Meet Asian Australian Counsellor, Melissa Ke

We know that it's not always easy trying to work out which therapist we might like to work with: Because the decision isn't just about where they're located and when they're available, but there's a bit more of a human, relational element to the decision too.

So here at Shapes and Sounds, we want to help make that process just a little easier.

Every month, we'll be introducing a therapist from the Asian Australian Mental Health Practitioner List to help you gain a bit more insight into who you feel might be a good fit for you or someone that you know.

This month we're excited to connect you with Melissa who is a Counsellor offering services in Brisbane, QLD and Telehealth Australia Wide. We hope you enjoy connecting with Melissa below!

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1. What led you to choosing mental health as a career?

Choosing a career in mental health was influenced by a combination of personal experiences and a deep passion for helping others.

From an early age, I witnessed the profound impact of mental health struggles on people around me and their loved ones. These encounters fostered empathy and ignited a desire to make a positive difference in people's lives. I became fascinated by psychology and human behaviour and the immense potential for healing and growth.

Recognising the stigma surrounding mental health, I felt compelled to contribute to its destigmatisation and promote greater understanding. Pursuing a career in counselling has allowed me to be a catalyst for change, supporting individuals and their families in their journey toward well-being and resilience.

 2. What is your unique cultural heritage?

I was born and raised in Singapore. My ethnic background is Chinese, so I can speak Mandarin too. I spent the formative years of my life there before moving to Australia to pursue higher studies as a young adult. I've since lived and worked in different cultures in North America, Africa, Oceania and South-East Asia.

3. What are your areas of specialty and what kind of frameworks do you work from?

As a counsellor, I have developed expertise in several areas of specialty. My primary focus is family conflict, trauma recovery, parenting challenges, and relationship issues. My approach combines evidence-based interventions with a client-centred focus, allowing for an empowering therapeutic experience. I strive to create a non-judgmental, safe space for clients to explore their thoughts, emotions, and experiences.

I use an integrative approach, drawing from various therapeutic frameworks such as Acceptance Based Therapy (ACT), art therapy, attachment-based theory, the Gottman method, internal family systems (IFS), narrative therapy, solution-based therapy, trauma-informed practice, and mindfulness strategies to cultivate present-moment awareness to promote emotional regulation. I also adopt psychodynamic principles to explore the underlying dynamics and early childhood experiences that may contribute to current difficulties.

I value a strengths-based perspective, emphasising clients' resilience and resources. Collaboratively, we will develop coping strategies, enhance self-esteem, and foster personal growth.

4. What kind of clients are you best able to support?

I can best support clients with various mental health concerns, whether in-person in Brisbane, Queensland or online. In particular, I would love to work with those who want to overcome past hurts and life's challenges to live a more purposeful life and have more fulfilling relationships with their spouse, partner and children.

5. If you could be your own therapist right now, what do you think you would say to yourself?

Be present.

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Connect with Melissa via our Asian Australian Mental Health Practitioner List HERE.

Alternatively, if you feel like Melissa may be a good fit for someone that you know, be sure to forward this page on to them too. Let us continue to not only support ourselves but all those around us too!

If you require urgent assistance, please do not contact Melissa or any of the practitioners on this list. Instead, please call emergency services on 000 or call Lifeline on 13 11 14.

Shapes and Sounds does not recommend or endorse Melissa or any of the practitioners listed on the Asian Australian Mental Health Practitioner List.

Please always consult your GP before making changes to your mental health care plan.