About Tingting

My name is Tingting Yang. Most of my family, friends and colleagues call me Tingting or Ting. You can also call me Maggie — an English name I chose in high school after discovering its Greek origins are connected with the meaning “pearl,” which I have always loved.

I am a PACFA-registered clinical counsellor with professional experience in alcohol and other drug counselling, domestic and family violence counselling, and family support.

I grew up in China and came to Australia as an international student, completing a Bachelor’s degree in Psychology at The University of Melbourne and a Master’s degree in Counselling at The University of Queensland. I now live and work in Brisbane, Queensland, on the traditional lands of the Turrbal and Jagera/Yuggera peoples.

During my university years, I also had opportunities to study for short periods in Portugal, the United Kingdom and Germany. I loved experiencing different cultures and connecting with people from different backgrounds. These experiences have shaped how I approach counselling today, particularly my interest in culture, identity, migration, relationships and the different ways our backgrounds can influence how we understand ourselves and others.

What counselling with me is like

For me, the relationship between counsellor and client is an important part of therapy.

I aim to offer a warm, respectful and non-judgemental space where you can talk openly about what is happening in your life, make sense of your experiences and explore what feels important to you.

I try to bring curiosity, compassion and authenticity into my work. Rather than assuming that I know what is best for you, I see counselling as something we work through together. I will listen carefully, offer reflections and ideas when they may be helpful, and support you to move at a pace that feels manageable.

My work is person-centred, trauma-informed and attachment-informed. This means I pay attention not only to the difficulties you may be experiencing now, but also to your relationships, life experiences, strengths, culture and the ways you have learned to cope and protect yourself.

Alongside experiences of distress or difficulty, I also value recognising moments of courage, connection, growth and change.

My Approach

I take an integrative approach to counselling. This means I do not expect one therapeutic approach to suit every person or every situation.

I consider different parts of a person’s experience, including emotions, relationships, physical wellbeing, social environment, culture, values and sense of meaning. I may also explore how experiences can affect the nervous system, emotions and bodily responses.

Depending on what you are seeking support with, I may draw on different therapeutic ideas and approaches. My professional training includes:

• Interpersonal Psychotherapy, Level A

• Solution-Focused Brief Therapy

• Motivational Interviewing

• Schema Therapy, Level 1

• The Three-Phase Approach to Trauma Therapy

I am also a registered Circle of Security Parenting facilitator and have completed further professional development in areas including introductory Dialectical Behaviour Therapy and art therapy approaches for counsellors.

I see myself as a lifelong learner. My understanding of counselling continues to develop through professional training, experience, supervision and reflection.

At times, I may introduce a different perspective, activity or therapeutic approach into our sessions. We can talk about whether it feels useful for you, and the work will always be guided by your needs, preferences and pace.

My Experience

My professional experience has included working with people affected by alcohol and other drug concerns, domestic and family violence, relationship and family difficulties, and a range of emotional and life challenges.

I have supported people experiencing concerns such as:

• substance use

• anxiety and emotional distress

• low mood and depression

• relationship difficulties

• family and parenting concerns

• life transitions

• childhood and relational trauma

• experiences of domestic and family violence

I also work with parents and families and currently co-facilitate a Circle of Security Parenting group.

One of the things I value about group work is seeing people begin to connect with one another and recognise that they are not alone in what they are experiencing. Those moments of understanding and connection are something I find deeply meaningful in my work.

Who I work with

I currently provide counselling via telehealth and work with:

• young people (age 14 +)

• adults

• parents

• families

Sessions are available in both English and Mandarin.

If you would like to learn more about the kinds of support I offer, you can visit my Services page or get in touch with me.