Meet Asian Australian Psychotherapist & Counsellor, Trevor Lee

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 Trevor who is a Psychotherapist and Counsellor offering services in Oatlands, NSW and Telehealth Australia Wide. We hope you enjoy connecting with Trevor below!

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

Having suffered from mental illness myself for over 13 years, my own lived experience of mental illness, the difficulties involved within Asian cultural stigma of mental health issues and so the desire to see for myself what works, rather than continuously being told by professionals what will work had motivated me to pursue a career in mental health.

Then the humility of being able to support those who are also suffering, became such a powerful honor to stand by side clients and guide them a long their own journey.

2. What is your unique cultural heritage?

I was born into a Cantonese family, although being born in Australia, the collective cultural pressure of high pressure achievement, projection of parental values and the toxic dynamics of inter-generational trauma is something which many of us experience.

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

Mental afflictions (depression, anxiety, etc), Trauma, Spirituality.
I work heavily with a person-centered framework, which focuses on collaboration with clients. I do not give advice, but I do give suggestions. I work on the inherent basis that we all have the capacity to heal inside of us, and that I am a guide to empower clients on their own path of recovery.

I have a passion for Internal family systems, the modality that we have many parts that each carry different burdens. That we all have adaptations from experiences which may no longer serve us but we cling onto.

Mindfulness, and the power of thought. That thought patterns have an effect on both our bodies and minds. The acknowledgement that is incredibly easy to be trapped in the prisons of our own minds, and that before we know it we've jumped into a rabbit hole.

Each client is different, and whats important is to collaborate with clients to find out what works for them. I always tell clients not to take my words as truth or belief, but to investigate whether it rings true within their own experience.

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

Clients that already have the inherent belief that they have the capacity to heal, and are willing to commit to their own healing. This is the baseline for my work.

The following may be or may not be relevant to the client:

There may be clients which already have an awareness of certain things troubling them, such as inner conflict, thought patterns or certain emotions which are causing them distress.

Clients which are willing to look deep inside to see what is their truth.
Clients which are suffering from medications, the side effects of medication, the pressure from collective cultural shame or stigma of mental illness, and the constant conflict that arises when confronted with these or similar aspects.

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

Allow everything. The good, the ugly, the pain, the joy. The parts of us which have not be seen or the parts which have been seen. Everything is welcome here. Now lets work together, and see what arises.

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

Alternatively, if you feel like Trevor 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 Trevor 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 Trevor 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.