The power of community: You’re not alone

From L to R: Jackie, Natasha, Natcha, Vi, Vi-An and not pictured is Sanduni

In February, I had the joy of gathering with a group of incredible People of Colour (POC) therapists working in private practice. We shared food, laughs, honest reflections, and deep critical insights about what it means to hold space for others in the mental health field—especially when we’re also navigating our own identities, histories, and healing.

That afternoon reminded me of the power and beauty that is the strength of community.

When I started my career in corporate settings, my sense of community came from the people I worked alongside. Many were professionals of colour, who were driven and passionate about making a positive difference, and we became each other's support systems—especially when our experiences weren’t fully understood by the broader workplace.

I didn’t realise how vital that community was until it disappeared.

During the 2020 COVID lockdowns, cut off from face-to-face connection and stuck with work without people, I felt the burnout creep in and take over. This period planted the seed for me to shift into private practice counselling, where I could reconnect with my values, create space for more genuine relationships, and centre culturally responsive care.

This year, I feel incredibly grateful to once again be surrounded by allied health practitioners who get it. They are wonderful humans who want to make a real difference; who are invested not only in supporting clients, but in supporting themselves—and each other.

There’s something powerful about sharing space with people with shared values. Whether it’s the exhaustion that comes after code-switching all day, the frustration of not feeling heard, or the internalised pressure to prove yourself in majority-white spaces—just knowing someone else has been there makes the load feel lighter.

That, to me, is the real antidote to work-related stress.

If you’ve ever felt like the only one, whether at work, in your family, or in your community—you’re not.

Let me tell you: I am really good at giving up. I sometimes don’t finish sentences mid-conversation if I’ve suddenly lost the drive. I’ve abandoned countless hobbies, half-written plans, and mini projects. But one thing I’m endlessly grateful to my past self for is not giving up on seeking community.

Community doesn’t have to be big. It can be one friend, one conversation, one Duolingo reminder that there are other people like you and you’re not doing this alone.

So this blog is really a love letter to that—to connection, to kinship, to knowing someone has your back even when it feels like no one else understands.

And now, want to connect with these amazing practitioners?

Here are the details of these fantastic therapists that I’ve had the pleasure of connecting with. Whether you’re seeking therapy, you’re a practitioner yourself, or just someone figuring things out - community can start with just connecting with one person. We are out here!

Therapist	Specialisation
Jackie Ha Counsellor Morrow Endeavour Counselling & Psychotherapy	Individual & couples therapy Inner child healing & reparenting Somatic therapy (mind-body connection) Relationship with self & others
Dr Natasha Tung Clinical Psychologist Kaki Psychology	Relational and family trauma Confidence, communication, and relationships Anxiety and depression
Natcha Limpianunchai Psychologist Journey & Thrive Psychology	Anxiety Trauma/EMDR
Sanduni Silva Psychologist & Counsellor Insession Counselling	Individual & couples therapy Diagnosis & assessment (ADHD) Clinical supervision
Vi Tran Clinical Psychologist The Middle Bridge Project	Culturally-responsive coaching programs Online educational resources Consultation and workshops Events & guest speaking