Bilingual Counselling and Therapy for Complex Mental Health and Trauma

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.

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.

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.

Mental health social workers are accredited social workers who specialise in mental-health assessment, treatment, and intervention. 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.

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.

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.

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.

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

Yes. A GP referral or Mental Health Care Plan is not required to access sessions at Lam Wellbeing. You can self-refer directly. Medicare rebates are not currently available, but concession pricing and sliding scale fees are offered for those experiencing financial hardship. I am working toward Accredited Mental Health Social Worker (AMHSW) accreditation, which will enable Medicare-rebatable sessions under a Mental Health Treatment Plan. This page will be updated when available. Victim Assist QLD and WorkCover funding may be available for eligible clients.

Currently, no rebates are available. However, if you hold a concession card or are facing financial hardship, please reach out to discuss sliding scale fee options.I also support NDIS plan-managed and self-managed participants under Capacity Building and Psychological Assistance funding.