Deborah Ong

Senior Clinical Psychologist

Individual
Adults

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Qualifications

MPsych (Clin), PGDip Psych (1st Class Hons), MAPS, MSPS, Registered Psych (AU)

Languages

English

Clinical Hours

Tuesday, Friday: 9am - 4pm
Saturday: 10am - 4pm

Fees

Individual Therapy (50 minutes): $250
Individual Therapy (80 minutes): $360

Deborah Ong

Senior Clinical Psychologist

Individual
Adults

About

Deborah is a registered psychologist trained in Australia and Singapore. She is a member of the Australian Psychological Society.

Specialisations

She specialises in adult mental health and works on a broad range of presentations including Stress/Anxiety, Depression, Trauma, Mood Disorders, Life Transitions and Personal Growth, Work-Related Stress and Burnout, Grief and Loss, Relationship Stressors, Adjustment following Stressful Incident or Event(s), Phobias and Neuropsychological Assessments.

Qualifications and Experience

Deborah completed a Postgraduate Diploma in Psychology (1st Class Honours) and a Master’s Degree in Psychology (Clinical).

Deborah has varied and extensive experience working across lifespan in different settings including hospital, social service agency, government, and youth residential facility. She specialises in adult mental health and offers individual therapy to help clients cope with stress and emotional difficulties during significant life transitions and struggles. Deborah’s practice is guided by evidence-based interventions. She works flexibly from multiple therapeutic models drawing on clients’ existing strengths and values to help them overcome their personal challenges.

Approach to Therapy

Deborah believes it takes courage to reach out for professional support and seeks to hold safe space for clients in a way that is inclusive and respectful. Her therapy approach is down to earth, compassionate, and collaborative.

Deborah provides various therapeutic interventions to adults including Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT), Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT), Dialectical Behavior Therapy (DBT), Emotion-Focused Couples Therapy, Eye Movement Desensitisation and Reprocessing (EMDR), Solution Focused Brief Therapy (SFBT), Gottman Method Couples Therapy (Level 1 and 2), Person-Centered Therapy (PCT), Narrative Therapy, Schema Therapy, Gestalt Therapy, Psychodynamic Therapy, Compassion-Focused Therapy (CFT), Emotion Focused Therapy (EFT), Internal Family Systems (IFS), Mindfulness and Meditation.

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Gentle Start-Up in Couples Communication

What is a Gentle Start-up?

Effective communication is the foundation of any healthy relationship, and this holds for couples as well. A gentle start-up in communication refers to initiating a conversation with care, empathy, and respect. It’s about setting a positive tone for the discussion, which is essential in ensuring both partners feel heard and understood.

In Asian households, where communication can sometimes be perceived as harsh or direct, the concept of a “gentle start-up” may seem jarring, and unfamiliar. Traditional Asian households often prioritize directness and sometimes even bluntness in communication, leading to misunderstandings and conflicts within couples.

In fact, gentle start-up is actually aligned when the values of Asian households. Many Asian households emphasize respect towards loved ones. In such contexts, starting a conversation gently can be seen as a sign of respect, even if the content of the conversation is a complaint.

Maintaining harmony is a fundamental value within Asian households as well. A gentle start-up not only reflects respect but also serves to preserve the equilibrium within the relationship. Initiating a conversation gently reinforces the importance of the relationship. This approach communicates that the relationship is more significant than any temporary disagreement or frustration.

In Asian households, collectivism and interdependence are deeply rooted cultural values. These values emphasize the interconnectedness of the couple and the idea that their actions and words can impact the entire relationship.

The gentle start-up approach aligns with these values and aims to minimize the emotional impact of difficult moments within the family. By choosing a more respectful and considerate tone, family members can navigate challenging conversations with minimal emotional harm, ultimately promoting healthier and more harmonious family dynamics.

Benefits of Gentle Start-Ups:

Enhanced Understanding:
- Initiating a conversation gently allows both partners to approach the topic with an open mind, fostering better understanding and empathy.
Reduced Defensiveness:
- A harsh start to a conversation can trigger defensiveness, making it challenging to resolve issues. A gentle start-up can minimize this defensiveness, leading to more productive discussions.
Conflict Resolution:
- By using a gentle approach, couples can create a safe space for addressing concerns and resolving conflicts constructively.

In Asian households, the importance of gentle start-ups in couples’ communication becomes evident when considering the cultural dynamics at play. While directness and bluntness have their place, employing a gentle approach can foster understanding, reduce defensiveness, and facilitate healthy conflict resolution. It’s a harmonious blend of traditional values and effective communication techniques that can lead to stronger, more resilient relationships in the context of diverse Asian households.