Meet Asian Australian Mental Health Social Worker, Thanh Nguyen

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 Thanh who is an Accredited Mental Health Social Worker offering services in Parkville, VIC. We hope you enjoy connecting with Thanh below!

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

As a child, I was always curious about the human mind and emotions, wondering whether, as I grew up, I could have a job helping people and be well-compensated for it. I was a sensitive and intuitive kid, but unfortunately, life experiences and trauma forced me to shut down those aspects.

I decided to come to Australia to study and migrate here when I was 17. Life guided me to choose social work, even though I had plenty of options for migration purposes. Maybe the seed of helping people had always been there in my mind all the way along.

I started my social work career in addiction recovery as an alcohol and drug counsellor for 2 years after my graduation. From my working experience, I could see that the majority of people struggling with addictions have underlying unresolved complex trauma in their lives. Addressing addictions without tackling trauma is a significant missing piece of the whole picture. This led to my passion in working with trauma in mental health

 2. What is your unique cultural heritage?

I was born in Vietnam and came to Australia to study as an international student when I was 17. So I am still Vietnamese in my blood and still have some Vietnamese values in me but some of the ways that I think have been influenced by Australian culture

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

My specialty is trauma and PTSD. I mainly use EMDR, CBT and ACT to support my clients with their healing journey

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

I love working with clients who experience symptoms of anxiety and depression, PTSD or unresolved childhood trauma.

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

Trust the process. You will get there as long as you don't give up

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

Alternatively, if you feel like Thanh 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 Thanh 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 Thanh 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.