Meet Asian Australian Clinical Psychologist, Sophia Tran

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 Sophia Tran who is a clinical psychologist working at Clarity Clinical Psychology (located in Sydney, and offers Telehealth sessions Australia wide). We hope you enjoy connecting with Sophia below!

~

1. What led you to choosing psychology as a career?

My own journey of self-reflection and moving towards my values led me to choose psychology as a career and every day I am grateful for it. I have always been drawn to deep connections and interested in understanding others and learning about their stories and experiences. I am passionate about supporting people to overcome their own personal and emotional barriers and living a fulfilling and authentic life.

2. What is your unique cultural heritage?

I’m of Vietnamese heritage. My family moved from Vietnam to south west Sydney when I was 4 years old.

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

I have a special interest in working with anxiety, depression, trauma (both acute and complex/childhood), relationship difficulties, cultural and identity issues, attachment issues, emotion dysregulation, study/work stress or burnout, and life direction and values.

I would describe my approach as holistic, person-centered and evidence-based. I provide a warm and supportive environment for clients to explore their experiences, develop insight and identify effective approaches to handling life’s challenges.

I collaboratively develop an individualised treatment plan for each client and draw from evidence-based approaches including Cognitive Behavioural Therapy (CBT), Schema Therapy, Dialectical Behavioural Therapy (DBT) and Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT).

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

I am best able to support clients that feel stuck in longstanding patterns of thinking and behaviour that often stem from childhood and family experiences. These patterns may include self-criticism and doubt, insecure attachment in relationships, fear of failure, always putting others first, difficulty identifying and expressing emotions, perfectionism and procrastination.

I practice in Schema Therapy which involves exploring with clients the connection between their current experiences and significant early life experiences. We then work to challenge these deeply ingrained beliefs, build healthier patterns of responding, and create an emotional shift in how they feel about themselves.

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

I would tell myself that life goes through seasons - sometimes it’s blossoming and other times it’s resting and restoring, and that’s all okay. Be compassionate with yourself where you are at, and know that things will shift and move in their own time :)

~

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

Alternatively, if you feel like Sophia 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 Sophia 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 Sophia 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.