Question 1

Who is Lam Wellbeing best suited for?

Accepted Answer

Lam Wellbeing specialises in working with people from multicultural backgrounds who need ongoing, in-depth therapeutic support. This includes migrants and refugees navigating settlement stress or trauma, first and second-generation Australians managing bicultural identity and family expectations, Vietnamese community members seeking bilingual, culturally safe counselling, and people living with complex trauma, anxiety, depression, BPD, or OCD who have found short-term services insufficient. DFV survivor support is also a specialist pathway, including for clients accessing Victim Assist QLD funding.

Question 2

What is culturally responsive therapy?

Accepted Answer

Culturally responsive therapy means that your cultural background, family context, migration history, and community values are treated as central to your mental health — not background noise. At Lam Wellbeing, this means I don't apply a one-size-fits-all Western model to your experience. I work to understand how your culture shapes the way you relate to emotions, seek help, navigate family systems, and understand yourself — and I adapt my approach accordingly.

Question 3

What is intergenerational trauma and can you help with it?

Accepted Answer

Intergenerational trauma refers to the way traumatic experiences — including war, displacement, persecution, or family violence — can be passed down through families, often through patterns of behaviour, attachment, emotional responses, and family dynamics. Many first and second-generation Australians experience the effects of their parents' or grandparents' trauma without fully understanding where those patterns come from. I work with clients to explore these patterns, understand their origins, and begin to make different choices for themselves.

Question 4

What do Accredited Mental Health Social Workers do? Understanding roles, treatments & support

Accepted Answer

An Accredited Mental Health Social Worker (AMHSW) is a social worker with advanced postgraduate qualifications and specialised training in mental health assessment, treatment, and therapeutic intervention. AMHSW is a nationally recognised credential awarded by the Australian Association of Social Workers (AASW).
They use evidence-based therapeutic approaches, including Cognitive Behavioural Therapy (CBT), Dialectical Behaviour Therapy (DBT), Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT), and Eye Movement Desensitisation and Reprocessing (EMDR) to support people experiencing a wide range of mental-health challenges.Unlike general counsellors or psychologists, mental-health social workers view each person within the context of their environment. They work to identify and address social, cultural, and environmental factors that affect well-being, such as family relationships, housing, employment, and community connection.As experts in complexity, mental-health social workers are uniquely qualified to assist individuals navigating multiple, overlapping challenges, including mental-health issues, family or relationship difficulties, financial stress, and legal matters. Their holistic, recovery-oriented approach helps clients build resilience, safety, and lasting change.Unlike general counsellors, an AMHSW is a registered Medicare provider. This means clients with a Mental Health Care Plan from their GP can access Medicare rebates for sessions — making specialist mental health support more affordable.At Lam Wellbeing, Evelyn holds AMHSW accreditation and can provide Medicare-rebatable sessions for eligible clients.

Question 5

Counselling vs. Therapy: Understanding the key differences

Accepted Answer

Counselling and therapy are often used interchangeably, but they serve distinct purposes. Counselling focuses on specific challenges, offering short-term solutions and practical strategies for issues like stress, relationships, or career transitions. Therapy, on the other hand, explores deeper emotional and psychological factors, supporting long-term healing and personal growth.Counsellors provide guidance, support, and psychoeducation, while therapists use evidence-based techniques like Cognitive-Behavioural Therapy (CBT), psychodynamic therapy, and experiential therapies to address underlying issues. Counsellors may have various certifications, while therapists typically hold advanced degrees in psychology, social work, or counselling and are licensed to practice therapy.

Question 6

Therapy session length, frequency & what to expect

Accepted Answer

Session Duration & Fees
Individual sessions last 50–60 minutes, while family sessions run for 90 minutes. For detailed pricing, please refer to the fee schedule.Session Frequency
In the beginning, sessions are typically weekly or fortnightly, depending on your needs. Weekly sessions are recommended initially to build a strong therapeutic connection, clarify goals, and maximise treatment effectiveness. Research shows that consistent weekly sessions lead to better outcomes.Treatment Duration
The length of treatment depends on the complexity of the issue:Counselling: Typically short-term, with 4–6 sessions showing significant progress.Therapy: Longer-term, focusing on deeper emotional and psychological healing.Family Therapy: A minimum of 4–6 sessions is recommended to effectively address relational dynamics and foster positive change.

Question 7

Do you offer counselling in Vietnamese?

Accepted Answer

Yes. I offer counselling and therapy in both English and Vietnamese. For Vietnamese-speaking clients, sessions can be conducted entirely in Vietnamese, or in a mix of both languages depending on your preference. Cultural responsiveness goes beyond language — I bring an understanding of Vietnamese family systems, cultural expectations, and community dynamics to the therapeutic relationship.

Question 8

Counselling & therapy session fees

Accepted Answer

All counselling and therapy sessions are billed as per the fee schedule.

Question 9

Can I access therapy if I don't have a Mental Health Care Plan?

Accepted Answer

Yes. A GP referral or Mental Health Care Plan is not required to access sessions at Lam Wellbeing — you can self-refer directly.However, if you do have a Mental Health Care Plan, you are now eligible for a Medicare rebate of $89.50 per session as I am an Accredited Mental Health Social Worker (AMHSW) and registered Medicare provider. This reduces your out-of-pocket cost to $60.50 per 50-minutes-session. If you're unsure whether you're eligible, speak with your GP.For clients without a Mental Health Care Plan, concession pricing and sliding scale fees are available for those experiencing financial hardship. Victim Assist QLD and WorkCover funding may also be available for eligible clients.

Question 10

Affordable therapy: Rebate & sliding scale

Accepted Answer

As an Accredited Mental Health Social Worker (AMHSW) and registered Medicare provider, I can offer Medicare rebates under the Better Access to Mental Health Care scheme.Clients with a Mental Health Care Plan (MHCP) from their GP are eligible for a rebate of $89.50 per session (sessions of at least 50 minutes), bringing the out-of-pocket cost to $60.50 for a 50-minute-session or $90.50 for a 90-minute-session. You are eligible for up to 10 rebated sessions per calendar year. Ask your GP for a referral to an Accredited Mental Health Social Worker to get started.For clients without a Mental Health Care Plan, or those experiencing financial hardship, a sliding scale is available for concession card holders. Please reach out to discuss options — cost should not be a barrier to getting support.

Frequently Asked Questions