Malinda Um, AASW

Malinda Um is an Australian social worker with AASW (Australian Association of Social Workers) credential and 8 years of clinical experience supporting people through anxiety, depression, trauma and major life transitions. She works with individuals who feel overwhelmed, stuck or disconnected - including people who appear high-functioning externally but are struggling internally - and often supports those in high-pressure roles or caregiving positions.

Her practice addresses a broad range of concerns such as trauma and abuse, burnout and compassion fatigue, relationship and family problems, grief, parenting challenges and career stress. She also works with issues related to attachment, abandonment, blended family dynamics, body image, codependency and intergenerational patterns. Cross-cultural experiences and identity are considered part of each person's full context rather than something to be simplified.

Malinda adopts a practical and collaborative style, drawing on evidence-based approaches including Acceptance and Commitment Therapy, Attachment-Based Therapy, Cognitive Behavioral Therapy, Narrative Therapy and Solution-Focused Therapy. Sessions focus on identifying recurring patterns, strengthening emotional regulation and developing actionable strategies that translate into sustainable change day to day. She aims to offer a steady, realistic and non-judgemental space where people can explore their experience at a manageable pace and work together to find the next right steps.

Applying therapeutic approaches to online care

Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT) helps people notice difficult thoughts and feelings without getting stuck in them - the focus is on identifying personal values and taking committed steps that align with those values, which can be useful for anxiety, depression and adjustment concerns.

Attachment-Based Therapy explores how early relationship patterns influence current behaviour and emotional responses, helping individuals and families address connection, trust and abandonment issues that affect relationships and parenting.

Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT) works on identifying and shifting unhelpful thinking and behaviour patterns through practical, structured techniques - it is often used for anxiety, low mood, stress and coping with life changes.

Finding the right approach is part of the therapeutic process, and Malinda will work collaboratively with each person to determine which methods best fit their needs, goals and preferences. That collaborative process may combine elements from different approaches to suit the individual.

Online therapy offers flexibility - sessions can be attended by video call or phone, or accessed via live chat and text-based messaging - making it easier to fit therapy around work, family and other commitments. These options increase accessibility for people in different locations and life stages while allowing therapists and appropriately qualified or registered professionals to tailor pacing, frequency and interventions to each person's circumstances.