Who I Am
I’m Ethan Tew.
Born and raised in Malaysia. I’ve been here in Melbourne, Australia since 2015. I'm a compassionate guide on your journey to well-being. Having arrived here as an international student and immigrant, I try my best to foster a culturally-safe and responsive space where you can explore, grow and thrive in your environment.
Growing up in Malaysia and as someone who identifies as part of the LGBTQIA+ community, I never really had the chance to express myself freely due to being seen as "unnatural”. There are other parts of my identity, such as being a gamer (or gaymer), have been viewed as “childish”. I would get told that I would “grow out of this phase”. I used to believe them and would apologise for being myself.
For a long time I struggled with my own identity and mental health.
During the final year of my bachelor’s degree, I experienced my lowest moments. All I could think about was “What if I just end it right here?”. When that same thought had crossed my mind so many times over the years and when I felt like I was finally going to do it, I decided that I would seek out help first.
Things started to change here. I learnt so much about myself and what it means to be comfortable in my own body. I started connecting with other people and made friends! I won’t lie that it was hard. However, since then, I have been grateful for the help that I have received in getting to where I am now. The photo on the left was when I got discharged by my psychiatrist!
My experiences have led me to get into counselling field! During this time, I was learning so much about myself and my limits. I have learnt to not let myself be defined by other people, and that I can be the person that I want to be as long as I put my mind to it.
After my counselling degree, I stumbled upon this role called a “Peer Practitioner” at Mind Australia. It was a peer worker role where I would use my lived and living experience of mental ill health to support people to build capacity for independent living. From there, I got to experience what it was like being on the other end. I got to support someone on their journey and that they were grateful that I was there for them, just like how other people have been there for me too.
I am still learning about myself. It is a journey that never ends! I have made wonderful friends who I play online games and board games with. I even got to try out streaming on Twitch at one point (although it was short-lived as I get too nervous being on camera for other people to watch haha!).
If you are keen to have me, I would like for you to know that I will try my best being that cheerleader in your journey in life. Having someone in your corner who has unconditional positive regard for your wellbeing was a privilege that I got to have — and I would like for you to have a chance for that too!
Qualifications
Bachelor of Arts (Psychology), University of Melbourne
Master of Counselling, Monash University
Certifications
Acceptance and Commitment Therapy for Adolescents by Russ Harris
Trauma Focused Acceptance and Commitment Therapy by Russ Harris
Dialectical Behaviour Therapy Skills for Adolescents & Families by Marsha Linehan, Alec Miller & Jill Rathus
Introduction to Motivational Interviewing by Mind Australia
Person Centred Therapy by Mental Health Academy
Behaviour Activation Therapy for Depression by Mental Health Academy
Trauma Sensitive Practice - Working with Complex Trauma by Blue Knot Foundation
ASIST (Applies Suicide Intervention Skills Training) LGBTQIA+ by LivingWorks