Meet Asian Australian Psychologist, Helen Tang

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 Helen who is a Psychologist offering services in Essendon, VIC, and Telehealth Australia Wide . We hope you enjoy connecting with Helen below!

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

My experience of being in the 'client seat' myself!
My year 12 Psychology teacher, who also happened to be my school counsellor provided me with a safe space to go where I could share my innermost thoughts and emotions in a non-judgmental space. I have some very good memories of my high school experience but there were lots of times where I struggled with feeling like I belonged or like I could accept that it was perfectly okay to just be myself. Within these counselling sessions, I started to learn more about my authentic self and how to be Her ally. Gradually, I found freedom in opting out of pleasing others. This was where my love for Psychology and counselling really began. How wonderful would it be to give to others, what I received here in this space… Is it any wonder that students and young adults are now one of my favourite type of clients to work with?

 2. What is your unique cultural heritage?

Vietnamese/Australian

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

I mainly use a combination of solution-focused Cognitive Behavioural Therapy (CBT) and Eye Movement Desensitisation and Reprocessing Therapy (EMDR) in my therapeutic approach.

My key areas of interest are trauma, anxiety disorders, adolescent mental health and memory reprocessing with EMDR.

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

I'm best able to support students and young adults who may struggling with an Anxiety disorders (OCD, PTSD, Social anxiety disorder, Generalised Anxiety), adjusting big 'adulting' issues such as whether parenthood is right for them, navigating healthy relationships and having better boundaries, or those who may be seeking help to understand and overcome trauma (childhood, emotional, sexual or physical).

A good portion of my current clients are Australian or 'western-born' asian people who struggle to find the balance between respecting their cultural background and family's views/value system and honouring the most authentic version of themselves which might not always align with this. They seek a therapist who simply 'gets' what this is like, and that's me!

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

Continue getting to know all the parts of yourself, knowing that they will continue to shift and change as you go through life. Your relationship with yourself this is the most important relationship you have and will ever have so it's essential that you have a compassionate inner-dialogue with yourself.

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

Alternatively, if you feel like Helen 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 Helen 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 Helen 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.