and personal growth. She has extensive experience working with anxiety, depression, and stress-related issues, with a particular emphasis on trauma. In her counselling practice, Eva adopts a person-centred and integrative approach, skillfully combining Cognitive Behavioural Therapy (CBT), Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT), Mindfulness, Narrative Therapy, and Self-Compassion Work to tailor interventions to each client’s unique needs.
Education
- Master of Counselling, Monash University, VIC Australia
- Bachelor of Arts (Degree with Honours) in Psychology, University of Melbourne, VIC, Australia
Registrations
- Member of Australian Counselling Association (No. 25120)
- Registered BUPA Counsellor (Provider Number: J002717)
Andong Zhou
Registered Provisional Psychologist, Master of Clinical Psychology (current)
Language
English, Mandarin Chinese
About me
Andong Zhou (she/her/hers) is a dedicated provisional psychologist with six years of academic and clinical training in psychology. Currently pursuing her master’s degree in Clinical Psychology at the University of Melbourne, Andong combines a strong academic foundation with practical experience to provide comprehensive mental health support.
Andong has a robust academic background, having tutored bachelor’s students for three years and conducted extensive research in neuroscience, specifically focusing on subconscious processes in judgment predictions using EEG, as well as studies utilising fMRI on eating disorders. She has also contributed to the academic community as a research assistant at the University of Melbourne for two years.
Since 2022, Andong has been engaged in clinical work, training, and internships at the University of Melbourne Psychology Clinic and Orygen. During this time, she has gained valuable experience in managing social anxiety, supporting adolescent identity exploration, and addressing cross-cultural family mental health issues, particularly within Indian, Singaporean, and Chinese communities.
Balancing her studies, work, research, and clinical training, Andong is well-versed in managing stress and prioritising self-care and self-compassion, especially for international students facing study pressures. Her main interests lie in employing a collaborative, person-centred, and strength-based approach with clients. She is committed to value-based work, helping individuals adjust to new belief systems, and empowering them to navigate their mental health journeys.
Specialisations
Andong is particularly well-experienced in helping individuals develop coping strategies for difficulties such as generalised anxiety, depression and low mood, grief and loss, trauma, family dynamics, relationship issues, women’s mental health, social anxiety, panic attacks, risk management, cross-cultural adaptation, international student mental health and cultivating self-compassion.
She utilises Cognitive Behaviour Therapy (CBT) and Schema Therapy in treatment, with a person-centred and strength-based therapeutic approach.
Education
Master of Clinical Psychology, University of Melbourne (current), Bachelor of Science Degree with Honours in Psychology, University of Melbourne.
Registrations
Registered Provisional Psychologist – AHPRA Psychology Board of Australia (PSY0002694359), Member of Australian Psychological Society (APS).
Sara Chen
REGISTERED PROVISIONAL PSYCHOLOGIST, MASTER OF CLINICAL PSYCHOLOGY (CURRENT)
Language
English/Mandarin
About me
Sara Xingyu Chen(she/her/hers) is a registered provisional psychologist with 6 years of academic and clinical training in psychology and is currently pursuing a Masters in Clinical Psychology from the Institute of Social Neuroscience. She combines her academic foundation in psychology, extensive community work experience with clinical training and practice to provide quality counselling and assessment services to clients.
Sara has 4 years of academic research experience and worked as a research assistant at the University of Melbourne. Her honours degree research topic falls within the field of Computational Cognitive Science and focuses on Bayesian transfer and learning to help understand the wide range of applications and flexibility of human cognitive abilities. Her other research topics include attentional breadth in children with ADHD, information-seeking behaviour in anxiety and depression, and eating disorders. She also has a deep interest in the development and application of artificial intelligence for promoting mental health.
In terms of community work, Sara has 6 years of experience working with children, adolescents and young adults aged 6-30 years in the Chinese-Australian community. She is the founder and president of the Australian-Chinese Student Psychology Association and has worked as a Psychology tutor at the University of Melbourne, and she has 3 years of experience working with international students and the Chinese community at Mindspace. She also founded her own psychology platform and has been working on building bridges between students and psychology practices for the past 4 years.
Since 2023, Sara has furthered her training and practice in psychological clinical work. She has worked at the Kew Community Clinic in Melbourne, conducting cognitive assessments and writing reports for children and adults (including IQ tests, dyslexia diagnosis, ADHD diagnosis, etc.), supporting neurodiverse people and their families in particular, helping children to develop their emotional awareness, and supporting adolescents in their exploration of their identities (e.g., LGBTIQ+) and intimate relationships.
In 2024, Sara began working at Headspace, providing psychotherapy to people aged 12 to 25. She helps clients with topics such as self-harm and suicide risk, drug use, behavioural issues, domestic violence, family conflict, anorexia, anxiety, depression, health anxiety, body dysmorphic phobias, hallucinations and delusions, trauma, and borderline personality disorder; and works directly with organisations such as hospitals, schools, the courts, and the police to support young people.
In her personal life, Sara is often touched by young people from complex backgrounds, including those who have lost hope in life, those who are confused about their identities and feel lonely, those who are discriminated against for various reasons, those who are neurodiverse and different. She hopes to help everyone in distress to find their own meaning and a way to shine.
Sara believes that everyone comes with a unique story, and that each person’s thoughts and feelings have roots that are important and need to be heard. She brings a safe and comfortable space to explore your emotions together.Sara is very passionate about exploring possibilities with different people. She says, ‘Life is a journey, like climbing a mountain. On this mountain there are ravines, muddy roads and snow, but also beautiful scenery. We all have our own mountains; some of them are not easy to climb, but they are also quite rewarding. We’ve been climbing our own mountains since the beginning of our lives, and I want to learn about your journey – where you started, where you struggled, what brought you joy and meaning.’
Specialisations
Sara Chen specialises in the following topics: depression, anxiety, emotion regulation, obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD), phobias, stress management, self-confidence and self-esteem, social anxiety, interpersonal relationships, trauma and PTSD, addictions and dependencies, identity, psychology of international students (including social support, cultural adaptation and career development), loneliness, perfectionism and self-efficacy, as well as sleep disorders, eating disorders and body image Issues.
She uses Cognitive Behavioural Therapy (CBT), Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT) and Schema Therapy in her counselling, and combines it with play therapy and mindfulness techniques. Sara is committed to helping her clients to explore themselves and gain better psychological resilience through counselling and mental health education.
Education
Masters in Clinical Psychology, the Institute of Social Neuroscience (current), Bachelor of Science Degree with Honours in Psychology, the University of Melbourne.
Registrations
Registered Provisional Psychologist – AHPRA Psychology Board of Australia (PSY0002704478)
Australian Psychological Society Member (305136)
Australia Clinical Psychology Association Member
