- Practical steps
- Pattern-focused work
- Collaborative approach
About Malinda
Malinda Um is an AASW social worker who helps people facing overwhelm, anxiety and life changes. She speaks plainly and aims to make first steps feel manageable for someone who is worried or unsure. Her work is practical and steady, designed for people who feel stuck or disconnected from themselves and others.
Malinda has eight years of experience working with trauma, depression, stress and relationship strain. She commonly supports people who present as high-functioning but are struggling beneath the surface, and those experiencing compassion fatigue or caregiver stress. She also addresses concerns such as grief, parenting pressures, career stress and body image problems, alongside issues like abandonment and attachment difficulties.
In sessions Malinda focuses on recognising patterns, building emotional regulation skills and finding actions that fit daily life. She draws on approaches such as Acceptance and Commitment Therapy, Attachment-Based Therapy, Cognitive Behavioural Therapy, Narrative Therapy and Solution-Focused Therapy. Conversations are practical and collaborative rather than overly technical.
She has experience with cross-cultural issues and family of origin patterns, and works to include the full context of a person’s life. Sessions aim to balance honest reflection with doable steps that can reduce overwhelm between meetings.
If someone is unsure how to begin, Malinda guides small first steps and helps set goals that feel achievable. She encourages paced progress so change can be sustained in everyday life.
How her approaches translate to online work
Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT) helps people notice thoughts and feelings without getting overwhelmed, then commit to small actions that match their values. It suits issues like anxiety, low mood and feeling stuck. Attachment-Based Therapy looks at early relationship patterns and how they shape current connections, helping with abandonment concerns and repeating relationship cycles. Cognitive Behavioural Therapy (CBT) focuses on practical skills to change unhelpful thoughts and behaviours, which can ease stress, panic and depressive patterns.Finding the right approach is part of therapy. Malinda collaborates with each person to pick methods that match their goals and preferences. She adapts tools from these approaches so sessions feel relevant and doable, and reviews progress together to adjust the plan as needed.
The source biography does not list specific online session formats, so confirm current options before booking. In general, online work can make it easier to fit therapy into a busy life, reduce travel time and allow shorter check-ins when needed. It also lets people use strategies in real time in their everyday environment, so skills can be practised between sessions and then reviewed with the counsellor.
Areas of expertise
Primary focus
Also works with
Additional focus areas
Therapeutic approaches
Experience
8+ years
Credentials
Listed on profile
Languages
English
Frequently asked questions
What kinds of problems does Malinda help with?
She works with people experiencing trauma, anxiety, depression, stress, relationship and family concerns, grief, parenting strain and career pressures.
What is her therapeutic style like?
Her style is practical and collaborative, focusing on noticing patterns, building emotion regulation and trying small, useful actions between sessions.
How much clinical experience does she have?
Malinda has eight years of professional experience supporting people with a range of concerns including trauma and burnout.
What credentials and location are listed for this therapist?
She is listed with the Australian Association of Social Workers (AASW) and practises in Australia.
Which languages are sessions offered in?
Sessions are offered in English.
What session formats are available?
The original biography does not specify session formats, so confirm current session options with the service before booking.
How are fees and payment handled?
Cost varies with location and therapist arrangements; sessions use a subscription that can be cancelled at any time.
How do I begin working with this counsellor?
Select the Start Therapy button, complete the short matching questionnaire, and schedule according to the therapist's availability.
Profile details come from information the therapist supplied to BetterHelp. Credential and registration rules differ between the United States, the United Kingdom and Australia.