Meet Susanna: A Journey of Faith, Healing, and Cultural Understanding
Susanna’s journey into counselling is deeply intertwined with her faith and passion for cultural understanding. Born in China, Susanna experienced a personal transformation upon encountering God in Australia. Her calling to become a counsellor was rooted in a lifelong desire to offer holistic care, helping others navigate their personal and spiritual journeys.
In 2017, Susanna began her career as a pastor’s assistant and administrator. This role laid the foundation for her deepening commitment to compassionate, spiritually grounded care. By 2019, Susanna had moved to the Queensland Southern Coast to engage in outreach with international migrants, where her understanding of cross-cultural ministry blossomed. It was during this time that she recognised the importance of providing care that not only addressed mental health but also honoured the cultural and spiritual backgrounds of those she served.
After realising the limitations of online learning, Susanna made the decision to return to Melbourne and pursue face-to-face studies at MST-Eastern, where she earned her undergraduate degree and began her professional counselling practice in 2022. Through her work, she combines counselling techniques with spiritual formation, mindfulness, and natural therapies, offering clients a safe and compassionate space for healing.
Her passion for counselling is particularly focused on addressing mental health challenges within the Chinese community, including anxiety, depression, and complex post-traumatic stress disorder. These issues are often under-recognised in the culture, and Susanna is dedicated to providing culturally sensitive and faith-integrated care. Additionally, she has a heart for supporting pastors, missionaries, and church leaders who face burnout, compassion fatigue, and spiritual exhaustion.
As a member of the CCAA member care team, Susanna finds fulfilment in supporting other counsellors, especially those from Chinese-speaking backgrounds. Her work at CCAA allows her to connect with others in similar contexts, share resources, and provide care that integrates both cultural and spiritual understanding.
Through all her work, Susanna’s faith remains her guiding force. She believes that spiritual development is at the core of human growth and that offering meaning, purpose, and hope is essential in the healing process. Her calling to serve God through counselling continues to shape her practice, and she remains committed to offering a holistic, compassionate approach to those in need.