Malinda Um, AASW
Compassionate social worker for trauma and transitions
- Trauma and relationship care
- Evidence-based therapies
- Australia-based AASW member
About Malinda Um
Malinda Um is an Australian-qualified social worker with eight years of clinical experience supporting people through anxiety, depression, trauma, burnout, grief, and relationship difficulties. As a member of the Australian Association of Social Workers (AASW), she brings a practice grounded in evidence-based approaches to help clients navigate major life changes and everyday stressors.
She frequently works with people who feel overwhelmed, stuck, or disconnected, including those who appear high-functioning but are struggling beneath the surface. This includes professionals in high-pressure roles and caregivers dealing with compassion fatigue and role-related stress. Her work also attends to family and attachment issues, intergenerational patterns, cross-cultural experiences, and identity concerns so that a person’s full context is part of the therapeutic process.
Malinda’s style is practical and collaborative, using therapies such as Acceptance and Commitment Therapy, Cognitive Behavioral Therapy, Attachment-Based Therapy, Narrative Therapy, and Solution-Focused Therapy to identify patterns, build emotional regulation skills, and craft sustainable changes in daily life. Clients often say they value a steady, real, and non-judgemental space where honesty is welcomed and progress is approached one step at a time. For those unsure where to begin, she emphasizes a gradual, goal-oriented process that meets each client where they are.
She frequently works with people who feel overwhelmed, stuck, or disconnected, including those who appear high-functioning but are struggling beneath the surface. This includes professionals in high-pressure roles and caregivers dealing with compassion fatigue and role-related stress. Her work also attends to family and attachment issues, intergenerational patterns, cross-cultural experiences, and identity concerns so that a person’s full context is part of the therapeutic process.
Malinda’s style is practical and collaborative, using therapies such as Acceptance and Commitment Therapy, Cognitive Behavioral Therapy, Attachment-Based Therapy, Narrative Therapy, and Solution-Focused Therapy to identify patterns, build emotional regulation skills, and craft sustainable changes in daily life. Clients often say they value a steady, real, and non-judgemental space where honesty is welcomed and progress is approached one step at a time. For those unsure where to begin, she emphasizes a gradual, goal-oriented process that meets each client where they are.
Areas of Expertise
Primary Focus
Also Specializes In
Stress, AnxietyRelationship issuesFamily conflictsGriefParenting issuesAnger managementCareer difficulties
Additional Focus Areas
AbandonmentAttachment issuesBlended family issuesBody imageCaregiver issues and stressCo-morbidityCodependencyCommitment issuesCommunication problemsControl issuesCoping with natural or human-caused disasterDivorce and separationEmptinessFamily of origin issuesFamily problemsFirst responder issuesForgivenessGuilt and shameImmigration issuesInfidelityIsolation / lonelinessJealousyLife purposeMidlife crisisVeteran and Armed Forces IssuesMoney and financial issuesMood disordersMulticultural concernsPanic disorder and panic attacksPhobiasPostpartum depressionPost-traumatic stressPregnancy and childbirthPrejudice and discriminationSeasonal Affective Disorder (SAD)Self-loveSexualitySocial anxiety and phobiaSomatizationWomen's issuesWorkplace issuesYoung adult issues
Therapeutic Approach
Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT) Attachment-Based Therapy Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT) Narrative Therapy Solution-Focused Therapy Systemic Therapy
Frequently Asked Questions
How much experience does Malinda Um have?
Malinda Um has 8 years of experience.
Is Malinda Um a licensed therapist?
Yes. She holds the credential AASW.
In which languages does Malinda Um provide therapy?
Malinda provides therapy in English.
Where is Malinda Um located?
Malinda is located in Australia.
How can I work with Malinda Um as my therapist?
You can work with Malinda through video calls, phone sessions, live chat, or text-based messaging.
Does Malinda Um work with international clients?
Malinda Um does not currently work with international clients.
How much does therapy with Malinda Um cost?
The cost of therapy can vary depending on factors such as your location and the therapist's availability. Sessions are billed through a subscription that can be canceled at any time, for any reason. For current details, click the "Start Therapy" button on this page.
How can I get started with therapy?
Getting started is quick and straightforward. Click the "Start Therapy" button and complete a short questionnaire that helps match you with your therapist. Depending on availability, you can then schedule your first session, which may take place by phone, video call, live chat, or in-app messaging.
Practical therapeutic approaches for online care
Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT) supports clients to clarify their values and take committed actions toward a meaningful life while learning to respond differently to difficult thoughts and feelings. It is useful for anxiety, depression, and navigating life changes.Attachment-Based Therapy focuses on understanding how early relationships shape current patterns of relating and emotional responses. It can help with attachment wounds, relationship issues, abandonment fears, and family of origin concerns.
Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT) helps identify and shift unhelpful thinking and behavior patterns through practical strategies and skill building, making it effective for stress, mood concerns, and coping with everyday challenges.
Choosing the right approach is part of the therapeutic journey. Malinda will work collaboratively with each person to determine which methods best match their needs, goals, and preferences, adapting techniques over time as progress unfolds.
Online therapy with Malinda is offered via video calls, phone sessions, live chat, and text-based messaging to provide flexibility and accessibility for people living in Australia. These options make it easier to fit therapy into busy schedules, reduce travel time, and maintain continuity of care while working toward meaningful change with a licensed professional.