Chenhong Xu (Chen)

Qualification:  AHPRA registered Clinical Psychologist and Board-Approved Primary Supervisor in Clinical Psychology, Master of Clinical Psychology (Australia Catholic University),
Language: English and Mandarin
Works with: individuals age 13+, couples
Fees: initial session $390 (80 minutes), subsequent session $260 (50 minutes), couple session $390 (80 minutes), Medicare rebate $141
Availability: Chen is currently not taking new clients; instead she is supervising and training the other psychologists and counsellors at the practice to ensure they provide quality care. She is also actively involved in the intake and allocation of new clients to optimise the therapist-client fit.

As a registered supervisor, Chen is able to provide:
- Primary and secondary supervision for psychologist completing clinical registrar program
- Primary and secondary supervision for provisional psychologists who are completing their master degrees or 5+1
- Placement for provisional psychologists

Chen can also offer:
- Case consultation for psychologists, mental health social workers and counsellors
- Mentoring for private practice business development
- Public speaking and education at mental health events

Since 2015, Chen has been working with clients on anxiety, phobia, depression, obsessive compulsive traits, trauma, sex addiction, post-natal issues and emotional regulation difficulties. Clients also seek Chen’s help in navigating their relationship problems, family conflicts, parenting struggles, life transitions or existential doubts.

Many of Chen’s clients specifically search for therapists from Asian backgrounds or therapists who speak Chinese Mandarin; therefore Chen values the shared cultural background, shared language and shared meanings with her clients. “While culture and language do not define us, they can deepen our connections. The stories we grew up listing to, the words that we cannot find equivalent in another language, and the family dynamic change as a result of immigration… all these things are closely intertwined with our inner life and relationship styles.”

Chen believes that the roots of psychological suffering can be addressed, and deeper, long-lasting changes can happen within a reasonable time frame. Chen integrates evidence-based therapeutic modalities, including but not limited to, Cognitive Behaviour Therapy (CBT), Acceptance Commitment Therapy (ACT), Schema Therapy and Intensive Short-Term Dynamic Psychotherapy (ISTDP). Her strengths are in helping clients change their habitual cognitive and relational patterns while providing clients with corrective emotional experiences.

Experiential emotional work is a key element of her practice. “I encourage my clients to feel their feelings rather than just talk about their feelings. Only after facing our anger, grief, fears and guilt, we can walk towards healing, courage, freedom and renewed hope.”